Our 1930 white frame house did not have a fireplace, or consequently, a Santa-friendly chimney. As an inquiring and astute 4-year old, I asked my parents how Santa would ever make his deliveries given such a glaring omission. The only chimney in the house led directly to the furnace.

Dad, of course, solved the problem by building a fireplace out of plywood. Our three-sided fireplace was painted with bright red brickwork. The fireplace was topped with white Masonite which was a convenient place for Santa’s milk and cookies, as well as providing a place for the stockings to be hung with care.

One year Dad decided that the fireplace needed a paint job. Red brick would be replaced by colorful stones. Unfortunately for my artist father, he had two young daughters who wanted to help with the renovation and paint the stones. Dad had a unique solution. We were responsible for painting the back sides of the stones which were on the inside of the wooden fireplace. The work proceeded on the changes while my sister and I remained oblivious to the fact that no one would ever see our superbly painted stones.