One can enjoy a wood fire worthily only when he warms his thoughts by it as well as his hands and feet.

~Odell Shepherd

It arrived last weekend. It’s heavy, black, intricately patterned and required a lot of huffing & puffing to install it.  It was met with great resistance on my behalf! It is messy, time consuming and isn’t necessarily fitting into my overall design scheme of the family room.

It is a wood burning stove, something my Prince has wanted since we built our house 11 years ago.   He loves the dry heat and stoking the fire.  I’ll even venture to say he enjoys splitting the logs, a very manly thing to do! It was easy for me to line up the excuses when the kids were young……..’Sweetheart, what if the kids touch the stove?’ or …….’Love, the thermostat is in that room the rest of the house will be freezing!’  He has even had my Dad lecturing me about adding the stove, cost savings etc.

So the time has finally come that the kids are older and three heating zones have been installed in the house, and I’m out of excuses.   As all good wives do, I did my best to embrace my husbands latest addition to our home, it not too bad.  Something I won’t admit to my Prince or my Dad.   There is the savings to be had, one cord of wood equals 150 gallons of oil on average, a difference of approximately $175.00.  Wonder what I can purchase with the newly found cash?  The stove does show the flames in the door so I haven’t lost my love of seeing the roaring fire.   Still most importantly the addition has opened up a new design challenge! Design challenges are something I live for!

We discovered quite quickly with the location of the stove in the family room cooking away at 75 degrees, the dining room dropped to a chilly 60 degrees.  Basically the family room is a ‘dead end’ and air can’t circulate out of the room.  That’s where my design challenge was created!

I needed to come up with a creative, reasonably priced way to add a second opening to the room.  The room (pictured below) has three exterior walls and one interior wall.  Sounds easy enough, add another cased opening……problem…the only remaining wall backs up to the staircase to the second floor.  I toyed with the idea of having the landing also open to the family room.  This of course was quickly ruled out, by the cost and doubly when I realized my future built-ins wouldn’t be able to happen.

So I started flipping through design books, looking for inspiration and came up empty handed.  I riffled through past issues of This Old House, as always I found great projects & homes with great technical guidance but still not the perfect solution.  The stove needed a fresh load of wood, so aside I set my books and magazines and headed out to the porch for a load.  As I stood on the porch I could see inside my husband’s workshop………that’s where my inspiration was found.   I loaded up the stove and headed to the shop.  I picked up moulding pieces, iron brackets and planks of antique chestnut ……… creative juices started flowing! As I moved the chestnut pieces I saw a stack of old shutters and there was my solution!

I found a petite shutter, it was perfect in every way the paint was crazed, it was weather beaten and it was a perfect size.  I paired the shutter with the antique chestnut and began designing a window for the stairwell wall.   This would be perfect!  The shutter would give me the ability to control sound moving up the stair case.  The antique chestnut would be a beautiful sill and with the combinations of mouldings I could create a unique surround for the ‘window’.  Design Challenge solved!

Now, my Prince is also my carpenter for hire.  So the status today is the hole is cut, opening framed and sheetrock repaired.  This week I hope the mouldings go up, walls painted and shutter installed……..I promise to post an update!

It’s 20 degrees outside tonight, brutally cold……but not in the here.   Ashley has taken up residency in front of the stove and is knitting a scarf.  Joe & Joey are curled up watching abc Family and I typing away here on my laptop.  Besides the cost savings and warmth there is another bonus to the wood stove ………….. we’re all together in the family room.  Best bonus ever!

In 2005 I hosted my first Thanksgiving Dinner.  It was a picture perfect day, the kind you only read about in Readers Digest short stories!  A good solid week after Thanksgiving and I was still reminiscing about the day, talking about how fabulous the day was, and smiling with each memory.   I couldn’t let another day go by without jotting down the memories, it has always amazed me how quickly we can forget……..   For a handful of friends and family I shared my memories in a Christmas Letter.  It was such a hit, many asked if a letter was coming the following year, and so the tradition began.  The letters have transformed into showing a different perspective on this holiday season.

So here it is folks, my 2009 Christmas Letter……Merry Christmas!

Laughter on one’s lips is a sign that the person down deep has a pretty good grasp of life.

~Hugh Sidey

Over a decade ago on a brisk November weekend, my Mom cleaned out the master bedroom closet.  She took it upon herself to toss the ‘junk’ that just was not needed anymore.  Trust me; my Dad likes to hold on to his ’stuff’ for a very long time “Ya never know when you might need it” he says.  Well, as instructed my dad took the ‘toss’ pile to the dump.  He was about ready to pitch the bag at the dump when something caught his eye…..a tweedy, ragged, tattered sleeve.  He leaned into the bag curious; he recognized the coloring but could not place what he saw. So he reached in deep and pulled his favorite sweater out of the garbage bag.  He held it up, his eyebrows knitted with confusion, and thought, “Why would she throw this out? It’s a perfectly good sweater!” Now, my Dad has a unique definition of ‘perfectly good’.  The elbows of the sweater were completely blown out, the neck is frayed, tar (yes, tar) is permanently smudged on the front, and  when he did wear it, it sat three inches above his waist! Still, in his mind it was still a ‘perfectly good’ sweater.  He folded the sweater, and placed it in the cab of the truck.  Some men would have returned home with a tongue lashin’ about the sweater, not my Dad instead he saw an opportunity! His eyes danced with mischief as he thought of how he could playfully seek revenge…………

My Dad is a simple man, hence come simple gifts. Dad’s Christmas gifts are almost always practical, except for the year of ‘perfectly good sweater’ disposal.  It was a typical Christmas morning his girls, son-in-laws and granddaughter gathered around the tree, ripping through presents.  Dad seemed particularly excited that morning; he almost resembled a child, keeping one special box tucked under his chair.  When all the gifts were exchanged, my Dad waded thought the sea of torn wrapping paper and boxes, and presented Mom with one last gift.  Mom tore through the wrapping paper to find a ‘Macy’s’ box.  She sat there for a minute stunned at first, then excitedly squealed ‘You went to MACY’S for me?!” Honest to God, I think I saw her eyes well up with tears.  With her face beaming, she jerked the box top off; and pulled back the tissue. Her  glowing face quickly clouded over, as she pulled from the Macy’s box the ‘perfectly good sweater’.  The roar of laughter shook the house; you see Mom had told all of us back in November she finally tossed Dad’s sweater, without him knowing!

My Dad has a great sense of humor. His laugh is contagious, paired with his twinkling eyes and his recently ‘gone white’ beard, he resembles Santa Clause himself.  The year of the ‘perfectly good sweater’ Dad was Santa.  Although, my Mom may argue that it wasn’t the gift she ‘asked’ for, it most indeed was.  Dad gave not only Mom, who by the way did laugh until she cried, but all of us the gift of laughter.

The sweater keeps popping up every few years.  My sister Kimberly received it at her bridal shower, it was in the Yankee Swap pile one year……..At this point I’m not even sure who the last recipient was, but it’s gotta be surfacing soon! Along with the gift of laughter……..

This gift doesn’t come wrapped in a beautiful box, unless of course it’s the ‘perfectly good sweater’. No the gift of laughter is the sweetest when it’s unexpected.  When this gift can be received without inhibitions, then the recipient does have a ‘good grasp on life’.

Will you share the gift of laughter this Christmas season?  You can bet your Santa hat we will.

Warmest Christmas Blessing to All………..and a good Laugh!

~The Davenport Family

At Christmas all roads lead home. ~Marjorie Holmes

Let me paint a picture…………

It’s December 24th, 4pm.  The dinner table is set, delectable aromas float from the kitchen and the tree is filled with twinkling lights.  Guests begin to arrive, hugs and kisses are  intermingle with the pass off of heavenly dishes  and stacks of gifts.  Grandma yells ‘No running!’ as children weave through the crowd with cheeks rosy red, filled with excitement and anticipation.  The snow is beginning to fall, its going to be a white Christmas…….Grandpa laughs and belts out a “I’m dreaming of  a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know…. where the tree tops glisten & children listen……..” just as one of the babes run into his knee.

Then there is this picture on the other side of the world……….

It’s December 25th 4pm, a solider walks the streets of Iraq, his holiday meal was acceptable but not Mama’s roast and potatoes.  He greets a young child with a kind smile and a small gift …….. he misses his own children. His body aches, and his feet are sore.  A sigh,  and with a chuckle he says “Aw, what I’d do to stretch out on the sofa and watch ‘Elf‘ with the kids!”  Back to the base he goes as the sun sets, fully knowing his family is just staring their holiday celebration.  He wonders if his wife is wearing his favorite red sweater, is his Uncle Dave having his annual playful argument with Aunt Sue?  Did his brother ask his girlfriend to marry him? ………….

So many families are missing a loved one this Holiday season.  Two years ago I sat across an empty place setting at the dinner table. I wondered how my Cousin Mike, a Chief in Navy Reserves  was enjoying his holiday meal.  Joe and I did the best we could to make Mike’s three kids and terrific wife have a great holiday. It was the least we could do for Mike, he like many were giving so much……….Still we couldn’t replace him.

There is a very special gift arriving tonight and tomorrow morning here in Connecticut! No Santa won’t be sliding down the chimney with this one, there is no way the recipients will want to wait till Christmas morning.  You see, this gift is the Connecticut National Guard (specifically 250th Engineer Co. & 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry).  I am proud to share with you that my partner Ed & I, along with Suzi Craig of Fathom, CT Tweet Crawl and the Hartford Restaurant Group raised over $14,000.00 towards the Home for the Holidays effort.  Tomorrow morning we along with many others will welcome these guys and gals home.

Next time you pass a soldier at the mall, grocery store, or walking the streets of your home town ………… stop him or her and thank them for their service.  They give so much, give them the gift of thanks………….

Here’s a touching tribute to our service men & women.  Enjoy! Soldier’s Silent Night

Apparently I am supposed to slow down a bit. Yesterday I woke up feeling like I was Mac Truck.   You know the feeling, your eyes burn, your head pounds, your throat is raw and your body just doesn’t want to move.  As I shuffled to the coffee maker, I took the black sharpie I store in my head and started to review my list of things still left to do.  Oy vay, it didn’t look good! Frankly, it still doesn’t look good. When life starts dishing out more than its share of tough breaks, I always try to add a little humor.  Van Zant has a great song ‘Help Somebody”, in this song which talks about lessons from grandparents, there is a poignant line If you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans……

God’s getting a good chuckle!  So, the  baking has come to a screeching halt, the last minute shopping is put off another day, and the blog is on hold.  I do have a ray of sunshine in the storm cloud I’m under, my Prince.  He’s got his list for today and he’s off.  He’ll finish up some shopping, stop by the post office and hit the grocery store.  I’m hoping to get through my day at the showroom and after a good nights sleep, be as good as new…….check back tomorrow!

It’s just like Santa’s workshop! Except it smells like mushrooms…

and everyone looks like they wanna hurt me…

~Buddy (as he enters the mailroom) Elf

My workshop isn’t smelling like mushrooms, nope cinnamon and spices fill the air!   Let’s be honest if you’re a child I’m not going to hold a candle to Santa’s workshop.  My kitchen isn’t cookin’ up a boatload of Wii’s or iPhones, and I don’t have a army of elves working either! Tonight in my workshop kitchen I’m whipping up on a delectable gift.

Streusel-Topped Banana Bread

~1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar

~7 tablespoons uncooked oats

~1/3 cup flour

~1/3 cup cold butter cut into pieces

~1 1/2 cup flour

~2 large ripe bananas

~1 teaspoon vanilla extract

~2 large white eggs (at room temperature)

~1/2 cup sugar

~1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

~3/4 teaspoon baking soda

~1/4 teaspoon salt

Combine first three ingredients. Cut in 1/3 cup of butter with a pastry blender until crumbly

In a large bowl beat banana and next four ingredients until smooth.

Combine 1 1/2 cups of flour with next three ingredients.  Add to banana mixture beating until dry ingredients are moistened.  Do not over beat.

Spoon batter into 3 mini (3X5) loaf pans lined with parchment paper.  Fill pans about 2/3 with batter, then sprinkle each loaf evenly with streusel.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until knife comes out clean.  Cool on wire rack for 5 min. then remove from pans to cool completely.

I like to bake these then return the loafs to decorative ceramic loaf pans wrap in clear plastic wrap and tie off with festive holiday ribbon.  These banana breads are easy and always a hit…….boy do I wish I had a few elves to clean up this kitchen…….

Its about a 300 foot walk from my front door to the mailbox.  Bitter cold, biting sleet, snow piled high or torrential rains couldn’t keep me from that mail box this time of year!  I love receiving holiday cards, I love the personalized notes, letters and pictures included in so many each year.  It is my one opportunity each year, to catch up with many friends and family.   The Davenport Family receives over one hundred cards each holiday season, everyone of them is special and cherished.   I truly believe these treasures should be displayed and showcased as a reminder of how blessed we are to have such dear friends and family in our lives.

Here are a few ways I have displayed our holiday cards

~On a closet door. Run ribbon three times down and six times across and staple or tape the cards to the ribbon.

~My partner Ed’s wife cherishes her cards too, she strings rows of white lights from her mantle and attaches the card to the lights.  Consider bead garlands, tinsel garlands and ribbons as other options to string your cards!

~Fill a large vase with winter berries and hang the cards on the branches like ornaments.

~Surround door casings.

Sunday is my favorite day of the week. I just wish the mail man could deliver today too! Shucks, I guess he deserves a day off too!

“Stress is when you wake up screaming, and then realize that you haven’t fallen asleep yet.”
~Author Unknown

December 11th……. Whoa! December is half over, and my ‘to do list’ barely has a dent in it.  How can I possibly get everything done in the remaining days?  Let me divulge a little secret………some years I become overwhelmed and everything on my list doesn’t get done.  To be quite honest this is gearing up to be one of those years.  My daughter is applying, touring and interviewing with various Art Schools,  my son’s homework load seems to be double what it was last year and I was elected to public office this November.  I just thank God, my Prince doesn’t have anything major happening right now!  So between hours of homework with Joey, learning the Planning & Zoning Regulations for my town and the portfolio reviews, essays & trips to New York City, its a miracle I can get a Christmas Tree up! So, I scale back, prioritize and ……..breathe………

It’s not easy to decide what traditions, decorations or events might need to take a back seat this year, but the sooner you make the decision, the lighter you holiday spirit will be.

My decorations this year are still beautiful, just a few less.  My porches have simple garlands & the doors have sprays, but the garden shed & carriage house aren’t dressed this year.  We cut our tree last weekend, it will get decorated this weekend …….baby steps.  I’ll reduce the cookie platters to have less variety, they’re all delicious so I’m sure they’ll still be loved.

Once I made the decision on what to scale back on ……….. I embraced the holiday once again.  With the list less long, I took the opportunity to spend a quite dinner with my Prince tonight.  We dined at a lovely local restaurant Noodles.   I ordered comfort food, Penne & Cheese and Joe ordered Hanger Steak au Poiver. To say the meal was incredible would be an understatement.  Heading out to dinner tonight I never expected to receive a gift, but I did.  The gift I recieved was contentment.  As I looked across the table, I smiled at my Prince.  Life is good.  So, the garden shed isn’t decorated this year………but Ashley knows I’m here if she needs a critique.  I’ll miss the extra garlands along the mudroom windows……….but Joey will continue to succeed in school with my help.  So maybe I won’t get the truffles made this year, they are my fav………but I will have a good handle on those P&Z regulations and hopefully represent my town well.  Nope the entire Christmas village will not make it out this year…….but I’ll make time to enjoy a Christmas movie with my Prince, he does so much for me its the least I can do!

I’ll probably sleep a little less in the next few weeks, but it feels good to have some of the holiday pressure taken off myshoulders. Now I need to finish up that shopping list…………

Auugh! I’ve been kissed by a dog! I have dog germs!

Get some hot water! Get some disinfectant! Get some iodine!

~Lucy ……Peanuts

I had writers block this morning. I tried everything, stirring my coffee with a candy cane, I skipped the gym and took a walk in the snow (it was dark maybe that’s why I wasn’t inspired).  I even starting designing my Christmas stocking (yep, I’ll be sharing that one soon!).  No matter what I tried I was just stuck.  So instead of wasting time, I started getting ready for my day.  I took Joey to the bus stop, poured a fresh cup of coffee and hopped in the car to drive to the showroom.   It was an enjoyable ride with WRCH Lite 100 FM pumping out of the speakers, of course it was they play holiday music 24/7 through Christmas!  As I finished up singing ‘Merry Christmas Darling’ along with Karen Carpenter, the hosts Allan & Mike introduced a guest named Holly.  Holly a rescue dog was in need of a home.  Little did they know they also introduced me to today’s blog!

If you are a long time reader of my blog you know I am married to ‘Dr Doolittle’. The unfortunate thing for my husband is he’s married to Cruella De Ville.  Well, maybe I’m not that bad!  Still, if I had it my way our pets would all be Webkinz, no mess in my house, no vet bills and no barking at 2 am! Sorry folks, they’re just not my thing.  Although I do have a soft spot, we do have a beautiful German Sheppard named Annabell.  She is a rescue dog, who became a part of our family Christmas week about 4 years ago.   Of course because Annabell lives with ‘Dr Doolittle’, she is treated like a princess.  A Christmas doesn’t pass without some fine gifts under the tree for our pooch!

Here are some of the wonderful gifts our pets have enjoyed over the years……..

~the Kong! This beauty keeps our dog occupied for hours, just fill it with a little peanut butter and they’ll be out of your hair all night! My kinda gift!

~Naughty & Nice biscuits.  I love these! Annabell has to be nice to get one! ‘Dr. Doolittle’ on the other hand, doles them out if she simple tilts her head.

~A plush dog bed. I have to say the 2 am barking to go out did subside quite a bit after the comfy bed arrived

~24″ rawhide bone.  This is important don’t purchase bones with dye. The holiday green & red ones stain carpets when the pooch starts to enjoy them!

~a personalized collar.  Annabell also has a harness, ‘Dr. Doolittle’ says she is  more comfortable in it.  I wonder, did he actually ask her……did she answer? (*smile*)

I hope Holly receives the best Holiday gift ever and  is adopted this week.  I’m sure she will bring great joy to a family!  If you’re considering a pet for your family this holiday season, don’t over look your Humane Society or local rescue organization.  If  you run into  ’Dr. Doolittle’,  please don’t mention that I’ve already purchased the stocking stuffers for Annabells stocking.  I don’t want him thinking that I actually might like Annabell!

Snowflakes are kisses from heaven.  ~Author Unknown

I’m a little jealous, my kids have a snow day today. At 5:40 this morning I gently kissed my 17 year old daughter.  She groggily said ‘yeah, I’m getting up’, I smiled and whispered ’snow day’, with a sigh of relief she pulled the covers over her head and rolled back over returning to a blissful slumber.  In a short while I’ll, brush my lips across his check and make the announcement to my son also.  At 11 he’ll bounce out of bed, run to the window and start planning his day of sledding, snowball fights and building snow forts.  It doesn’t matter if there is 2″ or 10″ snow, he starts the planning.  I wish I could bottle that enthusiasm, and add it to my morning coffee!

Mother Nature truly is a Diva when it comes to decorating, but her decorations sometimes need just a little help to kick it up a notch!  Geeze! I hope I haven’t offended Mother Nature! I wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of her wrath! Yikes!

How can the Diva’s decorations be enhanced?  Well, snow reflects light beautifully, so why not add a little more light. Luminaries. Line your walk way, highlight a stone wall, place around an everygreen tree like presents  or place them among your snowmen!

Luminaries can be made from many materials.

Paper bag Luminaries are very popular, these are simple and easy to make. Simply take a brown lunch bag place sand or a few stones in the bottom and add your tea light candle.  Add a interest by cutting designs into the bags!  Paper bag Luminaries are quick to create, but they tend not to last long, the bags get wet and start to wilt or just break down.

Tin Can Luminaries are sturdy and fun to make. Collect soup cans or coffee cans depending on the size luminaries you choose to make.  Remove labels, and use a nail and a hammer to create designs in the can.   I personally love the natural ‘tin’ coloration but if you are looking for a more contemporary look, spray paint the cans.  The added bonus of these luminaries is they can be used indoors too!

My favorite  to create are Ice Luminaries. There is nothing more beautiful than the pale,golden glow that the candles create as they shine through the ice.  These do take some planning, at least 2 days.

Here’s what you will need……

• Large round plastic storage containers (I use the disposable ones if they crack or break its ok!)
• Small soup or tomato paste cans
• Stones for weights
• Lots of freezer space or just use your back yard if its cold enough!

Fill the large plastic storage container with 1″-2″ of water and freeze

On top of your frozen layer place can filled with rocks and fill remaining plastic container with water and freeze

Once frozen solid, place containers in hot water, this will soften the ice just enough to loosen it from the plastic.  Then to remove can, fill the can with hot water and gently turn left to right until it breaks free.  Your ice luminaries are ready to receive you candles!

For a  fun spin on these ice luminaries try adding some of these festive elements to the water before you freeze…..

• cranberries (these will float to the top)
• glitter
• holy, or other holiday greens
• food coloring if you want color………..

Mother Nature has done a spectacular job once again! Ashley and Joey will enjoy their day off, they’ll soak their snow pants playing in the snow, drink too much hot cocoa, and have checks as rosy as Santa’s.

Snow days……..even as an adult they make me smile.  I’ll take it slow as I brave the New England highways today. Instead of cursing the snow I’ll take a minute to appreciate the original Snow Diva’s work……..she really is amazing!

“It’s so beautifully arranged on the plate - you know someone’s fingers have been all over it.” ~Julia Child

The baking started last week with my Moms granola.  Tonight I’ll be adding another favorite to my Holiday baking. This one is a breeze! My Mom calls them ‘Walnut Sandies’, my mother-in law calls them ‘Russian Tea Cakes’.  I adore my mother-in law.  Yes, I am one of those few women that is blessed!   We have a wonderful relationship, so much so I can tell you ‘Russian Tea Cakes’ are the only thing I have ever ate from her kitchen that was tasty.   So in honor of her one success I share with you this classic that I have be making every year, smiling thinking of her.

Russian Tea Cakes
~1 cup butter softened 
~1/2 cup powdered sugar
~1 teaspoon vanilla
~2 1/4 cups flour
~3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
~1/4 teaspoon salt
~extra powdered sugar set aside

Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Mix butter, 1/2 cup powdered sugar & vanilla in large bowl
Mix flour, salt & nuts in separate bowl and add to mixture, until well blended
Shape batter into 1 inch balls and place on ungreased cookie sheet
Bake 10-12 minutes until set and not brown, bottoms should be a touch golden
Remove from cookie sheet slightly on cooling rack
Roll in powdered sugar
Roll again in powdered sugar

Done…………see I promised easy! If Mama Rosemary can do it anyone can! To store, keep in air tight containers and these scrumptious treats should last 3 weeks!

OK here’s another great fool proof cookie!  I don’t know who gave me this recipe, it was in the “Good Housekeeping Illustrated Cookbook” I received as a bridal shower gift.  Whoever gave me the book, also gave me a gift that keeps giving. Literally, the book taught me to cook, and I have yet to have a unsuccessful experience from it!  Today this book is still on my cook book shelf.  Its falling apart and held together with a large rubber band, still I can’t imagine my kitchen with out it!  Here’s one of my holiday favorites enjoy!

Soft Molasses Cookies

~2 cups flour

~ ½ cup sugar & extra set aside*

~ ½ cup shortening

~ ½ cup molasses

~1 egg

~2 teaspoons baking soda

~1 teaspoon ground ginger

~1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

~ ¼ teaspoon salt

~ 1/3 cup cold water

Preheat oven 400 degrees & Grease cookie sheets

In a large bowl beat all ingredients (except the extra sugar) until well mixed

Form 1″ balls of dough and roll in extra sugar.

Place on cookie sheet at least 2″ apart

Bake 8 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly pressed with finger.

Using a flat spatula remove cookies and place on wire rack to cool. Store in air tight container.

*Good Housekeeping suggests garnishing with raisins, I prefer rolling in sugar for a ’sparkly’ cookie!

These two recipes should get your cookie platters off to a great start!  For an additional original recipe, try my peanut butter bars from last years blog!  I know you’ll be a hit with these recipes.  I wonder if I have enough molasses to make a double batch of cookies tonight…………