Brimfield Antiques Show

The extraordinary outdoor market known simply as 'Brimfield' - one of the largest and best known in the country - has been held in this small Massachusetts town for 50 years.

The final show of 2009 begins today, and whether you favor traditional or modern, you'll find much to love.

And after Brimfield, there's no place better than the bake shop @ Old Sturbridge Village for warm cookies and lemonade to go.

Harbor & Home

The latest exhibition at Winterthur is Harbor & Home: Furniture of Southeastern Massachusetts, 1710-1850, which opened Saturday. On display are 84 pieces of furniture, and more than 100 paintings, prints, historical photographs and other items drawn from 50 public and private collections. Lenders include The Met & Old Sturbridge Village, plus many smaller institutions throughout southeastern Massachusetts.

Isn't this scrimshaw dressing box perfect?  It's attributed to whaling captain Richard Luce of Vineyard Haven, and was probably made at sea between 1830 and 1850.

Kudos to Captain Luce for crafting this beautiful piece while sailing over the Atlantic's rolling waves.  Just the thought is making me a little seasick...