Celebrating the Holiday at the William Seward House

The Skaneateles Garden Club celebrated the holiday season this year at the Seward House Museum located in Auburn, New York.  This historic home was once owned by William H. Seward and family.

William Seward was a state senator, governor of New York, U.S. Senator, presidential candidate, and then Secretary of State under presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Jackson.  Among other notable accomplishments, he negotiated the 1867 purchase of Alaska, later known as "Seward's Folly", but ultimately a major triumph of statesmanship.  Although he spent many years in Albany and Washington D.C., he called this house his home from the time of his marriage in 1824 until his death.

The building is adore with statues that greets you before you hit the doorway.

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This year the Skaneateles Garden Club members and area florists decorated the home with floral arrangements through out the home.This doorway was done by Foley Florist in Auburn.

 Before you even go through this grand door you can just imagine what is inside.

This arrangement was done by Sandra from Fleur De Lis Florist in Skaneateles.

This beautiful tree was decorated by Sandra Weigel from the Skaneateles Garden Club.

 

You might find this tree with paper cones during Seward's time.

Williams wife, Frances would hide runaway slaves in the basement of their house.

A tour of the house was given to the members by volunteer staff members.

I would love this umbrella stand by my doorway.

This dining room table could seat 24 people and more leaves can be added to seat more.  In the day of the Steward's the table settings would be measure a foot apart and the chairs would be measured so many inches from the table.  Where did they find that long of a tablecloth?

Each setting would come with their own salt dishes and pepper.

The dining room was decorated by Corsentino's Florist in Auburn.

This arrangement is by Skaneateles Garden Club, President Linda McKinnon

Arrangement by Skaneateles Garden Club member, Ann Merrill

Even the bathroom had a centerpiece.

Garden Club member, Arlene Bloomer took to the Steinway Piano to play us some beautiful holiday music.

My contribution was 3 different kinds (Lavender Shortbread, Rolo Turtles and Christmas Mice) of cookies.  You can find my Christmas Mice recipe below.

All of the food we soooo good.

Over 60 members enjoyed the event.

Visiting this historic home reminded me of the poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas, by Clemente Clarke Moore.  I expected Santa to come down the chimney any time.

Did I hear reindeer's on the roof?

Not a creature was stirring, not even a ...

 Christmas Mice

Ingredients

• 1 12 oz. package semisweet chocolate pieces
• 1 10 ounce jar maraschino cherries with stems, drained and patted dry
• 36 milk chocolate kisses with stripes
• Sliced almonds

Directions

1. Place chocolate pieces in a small microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on 100 percent power (high) for 1 minute or until chocolate is melted, stirring twice.

2. Hold cherries by the stem and dip, one at a time, in melted chocolate to coat. Place coated cherries on a large baking sheet. Immediately press the flat bottom of a kiss up against the cherry (forming mouse head). Insert two almond slices between head and body to form ears. Use a toothpick dipped in remaining melted chocolate to make eyes. If you like, dot some of the melted chocolate on tip of kiss for nose. (Or, place remaining melted chocolate in a resealable plastic bag; seal. Snip off a very small piece of one corner and pipe on eyes and nose). Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and let chill for 15 minutes or until chocolate is set. Use a small flat metal spatula or table knife to help remove mice from baking sheet.

3. Store mice in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Makes about 36 mice. 

Enjoy!