Happy Thanksgiving

Before long they will start watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade and I will make my move!

 

A Spirit of Place -- The Ethicurean

 Over at Cookbook Of The Day we decided that The Ethicurean Cookbook was our favorite cookbook of the year, maybe of the coming year, too!  We just love it.  The Ethicurean was voted one of the ten best destination restaurants in England.

Recently, Cereal magazine and Freunde von Freunde published an interview with The Ethicurean's Jack Adair Bevan and a series of glorious photos.  Both the interview and the photos are by Robbie Lawrence. The photos are food porn of the highest order.  These are just a few.  Needless to say, we want to live there.

Do read the full interview and check out both sites to see all the photos.

Cereal.

Freunde von Freunde.

Cold House

We are testing out a cold house this winter, hoping to keep some herbs and a few root vegetables going through the snow.  The limp eggplants from early in the season, clearly aren't going to make it, but we are hoping some hardy chard will weather, well the weather.

Watering the area has proven to be the hardest part.   Keep your fingers crossed that we get a carrot or two.

 

New Bridge

Clearly, it is not the Golden Gate,but it is mine. How bad was it before, you might ask? Every day I drove across it, but I would not WALK across it.

Frankly, it was pretty scary to drive across.

I finally found a bridge builder.

After surveying the site and getting the wood we were set to go.

The beginning with most of the old boards gone.

 

Ready for the first drive across.

 

 

Fabulous Fashionistas

This is what I want to look like when I grow up. Check out the documentary, Fabulous Fashionistas. http://youtu.be/4znrNtLKDE4

 

Gettysburg Address

 

Dedication ceremony at Gettysburg Battlefield, November 19, 1863. Abraham Lincoln, hatless, is seated left of center
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Today is the sesquicentennial of the Gettysburg Address.  It was one of the great moments in oratory and my great aunts believed in elocution as sport.  Needless to say, I learned to recite the Gettysburg Address at an early age.  

In an age of tweeting, texting and pdf's, it is interesting (well to me it is) that there are several versions of the Gettysburg Address.  Five handwritten copies are known to exist.  Since there was no xerox machine at Gettysburg, the copies vary slightly.  Here they are:


Alexander Bliss Copy 

This copy was  given to the stepson of historian George Bancroft. Lincoln was asked by Bancroft for a handwritten copy to raise funds for soldiers.  Lincoln complied but wrote on both sides of he paper, making it hard to display, so Lincoln made another copy for Bliss.  It resides in the White House in the Lincoln Room.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. 
 
Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863   


George Bancroft Copy 

Since this copy was unusable for fundraising, Bancroft kept it. It is owned by Cornell University.  

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives, that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate – we can not hallow – this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. 


John G. Nicolay Copy 

Nicolay was President Lincoln's personal secretary. historians believe this is the first draft of the address begun in DC on White House stationary. Since the second page of the draft is on different, it is thought that Lincoln finished the speech on his way to Gettysburg. Nicolay, who saw the Lincoln deliver the speech in Gettysburg, was given the draft. It is now in The Library of Congress.  

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that “all men are created equal.” Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle field of that war. We come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who died here, that the nation might live. This we may, in all propriety do. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate – we can not consecrate – we can not hallow, this ground – The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have hallowed it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here; while it can never forget what they did here. It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.  

John Hay Copy 

Presidential assistant, John Hay, was also with Lincoln at Gettysburg.  His copy is believed to be the second draft of the speech.  Hay wrote in his diary:  "The President, in a fine, free way, with more grace than is his wont, said his half dozen words of consecration." 

This copy, complete with handwritten changes, is owned by the Library of Congress.  
 
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met here on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of it, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But in a larger sense, we can not dedicate — we can not consecrate — we can not hallow — this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember, what we say here, but can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they have, thus far, so nobly carried on. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain; that this nation shall have a new birth of freedom; and that this government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.  

Edward Everett Copy
 
Edward Everett was the main attraction at the service at Gettysburg.  He spoke a full two hours.  After hearing the president speech for only two minutes, Everett wrote to him saying, "I should be glad, if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes."

In 1864 Everett asked the President for a copy of the speech, again as a fundraiser for Union soldiers.  This copy is housed at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
 
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth, upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived, and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting-place for those who here gave their lives, that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate – we can not hallow – this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here, have, thus far, so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion – that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

 

If you would like to know all things about the Gettysburg Address, do read Gabor Boritt's The Gettysburg Gospel. While I am not a big reader of Lincoln books, I was interested in this speech and how it came about.

New Chicken Eggs

The new chickens are finally laying an egg or two. There is joy in

Lucindaville. And frittatas!

 

Famous Food Friday -- RockStars

Today's Famous Food Friday features rock stars of old...some of them still rocking today. Cool Cooking by Roberta Ashley was published in 1972 by the Scholastic Book Service. It was a draw for YA rocker who liked to cook as well as rock.

How old is this book?

 

So old that The Honey Cone was giving the Supremes a run for their money.

So old that Elton John was straight.

So old that that Michael Jackson was black, not to mention alive.

So old that Paul McCartney was a carnivore.

 

You will find:

 

Aretha Franklin's Chitlins.

Glen Campbell's Scrambled Eggs and Lamb

David Cassidy's On-the-Set Salad

 

and this winner from George Harrison.

Banana Sandwich

ripe banana

bread

peanut butter (optional)

Slice a ripe banana lengthwise and lay it on a piece of bread. If you like, you can spread the bread with peanut butter.

We just love these old cookbooks that are compilations of famous folk making their own food! Grab some peanut butter, flip on "oldies" channel, and rock on to Cool Cooking.

 

 

The Art of Giving

I had a rather ugly brown Le Creuset roaster that I gave to a friend when his girlfriend booted him out and he had nothing.  After I gave it away, I kinda regretted it but it was terribly ugly so I got over it.  About 6 years ago, I found the identical Le Creuset pan in a junk shop and bought it.  Not a single week has gone by that I didn't use the pan in some way, shape or form. 

This summer, I dropped the lid on the floor.  My initial reaction was a plea that the lid not crack the tile.  The opposite happened.  In one of those mathematical long shots, a statistical improbability, the lid and floor collided at a perfect sweet spot and the lid lost.  It split in a perfect line from the edge to the knob.  I prayed it would go not further and tried to gingerly use it a couple of  times but then it split into two equal parts.

I didn't want to get rid of my pan, but without a lid, it languished on the shelf.   Then one day I started looking on ebay.  Nothing seemed to be the right size and finally, a big blue lid came on the market.  It seems to be the exact size I needed and since I had looked for quite some time and since this was the first one I had seen that seemed to be the right size, I bought it. 

Shipping the lid cost more than the lid itself.  Together they cost more than I paid for the pan which was exponentially less than buying a new one.  I put the blue lid on the brown pot and it has been in the oven every day since!  I couldn't be happier.


It reminded me of a professor from Alabama.  He had gone to Oxford and became friend with the son of  Duchess.  He visited their home and the Duchess was smitten by this young man who would listen to her stories of old furniture, paintings and china.  She was especially fond of a set of Wedgwood that she had eaten from as a child.  She lamented that the pattern had been discontinued and several dished were missing lids.  When he was invited to spend Christmas at the house, he tried to find an excuse not to go.  It was Christmas after all, and what would he put under the tree?  

After reluctantly agreeing to go, he found himself visiting a town with an old Wedgwood factory.  He inquired at the shop about the discontinued pattern and was led into a rather large room, stacked high with bits and pieces of old Wedgwood.  He searched for quite some time and managed to find a couple of discarded lids that matched the Duchess' pattern.  They were under the tree for her.  Needless to say she was thrilled and touched that this young American had actually listened to her stories.

I thought of that story several years ago when I stopped to get a bottle of wine for a friend.  She had a huge kitchen that was always bustling.  Her big, old stove was a workhorse, but the knobs has been been lost over the years and in order to get the eyes to come on or to adjust the temperature, the single working knob was move to the naked metal stumps of each eye that needed tending.  She always complained about the damn stove knobs. 

As I headed toward the liquor store, I noticed a hardware store across the street, so I detoured.   In the back or this jam-packed, old store was a display of stove knobs.  I found the knobs I needed and bought them for less than a bottle of wine.  When I gave her the bag and she saw the knobs, she wept.  Over and over she said that she had complained for years and no one ever listened.

So be advised as the gift-giving season approaches -- sometimes the right gift is as simple as a old, blue lid.

Our First Snow

 

How Cool Are French Zombies?

My friend , Anne,  and I are Francophiles.  We both subscribe to Elle à Table and we are always discussing how the French can throw a handful of raw asparagus onto a plate and make it look like art.   I am always saying, "How does there food always look so good?"

Guess what?  Their zombies look good, too.


The Sundance Channel is showing Les Revenants as The Returned.  It is a French Walking Dead, but those who return from the dead are French.  French zombies.  Now one might inquire: "What are French zombies like?"

Well, of course they are far better looking than American zombies.  No rotting flesh, non!  That would be so undignified.  French zombies return intact, coiffed, well dressed and sporting jaunty scarves.

French zombies return from the grave ravenous, but they do not want to eat your fleshy underbelly. A French zombie is looking for a lovely, ripe Camembert and a crusty loaf.

French zombies do not shuffle slowly, but comport themselves like dancers.

Those returned, and those they have returned to, are faced not with a zombie apocalypse, but with an existential dilemma.  For instance, your dead wife returns and causes you to nearly die of a heart attack.

Do you find this to be an abomination and kill her? 

Do you kill yourself? 

Do you give her more Camembert?

Do you ask yourself, "What would Sartre do?"


While they might not be grotesque, rotting flesh eaters, the French zombie does seem to create havoc.    It is a little early to judge the exact nature of the havoc and whether it is more terrifying than a full on zombie apocalypse.  I must confess, however, the thought of a long-dead child showing up in the kitchen raiding the refrigerator may be far more terrifying than a rotting Sophia shuffling out of a barn.

Damn those French!

Tuneful Tuesday

Say what you will about the War Between the States aka the Civil War, but they had some awesome tunes.  My fave, Stephen Foster, was the Kurt Cobain of the Civil War.  Hard Times Come Again No More may well be my favorite song of all time, albeit poignant to the edge of suicidal. 

Really, though, one hasn't heard the Civil War in song until one hears the Carolina Chocolate Drops or Pokey LaFarge do the Civil War.  Then there are Ralph Stanely and Norman Blake; not to mention Dolly Parton and Loretta Lynn. 

It is probably a coincidence that Divide & United was released as the Smithsonian is offering up its look at Civil War artifacts in Civil War 360.  I may be a bit biased as my friends Kathy Golden and Dave Miller  offer a historical perspective on  John Singleton Mosby and J.E.B. Stuart while looking at some of their "stuff."  Of course the last big rush of Civil War tunes came about when Ken Burns' The Civil War made such a splash on PBS.  But that was long before the Old Crow Medicine Show was belting out Marching Through Georgia or Shovels and Rope (a Charleston band we keep hoping will break out big) singing The Fall of Charleston.  

I know, I know, this may not be your cup of tea or sweet tea, as it were, but if you love a heavy dose of folk-y, funky, Americana, this one is for you.