How I found Hans Christian Andersen in a Danish Town...in Central California!

My husband and I love visiting California's Santa Ynez Valley.  It's very rural, with quaint farms and tiny towns, incredible wineries, and great restaurants.

One of my favorite towns, Solvang, was founded
by Danish immigrants in 1911.  (If you love Scandinavia, I'm sure you can just imagine the decorations for their Julefest at Christmas time! And be sure and have some ebelskivers!!)

On Mission Drive you'll find The Book Loft...

and on the second floor of this bookstore is a little museum dedicated to the beloved Danish author of children's books, Hans Christian Andersen. [1805-1875.] Ironically I wrote this post yesterday, on his birth date, April 2!

The first thing you'll see as you ascend the stairs and pass all the fun bookshelves...

...is a huge bust of the famous author himself.

Many first and early additions of his books, poetry, and correspondence (written in his spidery script) are on display, as well as photographs of him, and examples of the delicate paper cut art he so loved.

In order to amuse his friends and their children Hans Christian Andersen made paper cuts.  He was in fact a very popular paper cutter - see images here. 

There is no immediate connection between his paper cuts and fairy tales, but Andersen used to accompany his paper cutting with fantastic tales, and he would present his finished work of art to his amazed listeners by unfolding the paper cut-out as he ended his tale!

I've enjoyed several visits to this bookstore museum over the years, and highly recommend it, if you ever find yourself in the Santa Ynez Valley of California!  My next post will be about some other places my hubby and I enjoyed while we were there...