Silver Trumpets : July 2025

Philbrook gardens

In June, I had the joy of taking a much needed trip with my mom and daughter. I called it our Ladies Elegant Escape. The idea was simple but powerful: to step away from the routines of caring for everyone else and simply care for ourselves.

We leaned into every moment, savoring great food without rushing, lingering over pie, laughing freely, and letting ourselves just be. There is something deeply restorative about carving out space for three generations to connect, uninterrupted.

One of the most memorable activities was visiting the beautiful Philbrook Museum of Arts and gardens in Tulsa, OK. This stop fit perfectly with my Heartistry – Pride & Prejudice inspired activities. Walking through the elegant galleries and looking out over the gardens felt like visiting Pemberley itself. It was beautiful and peaceful, with just the right touch of history and charm to make it unforgettable. No photos do justice to any of these paintings but I've put some of my favorites below with details. If you click on the photos, they should be larger.

Side note: The museum also surprised us with a Samurai exhibition. The intricate armor and striking displays added a dramatic contrast to the soft elegance of the galleries and garden.

The Shepherdess (Pastourelle)

William-Adolphe Bouguereau

1889

Meadow and Sheep

Rosa Bonheur

1891

"An Angry Sea” by Thomas Moran (1887)

"Judith" 1675 by Simone Pignoni
Her expression close up was fascinating.

The Prince Who Was Hidden

N. C. Wyeth

1929

My cute coffee cup at the AirB&B. :)

Love her!

Momma is so beautiful!

Momma with

Dante and Beatrice window

D'Ascenzo Studios

c. 1927

Female Great Dane by Anna Hyatt Huntington
One of the first works to enter the Philbrook collection in 1939
People shouldn't, but you can see visitors have pat the pup on the head and
kissed it's nose a few times.

Eight Bells

Winslow Homer

1887

"Grand Canal at Venice"

"How to be Happy though Single" - 1891; Julia B. Folkard

Madonna and Child with the Young Saint John

Felice Schiavoni

1850
This was more beautiful than I ever imagined.
I had to go back to view it once more before we left.

“Three Sisters” (2024) by Muscogee Creek Artist
The Three Sisters is a Native American gardening method where corn, beans,
and squash are planted together. Each helps the others grow —
corn supports beans, beans enrich the soil, and squash shades the ground.

(Les Pommes) The Apples, 1947 - The first Pablo Picasso painting I've seen in person.
I did not like it...at first, but it's grown on me.

Amphora with Heracles and Dionysus Greek, Circa: 530 BCE !!!

The Death of Cato

Mathieu Ignace Van Brée

1797

This was my favorite painting.
The delicate silk dress and the subtle details revealed themselves the longer I looked.
It brought me to tears. A closer photo is below.