chameleon interiors

May your holidays glitter...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kx4Op2DI3KVxQJbJzJF__sw6ldAUSVtxV-6sb4SO39Ti8Ch_h8ut_5O8A9_X_AUpjAr2FtRy_BuqkS8W5ReNIXPfTnC2wfrZrzOo4d4QTN4a8noVsUL_QNkxSV9H8lnB9vQQldA5jUS-/s1600-h/MetCeiling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kx4Op2DI3KVxQJbJzJF__sw6ldAUSVtxV-6sb4SO39Ti8Ch_h8ut_5O8A9_X_AUpjAr2FtRy_BuqkS8W5ReNIXPfTnC2wfrZrzOo4d4QTN4a8noVsUL_QNkxSV9H8lnB9vQQldA5jUS-/s640/MetCeiling.JPG" width="557" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(A clandestine photo I took of the ceiling of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, in 2008. Photos are not allowed, so I shot this with my camera sitting on my lap. Shh...)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: large;">... and your New Year be filled with high notes!</span></b></i><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">See you in 2010 and thank you so much for all your kind notes, comments and support. </span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #274e13; font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; font-size: small;">It's appreciated more than I can say! </span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Please enjoy a performance of "3 Carols for Christmas" that I performed at a recital in my town.<br />    <object align="middle" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" height="25" id="mp3playerlightsmallv3" width="210">    <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" />    <param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://surroundings.podbean.com/mf/play/f3myy2/3CarolsforChristmas1.mp3&autoStart=no" />    <param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" />    <embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://surroundings.podbean.com/mf/play/f3myy2/3CarolsforChristmas1.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high"  width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerlightsmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed>    </object><br />    <br /><a href="http://www.podbean.com/" style="border-bottom: medium none; color: #2da274; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; text-decoration: none;">Powered by Podbean.com</a><br />    <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

May your holidays glitter...

(A clandestine photo I took of the ceiling of the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, in 2008. Photos are not allowed, so I shot this with m...

7:39 PM

The Joseph Story House in Salem, MA

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccALnh7luuFKW92xg8S_jxy24u0yHO5uYmA9bXotgsl4kuf5SLk2Kd5nQ_nW14e2Jokyy6FLrTuZAYo0aAGSQwJShKHRBFU9wdxzgAxOO68HV4KOoRVJ8g-at07gkd78VQcHqD0BAfZX0/s1600-h/068_141Comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccALnh7luuFKW92xg8S_jxy24u0yHO5uYmA9bXotgsl4kuf5SLk2Kd5nQ_nW14e2Jokyy6FLrTuZAYo0aAGSQwJShKHRBFU9wdxzgAxOO68HV4KOoRVJ8g-at07gkd78VQcHqD0BAfZX0/s640/068_141Comp.JPG" /></a><br /></div><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The Joseph Story House is located in the heart of downtown Salem, Massachusetts near the Common. It was built in 1811 for Joseph Story, an accomplished lawyer, who </span>that same year was appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court at the age of 32.  He is most<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> <span lang="EN">remembered for his opinions in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_vs._Hunter%27s_Lessee"><i>Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee </i></a></span><span lang="EN">and<i> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amistad_%281841%29">The Amistad</a>. </i></span><span lang="EN"> </span></span><br /><style></style>    <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Joseph_Story_House.JPG/800px-Joseph_Story_House.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Joseph_Story_House.JPG/800px-Joseph_Story_House.JPG" width="476" /></a><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><span lang="EN">image via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Joseph_Story_House.JPG">Wikipedia</a><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The house contains what may be among the last of the Samuel McIntyre carvings. Over the years it has been a dwelling where law, medicine, and exploration reached great heights.  In 1860, the house was sold to Dr. Amos Johnson who practiced medicine there until 1900.  Dr. Johnson is the great-grandfather of Ned Johnson of Fidelity acclaim. Dr. Johnson was one of the first doctor’s to practice preventative medicine and founded the Massachusetts Medico Legal Society.  In 1901 the house was sold to the Vaughn family – Norman Vaughn invented the white “nurse’s shoe sole.”  In the 1920’s the house was an attractive rooming house and among its occupants was Pulitzer Prize winning-author Katherine Ann Porter.</span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAc_xaV7fTGhyh43iG7Gh0gdLp-CFaR2vioFAhIInI34FJsHU9PYj0IOqQQTxlRmuR6QuYhXYojUGmYAyYfKs_P-EhFIA8-Z2ZRJ78o-5sZC3nH6GJcQix2itT7tugCd93m5U7cCXPpTG/s1600-h/John.sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAc_xaV7fTGhyh43iG7Gh0gdLp-CFaR2vioFAhIInI34FJsHU9PYj0IOqQQTxlRmuR6QuYhXYojUGmYAyYfKs_P-EhFIA8-Z2ZRJ78o-5sZC3nH6GJcQix2itT7tugCd93m5U7cCXPpTG/s640/John.sketch.jpg" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"> sketch by architect <a href="http://www.wilsonkelseydesign.com/">John Kelsey</a></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The current homeowners purchased the home in 2006 and it underwent renovations involving several appearances before the Salem Historic Commission.  The new homeowners also under took the project of installing a complete geothermal energy system and attained Silver LEED Certification.  It is one of the first residences on the National Register to receive this coveted designation.<o:p></o:p></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">As the oldest and most historic home on the 2009 Salem Christmas Walk, The Joseph Story House received a great deal of attention.   </span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kiAX_zwBXEy8VacGOe_ACmPbSpy0V5Z3tfduOHrs23oZIXJP104_irV99DIPpsMXjTgXkhdyH8TIh6Eddvmja3QUu_f75enB6gNU5t_RVq4HvzpNaJ_dvj_G20NDz92CpTkVfsvn9iV_/s1600-h/029_071Comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kiAX_zwBXEy8VacGOe_ACmPbSpy0V5Z3tfduOHrs23oZIXJP104_irV99DIPpsMXjTgXkhdyH8TIh6Eddvmja3QUu_f75enB6gNU5t_RVq4HvzpNaJ_dvj_G20NDz92CpTkVfsvn9iV_/s400/029_071Comp.JPG" width="485" /></a><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkIeoG6-PJDIFOk3P96DwHuy5vv5OSGATsaM-ZtTHwK6ojkrFdw-QJ6uI9XiC4rJDfixpDrV-rP5eg5oqTFj84MxwIs6z8VV_zGIT1h0tOITqUVbbXjpMMn6eVx67jB8NRk62RqHHX_RF/s1600-h/032_075Comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDkIeoG6-PJDIFOk3P96DwHuy5vv5OSGATsaM-ZtTHwK6ojkrFdw-QJ6uI9XiC4rJDfixpDrV-rP5eg5oqTFj84MxwIs6z8VV_zGIT1h0tOITqUVbbXjpMMn6eVx67jB8NRk62RqHHX_RF/s640/032_075Comp.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O0x9iu-LNL7aqSHTI1p_2xHnXjz1wQFQpOuQyeqb0RUuedyTZyq45NO78bq-iyiNMQK9vtmhaBpJ70VJ18Vr6ciFJMQFHROenZ-vByocB2NyBVeurvY27fys4oQ63sNbjEA_CpYpR-5A/s1600-h/013_035Comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O0x9iu-LNL7aqSHTI1p_2xHnXjz1wQFQpOuQyeqb0RUuedyTZyq45NO78bq-iyiNMQK9vtmhaBpJ70VJ18Vr6ciFJMQFHROenZ-vByocB2NyBVeurvY27fys4oQ63sNbjEA_CpYpR-5A/s640/013_035Comp.JPG" width="549" /></a><br /></div><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The Salem design firm of <a href="http://www.wilsonkelseydesign.com/">Wilson Kelsey Design, Inc.</a> was commissioned to decorate the house for this festive event.  Sally Wilson took great care to design simple, but truly elegant decorations that complemented the home’s architecture.  Of particular interest is that Sally made all of the floral and decorative arrangements herself and added extra panache by installing a beautiful drapery in the main hall to create a focal point for guests entering the home.  <o:p></o:p></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JiEPy8Ubnr7SNp5XTD5mdMlzjeaWRSa3ReLNvzhss87KIoPSjcJ4pp5YASvdlMvrJHPLuKwR491Z0q0z3vMNxIsyQotVA4wffY3Io3gUUbc_u4f_Jh1U83zpWRG3_SOo5PsWxVFu83pE/s1600-h/008_027Comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JiEPy8Ubnr7SNp5XTD5mdMlzjeaWRSa3ReLNvzhss87KIoPSjcJ4pp5YASvdlMvrJHPLuKwR491Z0q0z3vMNxIsyQotVA4wffY3Io3gUUbc_u4f_Jh1U83zpWRG3_SOo5PsWxVFu83pE/s640/008_027Comp.JPG" width="558" /></a><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">The home is alive with the presence of an active family who are honored to be the next stewards of this remarkable historic home.  <o:p></o:p></span><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihN0AdccsghPatRqRuSqjDP-YJSkB5Rb14WTWkddvtWLGaLzgw51p8v23ru4R8TkeDySYHXoMRA_eE2JwS9gzvfvCRcNFX8G79pme-yzZGzZH7QeG0mW-377axE6Mbr5jQ5lBOjHhiKPD/s1600-h/IMG_3978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiihN0AdccsghPatRqRuSqjDP-YJSkB5Rb14WTWkddvtWLGaLzgw51p8v23ru4R8TkeDySYHXoMRA_eE2JwS9gzvfvCRcNFX8G79pme-yzZGzZH7QeG0mW-377axE6Mbr5jQ5lBOjHhiKPD/s400/IMG_3978.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGX78VOyNrOIhNkO5_gLCuDggxD6h_iANgL7bkSHBIREnV15ke_YMZjWkrQuqK_hHa9SkMnEy7HBYSFMyDIiVhyphenhyphenV2iWKWxrMqj8AJ6ljkwmBhimO7uYm_MjluuF0Ot__kIV7hNLqF2Qpq2/s1600-h/IMG_4029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGX78VOyNrOIhNkO5_gLCuDggxD6h_iANgL7bkSHBIREnV15ke_YMZjWkrQuqK_hHa9SkMnEy7HBYSFMyDIiVhyphenhyphenV2iWKWxrMqj8AJ6ljkwmBhimO7uYm_MjluuF0Ot__kIV7hNLqF2Qpq2/s640/IMG_4029.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNlRv0rGgF1TuwpIw5UBy8rClRAlT1GKUXkJ8iaNJEOPSa6BlqXKFUQgot5faU62kQDoMPkqAW9b6IINf93_hFjruVwvieYEf3VAYPWvIumkO9g17P78vSgkTB1O8axPb_YnM8mBG9wkJ/s1600-h/IMG_4065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiNlRv0rGgF1TuwpIw5UBy8rClRAlT1GKUXkJ8iaNJEOPSa6BlqXKFUQgot5faU62kQDoMPkqAW9b6IINf93_hFjruVwvieYEf3VAYPWvIumkO9g17P78vSgkTB1O8axPb_YnM8mBG9wkJ/s640/IMG_4065.JPG" /></a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJFRTCllyaIxZTOLz44jE0U97YAHKCwGMid_696AWkOP2nuQOURNkdEIFa6c0bnu5aM8t7aIHWit_rKEizgIid43jPXL5Vre27OrwCiVqcGLhKh2QXZ9VWJ4YjQICpm6Ccy8vBSgXyCS_/s1600-h/043_095Comp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJFRTCllyaIxZTOLz44jE0U97YAHKCwGMid_696AWkOP2nuQOURNkdEIFa6c0bnu5aM8t7aIHWit_rKEizgIid43jPXL5Vre27OrwCiVqcGLhKh2QXZ9VWJ4YjQICpm6Ccy8vBSgXyCS_/s640/043_095Comp.JPG" /></a><br /></div>Photography except where noted is by <a href="http://www.louisemichaud.com/">Louise Michaud</a>.  <span lang="EN" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"></span> <br /><br />My thanks to John Kelsey and Sally Wilson for sharing their project with us. You can visit their blog <a href="http://wilsonkelsey.wordpress.com/">here</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

The Joseph Story House in Salem, MA

The Joseph Story House is located in the heart of downtown Salem, Massachusetts near the Common. It was built in 1811 for Joseph Story, an a...

9:02 PM

Decking the cookies - my annual Martha moment

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9k2-mN3VM9kvKBIh62dYPtQQON6heNPxzllxQwmUBr8o65DHxTOGWTVTPGACxRKV_IALJbBUT0Rl0B2uhyphenhyphenL-PuLOrultIe0fa-N8mi0nL3whHJ1nbPIQ8s8pAL6P9KKx2d6C6Qe23J3is/s1600-h/DSCN2218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9k2-mN3VM9kvKBIh62dYPtQQON6heNPxzllxQwmUBr8o65DHxTOGWTVTPGACxRKV_IALJbBUT0Rl0B2uhyphenhyphenL-PuLOrultIe0fa-N8mi0nL3whHJ1nbPIQ8s8pAL6P9KKx2d6C6Qe23J3is/s200/DSCN2218.JPG" /></a><br /></div>One of my annual holiday traditions is to bake up several batches of decorated sugar cookies. And not just any old cookie - Martha Stewart's sugar cookies. Several years ago, I purchased a cookie baking kit from the website. It included a recipe book, sanding sugars, icing bags and perhaps also some coloring.  I also purchased four large tree shaped copper cookie cutters from her site as well. Since then, I've amassed quite a large collection of cookie cutters - tiny 1" guys to 4" wide houses and reindeer. I've found that the large sizes get the oohs and ahhs, but the smaller one's actually get eaten. Since these cookies take so long to make - from dough to royal icing decorated cookie - I usually give most of them away as gifts.  The recipe is very easy to make (as long as you have a stand mixer) and the cookies are tasty! Here's a <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=7ee2640093b0f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default">link</a> to the cookie recipe. The recipe I follow, which came with the cookie kit, is double the measurements of the online recipe. And mine doesn't call for milk or brandy. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4204074154_37e71cd06f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/4204074154_37e71cd06f_b.jpg" width="494" /></a><br /></div>My well worn and stained recipe booklet. I tried the chocolate recipe once,but it was not as good as the sugar cookies.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/4204074470_d60b63e2d6_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2663/4204074470_d60b63e2d6_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></div>One of the most popular shapes I make are these little hearts, which are maybe 1-1/2" wide.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2563/4203317061_f249da942f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2563/4203317061_f249da942f_b.jpg" width="531" /></a><br /></div>These house ornaments are about 4" wide and I usually give them to business contacts as a ta-da moment - few people at parties ever want to tackle a cookie this big.  Wondering if it's bad to shove my camera in the oven...? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4204075352_e08ae6c930_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2709/4204075352_e08ae6c930_b.jpg" width="530" /></a><br /></div>Angels, hearts and bells...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/4204075818_0a94d56aea_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="401" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/4204075818_0a94d56aea_b.jpg" width="535" /></a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/4204073456_1aacff047f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2525/4204073456_1aacff047f_b.jpg" width="525" /></a><br /></div><br />This year I added gingerbread reindeers to the mix. I'll confess it, this was a package mix. Trader Joe's has a gingerbread spice cake and baking mix and they have directions for cookie dough. It worked really well, rolled out nicely and is quite tasty, although very peppery.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/4204073688_d8eb3609f4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2551/4204073688_d8eb3609f4_b.jpg" width="520" /></a><br /></div>Rudolph - this isn't the North Pole...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/4204074682_8b4e08e3fa_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="391" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/4204074682_8b4e08e3fa_b.jpg" width="521" /></a><br /></div>The trick to these sugar cookies is the use of royal icing. Here's a <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=f603640093b0f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default">link</a> to Martha's recipe. Royal icing is basically confectioners sugar and egg whites. I use meringue powder instead of fresh egg whites and usually do 1 cup sugar to 1 tablespoon meringue powder. Plus add water as needed to achieve the right runny but not too runny consistency. I like it when the icing runs easily off the beater and pools, then flattens out. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4203317209_b9bddf6a5e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="399" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4203317209_b9bddf6a5e_b.jpg" width="520" /></a><br /></div><br />Ah, three double batches later.. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/4203319001_0b80a80617_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/4203319001_0b80a80617_b.jpg" width="517" /></a><br /></div><br />I am no Martha Stewart when it comes to really fanciful artwork on my cookies. But I do like to come up with a variety of looks every year.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/4204077526_a83ecf6542_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/4204077526_a83ecf6542_b.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My favorite new thing this season is this silvered sugar. Sparkly!  <br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4204078098_e5d101c82c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4204078098_e5d101c82c_b.jpg" width="530" /></a><br /></div>I'm loving the purple! I've been using Wilton gel colorants to tint the icing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4203321795_439ab8b96a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4203321795_439ab8b96a_b.jpg" width="514" /></a><br /></div>These are double hearts which I bake together. Note the slightly marbled effect that I was going for with the pink and purple icing.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2800/4203322399_76c574c2f8_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2800/4203322399_76c574c2f8_b.jpg" width="512" /></a><br /></div>And my favorite silver sparkle stars. Just ignore the single yellow non-pareil that decided to play hitchhiker.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4203323637_b4b7df0849_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="397" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2783/4203323637_b4b7df0849_b.jpg" width="530" /></a><br /></div>As I said, I often give big and small bags of cookies as gifts. These are the gift packages I made up for my flute students. Each gets one medium or two small cookies, some Hershey's kisses and a small candy cane. Just a little thing. Other bags are much larger and hold 8-10 cookies.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4204083190_445de6d04b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4204083190_445de6d04b_b.jpg" width="531" /></a><br /></div>Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/4203324977_436bcbd07e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="393" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/4203324977_436bcbd07e_b.jpg" width="524" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4204080466_ae37b39748_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2787/4204080466_ae37b39748_b.jpg" width="521" /></a><br /></div>Happy Holidays!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Decking the cookies - my annual Martha moment

One of my annual holiday traditions is to bake up several batches of decorated sugar cookies. And not just any old cookie - Martha Stewart&#...

3:10 PM

Deck the Houses in Duxbury, MA

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-189OzMLgibrT8NjddiAZGpoKSj8KZeclhwlnPXg9NACUQKXM_HfrjLfq2fVmEwsd0z1KitUShXtEqWSCIPzKtkKcsKR_gMN0DybcHG8JoMcrK5XBSCWa-LeltUms2yDn9SdxYVqow9_/s1600-h/HolidayHousephoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5-189OzMLgibrT8NjddiAZGpoKSj8KZeclhwlnPXg9NACUQKXM_HfrjLfq2fVmEwsd0z1KitUShXtEqWSCIPzKtkKcsKR_gMN0DybcHG8JoMcrK5XBSCWa-LeltUms2yDn9SdxYVqow9_/s640/HolidayHousephoto.jpg" /></a><br /></div>It was a beautiful - although very cold - day out yesterday and I did a little drive-by shooting in my town of pretty holiday house decorating. Enjoy!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/4193846070_6f4cc193dc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2558/4193846070_6f4cc193dc.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4193085265_30e513634f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4193085265_30e513634f.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/4193843360_0f5f576d8d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/4193843360_0f5f576d8d.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4193081991_0aa46af6d9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2798/4193081991_0aa46af6d9.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4193840184_b5449500bf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4193840184_b5449500bf.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/4193838066_430b4f9574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/4193838066_430b4f9574.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm thinking ice rink?  Seems a tad cold for a dance floor.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4193836820_e8f1e1b46a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4193836820_e8f1e1b46a.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Decking the docks as well.<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/4193834520_03382f4fd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2495/4193834520_03382f4fd2.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The historic King Caesar House with it's "lifesaver" wreath<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4193829744_6f0419f7a9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2696/4193829744_6f0419f7a9.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4193826642_01134aac2e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4193826642_01134aac2e.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4193823418_66b43c0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4041/4193823418_66b43c0248.jpg" /></a><br /></div><br />Snow is coming this weekend. Will it be a White Christmas? Happy weekend everyone. I'm filling out the rest of my Christmas cards and decorating my sugar cookies.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/4184506223_06e452ac53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/4184506223_06e452ac53.jpg" /></a><br /></div>Is all your shopping done?<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Deck the Houses in Duxbury, MA

It was a beautiful - although very cold - day out yesterday and I did a little drive-by shooting in my town of pretty holiday house decorati...

1:06 PM

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May your holidays glitter...

The Joseph Story House in Salem, MA

Decking the cookies - my annual Martha moment

Deck the Houses in Duxbury, MA

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