The Christmas House

      If you've been visiting my blog for a while, you know about Stella - our little cottage on the cove.  We learned about that vintage coastal community through a dear friend who lives just down the road from us here at This Old House.  She and her husband raised their kids during summer months in their cottage near Stella -  It maintains the same rustic 1930's seasonal cottage charm as ours, partly because of her loving touches just about everywhere, and her husband's beautiful artwork to compliment it. So, we are neighbors both here and down at the shore.

      I need to tell you just a little about "Mrs. F" without giving away her personal information. She is a real dynamo! Having already lived most of her 90th decade, she continues to maintain two households with a little help from her children and grands,  still volunteers for several organizations, still creates, gardens and bakes for family, friends, and the causes she supports.  I have several perennial plants in my cottage gardens now that come from her garden, they will always remind me of her, and my gratitude to her for having helped us find a cottage of our own.

    I stopped in a few days ago to see the bird carvings her son had created, and was just blown away by the Christmas decor she had absolutely everywhere in her charming home.   An observation I've made regarding "Mrs. F" and a few other people I've been lucky to know who have lived well into their 90's...  despite heartbreaking events like illness or  the passing of a spouse,  they all share something vital - and that is to live fully with purpose, intention, keeping up with family and friends, nurturing their creativity and being active in causes they believe in throughout all of their days. 

    Browsing all the decorations and artwork and treasures around her home, the warmth of the place and the person  and the people she holds dear surrounds you.  I told "Mrs. F" her home reminded me of a Christmas House... and she said that is exactly what her grandchildren call it.

     The ornaments on her tree are vintage, some she made out of copper,  some given to her by students during her teaching career.

The sitting room above has beautiful furniture pieces 

made by members of her family. 

This bathroom has so much spunk... "Mr. and Mrs. F." papered it with old

New Yorker Magazine Covers... I absolutely love it.

Below is the only work in acrylics her husband 

ever produced -  He preferred to work in oils.

Of his many beautiful works, this is one of my favorites, and hers. 

A blacksmith's shop.. with the forge's glow spilling out into the evening snow

   A collection of Steiff toys from her husband's childhood live in her office/study... 

The story of how steiff toys came to be is a worthy read - 

you'll find it HERE. 

    So many treasures of the heart in this old farm house down the lane... Thank you, my dear friend "Mrs. F" , for sharing it with us here on my blog.

   There's one more thing I'd like to share -  Mrs. F's recipe for Swedish cookies. I was gifted with a lovely box full of cookies she made for the holidays, and these  particular cookies are absolutely divine buttery sugary perfection. 

Grandma Mabel's Swedish Cookies

1 lb. Butter

1 cup sugar

4 cups flour

1 egg yolk

dash of salt

1 shot of Brandy

Combine ingredients - Work with hands until a paste dough is formed. Chill for 20 minutes, Roll  out dough on floured surface, nice and thin. Cut shapes, brush with egg wash so that decorations like colored sugar, etc. stick to the cookie.  Bake at 350 Degrees, 12 min or until just golden.