Practical Magic Spellbook and Salem Homes

Yesterday, I walked around some of the residential areas in Salem and took pictures of some of the homes to give you an idea of what the rest of the town looks like. If I were to move here, this is the house I would want to live in. It needs a lot of work but it is glorious! The grounds surrounding it are fantastic.


This is the historic marker in front of the house.


I could live in the garage! I love the detail on this building.


Look at this fence. I want I want I want I want!!!!


More Gothic architecture across the street.


I also love the red brick buildings with their ornate ironwork.


This wonderful fountain is next to the library.


Historic plaques like this are placed on houses all over town.


This is a typical house you would find on almost any street.


I would also like a house with a widow's walk. Widow's walks were very popular during the Victorian era. The story is that these were built so women could have a good view of the sea to watch for their men to return. Many died at sea and thus.....the widow's walk.


Yum!!!! And this is for sale!!!


Cute!!!


As much as I love these homes, I see dollar signs when I look at them. I live in a 140 year old home and I know only too well the cost of maintaining one of these monsters.


But on the other hand......geeeeeeze....they are fabulous!


This was on the market a few years ago and I actually looked at it. At that time I think it was 850,000.00. It is smack up against the neighbor's house like so many of the homes here. And there isn't much of a yard. The main entry is on the side which is interesting.


Alexander Hamilton lived in this house. He was one of the founders of the American banking system. Which these days does not make him out to be the genius he was originally thought to be.....just kidding!


He had a great house!


And here is a random strange dude pic. This guy was walking around with nooses hanging around his neck.


Remember the brown book in the window from the other day? Unfortunately, it was not for sale. But I found another one in this store. It is very hard to find well made unique witch items.


I should know since I have been looking for them for over thirty years. From time to time I have found some nice things in Salem but most of the stores don't carry them anymore because of how expensive they tend to be.




Score!!!! This store, New England Magic, has some quality items. She has some really nice Italian leather spellbooks. She is located right on Essex Street just down from Crow Haven Corner. I was in a hurry because I was double parked but I would like to go back and have another look. She also has some exceptional crystal balls.


This is the greatest!!!


I bought a reproduction of The Practical Magic spellbook from her.


Now I own the original.......


...and the repro!


I also picked up this bag...


...and this carved wooden candle holder to add to the give-a-way bag I am offering today at Mrs. B's. Today is the day, so click on the button on my sidebar for a chance to win.

I will now only be posting once each day for the remainder of the trip because my blog buddies have left to return home. One child has classes and the other must return to work, so I am on my own. Since they like keeping me dependent on them, they have left me with only enough entries to post until I return home. Tricky kids!

Comments

KrisMrsBBradley said…
That is the most AWESOME find!! Congrats! I know how you love spell books!
Dede said…
Love the first house, I could truly live in that house! So happy for you finding a new spell book.
Wendy said…
These are gorgeous pics.

I grew up in MA, and we'd go to Salem on Halloween night (or close to it) every year when I was an adult. I miss it!

Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos of one of the loveliest places in the U.S.

The spellbook is wicked awesome. I'm so jealous!
I love those houses! Since I now know the history of the town, they have a spooky feeling over them :-)

Yes those big old houses do cost to maintain. My little cottage is only 98 years old and next year I have to start changing the walls.
Have a great day now!
Christer.
Tori said…
I am oozing jealousy right now! I went to Salem once a few years ago, and it is gorgeous.
Nydia said…
Salem is one of the places I have to visit while living! :o)

Oh thanks for the super-generous giveaway you donated to Mrs. B.'s fun!!

Kisses from Nydia.
Mother Moon said…
you must be having a wonderful time... enjoy the rest of your trip... thanks so much for your part in mrs bs giveaway... very generous..
Stitchinwitch said…
Those buildings are gorgeous. I thought we had amazing architecture her in Liverpool but they are....WOW

Thank you so much for the great giveaway at Mrs B's
Anonymous said…
I. Am. Jealous. I have a friend who lives in Salem and has been bugging me to come visit. i am planning a trip for next year!! Also, thanks for doing the giveaway today. I REALLY WANT IT!!
Marjorie said…
I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed reading your blog this week. I am moving to Salem, somehow! Your giveaway on Mrs. B's is great too.
Marjorie said…
I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed reading your blog this past week. I am definitely moving to Salem! Your giveaway is awesome too!
Anonymous said…
I'm just sitting over here drooling over all this fabulous photos! I have been whining to my husband that we need to take a trip to Salem.:)
Birgit said…
Hi there,

I found your blog via Mrs. B. -- some things are meant to be, huh? Thanks for sharing all those great photos -- it's like walking along with you up and down the streets of Salem. :)

Greetings from Munich,
Birgit
Rue said…
Those houses are amazing. I'd (almost) give up my big garden beds for a home like those!

Great find on the spell book - another for your wonderful collection!
Zabet said…
I love the bag!! Oh how much joy I would have bringing this to school. My students would have a field day!!
Hey Jaz...so glad you are having a great time, and thanks for sharing these photos. I love the gal that owns New England Magic...she's an absolutely stunning red head with the most beautiful Golden Retriever named Pumpkin. A couple of years ago I bought some stuff from her store. (Spent WAY too much money.) But she is such a charmer that she charmed me into it...ha! We talked a bit and she was quite interesting. I believe at the time she said she is married to a Policeman. How funny...a Witch married to a Cop. Anyway, she does have a great store. I didn't have time to go in and visit this year, but I also took some photos from outside. Have more fun today and keep the pics coming! :o)
laterg8r said…
love love those spell books - super cool :D
Sharon Day said…
You'll be bringing the magic back home with you! Awesome!
Marie said…
I love LOVE LOVE Salem. Your pictures make me miss it!!
If you are still in town, you should go to the Tonya Hurley reading!
Krissy said…
I'm your 200th follower! I feel honored!
Those spell books are too cool, you can almost feel feel the magic oozing out!
~Wendy~ said…
Great Blog! Consider me a follower!
Wendy for The Gothic Tea Society
I am about the 500th person o say that "I am OH SO JEALOUS!"...but hey- If I win that delightfully wicked goodie bag- I might just be okay! Boy did u deliver! The treats are INCREDIBLE! How about you put in a good word for me with the random number generator over there! LOL.

I was lucky enough to visit Salem once hen I was a kid-10yr old. It was a trip I will NEVER forget! And definitely sparked my love of Witchcraft. I bought the most adorable little Salem Tea Setfrom the Witchcraft Museum Shoppe- and I have hung on to it to this day.

Who woulda thought that someday I would be brewing an drinking my own Witchy brews out of it? (Well- maybe my Gramma & those who knew me well would!)

Enjoy your trip of a lifetime! And thank u for the chance to win that amazing goodie bag!

~Danae <(:o) aka 'Crafty'
Ha! I am ur 212th 'joiner'- (I dont FOLLOW anyone!LOL)

I am hoping that this will be a lucky sign that I will win the Goodie bag! Because I am born on 12-21-75....so 12 & 21 are my very lucky numbers.

Lucky, lucky chicken bone!Bring my Wicked Goodies home!

~Danae <(:o) aka'Crafty'
Tori said…
I have an award for you over at my blog.
William Bezek said…
Wow...You made some new friends today! Must be that awesome gift bag you have put together! I love Salem, but let's talk about that book. The Original? WHAAAA? Have you done a post showing it because I would squeal if I could see it! That movie is one of my guilty pleasures!
Hilary said…
What a beautiful house and I am so jealous of your book!
LYNDY WARD said…
Greetings & Salutations, just flying by to see all your pretties & say hello.

Spooktacular Salem Estates...

Thought I'd leave my Halloween Party Extravaganza & Giveaway Link:
http://todaysgold.blogspot.com/2009/10/lady-lyndy-sorceress-of-light-halloween.html

HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY...

Cosmic Blessings With Love & Joy, Lyndy
Patty said…
Love all the things you got!
The Traveler said…
You are making those of us here on the left coast want to go out and grumble at the desert.
I hope to make it out there one of these days, le sigh.
MJ Ornaments said…
Thanks for the interesting journey through Salem! I can't believe a house that huge costs so little. I'm in CA and homes here is really too expensive. Love all the architecture and thanks for the tour! Take care, Martha
Deborah said…
Beeeeeeeutiful! Thank you for the tour! Do stop by and party with Alice and Dead Bob, if you dare! **kisskiss** Deborah
brokenteepee said…
Can the original put a spell on the repro?
heh heh
Gorgeous homes...
Anonymous said…
Thanks for the help in this question, I too consider, that the easier, the better ?
Anonymous said…
Great photos! Just a small correction -- Hamilton Hall was built in 1805, one year after the death of Alexander Hamilton, and it was named in his honor. Hamilton never lived in Salem, MA. He is my most beloved founding father!