Christmas Decorating – Henniker house style

This is our 10^th Christmas at Henniker House and we’re settling into our own style.  Some of you know we bought an operating B&B and its contents.  It took us months to sort through all the stuff, decide what to keep and what to move on.  The guys at the transfer station were our first and best friends in town.

The previous owner had several fake trees up in the attic.  We don’t know if she put them all up or if the collection resulted from the search for a perfect fake.  The tops of two served as outdoor decorations until last year when the elements took their toll.  Phil is currently fashioning planters for two real trees we got at Forster’s (http://forsterschristmastreefarm.com/ ) to adorn the front porch.  We hang garlands on the porch rails with purple bows to accent the trim on the house.  And there’s purple in the ski chair.

In addition to the fake trees, we also found boxes of decorations up in the attic.  Some decorations seemed to be color coordinated – perhaps an attempt at something like this.

All this was beyond me.  Trees were a bit of a mystery; real vs. fake, lights, tinsel and ornaments as cat toys – grrr!  For my adult life before innkeeping, I was the visiting Aunt who arrived at my siblings’ houses, bringing presents and getting their children high on sugar and Santa.  Even though I didn't put up a tree, I collected ornaments.  Now I decorate the tree with memories.

My mother was crafty and spoiled her cats.  From the mid 1980’s to the early 2000’s, she fed her cats enough Fancy Feast to redeem labels for the collector’s edition ornaments for her children.  

One year she asked us to save wine corks for a craft project.  She was a bit surprised how many we generated.  Now my cork reindeer is missing an eye but he makes me smile.

missing eye turned toward tree!
Note Bruce the Moose - another of Mom's creations

While working in Europe, I visited a Christmas market in Koln Germany.  When I hang the carved wood ornaments I bought there, I can almost taste the hot cider from that cold evening.  Chicago has a German style market (http://www.christkindlmarket.com/) where I found a wooden skier to celebrate the real live skier here in New Hampshire.

There are two canoes I hang on the tree.  One is a felt canoe from the year we went to see the Christmas Revels tell the French Canadian story of a flying canoe – wild dancing and kitchen music!  What a wonderful birthday celebration for me.  The other is a little red canoe that makes me think of summers at my grandmother’s cottage in Muskoka Ontario.

There are two porcelain roses from Lucy who manned reception and served as surrogate mother to many. When Lucy passed away the daughter she gave birth to called to let us know, and Lucy’s GE daughters filled a row at church.  I made some good friends at GE and had the pleasure of seeing several this year.

There are a couple of things that go on the tree that others might have put in the trash.  One is a wire basket from a bottle of champagne that my niece Alison bought because she drinks the good stuff.  My niece Jess’ creative gift tags that look like art to me so up they went!  The angel on top was made out of a toilet paper roll, a paper doily and an aluminum foil ball for a head.  Phil’s daughter Jenna was 5 when she made that and I think it has its own special beauty.  

Besides the tree, there are stockings hung on a bookcase (no fireplace mantle here) and the Victorian village set up in the Bear room.  Most of the buildings were up in the attic when we arrived but my sister Jane gave us a house that looks a lot like Henniker House and I found Phil’s Diner at Edmund’s, here in town, to complete the scene.  This year I added Santa and reindeer from Mom’s attic to the village.  We should all have reindeer on the roof.

So there you have it – Christmas decorating Henniker House style. 

You now know a little more about the people who host you here than if we put up something like this








If you too hang memories on your tree, you’ll feel right at home at Henniker House.  Come visit during the holidays or anytime. 

Wishing you a very happy season surrounded by people you love.

Bart's Favorite Holiday

Fall is an expressway through holidays here in New England.  We roll from Columbus Day, the three-day weekend every wanderer uses to admire the foliage, into Halloween for sweets & spooks, and then finally the family holiday of Thanksgiving.  But wait!  For Bart, the most important weekend of the autumn is Goddess Weekend at Henniker House.

Perfect to curl up in

This is the weekend he waits for.  This is the weekend that makes his heart sing.  This is the weekend when the leaves that danced across the skylights no longer distract him because he has the Goddesses.  They bring containers to sit in, ribbons to play with and magic wands that catch sunlight and make a flash that needs to be chased across the walls.

Goddesses?  In Henniker?  Let me explain.

Ribbon, did you say kill the ribbon?

Nine years ago, Susan & Carleen booked a night at Henniker House so they could attend a workshop at Quilted Threads (http://www.quiltedthreads.com/ ).  When they came back from the class they asked if I’d consider hosting a group of friends for a weekend of sewing quilts – they promised they’d only include women they could vouch for.  So it began with 4 friends who had worked together – Susan, Carlene, Laurie, and Colleen.  To that mix they added Colleen’s sister Barbara, Colleen’s daughter Janice (we started to tease that it was a family reunion), Janice’s good friend Kari and her mom Peg (strategic add – Peg has a long arm machine - every quilting circle should include a long arm).  Then came Kari’s friend Tracy who has now finally finished the Bruin’s quilt for her new hubby. 

Wayne is such a Bruins fan that they had Rene Rancourt, who sings the anthems at the TD Garden, sing at their wedding.  Tracy is such a Henniker House fan they came here for a few relaxing days after the big day. 

There have been some fill-ins while Janice had a baby or Peg traveled to someplace more exotic than Henniker but the core is here and Bart enjoys every minute of it.

For the weeks leading up to their visit there are emails with each participant claiming a part in their pot luck.   Crock pot suppers and homemade bread that fill the air with delicious aromas.

Classic Goddess Weekend - no rotary cutters after the wine is opened

In one email there was an assignment of “tea”.  I jumped into that and said I had that covered with my selection from Harney & Sons Teas (https://www.harney.com/ ).  A kind explanation arrived that their tea came in bottles with corks.

It is easy to write what Bart enjoys about the Goddesses – his delight shows in his actions.  But in preparing this blog, I asked the ladies what are some of their favorite things about their weekend here.  The unanimous answer was Bart with a very quick addition of Beautiful Cat.  Her secret sauce to the weekend is more subtle. 

BC is the lap cat

But what else?  They report the space is bright and the river view is inspiring or distracting, however you look at it.  Yes, they like the breakfasts.  I try out new recipes on them and keep a log of what works and what doesn’t. But they say the best part is not doing the dishes themselves.  It’s a real vacation, the kids and boys stay at home; this isn’t just their own lives someplace else.  They wear their tiaras and oversized T-shirts without judgment, get caught up on each other’s lives and bask in the girlfriend glow.

Bart consults on the Tardis Quilt

For a stretch a few years ago, two of them took advantage of the in room massage.  This weekend Susan wished she had again.  (Innkeeper note already in calendar – inquire as part of reconfirming next time).  As years have gone by, one or two and now four have added Thursday night to the weekend.   As they left this time, they wondered about adding Sunday night to the next weekend.  The extended time, the ability to spread a project out and sometimes actually finish it are some of their favorite things about the getaway.  Collaboration on design and technique (a.k.a. emergency help) is also available from friends who know you & know how this is all done.

So now you know who the Goddesses are and why Bart and Henniker House love them.  Does this sound like a getaway you’d enjoy?  Unfortunately this group doesn’t have any openings but if you would gather 4 to 8 girlfriends and pick a date, we have a beautiful room overlooking the river and a couple of cats waiting for you.  Bart would be happy to chase yarn, ribbons, crumpled paper or fabric scraps.  BC is good at lap sitting.  If you don’t want to plan pot lucks, we have restaurants in walking distance.  The vacation can be as unstructured as you want.

If I'm in the bag, you can't pack and leave

                              Come, let the river soothe you.

Haunted Henniker House

Every year we get a call wanting to book the haunted room.  It usually comes in October and goes something like this:

“We’d like to book your haunted room for October 31^st”

“You’re welcome to book a room but we’re not haunted.”

“But I read it on the internet.”

“Don’t believe everything you see on the internet.”

And then there are the emails from the paranormal investigators who want to come and check out our place for ghosts.  “No thanks.  We’re not haunted”.

too cheery to be haunted

I know where they get this bad information.  The story of Ocean Born Mary, Gussie Roy and a photo of our bed & breakfast have been put together on a web site - http://www.hauntedhouses.com/states/nh/henniker_house.htm.  It was first brought to my attention after we’d been here about 2 months.  I was checking the web to see what was already out there with the B&B’s name (I found a really nasty review too).  I printed it out and filed it away under “interesting but not important”.  Even now, their write up just makes me laugh – 6,000 acres – we’re in town; the Main St is at our front door and the river behind, no way could you stake out 6,000 acres – even in the 18^th century.  And besides, the photo shows a fine old Victorian, not a grand house built by a retired pirate who was pillaging the seas in 1720.

Much of the press about the ghost can be caulked up to Louis Maurice Auguste Roy.  He bought a house in Henniker in 1917 and proceeded to create a legend.  The folks at Yankee Skeptic checked it out -  http://yankeeskeptic.com/2013/03/05/ocean-born-mary-or-why-a-ghost-is-good-for-business/.  The house he bought is outside of town, with sweeping views of the valley, but not 6,000 acres either.  Certainly a ghost was good for Gussie’s business but not for me and my B&B.  “We’re not haunted”.

The Henniker Historical Society does an excellant job summarizing the “actual history and the other side of the coin”   http://www.hennikerhistory.org/obmary.htm .  In 2011 the Historical Society hosted Jeremy D’Entremont who wrote “Ocean-Born Mary, the Truth Behind a New Hampshire Legend”.  This is a fascinating slim book published by The History Press, Charleston SC.  It includes illustrations, naval research as to who the pirate might have been and detail about Gussie Roy who is described as a “smaller scale P.T. Barnum of New Hampshire”.  It is just the thing to read on rainy afternoon.  I think I’ll put the kettle on now and refresh my knowledge of the facts so I’m ready for the next “I’d like to book your haunted room” call.

Hillsborough's Stone Arch Bridges - a favorite wander

For 10 years I've sent guests over to Hillsborough to see the early 19^th century stone arch bridges.  Often I arm them with a brochure “Hillsborough’s Stone Arch Bridges” published by Hillsborough’s Chamber of Commerce years ago.   I fear I will soon run out of the brochure so I’m going to capture some of the highlights here.  I am not going to try to give you each turn and mile marker because the discovery process is part of the fun of this tour.  If it’s in quotes, it came from the brochure.  The tour is one of my personal favorite drives and I took some friends from Chicago on it in September.  Even before the leaves change, it’s a beautiful ride.

Jones Rd Bridge September 19th 2014

This week we hosted some enthusiastic leaf peepers – Ken and Dianne from Alberta.  Dianne bought the hat at her first stop in New Hampshire and proudly wore it through out her stay.  Her photos are testimony to the pursuit of colors and the joy of wandering.  Thank you for letting me share them Dianne!

Henniker Bridge Spring

Our stone arch bridge up river from Henniker House’s breakfast room (and seen in many Facebook photos https://www.facebook.com/Hennikerhousebnb?ref=hl) was first built in 1835 and rebuilt and widened in the late 20^th century.  The ones in Hillsborough are on smaller, often dirt roads and remain much as they were when they were first built. 

There are two ways to head out to Hillsborough from Henniker House.  One follows the Currier & Ives Byway (http://currierandivesbyway.org/) west from us and crosses the Contoocook River near the old paper mill site.  There are several opportunities to get out of the car and get close to the river.  The other ride is along the ridge on the south side of the Contoocook, past the Ocean Born Mary house (http://www.hennikerhistory.org/obmary.htm) and other 200+ year old center hall colonial homes.  Each route gives some insight to the way folks lived or the needs to have solid structures to cross our streams and rivers. 

“These bridges are registered as historical structures by the Historic American Building Survey, part of the National Park Service.  Most recently they have been recognized as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, the second in New Hampshire after the Cog Railway.

Stone arch bridges were a solution to the weakness of timber bridges and were especially suited for withstanding frequent flooding in the steeply sloping New Hampshire streams and rivers.”

So after wandering a bit, you’ll end up in Hillsborough’s “Bridge Village” – a late 19^th century Main St with German John’s Bakery (worth the stop – on the trip with Greg & Sue, we picked up pretzels to sustain us).  Then head out School St/Center Rd to “Hillsboro Center” historic district.  This is where the Hillsborough Artisans do their Summer Fair.   Settled in 1769, Hillsborough Center has over a dozen 18^th and 19^th century homes, two churches, a clubhouse and an intact one-room schoolhouse. 

With my friends from Chicago, we visited with Jon Gibson at Gibson Pewter (http://gibsonpewter.com) Sue found just the right charm for her granddaughter and I enjoyed the view of the valley from the big window in the barn.  Stop in just for the view if the open flag is waving.

Go north from Hillsboro Center and make a left onto Gleason Falls Rd.  Cross over Beard Rd and the brook.  Park in the wide spot and walk down to the brook to see an unusual twin bridge - the site of one of the town’s first grist mills.  “This bridge is shrouded in mystery as to when it was built and by whom.  The clever craftsman built a unique bridge which actually consists of a causeway and two bridges over Beard’s Brook.  The span to rise ratio of each arch is what makes this one unique.  While most conventional arches would be semi-circular with a span to rise ratio of 2.0, as it is with one arch, the ration of the other is a staggering 4.37!”  So it isn’t a funky angle of the photo; these arches don’t match.

 Now this is where we separate the wanderers from the architectural history hounds. 

Wanderers –go straight as long as there isn’t snow on the ground or deep mud.  When you come out the other end you will be on the Second NH Turnpike (Rt 31).  Franklin Peirce Homestead will be down the road to the left.  Turning right will open up miles of hills and views – one of our favorite motorcycle rides.

To see more bridges, turn around and go right on Beard Rd.  The first bridge you go over is very impressive after a rain or in the Spring.  This Autumn photo only gives you a suggestion of the rushing water.  Swimming hole anyone?

The next bridge is at Jones Rd.  This one is “known as the Old Carr Bridge, built by Captain Jonathan Carr in 1840, and allegedly paid for with counterfeit money.”  Cross the bridge and you’ll be in the fields used for the reenactments of Living History (http://livinghistoryeventnh.com/) held each August.

 If you continue straight on Beard Rd you will get back to the 21^st century.

Leafpeeper FAQ

As a New Hampshire Innkeeper, I try to be an expert on our state’s attractions.  In the upcoming months, I will blog about things to do and see in the state.  But today being the last one in September, I thought I’d attempt to address the most frequently asked question this time of year;

When is peak?

My stock answer is I wish I had a crystal ball and a dozen extra rooms for that week.

Seriously, it depends.

It depends on how wet the summer was.  A few years ago we hosted a couple of high school science teachers in August.  They declared it would be a long, colorful leaf season because there had been enough rain that summer; the leaves weren't dying yet.  And they were right.  That year there was some color in the trees until Halloween.

It depends on the type of tree (maple, oak, birch) and the stage in its life cycle.  Here are some resources about variety and color and the science of it all.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_leaf_color

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html

http://www.usna.usda.gov/PhotoGallery/FallFoliage/FallColorList.html

What I mean about life cycle may just be my own theory based on observation, not scientific research.  Young trees tend to change and then drop their leaves in the slightest breeze.  Older trees don’t seem to want to let go; some branches have already changed and shed while others are still green.  Maybe it’s a bit like my body – my knees know my age but my mind holds fast to my 23 year old self.  Here’s an example taken today of the maple across the street at Quilted Threads.

It depends on your definition of peak and your appreciation of random surprise color.  Yesterday was a bright sunny day but I was in a hurry.  Today it is spitting rain but I remembered to bring my camera.  Here’s the tree whose color screamed “look at me” while its neighbors are still very green.

Is peak when a tree is at its fullest color?  When looking at the hillside you see more yellow, red and gold than you see green?  What about those evergreens?  And the Tamarack that Phil planted in our back yard?  Tamaracks (also known as larch) are the only deciduous conifer and turn gold after all the hardwoods have dropped their leaves.  So it depends on the make-up of the woods you’re looking at.

It also depends on where you’re looking.  Here’s a photo taken today, in a valley, near water, after driving along thinking maybe only 10% had changed so far.  Want more color? Go low and find water ringed by swamp maples.  Or go north where there have been more cool nights.  When the color has run out up there, travel south to find a little more.

 

All these photos were taken today.  The sesaon has just begun and there are stunning colors to enjoy.

There are web sites where leaf spotters report on their local conditions or algorithms forecast color changes.  Just remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it depends.