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Snow Day Walk

Katy Elliott — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 20:28:50 +0000

Winter days I love: sleeping late, watching the snow from my bedroom, drinking coffee, long walks, contemplating making a maple pie and knitting a hat.

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View From Bedroom Window: Snow

Katy Elliott — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:49:45 +0000

I was in NYC all week for work. While I enjoy the city life in spurts and often miss the routine; I’m never more grateful for the solitude of my sleepy town by the sea then when I return home. Snapshots from my bedroom window this morning.

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Weekend Snapshots: Jan 7-8

Katy Elliott — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 13:00:08 +0000

Snapshots from the weekend around Marblehead. Saturday was warm in the mid-50′s which was odd after starting the week in the single digits and frozen pipes. Sunday a bit colder but the tide far enough out for us to walk across to Brown’s Island.

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Last Friday in 2011

Katy Elliott — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:20:44 +0000

We been taking it easy this week and resting from holiday travel down to New York. I received a few e-mails asking for wintry Marblehead photos. Sorry to disappoint but it’s been really mild this winter in southern New England. We saw a few snowflakes fly in late October but mostly it’s been rain with temperatures hovering in the low 40′s.

I had high hopes for some fluffy stuff this weekend but according to the current forecast we’re getting more rain. I’m not going to complain; I don’t mind the relief from the high heating bills. Maybe snow in January? Below snapshots from my sunset walk on the last Friday of 2011.

Looking for snowy photos? See snapshots from December 2009 and 2010.

My Favorite Vintage New England Books

Katy Elliott — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:40:12 +0000

Piles of books and magazines surround me covering all available surfaces of my desk. The scene: embarrassing. I’ll admit I’ve developed an unhealthy obsession buying books on preservation, decorating and design. I do have an excuse for the mess; my books are awaiting a home on the bookshelves Greg promised to build me in the little room. The book hoarding, no.

Of all the books I’ve collected this year—new and old—three published between 1940-1972 by Samuel Chamberlain and his wife Narcissa Chamberlains were my absolute favorite. The books have offered me inspiration for my home and inspiration for photographs I’ve taken for this blog.

Samuel Chamberlain was an artist, writer, photographer, printmaker who published over eighty books on design. He began his career as an architect and a renowned etcher and moved to Marblehead in 1934 where his focus shifted to photography. A series of photo books were published as part of “American Landmark” series including Old Marblehead: A Camera Impression and Ever New England. In 1972, Chamberlain and his wife published, The Chamberlain Selection of New England Room 1639-1863 depicting historic interiors throughout New England. Below a look inside each of these books.

Old Marblehead: A Camera Impression

Old Marblehead: A Camera Impression depicts scenes of winter, summer and fall in early 1940′s in Marblehead. Chamberlain writes “closely built on its ledges of rocks, and amazingly well-preserved despite two fires, Marblehead still presents to the visitor the picture of an ancient New England town”. This statement was true in 1940 and still is today. Marblehead is picturesque and one of the most beautiful preserved historic towns in New England. Chamberlain’s photographs offer unique perspectives on buildings I walk past everyday. I really enjoyed viewing the town through another set of eyes—a book I’ll treasure for years to come.

Ever New England

Ever New England is similar to Old Marblehead: A Camera Impression but covers scenes from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Images of boat yards, historic home and fields offer a look into rural life in the early forties. Quiet images captivate me. In a modern world full of photoshop photography Chamberlain offers a different perspective. The photographs are honest, slow, filled with an energy of curiosity in the day-to-day.

The Chamberlain Selection of New England Rooms, 1639-1863

The Chamberlain Selection of New England Rooms, 1639-1863 showcases historic interiors from all over New England. The photos offered me inspiration for how to organize furniture in my house as well as what type of pieces the rooms could have been furnished with. Beautiful photographs of field-paneled mantels and gorgeous examples of wing chairs and tables captivated me.

Joe Frogger Cookies from Marblehead

Katy Elliott — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:17:02 +0000

I’ve been fascinated by the legend of the Joe Frogger cookie and decided to give the recipe a try. A Joe Frogger is a large rum/molasses/ginger cookie that dates back to colonial times in Marblehead. The cookies were baked by Aunt Crese who ran a tavern with Black Joe on Gingerbread Hill.

Many articles I discovered linked the cookie’s history to Joe but according to a Marblehead magazine article, “The cookie was named after him even though she created the recipe and spent the better part of her life mixing the batter”.

Named for Revolutionary War patriot, Joseph Brown, these large cookies were said to be the size of the frogs in “Black Joe’s” Pond. Marblehead’s early fishermen used to take the cookies with them on long voyages to the Grand Banks as a standard part of the ship’s provisions. The ingredients of rum and seawater acted as preservatives. They are now a cherished Marblehead tradition with “original recipes” circulating rapidly for historic authentication by native Marbleheaders. The cookies were first made in the 1800′s by Lucretia Brown (Aunt Crese), Joseph’s wife. While today the cookies are mostly round, in the beginning they were described as “lily pad” shaped. (Marblehead magazine).

I used a coffee can to cut out the cookies and placed six on a cookie sheet using a Silpat rather then greasing the pan. As they cooked the house filled with spicy aroma. The first batch of cookies came out of the oven tasting of warm molasses. Perfect with a big glass a milk.

This morning, I wrapped a cookie in a piece of wax paper and went for a walk to Black Joe’s pond. The red tavern is still standing and can be seen off in the distance. The cookie had hardened overnight and tasted even more substantial and spicy, delicious.

Joe Frogger Cookies
Recipe adapted from marblehead.org

3 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 cup of molasses
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons dark rum
1/3 cup hot water (In colonial times they used seawater)

Mix flour, salt, ginger, baking soda, cloves, nutmeg and allspice in a bowl. In a large bowl, beat together the molasses, shortening and brown sugar. In a separate bowl combine rum and hot water.

Add the dry ingredients and the water/rum mixture alternatively to the sugar/molasses mixture. If the dough is dry, add a tablespoon or more of additional hot water.

Roll out dough between two sheets of waxed paper till 1/4″ thick. Refrigerate at least two hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease two baking sheets.

Cut the dough into 3-inch round cookies. The original were much larger. For the traditional size use a coffee as your guide. Place on greased cookie sheets and bake for 10-12 minutes. For the traditional size cook a few minutes longer. The cookies are baked when they are dark around the edges and firm in the centers. Set the cookie sheets to cool for five minutes. Remove to a rack to cool completely.

Dough after it’s been mixed and ready to be rolled out.

Rolling out dough between layers of wax paper.

Cutting out cookies using a coffee can.

Cookies just out of the oven.

The trail to Black Joe’s pond.

A bite out my Joe Frogger cookie at Black Joe’s Pond.

Eating my cookie and contemplating life back in the 1800′s.

Off in the distance is Black Joe’s Tavern in red.

Black Joe’s Tavern as it stands today.

Gingerbread Houses At Lee Mansion

Katy Elliott — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:46:50 +0000

Over 100 gingerbread houses created by kids and local businesses filled four rooms in the beautiful Jeremiah Lee mansion for the annual Gingerbread Festival this past weekend. The houses were quite the sight to see and smell. A $3 admission ticket included three raffle tickets for a chance to win one of these tasty creations. Proceeds benefited the Marblehead Family Fund and Marblehead Museum and Historical Society. Pretty darn cute, right?

So who’s going to help me build one for next year? Maybe a model of my house? Check out “Occupy North Pole” below, hilarious!

Jeremiah Lee Mansion
161 Washington Street
Marblehead, Massacusetts
marbleheadmuseum.org

Olive Gray with Black Shutters

Katy Elliott — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 19:07:06 +0000

I receive many requests for house paint colors for historic homes spotted in Marblehead. My neighbor recently painted her 1809 home a gorgeous olive gray. The color was custom but it’s really close to Hampshire Gray by Benjamin Moore. The shutters and doors are painted black with white trim.

Hampshire Gray is part of Benjamin Moore’s historical paint collection; the olive undertones are really striking, polished and sharp. Clarksville Gray which is a lighter tone is a favorite of mine too.

Remember the color you see on your computer screen varies and is not an accurate representation of the paint color. Always, always, always paint a sample swatch on your house and view in different light conditions before committing to a specific shade.

Historic New England offers paint consultations for period correct exterior or interior paint colors and treatments. Find out more about the homeowner membership and benefits on their website: historicnewengland.org. I sent in photos of my house new and old to find out what would be “period correct” for my house. Excited to hear what they come up with!

The Blanket Lady

Katy Elliott — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 16:39:53 +0000

Did you know snow is in the forecast for much of New England today? Winter is upon us and it’s time to cuddle up with a warm wool blanket and drink hot apple cider. MacKimmie Co. new to Marblehead’s historic district is filled with stacks of plaid, stripe, and herringbone blankets.

Doris carries all my favorites: Johnstons of Elgin throws from Scotland, herringbones in wool and cotton from Brahms Mount, jeweled toned lambswool from Sorcha and cozy stripe wool blankets from Prince Edward Island.

Reversible 100% lambswool throws from Johnstons (above) are gorgeous and have a nice weight and size 55” X 75” without being too bulky. Brahms Mount throws and merino wool blankets are irresistible. View photos from my visit to their mill in Hallowell, Maine this summer.

Pop into the shop for a visit or Doris would be happy to accept phone orders and mail a blanket directly to you. Below snapshots of my favorites in the shop.

MacKimmie Co.
Doris Barsauskas
134 Washington Street
Marblehead, Massachusetts (map)
781.631.1080
DB@mackimmieco.com

Johnstons “Point Blankets” are available in stripes and solids in green, red and blue.

A selection of Brahms Mount herringbone merino wool blankets samples. The green on the left caught my eye.

This 100% lambswool plaid throw from Sorcha is amazing. The colors are out of this world. I had a hard time resisting.

Reversible tweed 100% lambswool throws from Johnstons.

An assortment of blankets and throws in blues and khaki.

A tartan reversible throw from Johnstons.

Fall New England Favorites

Katy Elliott — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 23:01:42 +0000

Pumpkins have been popping up above front doors all over town. Greg and I were joking if the “pumpkin above the front door” idea came from homeowners tired of their pumpkins getting smashed?

Above and below a selection of fall-themed posts from my past four years in Marblehead—I can’t believe it. A few places I love to visit and recipes to warm your bellies. Click on each link for more info and photos. Enjoy!

Old Burial Hill is one of my favorite places in Marblehead. Beautiful gravestones and a gorgeous view of the sea.

Decorate your mantel with gourds, bittersweet and a fresh leaf wreath.

Make pumpkin cookies with brown butter icing for your Halloween bash.

Have you ever tried to making homemade doughnuts? I made an Apple Cider version and they were pretty darn delicious!

Head up to Ipswich for a walk in the golden seagrass. It’s absolutely stunning in late October.