The weekend is a good time for grazing. This is a summary of some of the delightful Blog articles I have been reading during the week. I invite you to graze through these, and also through the archives of the creative writers who have written about appetizing recipes, food preparation, gardening, canning and preserving, aspects of nutrition, homesteading and life’s choices, hopes and lessons.
We begin this week’s review with a rare book review from The English Tea Store Blog titled, “Reading Reade’s “Tea and Tea Drinking”. Books of yesteryear are always especially fascinating, even novels, because they reveal so much about cultural history and its transformation. That must be a fascinating little read. I could see becoming totally addicted to afternoons with a carefully prepared good brew accompanied by a mysterious book filled with revelations about society. Yes. These definitely go hand in hand.
“… One of my favorite tea-related topics to write about is tea books of yesteryear… There’s not much information available on the author Alfred Arthur Reade, …relevant to tea drinkers is a title he published in 1884, called Tea and Tea Drinking… What is undeniable, says Reade, is that in the early days such small amounts of tea were imported to Europe that it was costly enough to be out of reach to most potential consumers…” [Read Full Article]
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I selected a random post in Chateau de Vie‘s absence and enjoyed it very much. They are surely enjoying first Holiday Season in their brand new nest. “Lawn Mower Mayhem” reminded me that there is always something to do, over and over, the moment we set down the tools, isn’t there? To some, this is a never-ending battle, to others, it is part of a process that makes you feel closely connected to everything around you and this is good.
“As a wedding gift from Christine’s parents, we received a brand new lawn mower… The mower wasn’t difficult to put together, really. Remove a few bolts, attach the handle, re-attach the bolts and voila!… I had already done a couple laps …with a growing sense of confidence that I’d be able to check this to-do off my list before lunch… My confidence quickly transformed into confusion…” [Read Full Article]
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Earlier this week, I landed at a new doorstep and it Looked like I arrived right in time for a first-year anniversary. “Happy Birthday! Part 1″ highlights the dedication and enthusiasm at the heart of The Pocket Farmer, a dynamic Blog with a hand-written style that truly conveys the hands-on life one lives when close to the land . This is hard work, but out of one idea and one pocket-size nudge, the author has accomplished so much in one year. “You are growing far more than a garden and a farm,” I commented as I wished her a New Year that will continue to sprout in many wonderful directions.
“I decided to start small. Very small. Small enough to fit in your pocket… Find a little bit of success and build on it. Experiment. Ask questions. Learn from others. Share results. Keep trying… a year later… WOW! …I have been inspired, energized, informed and motivated… January 4: The Pocket Farmer is born! March 17: Chicks arrive! May 13: First canning project! July 4: New garden completed!” ” [Read Full Article]
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This last excerpt requires very few words. It is titled, “Breakfast Food: A Different Egg McMuffin”, but the image confirms how wonderfully different it is indeed. What an appetizing presentation! The moment I saw this, I immediately thought about our little café with big flavor, right here in Jeffersonville, The Mix. This is right up their alley. I must make sure they see this all at once playful and elegant breakfast variation.
As the author of In Fine Balance put it, simply, “Really, if you feel a need to change things up for this weekend’s breakfast you should try this.” [Read Full Article]
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Have a great weekend and, as always, please take a moment to leave a comment or a few kind words on the Blogs you visit and enjoy.
#1 by thekalechronicles on 01/07/2012 - 8:32 am
Thanks for the highlights: I checked out the eggs right away — have half a mind to make some for breakfast this morning. Later for the tea and other stories.
#2 by Granny on 01/07/2012 - 9:57 am
Good morning! Yes, those eggs are just so vibrant. Can’t think of any other word. Thanks for checking in. How was the getaway with musicians? There must be so much to say about that. Have a good weekend.
#3 by thekalechronicles on 01/07/2012 - 10:19 am
No, really, not much to say. We just do what we do. I didn’t stay up terribly late any night, which is a first for me.
#4 by Granny on 01/07/2012 - 11:18 am
It must be a sort of resourcing though. Something very personal even, maybe. I did not mean to pry. I do not have formal New Year’s resolutions, but I did order myself to try to go to bed earlier. I tend to get carried away writing late in the night.
#5 by thekalechronicles on 01/07/2012 - 12:22 pm
No, You’re not prying. It’s just that music is hard to talk about and write about — when you’re doing it you don’t need to talk and if you weren’t there no one is going to be able to describe what happened. I used to stay up until 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 in the morning singing, but now if a session hits a lull I just go to bed. Normally, I get up around 5:00 or 5:30 and am in bed by 9:00 PM — I guess you could say I’m a morning person except for my annual week at camp.
#6 by Granny on 01/07/2012 - 1:08 pm
I see what you mean about music being an experience that requires no words during and can hardly be described unless you experience it first hand. I guess going to bed in the wee hours of the morning and waking up a few hours later would truly make you a morning person!
#7 by thekalechronicles on 01/08/2012 - 1:31 am
Hey Granny Wise, I’ve just nominated you for the Food Bloggers Unplugged Award in my latest post. Congratulations. Go to “The Kale Chronicles” and you will find seven questions to answer. Have fun — Sharyn
#8 by Granny on 01/08/2012 - 8:30 am
Well! That is shocking news first thing in the morning on a gray and icy Sunday, but Granny is happy to play along, and thank you! Happy Sunday.
#9 by Granny on 01/08/2012 - 5:19 pm
PS: Can I change my answer to one question? I just did. #10!
#10 by thekalechronicles on 01/08/2012 - 5:48 pm
You can change your answers as often as you like, Granny. Change them every week — it could be a game: what does she say this time?
#11 by Granny on 01/08/2012 - 6:21 pm
I might lose track!
#12 by infinebalance on 01/08/2012 - 6:50 pm
Thanks for the mention. Love these weekend posts – I always learn so much and learn of new and interesting blogs! Have a great next week!
#13 by Granny on 01/08/2012 - 6:58 pm
You are welcome. It is always difficult to choose just 4. I don’t want to overwhelm the reader, so I try to alternate between the Blogs I read and new ones I add to my list, to give everyone a moment of glory now and then. As you say, there is always so much to learn. Sometimes it’s something completely new and at other times it’s just the way someone presents an every day thought that suddenly sheds new light and gives a new perspective. Have a great week as well. Thanks for stopping by.
#14 by thekalechronicles on 01/12/2012 - 10:02 pm
Hey, Granny Wise — want to do some research on angel food cake? A couple of people have said they think it is a North American thing. I always assumed English people made it, too. Do you know?
#15 by Granny on 01/12/2012 - 10:18 pm
Is this a challenge? Sure, I will research this. Here is an idea. How about we both research it, compare notes and then write a joint article (which you will illustrate, of course)? This could be fun. We can decide on two different angles once we read each other’s findings. No obligation. Just a spur-of-the-moment idea. let me know what you think.
#16 by thekalechronicles on 01/12/2012 - 10:21 pm
Sure, alright. I would think we would duplicate each other’s findings though. I thought of you because you seem to like to research origins of foods. I’d better get Googling!
#17 by Granny on 01/12/2012 - 10:27 pm
I wondered about that too. I wonder, is there a “rule” we could establish right from the start so we each approach the search from a different angle right from the start? How about this: Would you like to research “ancient/original” recipes and ingredients, since you are the expert chef, and I will research the actual history. How does this sound? Check back about this say, Monday morning?
#18 by thekalechronicles on 01/12/2012 - 10:41 pm
Okay. You’re on. Granny.
#19 by Granny on 01/13/2012 - 8:37 am
Ho huh!