Category Archives: Food

Blueberries & Panic

26 Tuesday Jun 2012

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It is just about blueberry season here–maybe two more days to go, really–and they are a lovely addition to oatmeal for breakfast. A good solid meal is what you need when you’re starting a day of random panic attacks about whether or not an exhibit will get done. I was up at 5 to start writing the main case label, surrendering to the inevitable since I began writing it in my head when I woke up at 4:30. Now I need only fit in working out, sewing a dress, making two lunches, showering, and getting the Young Mr off to summer camp by 8. Madness.

But I was struck by a comment on an earlier post, one about authenticity. The fight continues, and the comment reminded me of a conversation going on over at Historically Speaking/Daily Reenactor. There has been some bad stuff happening in units out there in the real world, and online, too. To do these subjects justice, I need more time and thought that I can put in right now, but I refer interested parties to Kelsey’s blog, where there is much to read and consider.

Now, back to panicking for me.

Lunch Box Love

25 Monday Jun 2012

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In which we make yet another lunch, and hope for the best.
The Eco Lunch Box, found at HomeGoods, delighted Young Mr S. Bright colors, squishy silicone and a snap-top lid with integral spork storage, what’s not to like, if you are 13?

It works pretty well, considering what I stuff into it. It’s a kind of suburban bento box, suitable for the dishwasher and being taken to Grassy Camp, run by EastSide Private School. Young Mr S gets two more weeks of Grassy Camp, then four of free Pavement Camp, run by the city of Providence’s after school program. That camp comes with breakfast and lunches free, and camp is free, too. I feel bad taking advantage of it, for it is an entitlement I don’t exactly need; we could afford Non-Christian Community Organization Counselor in Training program camp. But PavementCamp offers sailing and the chance (necessity) of interacting with the children The Young Mr goes to school with. Grassy Camp provides an altogether different kind of diversity experience, but the chance to kayak, get a good ear infection, and run around in the woods.

So pack the lunches I do, and the Young Mr eats them, never shy with criticism. Of course when you eat the same thing every day, it’s hard even for Mom to screw up.

  • Ham sandwich with iceberg and yellow mustard on potato roll. Do not use any other kind of lettuce or mustard, Dijon is too spicy for the boy who eats Thai red chili sauce with a spoon.
  • Celery and carrots, though we prefer celery to carrots.
  • Strawberry yogurt tube, can be frozen.
  • Oreos, never forget the oreos. Ever.
  • Fruit. Today it is strawberries, they’ve been on sale. We’ll see how diverging from apples or grapes goes. This upgrade may be rejected.

In which we eat things we do not like

24 Sunday Jun 2012

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I sometimes imagine starting posts with “In which…,” as in “In which we stuff the washer full of clothes and hope for the best,” though I think the format is derived from Winnie the Pooh (ther Pooh, if you are a fan of the original). This was a weekend for “In which we discover nasty things in our mouth.”

Number one: lunch. I shun chain restaurants for many reasons, but here’s a new one: undercooked chicken. Yikes. Exene Cervenka once wrote a poem about a cup of minestrone and a piece of pie being OK to order in any city, and there’s logic in that. Salad with “grilled” chicken should be shunned. The entire meal was taken care of–mine, Mr S’s and young Mr S’s–but it should never come that. Lesson learned? Keep driving, till you find a better place. Or eat a bigger breakfast.

Number two: Whale’s Tale Pale Ale. Tastes like MBTA train car cleaner and salt. Just say no. I tried Grey Lady Ale, and, well, enh. A little too after-tasty for me, but I prefer pale ale, so what the heck? No. Epic beer fail, down the drain, tasted like the T smells.

Number three: best of the bunch, blueberry pie. Recipe courtesy of Cook’s Illustrated. I didn’t have the tapioca to add, so I used cornstarch. Accept no substitutes, use the tapioca (I assume). I did not, but I follow the recipe in every other regard. I ended up with delicious but runny pie. Not excessively runny, but not set up enough that I’m convinced to switch from the easier combine berries with sugar and flour and bake method. Fortunately, it’s blueberry season and birthday season and I can try again.

And blueberry pie led to a stain on my favorite gingham blouse, and the situation in which we stuff the washer and hope for the best. Still, best thing I ate all weekend.

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Switching Centuries, with Strawberries

23 Saturday Jun 2012

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It’s an early birthday treat, patterns and shoes, and all on sale! I’m fairly certain that if told these had been purchased while on sale, my mother would say they did not count as a treat. never mind, they do to me!

American Duchess “Georgiana” shoes sold as imperfect, but quite good enough for my impression. Getting closer to having to make my version of the striped silk polonaise at the V&A.  They’re super shiny and lots of fun.

The patterns include vintage patterns, unused, and shockingly enough, in my size, from Sandritocat on Etsy. I have vintage fabric in blue, just enough to make the dress with short sleeves. All in all, happy early birthday goodness.

Today, in addition to chores and sewing, I think I’ll try making (or starting) strawberry cordial. The recipe was in the Country Living (UK) magazine, and can be found online, too. 2.2 pounds of strawberries, just have to make the room in the fridge. This might work well for the opening, too.

Cake, and other Things

17 Sunday Jun 2012

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20120617-195748.jpg On Saturday, in preparing for the opening June 28, I made the Seed Cake, called Nun’s Cake, from the Colonial Williamsburg website.

Actually, I made half a recipe. And Baked it too long. That doesn’t mean it’s not delicious served with raspberries and lemon curd, but it does mean that the crust is, well, crusty. And cakes do not have crusts, so there you are. What I learned what that you can’t halve ingredients and not adjust time. Obvious, but not when you are simultaneously finishing a dress.

The dress is done, all but the cuffs and moving the interior lacings, though the photos are sketchy. Mr. S. used to be a photographer, and now he hates photography. He is therefore an unwilling documentarian, and hates even more the basic camera he was handed at the Joy Homestead.

We were there for a tea commemorating the day in 1780 when Rochambeau stopped on his march to join Washington. Rumor, or legend, has it that the Comte ate strawberries, and so we did, too, with biscuits, cream, and Lipton tea.

20120617-195837.jpgThere was some drilling, so the soldiers had an appetite. There were also photo ops aplenty, and some behavior that made me wonder if there are reenactor groupies. One woman was just determined to have a particular uniformed gent in every possible photo…and she took many, many photos of the troops. It’s a curious thing, this hyper-photographic behavior. Makes me want to keep my camera in my pocket.

In any case, the seed cake I made will work for the opening if I can manage not to over bake it and provide fruit with it. Now I just have to find an 18th century punch that isn’t overly full of rum.
And a new camera.
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