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.
You can access the entire Weekend Highlights series to date by clicking on that category in the sidebar at left. Let us begin with today’s review.
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“You have no idea, dear Gardening Canuck,” I typed in the comment after reading Trees in winter… and in summer, and… “How much I can relate to what you are saying. Let me count the ways… but it would use up an entire page and I do not want to invade your personal space.”
The author speaks of trees as one might speak of good friends worthy of respect, unconditional respect. Her neighbors clearly do not need to fear for the wellbeing of any of their trees that might reach over the fence, into her yard. Perhaps they reach precisely because they sense there is a friend there.
“… In the playground of a school in a downtrodden part of Winnipeg, there is a tree that was planted in 1881. It was an accidental tree, brought there by a young girl who heard about a tree planting… and thought she would help. She found a wild tree and dug it up, arriving at school only to learn that the tree planting was for dignitaries only. An understanding teacher… arranged a private ceremony to plant the child’s tree. It still grows there today, 131 years later…” [Read Full Article]
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Sir John Everett Millais - Afternoon Tea - 1889
I love historical accounts and The Tea Blog‘s account on Tea Pioneers of Great Britain invites further investigation. It also brought back fond memories of sharing tea with friends in Scotland, where part of the delight is to dip a lump, not a cube, but a marvelously flavorful raw sugar lump in the cup… or place one in the mouth before taking a first sip.
“When we think of great tea-drinking nations, Great Britain is probably one of the first ones that will spring to mind… Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford… may be one of the many myths and legends of tea or it might just be true, but it’s the Duchess of Bedford who’s credited with coming up with the distinctively British custom known as afternoon tea…” [Read Full Article]
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Is a Degree in Agriculture Useless? asks The Flying T Ranch. The commentary that ensues is poignantly heartfelt and down to earth. Individuals and families who live off the land, to any small or large extend and regardless of their actual education background, will surely relate to many of the sentiments expressed herein. The author speaks for many in this truly respectfully expressed and honest commentary.
“Yahoo just published a story… “College Majors that are Useless,” and it listed Agriculture degrees as the most useless… Ouch… if you think “Farm Manager” is the only career opportunity for a person with an Ag degree, you don’t understand Ag… These articles also ignore… the skills employers are looking for in this highly competitive environment… they include the ability to work in a team, make decisions and solve problems… You don’t learn this stuff in a book. Those skills, friends, are the difference between …education and a comprehensive training experience… [Read Full Article]
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We have not visited Frugal Feeding in a while. Cider and Green Lentil Stew was simply delicious, both because of the recipe it features and the choice introduction. The author cleverly sets up the scene with a story about Sigmund Freud’s grandson, no less. In fact, I believe Sigmund would be quite pleased with his grandson, as well as with the author’s choice of hard cider for the recipe perhaps.
“In recent weeks my Grandfather has developed a penchant for divulging a number of his favourite Clement Freud anecdotes. His favourite story concerns a trip Freud made to Mexico. Whilst in Mexico, Freud thought he would sample the delights of a true Central American Chilli, something he soon regretted… I asked to borrow my Grandfather’s copy of ‘Freud of Food’. To my delight I discovered a section entitled, ‘Give The Wife A Break’… In Freud’s book I discovered a recipe which makes use of green lentils… [Read Full Article]
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The title: Carrot Cupcakes with Orange Honey Cream Cheese Frosting. I could not resist. Thus, now we have a main dish, dessert and reading material to complete the meal. Perfect.
The author was not entirely pleased with her choice of decorative topping. I chanced a suggestion. What do you thing of this? Dehydrated carrot slices arranged so they fan out from the middle. To begin the feast, one must remove and eat each carrot slice with a good chunk of frosting attached, for a perfect marriage of crunch and sweetness.
“I pulled the first bunch of lovely Round Romeo carrots this week, which I planted back in October. At the time I sowed the seeds, their uncommon round shape intrigued me and looking back, I think I planted them primarily for their novelty… I must admit that a huge reason why I am such a fan of carrot cake is because of the traditional cream cheese frosting used to ice them and these cupcakes seem like a good vehicle for the massive quantities of frosting I plan to devour…” [Read Full Article]
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Thank you for stopping by to read this Weekend Review. Please take a moment to leave a few words on the Blogs you enjoy, if you feel so inclined that is.
#1 by thekalechronicles on 01/28/2012 - 10:54 am
Is a degree in agriculture useless? I thought the useless ones were English, Folklore and Clinical Psychology (I hold two and almost got the middle one but for a wee problem with my thesis). I look forward to reading this week’s highlights.
#2 by Granny on 01/28/2012 - 11:24 am
Ha! ha! I assure you the content is respectful. Actually, I believe it is downright brilliant. Is there such a thing as a degree in critical thinking? I believe there are many people in the world who have not completed any sort of degree yet have impeccable work ethics, knowledge and know-how all rolled into one. We do so much of our learning outside of the classroom, after all. And then there are people who love academics. They stretch their minds to no end. Both groups bring to the world their own wisdom and qualities. It is this diversity that enriches the world.
#3 by thekalechronicles on 01/28/2012 - 11:32 am
I didn’t even mention two of my other favorites, which I don’t hold, but some people do: Rhetoric and Poetics. I’ve read the lovely paean to trees and will be working my way through the rest of the reading because I love to read.
#4 by Granny on 01/28/2012 - 11:46 am
I had an art teacher in college who insisted we do everything, whether it be drawing, sculpting or using any other media, in her own style… right as we were studying the techniques of the great masters, mind you. Sometimes, I guess, it is not the subject matter or its usefulness that is the real issue, but the manner in which it is taught and perhaps also to what use it is put in the end. Also had a University teacher who held two PHD’s and could not spell (but was a wonderful and brilliant individual). Reading… now that’s one of the best classrooms.
#5 by thekalechronicles on 01/28/2012 - 11:52 am
When I tagged my degrees (and my almost degree) as “useless,” I assumed we were taking the common view that degrees increase job prospects or earnings. From that standpoint all of my degrees were fairly useless. From the standpoint of entertaining me, teaching me things and enriching my life, both socially and intellectually, all of my studies were successful. I know nothing about agriculture programs, but I have the greatest respect for farmers.
#6 by Granny on 01/28/2012 - 12:15 pm
“From the standpoint of entertaining me, teaching me things and enriching my life, both socially and intellectually, all of my studies were successful.” – YES! Indeed. Thank you for making this distinction.
#7 by infinebalance on 01/29/2012 - 12:41 pm
Once again — pointing the way to some interesting reads. Stew is on my to make list – because it is cold outside and that looks so warm and lovely.
#8 by Granny on 01/29/2012 - 3:48 pm
Thank you for stopping by. Yes, the stew looked absolutely irresistible, warm and lovely. Cold day here as well. Now I think I should have made stew! Have a good week.