That Was Some Wild Turkey!

Can you spot the problem in this photo?

If you said, "cork in the bottle" - well spotted. I only wanted a few tablespoons of Wild Turkey to make bourbon butter and when I pulled the cork it snapped. Because this type of cork (which may not technically be called a cork?) doesn't fit tightly like a wine cork, my efforts to remove the broken part with a cork screw resulted in the cork falling. Luckily the bottle was almost empty and I quickly poured the remainder in a glass - there were tiny bits of cork in it, but there was enough without cork for my recipe. Our problem is that we don't drink Bourbon - we just use it for cooking and so the cork is removed many more times than normal - after all, you wouldn't just drink a tablespoonful. So, it's off to the liquor store and in future I'll be more careful. Or alternatively, we could either: 1) make more rum balls - that's when we use lots of bourbon, 2) develop a Bourbon sipping habit, or 3) make more Bourbon brownies. Hmmm, I'm thinking option 3 is the way to go . . .

Butterfly Tuesday - or Emily Dickinson in Texas

The Butterfly upon the Sky by Emily Dickinson

The Butterfly upon the Sky,

That doesn't know its Name

And hasn't any tax to pay

And hasn't any Home

Is just as high as you and I,

And higher, I believe,

So soar away and never sigh

And that's the way to grieve --

Have you seen lots of butterflies in your garden this week? We have and despite my best efforts I have only gotten photographs of them sitting. Perhaps I should abandon the camera and just enjoy them "upon the sky" like Emily Dickinson. I like her little butterfly poem, although I must confess that it's almost impossible not to read it to the tune of "The Yellow Rose of Texas". Ever since I found out that most of her poems can be sung to this tune, it's been a real struggle . . .

But, back to the butterflies. If you're interested in participating in a Citizen Science Project, check out this Monarch Butterfly site. You can help track the Monarchs during their fall migration from Canada to Mexico. It's very simple and a great project for kids - you basically just count the number of Monarchs per hour or minute. The news this week is that Monarchs are migrating through Kansas and breeding in the South. And guess who's migrating through Iowa? Dragonflies - they often migrate with Monarchs - who knew?

A friend sent this picture of migrating Monarchs - I'm not sure where it originated. How magical would it be to see this many butterflies? (And, how easy to get a photo?) So, check the migration charts and maybe you'll be able to spot these beauties as they travel south.

The Best Laid Schemes of Mice and Men . . .

We all know what Robert Burns - and even John Steinbeck - thought happened to the best laid plans. Well, it's not just the plans of mice and men that "gang aft a-gley". How many times have you been involved in a group or team project that starts out organized and controlled and ends up taking on a life of its own? When I work with corporate clients, there are always complaints about the Group Gift and, to a lesser extent, the Group Card. (You were probably expecting me to talk about the 'work' of the group, but it's the little things like gifts and cards that cause dissent and unrest . . .)




Nothing raises the hackles of people faster than the person who doesn't contribute money for the gift, but signs the card. We've all been there - haven't we? Whether the group consists of co-workers, neighbors, friends, parents - it doesn't matter, the dynamics are always the same - one beleaguered person ends up buying the gift/card, most people pay their share right away, one or two have to be reminded before they pay, and the non-payer's name mysteriously ends up on the card anyway. And there are variations on this theme - hogging the card with your giant signature or long message (as seen above in The Argyle Sweater*), disparities in the amounts contributed (maybe I can only afford $5, but those who paid $20 are a bit miffed at me), and so on.

So, what's a group to do? In the limited space of this blog, I can suggest one basic strategy: anticipate the problem. Begin Project Group Gift with a plan - two cards, one for those who participate in the gift and one for those who just want to voice their well wishes (this actually helps the recipient who may only send thank-yous to the gift givers). Also, discuss the gift the group wants to buy and use that as a guide for contributions - each person contributes the same amount. For Project Group Card - have everyone else sign before the 'John Hancock' of the group. In other words, you can't do the same thing repeatedly and expect different results (yes, I know Einstein said it first!) - if you want the focus to remain on the recipient, eliminate the problems up front. The flip side of this is to have realistic expectations - the new employee who has not met the expectant mother should not be pressured into contributing to a gift or shower.

For those of you lucky enough to live/work/play with generous-minded, easy-going people this may seem like a silly discussion, but I can't count the times I've been asked about this problem. And, in desperation, some people have wanted the 'etiquette okay' to address these issues with some fairly rude solutions (like noting the percentage of contributions on the card - no, not making that up!). There are no set answers for these sticky situations - just remember the bigger goal is to have a great relationship with others in the group going forward. Just be considerate and try to overlook the daily annoyances . . . I'd love to hear your tales or woe - or triumph - in similar situations.

* Many, many thanks to Scott Hilburn for allowing me to share his very funny comic with you. If your local paper doesn't carry The Argyle Sweater, check out the archives on his website. Once you see how clever and pithy these cartoons are, you'll want your local paper to carry them. And, for readers in the Chicago area, if you're missing your regular dose of TAS in the Tribune, join the campaign to reinstate it by e-mailing Geoff Brown, Features Editor at gfbrown@tribune.com .

Pack Your (Tea) Bags . . . Tea Roadtrip!!

Do you prefer India or China tea? Those are the two usual categories - hence the two compartments in tea caddies. But, did you know there is tea grown in the US? The Charleston Tea Plantation grows and produces 'American Classic Tea'. For those whose immediate travel plans do not include India, China, Kenya, etc., a visit to the Charleston Tea Plantation is a fun way to see how those fabulous tea leaves end up in your teapot. (These photos are post-harvest 2008 season.)



We're in the middle of harvest season right now - last year my husband and I visited the CTP in late October and they had just finished harvesting. I checked with the CTP yesterday and they estimate another 2-3 weeks of harvesting so if you have plans to be in the area, check it out.
Harvesting takes place Monday-Thursday, but call to verify beforehand. And, if you can't get there to see the actual 'picking', it's still worth a visit. You'll see how the leaves are dried and processed, find out the difference in green and black teas (they're from the same plant, you know!), and get a trolley tour of the fields. And, like all good company/factory tours - you'll enjoy samples and a great giftshop - it's where I bought my small Hues & Brews i-pot and some too cute teapot trivets!

And here was the most unexpected thing - Tea Mulch!!




I would die to have a garden full of tea mulch! It's very fine, a lovely dark tea color, and it has a subtle fragrance - very subtle, but just noticeable enough to bring to mind a nice cup of tea - yum!

This made me thirsty - I'm off to get a glass of iced tea . . . and to sip it while I look at my second-rate, odorless, chunky mulch.

Dust Off Your Eye Patch, Matey!

That's right folks, it's that time again - Talk Like a Pirate Day! Granted, this isn't a major holiday, but it's popular enough to warrant articles in national papers like the Christian Science Monitor and USA Today. So, don't waste this chance to find your inner pirate.


And, if you're in the Raleigh area during the next few months, get your "booty" over to the Knights of the Black Flag exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of History. Not only will you learn lots of cool things about pirates through the ages, but you'll see artifacts from Blackbeard's flagship Queen Anne's Revenge. The most ingruiging thing in the exhibit though is the (alleged) skull of Blackbeard himself - and if that doesn't make you say 'Aargh', nothing will . . .


Yo Ho HO, a Pirate's Life for Me!

What's Cheery in the Garden This Friday

After several days of temperatures in the upper 80s, we're in the midst of cooler, rainy days. Here are some Flowers About Town that were enjoying the wet weather this morning:

Happy Friday!

Happy Birthday to Us! It's Constitution Day!

That's right, on this day in 1787 the US Constitution was signed in Philadelphia. To learn more about this event that changed the course of history and about the document itself, check out the National Constitution Center site. While you're there, you might like to take the Which Founding Father Are You? quiz. I was rather disappointed with my results - apparently I'm James Madison (snore). Of course, we are the same height (5'3") and both have spouses from Greensboro - so maybe there is a connection . . . still, I'd prefer to be the witty and urbane Ben Franklin or the inventive wordsmith Thomas Jefferson, or, well, enough about that . . .




To celebrate Constitution Day, enjoy this picture of a living flag taken last September 17 at Montpelier (Madison's home in Virginia).

And also this one from 1917 - it's much more professional and was one of a series of 'Living Flag' photographs taken by Arthur S. Mole and John S. Thomas. You can find postcards and photographs of these on eBay. (Also, there was a nice article about these photographs in Martha Stewart Living magazine a few years ago.) The precision is amazing - perhaps one of your ancestors participated in one of these events? How much fun to know your great-grandfather was the fourth red person in the third stripe from the top!

Finally, if you're a fan of P. J. O'Rourke, you must read his essay on Twittering the Constitution. In an effort to make the Consitution accessible to the those who only communicate through social media - he's translated it into 'Twitter-speak'. It's hilarious as you can see from his Preamble:

Pre-A: We the people R the man. Here's how it rolls. Art1: Congress do law. Got Senate/House-o-Reps.

Wishing you the "Blessings of Liberty" (in whichever country you call home).

Please Popover for a Pop-Up

Well . . . the last you heard from me I was going to make popovers. To be honest (and since I have photos, there's no point in lying . . .), they did not 'pop over' as much as 'pop up'. I only make popovers a few times a year and sometimes they are huge, billowy puffs that are cookbook perfect, and other times they just rise up and never get that great hollow center. Last night was a doughy center night.

The good news is that they were still quite delish! The outsides were crunchy and the insides were okay - in fact the inside part would have been great had we not expected that dough to be on the outside (I'm picturing it kind of like the soldiers in one of those black and white World War II movies - instead of staying safely in the trenches (i.e., the center of the popover) that dough should have taken a risk and gone "over the top"). Anyway, these were served with strawberry butter and were soon history.

Lots of cookbooks have popover recipes and they seem to be much the same so I won't include one here. If you don't have a cookbook that includes popovers, I can recommend the Neiman Marcus Cookbook. It has lots of wonderful recipes, including one for their famous popovers and strawberry butter. (Strawberry butter is simple - whip one half-cup butter until fluffy, beat in one-third cup strawberry preserves.)

You'll find all the favorites from the Neiman Marcus restaurants, but one word of caution, you'll never look at the menu in the same way once you've been behind the curtain! That chicken salad that tastes so light and yummy? It's made with mayo AND heavy cream (gasp). Not all the recipes are decadent and there are lots that your family will love, even on busy weeknights: summer tomato soup, chicken and white bean chili, grilled chicken club w/ brie and apple-onion compote, Northpark chopped salad w/ cilantro-lime dressing, pickled green tomatoes, and so on.

So, if you're looking for a fun bread to accompany an entree salad or soup, try your hand at popovers. And if you're looking for a new cookbook that's an interesting read and has great recipes, consider the Neiman Marcus cookbook - you'll love it even if you've never visited one of their stores.

A Salad Fit for a Queen

What do you get if you add chicken and grapes to the items below?

Okay, that was a trick question because you could makes lots of yummy things with this mix of ingredients. And I omitted one of the key ingredients because it was a give-away. Did you guess? The missing item is curry powder and we're making Curried Chicken Salad - a staple of Ladies' Luncheons in the 1950s and 60s. This is a variation on Coronation Chicken, which was first served (according to chicken salad folklore) for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953. I have eaten Coronation Chicken lots of times in the UK and it's a bit different from the typical American version. And, like many traditional dishes, it is often updated with modern techniques and trendier ingredients (substitute mango for raisins or creme fraiche for mayo). One of things we all like about chicken salad is that you don't have to be precise - a little more of this or a little less of that, and it's still fabulous, as seen here:

Here's the recipe - I've fiddled with it a bit over the years, but here are the basics:

Curried Chicken Salad (aka Coronation Chicken)

Poach 2-3 chicken breasts (bone in or boneless/skinless) in water or broth to cover. Add flavor to the poaching liquid by adding some or all of these: 1-2 carrots, cut into large chunks; 1-2 stalks celery, halved; 1/2 onion, cut into wedges; 2 thin slices ginger (your kitchen will smell heavenly!), 1/2 t. salt, 5-10 cracked peppercorns. Simmer until chicken is done - 30-40 minutes. Remove chicken and cool, then shred or dice.

Mix cooled chicken with:

• 1 cup seedless grapes, halved
• 1 cup water chestnuts, quartered (I omit these, but they were apparently a requirement for any salad or casserole in the 50s!)
• 1 cup golden raisins (soak in pineapple juice for 30 minutes to plump - even raisin haters will like them this way)
• 2 cups pineapple tidbits (of course the original recipe called for canned pineapple and although I usually prefer fresh I often use canned for this so I can soak the raisins in the juice as above)
• 1/2 cup chopped celery

(Substitute salad ingredients as you like - I sometime use apricots or dates instead of raisins and/or grapes.)

Whisk dressing together in medium bowl:

• 1 cup mayonnaise (light mayo works well)
• 3 tablespoons chutney
• 2 tablespoons honey
• juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon curry powder
  

Toss dressing with salad and chill at least two hours. Serve chilled on mixed greens. Top with toasted slivered almonds (350 for 3 minutes - don't leave the kitchen because they burn easily).

Try this salad and give your family and friends (not to mention yourself) the royal treatment! It's what we're having for dinner tonight - with popovers, which we may chat about tomorrow.

A Shady, Relaxing Porch

What's more inviting on a September afternoon than a shady porch? There are lots of great porches in most Southern towns - and, yes, farther afield as well. Here's one of my favorites from a neighboring town:


I drive past this house fairly often and always slow down for a quick drool. It's beautiful all spring and summer, but it may be at its best during the Christmas holidays. Every year there's a new theme - something unexpected and consistently stunning. I can't wait to see what the owners have up their decorating sleeves this year. Stay tuned . . .

Things for People Who Don't Like Things

Skim Milk?! Blaaagh! Obviously skim milk is for people who don't like milk - it's watery and has a bluish tint - who wants to drink that? Real milk is opaque and . . . white! And when served cold with a slice of chocolate cake or a peanut butter sandwich or warm chocolate chip cookies or over a bowl of crunchy cereal - there's nothing to compare. I'm not proposing we all revert to whole milk, but switch to 1%; it has the look and taste of real milk - because it is.

You can bet Cary Grant wasn't taking Joan Fontaine skim milk in Hitchcock's 1941 classic, Suspicion. After all, skim milk is too watery to hide poison - or, is there poison in the glass? If you haven't seen the movie, I won't spoil the ending here . . . but, if you're a fan of Cary Grant or Joan Fontaine you are in for a treat! As a side note, Fontaine won the best actress Oscar for this role - her sister Olivia de Havilland was also a nominee and this was possibly the beginning of their famous feud. Regardless, Suspicion is a wonderful movie - I haven't seen it in quite a few years, but am going to put it on our Netflix list. In fact, this fall might be a good time to watch all my favorite Hitchcock films again - while nibbling on a warm cookie and drinking a cold glass of milk!

September 11 - A Day of Remembrance

As the official 9/11 memorials are still works in progress, here's a photo from another place of remembrance - the American Cemetery at Aisne-Marne, France. It contains the graves of 2,289 soldiers who died in the region during the summer of 1918.

Wishing you a peaceful weekend . . .

Enjoy the last of the summer plants

Happy Thursday! I hope you're enjoying the last days of summer in the garden. On the porch, my container plants are all a bit leggy, but still pretty enough to be enjoyable. I especially like the way the late afternoon sun illuminates them:

I'd love to hear what's in the spotlight in your garden this week . . .

A Not-So-Gentle Etiquette Reminder - Yeah, You in the Next Car!

It's hard to believe this discussion is necessary, but, believe me, it is. From my own observations and the many comments I've heard regarding this, many drivers forget that they are in public when driving. You see people doing all sorts of things in their cars that: 1) shouldn't be done while driving (two first-hand examples pop into my head - texting and eating corn on the cob - no, I'm not kidding), or 2) shouldn't be done in public (flossing & picking your teeth, PDAs*, etc.), or 3) shouldn't be done at all (picking your nose - carry some tissues in your car, people!).

Do people think they're invisible because they're in a car? Do they think other motorists - not to mention the unfortunate passengers who are probably only pretending to sleep - don't notice? Or do they just not care? The rule is - if you would be embarrassed to do whatever it is in a group of people, then don't do it in your car, because [surprise] you are in a group of people. (Okay, so I made that rule up, but it's a good one and I wish more people would adopt it!)

While we're on the topic of cars, I wanted to share a few photos of The Glitter Car:

You have to enlarge the photos to get a better idea of how glittery this car is - in bright sunlight the sparkles seem to dance as you drive past. It belongs to a nice young man named Anthony who agreed to let us photograph it for my blog. He works at a cafe that we drive past several times per week and on sunny days it is spectacular - I've never seen a car so glittery. Normally I wouldn't say I'm a fan of sparkly cars or of cars in general, but this one always makes me smile. It's too bad the camera can't capture the glittery movement . . . but, it's like most art, you need to experience it in person to get the full effect.

So, remember, when you're out driving mind your manners! People are watching - and if you can't resist the bad behaviors get yourself a sparkly car that will distract from what's going on inside.

*PDA = Public Displays of Affection

Look Who Stopped By For a Visit

A beautiful swallowtail!




I like the photo from this angle because you can see how the butterfly is perched on the flower as it's nectoring (no, really, that's a word). After working diligently for about 15 minutes, a hummingbird chased her away repeatedly and eventually she flew into our neighbor's tree then disappeared. Did you know the Eastern tiger swallowtail is the state butterfly for five states? They are: Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Delaware. So, if you're in one of the five, watch the flowering plants over the next few weeks and see if you can spot one (not all have this coloration - some are black and the males don't have the blue area). My state, (the great state of North Carolina as they say at the political conventions), does not have an official butterfly. I suppose that's a good thing - politicians have bigger issues than nominating a plethora of state 'things'. That being said, we do have an official 'Carnivorous Plant' (Venus Flytrap) . . . look out, butterflies!

Diagram This!

I received a letter from a college friend a few months ago – not an e-mail or other electronic communiqué, but a real, hand-written letter. As always when I am the lucky recipient of a letter, I am struck by the rarity of written correspondence between friends these days – and few things are more cheery than a letter in the mail – so I decide to turn over a new leaf and begin writing at least one letter per week. As could easily be guessed, this grand plan lasts about as long as most January 1st resolutions. Most often not even one letter is written. (As a side note, for those of you who have read David McCullough’s fabulous biography of John Adams, wasn’t that one of the most endearing things about Adams? His repeated vows to improve himself by rising early to read the Bible, for example, followed by a lament the next day that he slept late. How human. What a great skill McCullough has to bring Adams to life and reveal not just the passion and brilliance that made him integral to our country’s independence, but the frailties and vanities that make him just like the reader. But, I digress . . . the point being when you fail to live up to your own standards or carefully planned goals, remember John Adams – it’s as good as thinking of ‘girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes’.)

Back to the letter, my friend revealed the she is home schooling her son and consequently brushing up on her sentence diagramming skills. What a great method to use to teach her son grammar! He’ll definitely be a step ahead - and speaking of sentence diagramming, have your read this quirkly little book?

If you're a word buff, you'll probably read Sister Bernadette's Barking Dog in one sitting. The author, Kitty Burns Florey, takes an upbeat and funny look at that staple of grammar school English classes until the Seventies - diagramming sentences. I know some people found diagramming tedious or even unbearable, but I loved it - it was like a big puzzle. Thinking back, it was like Sudoku with words - every word has a place and it's up to you to figure out where it should go and if one word is misplaced it can adversely affect the placement of the remaining words. But, when you get them all correctly diagrammed, you can step back and breathe a happy sigh for a job well done! My small college (which was until a few years ago known as a girls school, but that's a topic for another day . . .) still required diagramming for all freshmen - I probably should not admit that because when blogging I just write whatever I'm thinking without much regard for the proper rules, but rest assured I could do better if I needed to (or should that be 'if I needed so to do'?!).

At any rate, if you love words, grammar, and books about words and grammar, you'll enjoy this book. And, if you've been out of touch with friends for a while, consider setting aside a few hours for letter writing . . . and once your letters are finished, you can have some fun diagramming them!

Who Wants to Come to the Post Office?

Let's face it, going to the post office can be a bit dreary - it's crowded, people are grumpy (patrons and employees - sometimes), and there's always that one person holding up the drive-up box line by sitting at the box putting stamps on their letters. Small town post offices are often more friendly, less crowded, and less grumpy, but still not tops on the 'fun things to do this weekend' list. The post office in our town of 6,000ish has something new to offer its patrons this summer, however, that makes a visit much more interesting. Someone has added a nice flower garden in front of the building. For years there was a bare, ugly space between the sidewalk\parking\and building, but some fabulous gardener has adopted it and it's quite an improvement.

My photo doesn't do it justice, as it's difficult to snap a good photo in a busy parking lot! You'll have to take my word for it - it's a gigantic improvement and turns a bleak public space into something really nice. So a big thank you to the mysterious public-spirited gardener!

And now for something completely different - here's what happened to the rest of the Soy-Sherry chicken grilled last night:

A yummy summer lunch - thinly sliced chicken on mini potato rolls (slider size) with ginger aioli and lots of pickles. Mmmmm . . .

What's on the Grill Tonight

Yes, we're grilling chicken again. This time with a great marinade that's a snap to make and has an added benefit - all the ingredients are staples. We cooked the chicken specifically to use in salads, but often we'll eat it as is the night we grill and use the leftovers for salads. You can see our strategy - grill enough of whatever it is for two meals. Most grilled meats, veggies, and fruits are good leftover candidates. (Think grilled pineapple and shrimp on a salad or sweet potatoes grilled in the skin mashed the next day - minus the skin - the possibilities are endless and the second meal comes together quickly.)

So this is how our salads turned out. Mixed greens topped with chicken, broccoli, chopped dried dates, toasted almond slivers (350 for 3-5 minutes), celery, strawberries, tomatoes and carrots. Absolutely delish! Here's the marinade recipe if you want to try this at home; it's enough to marinate 5 or 6 chicken breasts.

Sherry-Soy Sauce Marinade

1 cup soy sauce (regular or low sodium or a mixture)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon cooking sherry
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced or smashed

Whisk all together. Marinate chicken for up to 4 hours. Remove from marinade and shake off garlic bits as needed. Grill as usual - let rest for 5 minutes before slicing/serving (you may let it cool a bit more if using in a salad).

Hope your weekend brings fun things!

What's Cheery in the Garden This Friday?

Geraniums!

As geraniums go, this one is nothing special - only two blooms where many are loaded with blooms in late summer. But, if you knew what it looked like a few weeks ago after the neighborhood deer gang denuded it, you'd be ready to give it a blue ribbon.

It was full of blooms, a real pop of color when most of the garden was looking a little tired from the August heat. Then one morning I noticed there were no blooms and on closer inspection there were no leaves either. It was like something from the Adams Family greenhouse. Of course, geraniums are on the 'deer won't eat' list, but these deer are not picky at all . . . so after religiously applying anti-deer spray the sad little geranium has made a comeback. There should be at least four weeks before the first frost so I'll baby it and perhaps it can almost recover to its pre-deer glory. (Did you know the tannic acid in tea leaves is beneficial for geraniums? I try to put a handful of tea leaves on my geraniums each week - if you use tea bags, just let them dry then tear them open and sprinkle around the base.)

I hope there's something cheery in your garden today and that the holiday weekend brings something fun - maybe a relaxing meal outside, a football game, a cookout (not a barbecue, please - in the South barbecue is a noun!), or a chance to check some early fall garden tasks off your list. Whatever it is - enjoy!

Day Five: Five Books Every House Needs

The final book in our series of five is Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia by Michael A. Dirr. This book is for gardeners what Dr. Spock was for parents in the 1960s. While primarily for cooler climates (through Zone 6), there is a companion - Dirr's Trees and Shrubs for Warm Climates: An Illustrated Encycopedia that covers Zones 7-11. I purchased my copy of the colder 'hardy trees' book before the warmer climate version was available. I'm in Zone 7 and haven't felt a need to purchase the later, warmer climates book. If you're purchasing your Dirr's now, however, you can choose the one that best fits your location.

To me, the great thing about these two books is not the first section with all the tree/shrub descriptions and photos, rather it is: "Part II, Selecting Plants for Specific Characteristics or Purposes". Dirr has organized the characteristics in useful ways which give the garden designer much-needed information. Are you looking for a tree with fall color or interesting bark? Are you tired of the same old trees that everyone grows? (Check out the list of 'underutilized' trees.) Is your garden boring in February? Need an evergreen that can tolerate salt? Looking for a vine with a strong fragrance? The answers to all your questions are in this section.

Obviously this book recommendation carries a caveat - it may not be needed in every house. It's a gardening book and if you live in a flat in the city with no patio or rooftop garden, you may survive happily without this - you could, however, substitute a great indoor plant reference. But, you might be find the perfect container shrub for that sunny spot in the bedroom or a tree that will stay small enough for your patio. In other words, don't rule it out without at least flipping through it in the book store.

This concludes our Five Books Every House Needs series. I've enjoyed sharing some of my favorites and would love to hear which books you find invaluable.

Tomorrow we'll be grilling so stop by for a great marinade made with sherry and soy sauce. Right now I think I should check the sherry to make sure it's still good . . . Cheers!

Day Four: Five Books Every House Needs

Book Four is a magnificent coffee table book - Farrow & Ball: The Art of Color by Brian Coleman and photographer Edward Addeo.

If you're familiar with Farrow & Ball, the famous English paint and wallpaper firm, you will not be surpirsed at the fabulous rooms featured in this book. Their rich, unique palette is shown in rooms across North America - from cottages to mansions, traditional to modern. What makes this more than the typical flip-through-once coffee table book is that every page is an inspiration - you'll find some color scheme, technique, piece of furniture or art, clever design element, etc. that you will remember and perhaps use in your own home. I think we all need this type of book - one lets us see possibilities for our own world, one that makes us smile on a day when we need a smile, one that we love simply because it's beautiful. This book does all that and much more. One peek inside and I think you'll want to add it to your decorating library. A word of warning: you may be tempted to begin new paint projects straight away - my husband is partial to F&B's Lime White (as shown on several pages) and has dreams for the dining room.

Here is a glimpse inside the book:

And, if you can't get your hands on a copy in the near future, check out Farrow & Ball's website for some immediate inspiration. I especially love this garden chair:

We'll finish our book series tomorrow, just in time for Labor Day!

Day Three: Five Books Every House Needs

My third book recommendation is Emily Post's Etiquette which needs no introduction. If I were to introduce it, however, I would say, "Friendly Reader, I would like to introduce Emily Post's Etiquette." (See what useful information is contained in this book? Also, notice I did not use the phrase 'introduce you to . . .' - you English majors will understand.)

In the early 20th century there were myriad etiquette books. In the mid-1920s, Emily Post's first etiquette book became a best seller and it has guided readers through all aspects of personal and private life ever since. (As a side note, the 1922 edition is online at Bartleby's.) During the turbulent 1960s and 70s, interest in etiquette dropped and only a handful of etiquette books remained in print. Emily Post's Etiquette, however, is now in its 17th edition. I think this is due to the non-regulatory approach to etiquette that underlies the whole book - etiquette is not strictly about rules, it's about common sense guidelines and common courtesy.

When you need a quick answer to a tricky etiquette question this is the book for you. Wondering how much to tip the movers or whether you should tip your wedding consultant? Not sure if it's rude to e-mail condolences? Should you continue to wear your wedding rings after a divorce? Should you remove your hat when the national anthem is played? And so on . . .

The final reason to add this to your reference shelf - it has thumb indexing!

Stay tuned to book three tomorrow. I'll even give you a hint - it has lots of beautiful photographs.

Day Two: Five Books Every House Needs

The big yellow Gourmet Cookbook is my second book choice. It's the best of 60 years of Gourmet magazine, as edited by Ruth Reichl. After years of devouring the magazine, I've become disenchanted with Gourmet in the past few years. To me, it seems dark and broody - not broody in the British biological-clock sense, but broody in the Edgar Allen Poe sense. The cookbook, however, is a masterpiece. Stumped for menus for the week? Flip through the pages of this big (1,000+ pages) book and you're sure to find something that's appealing.



It's filled with old classics like Chicken Kiev and new choices like Thai Sticky Rice with Toasted Coconut and Fried Shallots, plus cook's notes, tips and techniques, and interesting background details (for instance, did you know Tripe is bleached to make it more appealing?). You could cook for a lifetime with only this cookbook.

In my copy, one of the bookmarks is always in the salads section, vinaigrette pages. Here's one of our staples from page 171:

Lime Molasses Vinaigrette (great on mixed greens or chicken and/or rice)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
4 teaspoons molasses
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco (we use Texas Pete instead)
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 scallion, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch of ground allspice

Whisk together lime juice, molasses, Tabasco, and salt in a bowl. Combine oil, scallion, cumin, and allspice in a small skillet and heat over moderate heat, stirring until sizzling. Add to lime mixture in a slow stream, whisking until well blended. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Yes, this dressing is a little more work than just whisking a basic vinaigrette, but it's worth it. And you'll likely have enough for a second meal. While we're on the topic of salad dressings, one of the most-used items in my kitchen is also in the photo - my Chef 'n Salad Dressing Emulsifier. It's less than $15 at Williams-Sonoma and is great for measuring, mixing, storing, and serving. Whenever you whisk up dressing, there's almost always extra (especially if you're cooking for one or two). This is the perfect way to store the leftover dressing and you can simply hold the jar until a warm tap for a minute to bring the refrigerated dressing to serving temperature, then use the built-in whisker to give it a quick blend.

That's it for Book Two - stay tuned for Book Three tomorrow. In the meantime, happy cooking!

Day One: Five Books Every House Needs

I am a self-confessed bibliophile; therefore, my list of books everyone should read, or own, is possibly longer than necessary. But there are a few books that I think everyone will be happy to spend a few hours, or perhaps years, reading. You can think of my list of five as sort of a 'minimal sufficiency' (if you're a statistician, apologies in advance for mis-using the term). If you have these books in your home library, you'll always be able to find an answer or inspiration.


Book One - Home Comforts: The Art & Science of Keeping House by Cheryl Mendelson


What a wonderful book! Mendelson sets the tone in the preface:

"When you keep house, you use your head, your heart, and your hands together to create a home - the place where you live the most important part of your private life. Housekeeping is an art . . . It is also a science . . ."


Mendelson is an attorney and professor who grew up on a farm in Pennsylvania. She writes in an entertaining style and obviously loves her subject. The book combines insights, history, and step-by-step instructions for all aspects of housekeeping - it's a great read and reference for both novices and experts. It will become your go-to book when you have a pesky carpet stain or buy a new piano or wonder what laws apply to you at home. But, it's more than just a reference; it shows how every member of your household will benefit by certain routines (like sharing meals), why a few minutes tidying up before you go to work will greatly increase your sense of well-being when you come home, why your grandmothers may have been right to air the beds outside, and much more.


I've had my copy for almost 10 years and in addition to reading it cover-to-cover (it's that good, but then I also like to read cookbooks . . .) it's an invaluable reference and it makes an outstanding house warming or shower gift. One of the many things that caught my attention when I first read Home Comforts was Mendelson's discussions about dish towels. At the time I was a frequent business traveler and started buying lots of dish towels to bring home. As our 19th-century kitchen does not have a dish washer (we opted for storage instead!) we use lots of dish towels so I don't feel like it's a total splurge to add yet another to my stash.

If you've made it this far in my long post, I owe it to you not to drone on and on about the joys of dish towels, but honestly they are fun. Cotton and linen are the best - they absorb the most and don't leave lint and there are so many designs - for a while I was focusing on teapots, maps, and calendars. See the Spaghetti one in the bottom corner? A friend brought it to me from Italy recently and it's really nice for two reasons (besides the fact that someone took the trouble to buy it and bring it back): 1) it was purchased from the embroiderer and, 2) the design is on one side rather than the middle - so you don't have to fold it in thirds. The needlework is really amazing, here's a peep at the back:

So that's the story of the first book recommendation, plus some of the reasons that I am hooked on dish towels. If you want to add to your stash of towels, online auctions and tag sales are a great source. Look for vintage Ulster Linens that still have the tags on, or embroidered towels with your initials, or touristy ones from places you've visited . . . well, you get the idea!

Check back tomorrow for Book Two.

Tea and Chocolate

Do you ever worry about things that will probably never happen? Like how to escape if you're chased by a pack of wild dogs? Or how to cut the seat belt with that little tool you keep in the glove compartment if your car starts to sink during a flash flood? Or if your butler can only bring you one thing on a silver salver, should you pick tea or chocolate? These are the things that keep us awake at night, but no need to fret over the last scenario. You can simply choose a tea-flavored chocolate like this Dark Chocolate with Earl Grey.


I'm not a fan of chocolate flavored teas, but foods made with chocolate are another story. This Belgian bar is a dreamy combination of Chocolate Noir and Earl Grey tea. Even if Earl Grey is on the bottom of your favorite tea list, you will love this chocolate. There are lots of chocolates flavored with tea - so check out the chocolate selection at your local gourmet shop or grocery store (or even Target) and give them a try. Then you can check one thing off your worry list.

Searching for a Pith Helmet

September is almost here - I can prove it because we are being bombarded with hickory nuts! It's dangerous to step outside our back door as they are falling onto the deck constantly - hence the need for a pith helmet. Maybe I'll get this one that's on sale at The J. Peterman Company.
J. Peterman says their helmet can protect you while birding or gardening - I think they should add stepping innocently out the back door. Despite their small size, hickory nuts are dangerous. Every afternoon I sweep off the day's nuts and while I'm sweeping, more are falling around me and sometimes, on me, and they're really, really hard. Not too hard for the squirrels (of course!) who manage to chew off small bits and drop those all over the deck, too. See the debris from today? Plus, over the weekend I wanted to quickly open the door to yell at some deer and a hickory nut wedged itself under the door so it wouldn't open or close. The deer ran away while I tugged and tugged on the door. On the bright side though - that particular hickory nut prevented me from yelling at the deer (again!) like a fish wife. It's so sad to realize you become Wile E. Coyote whenever you see the local deer grazing through your garden and yard - if I had the Acme Catalog rather than J. Peterman's, I would not be able to type this now because I'd either be anvil-shaped or totally blown up . . .

But wait . . . a plan is hatching. We could move the hickory tree so the nuts are above the tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers - then when the deer sneak in for dinner they'll be bombarded! Hmmm, I'll have to think about this. Meanwhile, don't walk under ladders or hickory trees.

What's Tasty 'Round Here? Sweet Potato Fries

Why are sweet potatoes, and especially sweet potato fries, so popular now? Because they're packed with nutrients? Because here in North Carolina they're the State Vegetable? Because they're almost foolproof for busy cooks? No, the reason is probably because they're delicious.

And here's an easy way to serve them at home. This baked version will not have the crunch of deep-fried fries, but it's really yummy and healthy, too. If you've tried baking sweet potatoes cut into the normal french fry shape, you know they're a bit tricky to flip - and if you don't flip they only brown on one side. Here's a better shape - cut the potato into rounds (about 1/2" thick). Toss them with a little olive oil, salt, pepper and some spices - last night I used cumin and cayenne pepper but fresh rosemary is also great. (It really only takes a small amount of oil - they don't have to be totally coated, in fact, they're better if not completed coated.)

Bake for 15-20 minutes at 425 - turning once as they brown. As is true with all baked items, the more you spread them out the crunchier/browner they will be. I usually bake them on a cookie sheet (i.e., flat, rimless). Enjoy!