"Yuletide at Storrowton"

Storrowton Village Museum
with Storrowton Tavern in the background.

On Saturday afternoon we drove over the river, around the rotary and down a street.  That was the path to "Yuletide at Storrowton"!  Storrowton Village is located in West Springfield, MA- on the other side of the Connecticut River.  It's always a treat to visit and go back to the 19th century.  There are 9 antique buildings around a Town Green at Storrowton Village.  These original buildings were all saved from different towns in New England by Helen Storrow and they were moved here, to this location.  It was a time when many items were handcrafted.

Behind the gazebo is one of our favorite restaurants in Western MA- Storrowton Tavern!

A Little History

A walk down the Town Green led us to the Gilbert House.  Inside the first room was a basket of fruit sitting on a table.  Oranges studded with Whole Cloves were some of the pieces of fruit.  This aroma was so good!  The lady of the house was waiting for our arrival!      

Gilbert House
West Brookfield, MA
~1794

Turning another direction in the room was another great view!

Inside Gilbert House

The tablecloth, the train under the Christmas Tree and the wallpaper were all so interesting!  Then, we turned again and enjoyed the decorations above the fireplace.

Another view inside Gilbert House

After leaving the Lawyer's Office we visited Potter Mansion.  An old piano inside caught our attention!

Strolling back down the Town Green and brought us to the Schoolhouse.  Walking in, we saw the stern Schoolmaster.  There were chalkboards on 3 sides of the room.  It's always fascinating to step into an old schoolhouse to take another look at the desks and chairs.    

North Center School
Whately, MA
~1810

Next door to the Schoolhouse is the Meeting House.  It was the building used for Town Meetings and also for worship.   

Union Meeting House
Salisbury, NH
~1834

It's always interesting to take a step back in time.  On Saturday we stepped back and enjoyed our Yuletide visit.   It was great!!!

     

~2017 Yuletide at Storrowton~

Admiring the beautiful Christmas Tree!

Yuletide at Storrowton is a great event in my area of Western MA!  We went last weekend!  The weather was co-operating, so we drove over the Connecticut River to West Springfield (in MA).  Walking onto the grounds of this 19th century New England village brings us back in time to a period of our American history when so many every day items were hand crafted.  The buildings on the grounds are original and moved to their present location at Storrowton Village.

The Meeting House was our first stop!  A Meeting House was used for Town Meetings and also for worship.  It was our first stop!  The fruit decoration above the doorway was beautiful and not often seen these days.

Once inside sitting down, we had the opportunity to listen to Folk Music from the 19th century!

19th century Folk Music Performers

 Then, onto the Blacksmith Shop!

Needed tools the Blacksmith had crafted.

 

 

 

 

He stopped his work to answer the numerous questions we all had.  

Pounding the red hot metal to a needed shape.

Inside the Lawyer's Office we saw simple, yet elegant tree decorations.  The trees were made of folded gold paper with a dowel in the center.  I took note of this easy, beautiful decoration.  Local area garden clubs create the floral arrangements.  These arrangements are on view for all of us to get new decorating ideas.  :)

Visit to the Lawyer's Office

Walking a little further down the path, we visited the Gilbert House.  There was a candle in the window!

  

Once inside, we visited with a lady spinning yarn.  The Kitchen was in the next room.  Then, we enjoyed the Parlor.  

There were so many beautiful decorations to admire while visiting Storrowton Village!

 

Beautiful Decoration!

Once inside the Schoolhouse a gentleman described the education during this time period.  In this Schoolhouse the blackboard was on 3 walls.

  

The Schoolhouse!

Our last stop on this wonderful journey back to the 19th century was to chat with a craftsman who made paint brushes.  

Craftsmen Making Paint Brushes!

It's always fascinating to visit Storrowton Village!  This week there are tours and special "Lantern Light Tours" of the Village taking place.  This is an event we always put on our calendar!  I know you have enjoyed this tour back to 19th century New England!

Enjoy!

     

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

Do you have a favorite cookie that you bake every year for a special holiday?  The variety of cookie that beckons a sampling as soon as the first dozen cookies are removed from the cookie sheet and are cool enough to handle.  I sure do!  For me it's Sour Cream Sugar Cookies!  For over 30 years I've baked these rolled and cut out scrumptious treats (containing a hint of Nutmeg) in early December.  They freeze so well that they are stored in our freezer and are ready for Christmas week.  Last year I shared this recipe and it's the perfect time for me to do so again.

These soft, light, rolled out delicious cookies are fun to make not only because cookie cutters and colored sugars are used, but the two step or overnight process means the dough is prepared one day and refrigerated.  On the second day the rolling pin, pastry sheet and cookie cutters are used.  So fun to bake with your children or grandchildren!  There are also other times during the year when my cookie cutters and my red/white rolling pin are located and used.  However, before Christmas they are always used!

Sour Cream Sugar Cookies  printable recipe card

Oven:  375°F
Yield:  About 5 dozen, depending on size

Ingredients:
4 Cups Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg
1 Cup unsalted Butter, softened
1 and 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 Egg
1/2 Cup Sour Cream (can be Fat Free)
1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Colored Sugars for Decorating

Method:

Day 1-

1. In large bowl with electric mixer beat Butter and Sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add Egg, beat.
3. Add in Baking Powder, Baking Soda, Salt and Nutmeg.
4. While beating on Low, slowly add Flour, 1 Cup at a time.
5. Add in Vanilla and Sour Cream.  Beat on Medium until well combined.  Dough will be stiff.
6. Remove dough from bowl and place on plastic wrap, wrap dough.
7. Place wrapped dough on aluminum foil and wrap well.
8. Refrigerate overnight.

Day 2-

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Unwrap dough and cut into four parts.
3. On well floured surface, roll dough to 1/4" thickness.  Use cookie cutters.
4. Place cookies on pan/sheet 1" apart.  (Maybe 12 cookies to a sheet.)
5. Sprinkle with colored sugars.
6. Bake 10 - 11 Minutes.  Bottom of cookies will be a light golden brown.
7. Remove with spatula to wire cooling racks.
8. When cool store in airtight containers.

**These cookies also freeze very well.

**For my family, any leftover dough is used to make "Initial" cookies.  Ropes are made from the leftover dough.  The first letter of each family member's name is shaped and placed on the cookie sheet.  Each letter is 2"-3".  For some reason these are eaten last, by the individual's choice.  Maybe because it will be the last one saved out!  :)

Now, it's time for me to sit in front of my Janome and finish my sewing project!

Do you have a favorite holiday cookie?
 
Enjoy!
Yummy!