July 7

(From the same dear friend who's guest-posted a few times -- but I think it's high time to announce that this dear friend is my dear mom!!)

The birds are singing to me outside our window this morning, and cool breezes are moving the curtains as I think of you all. This will be a pleasant day at home with my husband. Gardening filled yesterday's hours, mostly at the museum. Several were there at a working meeting and the outer edges of our gardens got an extra bit of attention, looks good!

My husband and I are enjoying our new bikes, yesterday morning we rode for more than an hour. It's so nice to see him in front, a guy who takes tender care of me, and makes me smile ever so much, and now we're enjoying fun breaks together in yet another way. When we shopped, we chose the kind of bikes we grew up with, foot brakes and no gears, they're rather snazzy I think :).

(not an accurate picture, I'm sure! from The Graphics Fairy's collection of vintage bike pictures)

I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of my son's busy Saturday this past week when he rode on a bike course that benefits MS. He did the same last year, and again rode the 100 miles, well and with good time. I was 'in' on how he helped several of the riders from his workplace ready their bike tire inflation levels, adjust seats, etc of novice riders who'd not tried this distance before....

I look forward with delight to the coming weekend when several of we siblings are traveling to another state to attend a family reunion once again with a sister's family there. It's always so fun! I missed it last year while my husband was being so well taken care of in the hospital, but another sister got to attend :). And speaking of her, this summer I'm so blessed to be looking forward to spending days in another state with her, and of course, our grandchildren! I can hardly wait!!!!! We're discussing what we'd perhaps enjoy there, but the best-est part will be who I'll be with.


Today is the "traditional" birthday of Dr. John H. Watson, Sherlock Holmes' friend, in 1852! There's an interesting site about the original illustrations for this in Strand magazine: http://www.arthes.com/holmes/ . By the way, especially if you don't already have a copy of these stories etc, it's really fun to have a collection that is a facsimile of the original publications.



It's national Strawberry Sundae Day!

July 6

Here's a cookbook from 1902 that might give you some fun ideas for your meals! There's one recipe for each day, many entrees, but also side dishes and desserts and stuff. They're really to get you started on your own cooking; probably following many of them step-by-step over 100 years later might be frustrating and might turn out weird. I think I might post some of the most intriguing ideas over the year...It's apparently a compilation from magazines around in those days: Boston Cooking School Magazine, Table Talk, Good Housekeeping!, "and others."

Speaking of Good Housekeeping, here's also a darling old cover from them, though from almost 30 years after the cookbook -- 1931.

The cookbook is available free at http://www.archive.org/details/luncheondisheslu00philrich (I love getting the PDF style because then I can see an old cover, enjoy the old layout, etc.); but it's also available free in the Kindle store and surely other places.

July 5



from the generous Shabby Blogs, thank you so much!


It's national Apple Turnover Day!

July 4

What a day! Independence Day for my very favorite country in the world, where I enjoyed blissful freedom.
from Trader Joe's email flyer for 2011:

AND...

Henry David Thoreau started his stay at Walden Pond today in 1845. I love his Walden book, and enjoy practicing my disappearing! Latin and Greek with it.


Nathaniel Hawthorne was born today in 1804! I love his writings, though they can be a bit spooky.

Walt Whitman self-published Leaves of Grass today in 1855. I enjoy reading that; I love his style...Note to self: Add one of my favorites!

Today in 1862 Charles Lutwidge Dodgson told a story about a girl named Alice...and the Alice to whom he told it insisted he write it down, and voila, we have Alice in Wonderland!

James Joyce got married today in 1931, on his father's birthday.

Thomas Wolfe arrived today in New York in 1935 and was met by one of the hero-editors of all time, Maxwell Perkins. I very much enjoyed reading a biography of Perkins in the days I was just beginning my career as an editor...

July 3

This is wonderful -- what a kitty gets up to during his trots about town.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/tailsofseattle/2015316799_coopercat14.html

It's national Beans Day.

July 2

The menu suggestion for a fancy dinner this week from 52 Sunday Dinners from 1913 is

Cold Consommé
Cold Meat and String Bean-Onion-Parsley-Flower Blossom Salad
Saratoga Chips (which sound like Hash Browns)
Buttered Beets
Figs in Sherry Jelly with Whipped Cream
Pecan and Raisin Spice Cake with Caramel-Pecan Frosting
Iced Coffee with Cream and Sugar


July 1

  "June 31/July 1"  is King Aragorn and Arwen's Wedding date! Of course in those days the calendar was different! And of course the book is different from the film, but it was so long ago that of course histories differ too!

Ooo, cool -- and guess whose birthday it is today?! Liv Tyler's!!

 How interesting it would be to spend some summer time in a fantasy caravan village with one's dearest friends. At night we'd oh sing and tell stories and listen to somebody play their gypsy guitar...
from the beautiful emag on decor at http://www.e-magdeco.com/2011/06/shopping-boheme-chic.html

Today is Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day. The luncheon suggestion for today from 365 Luncheon Dishes (from 1902) is Cherry Salad, made of cherries, almonds or walnuts, and orange juice (plus lemon juice if you wish). 

June 30

Today in 1857 Charles Dickens gave his first public reading from his works -- unseasonably but interestingly from A Christmas Carol. I think he was one of those people -- like my mom -- who wouldn't mind Christmas all year 'round!

June 29

next year!

June 28

It's national Tapioca Day.

June 27

The luncheon suggestion for today from 365 Luncheon Dishes (from 1902) is Cauliflower au Gratin.

June 26

Eric Lindell has some great music, lyrics and sound. I'd like to award him my Sustaining Award for "Give It Time" from his album "Change in the Weather." Some of the lyrics:
...In this time...that we live in,
it's easy to give in,
but it won't do no good.
...Things will get better,
a change in the weather,
it just might do you good...
You've just got to hear the whole song for yourself!

June 25

I've discovered a remarkable soul and artist at http://www.myconcretesky.com/ who very much deserves this award. (Update: Oh dear, the site no longer seems to be working, even through separate searches. I hope she returns soon.) A sample of their work:

June 24

The luncheon suggestion for today from 365 Luncheon Dishes (from 1902) is simply nice bread spread with Orange Marmalade.

June 23

   My mother, aunt, and I spent a perfect few days at the Queen's Residence in Ypsalanti, Michigan, near Ann Arbor, and nearish the University of Michigan and the historical museums of Henry Ford. The food was great, the tea and cookies all day were fun, the sherry was delicious,...the rooms were breathtaking. The whole house is breathtaking; you just can't imagine it beautiful enough! And it's so cool that they have a bona fide old American tavern downstairs! As in moved there piece by piece! It was going to be an installment in the Henry Ford/Greenfield Village but they found a bigger one, so this one ended up here. This really deserves two "awards" --
-- because we spent the days in the historic places and the nights here -- a perfect combination.
http://www.queensresidence.com/index.html


June 22

The menu suggestion for a fancy dinner this week from 52 Sunday Dinners from 1913 is
Cream of Asparagus Soup with Croutons
Radishes
Green Onions
Roast Stuffed Lamb with Mint Sauce
New Potatoes with Peas
Swiss Chard
Cherry Duff with Cherry Sauce (a type of Cherry Crisp)
Coffee

June 21

One of the world's "book villages," a real or imaginary one. Redu is one in France...Hay-on-Wye is one in Wales...You can browse and relax all day, of course stopping for, oh, a croissant et café or a crumpet and tea, and later for a lovely full meal. I think one should stay the weekend, don't you? in a perfect bed and breakfast maybe. The Swan Hotel in Hay-on-Wye sounds gorgeous -- an old coach inn!
Redu's website is http://www.redu-villagedulivre.be/index.php


Today is national Peaches and Cream Day! I am completely crazy about Brown Cow's Peaches and Cream Yogurt with Cream Top. And how about trying a homemade facial today too?! Official site for Brown Cow: http://browncowfarm.com .
 

June 20


Lillian Jackson Braun, author of the Cat Who mysteries, was born today in 1913. My dad and I both really enjoy her books.


It's national Milkshake Day!

June 19



I've long admired the work of Claudia Strasser, and bought her beautiful book The Paris Apartment when it first came out.I often read her blog, and just read something that encouraged me; it's from her post at http://parisapartment.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/whats-beyond-the-horizon/

i’ve been at it till the wee hours just to keep my head above water  for way too long but thankfully those days are over. there’s light at the end of the chunnel...and i can get back to ma vie!...well a girl’s gotta eat, so off i go to catch a sunset and a salad. have a great night and dreams of a bright future to you!
 Today is national Martini Day!

June 18

It's national Picnic Day!

June 17

It's just a quotation, but what a quotation.

If you're going through hell, keep going.
   -- Winston Churchill

It's a good day in 2012: June 17 - Father's Day. I have a great dad! who loves good cowboy stories, so here's an appropriate card!
Thanks so much, Dad, for always being my best source of stories and jokes -- two of my most favorite things! And for always, always making me feel safe -- a perfect gift for a daughter.

June 16

next year!

June 15

next year!

June 14

It's Flag Day in America! How very happy I am to be HOME and flying the flag this year.

A guest describing a good place in midwestern America...Admittedly like most historical places it wasn't always a very happy place, but now it is; and it was always a cool-looking place.






I've watched the museum staff creatively make local history come alive. And care for the artifacts like they were their own, including restoring this 114-year-old building. I have had fun helping, portraying a teacher in 1870 in the one-room schoolroom last December during their Christmas open house, a new idea that promises to be repeated yearly after the public response to being able to experience the way local residents celebrated the season in 4 eras. I can hardly wait to find out which eras they'll select at the end of 2012 after seeing the fun all had when they visited the soda shop in the 50's with teens practicing carols before going out to sing for neighbors; a few minutes in a Civil War kitchen talking to a grandmother and 2 grand-daughters packing a box of fresh baked cookies and socks and such as a Christmas gift from the homeland, for the father on the front line.

The teas they hold are booked quickly because of the varied topics and delightful homemade foods, and the fun everyone has preparing and enjoying. Here are some 2012 topics; every year has fun ones...

  • Hats and Mint Juleps: A Derby Kind of Tea
  • Living Large On A Tight Budget
  • Childen's Tea: An Afternoon with Beatrix Potter and Friends
  • Herb Garden Brunch & Tour: Herbs & Spices with an Ethnic Twist
  • The Bees Knees and Other Sweet Secrets from the Hives
  • Halloween Folklore Tea
  • Christmas Tea & Tour

All of these require many hands and hearts with the willingness to work hard, the audacity to think we can 'do' it once again; and much laughter being experienced in the process.

Official site, including links to make reservations for future events if you'd like to see it in person! http://www.woodcountyhistory.org/#

June 13

Hocking Hills State Park in southern Ohio is the perfect calm place to just walk around and relax. Many, many thanks to my parents who often took us kids there for camping and long, long, enchanting walks.
photos from official website, http://www.hockinghills.com/old_mans_cave.html , by T. Walker and Eric Hoffman:



June 12

Today in 1827 Johanna Spyri was born! I love the Heidi books!
Here's a nice site about Johanna Spyri: http://www.heidi-swiss.ch/en/heididorf/johannaspyri01.html
Someday I want to see this 1952 movie.
 

And Granada issued stamps when Shirley Temple acted in another Heidi movie.

June 11

Birthdays today: Hugh Laurie; Jacques Cousteau in 1910.

It's national German Chocolate Cake Day! Through it I discovered a delicious website: http://sharedsugar.com/german-chocolate-cake/