It's high time for another Dreamy Library...
September 18
Gandalf's Escape from Orthanc
-- a portrait of the occasion from http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Orthanc ; I'm sorry I don't know who painted it:
September 17
William Carlos Williams was born today in 1883. I love his poetry. One of the first poems I ever fell in love with was his...
This Is Just to Say
I have eaten
the plums
that were in
the icebox
and which
you were probably
saving
for breakfast
Forgive me
they were delicious
so sweet
and so cold
September 16
September 15
The luncheon suggestion for today from 365 Luncheon
Dishes (from 1902) is Tomato Salad, which also includes watercress and lettuce.
It's Agatha Christie's birthday! She was born in 1890. I'd like to continue reading through her Poirots today, a short story or a novel, and someday would like to watch one of the filmed versions though to tell the truth don't like the BBC series though really like that they have or will film every single story except one and obviously a lot of people do love that series...FYI it's fun to have the Poirots in print, but they're out of copyright so you can get ebook versions free -- wanted you to know before like me you buy a bunch in paper.
September 14
I'd like to revisit the Raffles Hotel in Singapore and stay in their Cathay Suite! It includes some Chinese antique furniture. Raffles offers an online ebook about their hotel at http://www.raffles.com/EN_RA/Property/RHS/LeftFooterNavigation/Media_Room/Gallery/eBooks . Here's one of Raffles' beautiful Grand Hotel suites:
It's especially appropriate to visit in September 2012 -- Raffles is celebrating its 125th anniversary! It has packages this month like:
Anniversary Suite package
Come September 2012, Raffles Hotel will be celebrating its 125th anniversary with a host of activities. Be part of history in the making and experience residency at Raffles Hotel Singapore. With a minimum two nights’ stay, enjoy a bottle of 125th Anniversary Champagne in-suite upon arrival; daily breakfast at Tiffin Room with an option to upgrade to a Champagne breakfast at a reduced rate; and an Afternoon Tea at Drawing Room II or Tiffin Room with an option to upgrade to a Champagne Afternoon Tea at a reduced rate.September 13
Roald Dahl was born today in 1916. What a wonderful father he was, his talented daughter tells, and what wonderful books he wrote especially for children!
September 12
Today in 1846 Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning were married. How beautifully they both wrote. By Elizabeth:
Thou hast thy calling to some palace-floor
Thou hast thy calling to some palace-floor,
Most gracious singer of high poems! where
The dancers will break footing, from the care
Of watching thy...lips for more.
And dost thou lift this house’s latch too poor
For hand of thine? and canst thou think and bear
To let thy music drop here unaware
In folds of golden fulness at my door?...
September 11
O. Henry was born today in 1862. I like so many of his short stories.
The world's largest cave found so far, Hang Son Doong, in Vietnam, is incredibly beautiful:
from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/01/largest-cave/peter-photography
See a National Geographic on this including a cool computer "model" of it including its forest somewhere deep inside (of course also with sunlight at that point, as you can see above) -- thanks to my son for finding this.
...And a word of deep sorrow and remembrance at the many acquaintances and friends we lost on this dark day that illustrates a certain insanity far too common on this planet. Love to those people, salt of the earth, whom we lost. And thank you very much to the many people doing all they can to prevent such an atrocity in the future.
What I have found comforting recently was gleaned from ideas from Martha's Calendar in Martha Stewart Living and from a site. Martha's Calendar 2012 says that she plans to pick raspberries and make preserves. I always find such work calming and comforting. There is something even more challenging and enthralling at http://grist.org/food/remembering-911-with-a-meal-grown-at-ground-zero/ . There is also a beautiful quote and photo at http://photoquoto.com/2012/09/11/sayings-quotes-laurence-binyon/ -- one of my favorite sites, in the sidebar.
The luncheon suggestion for today from 365 Luncheon
Dishes (from 1902) is Corn Fritters. I love them with maple syrup! (Am I dreaming, or is this a repeat?? I think there's a national Corn Fritters Day somewhere sometime...)
The world's largest cave found so far, Hang Son Doong, in Vietnam, is incredibly beautiful:
from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/01/largest-cave/peter-photography
...And a word of deep sorrow and remembrance at the many acquaintances and friends we lost on this dark day that illustrates a certain insanity far too common on this planet. Love to those people, salt of the earth, whom we lost. And thank you very much to the many people doing all they can to prevent such an atrocity in the future.
September 10
It's national TV Dinner Day! I loved TV dinner night when I was a kid! My folks even had (have?) cool TV tray tables...
September 9
Leo Tolstoy was born today in 1828! I like his War and Peace, and other writings too...
The luncheon suggestion for today from 365 Luncheon Dishes
(from 1902) is Maple Sugar Sandwiches! Surely for dessert, it's bread sprinkled
with maple sugar and served with hot coffee! It would be marvelous for breakfast! And it's a perfect September dish, maybe for later in the month? after a trip to New England where you see sugar maples!!
Interesting -- the USA got its official name today in 1776.
Interesting -- the USA got its official name today in 1776.
September 8
Homer Sean Brock was profiled along with other food heroes
in the October 31, 2011, issue of the New Yorker, in "True Grits" by
Bukhard Bilger. My favorite bits are about how people such as he are
re-discovering old foods that are more flavorful than many we get today in the
average grocery store. Here's a taste…
In the past few years, Brock and a small group of local historians, plant geneticists, and farmers have reintroduced dozens of heirloom [crops], many of them untasted since the 1800s….Three hundred years of immigration had brought over every conceivable crop…and farmers found ways to grow them all [in the American South]….David Shields [explains], 'It was…a frenzy of research. They took the carrot culture of Flanders, the turnip culture of Germany, the beet culture of France, and tweaked them to create this extraordinary myriad of vegetables and grains.'…In the 1860s, Shields said, every successful farmer had to be a breeder and agronomist, and many farmers published their work….Glenn Roberts…told me [that] they found that rice tastes best when planted after field peas, sweet potatoes after collard greens, and barley after butter beans….In the 1800s, taste mattered most.
This inspired me to seek out some heirloom beans to cook this autumn. I found some at Williams Sonoma though haven't tried them yet...
September 7
Today's so-called exotic dish suggestion from the 365
Foreign Dishes, published in 1908, is what they call Swiss Beet Salad, which
sounds like pickled beets.
September 6
I like Williams Sonoma's month of easy menus for schooltime! Check it out at http://www.williams-sonoma.com/pages/back-to-school-calendar.html?cm_re=072111-_-menu-_-month_30_minute_meals&cm_src=hplink
September 5
A good place where I lived for some time was my suite at the University of Cambridge. You walked through double doors into my study cum sitting room with generous bookcases and desk, and a fireplace in one corner. After a lunchtime craft fair one day I set my new pottery treasures on the mantelpiece. From its old diamond-paned windows you could see King's College Chapel. The next room was a bedroom with my little bed and sink and closet. (Bathing was done down the hall off of the kitchen, which of course was well equipped for making tea.)
September 3
I am beginning to feel alive again. Do you remember...'My life hath crept so long on a broken wing.' That's what my life has been doing, but now I'm not going to creep anymore. And just for the time, I'm offf the age of Elizabeth. But there were other ages, the age of Pericles for instance. Fancy sitting at Socrates' feet or Plato's, and hearing them talk while the sun set over Salamis or Pentelicus. I must rub up my Greek....And then there's the age of Anne. What a wonderful time, Pope and Addison! So civilized, so cultivated. Their tea parties....It is a mistake to remain in the same waters too long...from some blogs that mention the wonderful Mr. Benson: http://rochester-reader.blogspot.com/2011/02/new-collections-of-mapp-lucia-and.html and http://stuck-in-a-book.blogspot.com/2008/07/mapp-and-lucia.html -- there's also a British series I must check out:
September 2
September is a cool time to dream of and in libraries. So...here's a start on a series of Dreamy Libraries. Since it's still officially summer, it's in light colors...
September 1
The morrow was a bright September morn;
The earth was beautiful as if newborn;
There was that nameless splendor everywhere,
That wild exhileration in the air,
Which makes the passers in the city streets
Congratulate each other as they meet.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Happy September! How about browsing fall fashions and enjoying The September Issue movie today or soonish?! Since I was an editor-in-chief of several (much much much less cool) magazines, I find this a very fun film...
...And speaking of fashions?! Tarzan's creator Edgar Rice Burroughs was born today in 1875!
from the interesting-looking site http://melodom.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-tarzan-of-apes.html ; I'd like to see that Official Ape-English Dictionary!
I just (finally!) discovered a 1962 book that's been re-released in a fun, nostalgic facsimile edition that caters to my love of day-to-day ideas: Betty Crocker's Cooking Calendar. Its September entry suggests that one try canning or similar -- I would like to do some relish or something, though I don't think I'm going to try to actually can but freeze or make such a small batch it'd just refrigerate and maybe gift a bit... I'm sure I'm going to enjoy this book, and at the moment it's available for just $2.50 or so brand-new at Amazon! http://www.amazon.com/Betty-Crockers-Cooking-Calendar-Crocker/dp/0470419636
September is...
National Be Kind to Writers and Editors Month !
August 31
It's national Trail Mix Day! If I ever discover a recipe or even brand I adore, I'll post it...
August 30
It's national Toasted Marshmallow Day!
Laurent de Brunhoff, creator of Babar, was born today in 1925!
Laurent de Brunhoff, creator of Babar, was born today in 1925!
August 29
It's national
Chop Suey Day!
The luncheon suggestion for today from 365 Luncheon Dishes (from 1902) is Chocolate Mousse (they call it Chocolate Cream).
The luncheon suggestion for today from 365 Luncheon Dishes (from 1902) is Chocolate Mousse (they call it Chocolate Cream).
August 28
It's Tasha Tudor's birthday! She was born in 1915 and passed away not long ago. Her family's official website is beautiful: http://www.tashatudorandfamily.com/ . I love her children's books...
Speaking of children, how I loved it when my great-grandmother who was a professional pastry chef made cherry turnovers at our house! It's national Cherry Turnover Day!
Speaking of children, how I loved it when my great-grandmother who was a professional pastry chef made cherry turnovers at our house! It's national Cherry Turnover Day!
August 27
Today's so-called exotic dish suggestion from the 365
Foreign Dishes, published in 1908, is what they call German Egg Toast; it
sounds like French Toast sprinkled with cinnamon and nuts.
H.L. Mencken got married today in 1930.
H.L. Mencken got married today in 1930.
August 26
The luncheon suggestion for today from 365 Luncheon
Dishes (from 1902) is egg salad sandwiches served with a green salad.
Another one of my favorite, Take a Break songs! Done by a fan of the composer-singer-guitarist Bruce Cockburn. It's called Down Here Tonight, from his album World of Wonders...
Another one of my favorite, Take a Break songs! Done by a fan of the composer-singer-guitarist Bruce Cockburn. It's called Down Here Tonight, from his album World of Wonders...
August 25
What a beautiful restaurant for this time of year, at least pre-air conditioning: Leon Joseph Voirin's La Terrasse Du Cafe Du Glacier, from 1882:
August 23
A very informal Choose Your Dream Restaurant option...Renoir's famous painting of the boating party:
August 21
One of my favorite bloggers spoke about some amazing storms on SATURN! From Bad Astronomy at http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2011/07/06/a-storm-wraps-around-saturn
August 20
Do you like bubble tea? I think it's delicious and so fun. My daughter and I discovered it in beautiful Vancouver years ago, but we had even better and more varieties on a blissful vacation in lovely Singapore a while back. Here's a recipe to make your own! I must try it soon!
http://www.sugoodsweets.com/blog/2011/01/chinese-bubble-tea-recipe/
http://www.sugoodsweets.com/blog/2011/01/chinese-bubble-tea-recipe/
August 19
GENE RODDENBURY was born today in 1921! I love the universe he created with Star Trek, and admire his other work as well! From the official site, which comes complete with ads for of course the official academy campus store! startrek.com
And Ogden Nash was born today too, in 1902! Just a favorite sample -- which gives us...
...Pretty Halcyon DaysHow pleasant to sit on the beach,On the beach, on the sand, in the sun,With ocean galore within reach,And nothing at all to be done!No letters to answer,No bills to be burned,No work to be shirked,No cash to be earned.It is pleasant to sit on the beachWith nothing at all to be done....How pleasant the salt anaestheticOf the air and the sand and the sun;Leave the earth to the strong and athletic,And the sea to adventure upon.But the sun and the sandNo contractor can copy;We lie in the landOf the lotus and poppy;We vegetate, calm and aesthetic,On the beach, on the sand, in the sun.
August 18
Robert Redford was born today in 1936. This painting reminds me of him -- "The Pride of Dijon" by William John Hennessey.
August 17
One of my very favorite, Take a Break songs -- Come by the Hills by the very talented Loreena McKennitt -- she's probably my favorite singer ever. This is set in her native Ireland -- the home of my great-grandmother.
It's National Sandcastle Day! There are -- well, were -- amazing sandcastles. Do a search and you'll be astounded. Here's a site with their top 20 choices:
http://listverse.com/2008/02/08/top-20-amazing-sandcastles/
Here's one from Brazil:
And here's one for which they made a very cool setting:
Here's another site, which mentions August 14 as national Sandcastle Day which may be right -- I've seen different dates -- and it has charming pictures and also practical suggestions.
http://lanikae.blogspot.com/2011/08/sand-castle-day.html
Another cool picture! From Wikimedia Commons, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ultimate_Sand_Castle.jpg , by Jon, of a sandcastle on the beach near St Helier in Jersey:
It's National Sandcastle Day! There are -- well, were -- amazing sandcastles. Do a search and you'll be astounded. Here's a site with their top 20 choices:
http://listverse.com/2008/02/08/top-20-amazing-sandcastles/
Here's one from Brazil:
And here's one for which they made a very cool setting:
http://lanikae.blogspot.com/2011/08/sand-castle-day.html
Another cool picture! From Wikimedia Commons, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ultimate_Sand_Castle.jpg , by Jon, of a sandcastle on the beach near St Helier in Jersey:
August 16
Samuel Johnson and Joshua Reynolds started a walking tour today in 1762...I'm hoping for more details later!
It's national Rum Day...
It's national Rum Day...
August 15
The wonderful Julia Child was born today! I am so enjoying her book My Life in France, written with her grand-nephew I believe.
This dear friend sure knows how to fill her days with joy!
The weekend we've been working 'at' for weeks is here, Heritage Days at the Wood County Historical Museum. A million things going on, lots for kids and grownups. I think our gardens look fine at this point, lots of hours going into getting those done! Many will be walking through both days. I'm going upstairs in a few minutes to gather my lovely picnic basket and tablecloth to put on a table there to make the garden look even more inviting; we have a tea tree to place at the other end with an open book with info on the teas we hold, my dear friend thought of this, we want visitors to think about returning anytime.
For lunch today I shall enjoy a pork-a-lean sandwich which my husband and I have always relished (from a longtime meat market where Mom and Dad used to buy their meat, Bellvilles; Grandma always got her chicken there to make chicken and noodles); and probably have to have a dish of homemade ice cream since I can't be down at my husband's uncle and aunt's when the family makes it regularly.
I hear the crew back at work on the roofing close by, they've stayed there till dark every day working on it. Such a job!!!! My husband's been a supervisor like his dad used to be at the tomato patch! But just from our windows, of course.
Must get going. It's going to be fun! AND the music that's playing I'll be able to enjoy, the huge tent is near the gardens. AND it's perfect sunny skies for these days, hot also we hear. But I have great sunscreen and a neat hat with wide brim, I'm all set to do no work, just play. Talking to lots of nice people. Sounds perfect!
My sister arrives this week from Hawaii; we'll have so much fun. Starting with helping me do tables for the tea. She'll be taking some good pictures I'm sure of the fashion show :). Then we'll work with another sister getting ready for a grand day at her house. Our theme is being silly! With silly games and such. I'm checking also about getting some face paint/makeup? for the kids to do each other's, we'll get pics of that if it happens for sure. Lots will be there. A grandson-in-law has agreed to coach the teams when we play chickenball with a rubber chicken :). I went to his son's game last night nearby, he's a great baseball player!
From a (slightly better known!) museum, The Smithsonian, from their http://eyelevel.si.edu/2007/11/hats-off-hands.html :
This dear friend sure knows how to fill her days with joy!
For lunch today I shall enjoy a pork-a-lean sandwich which my husband and I have always relished (from a longtime meat market where Mom and Dad used to buy their meat, Bellvilles; Grandma always got her chicken there to make chicken and noodles); and probably have to have a dish of homemade ice cream since I can't be down at my husband's uncle and aunt's when the family makes it regularly.
I hear the crew back at work on the roofing close by, they've stayed there till dark every day working on it. Such a job!!!! My husband's been a supervisor like his dad used to be at the tomato patch! But just from our windows, of course.
Must get going. It's going to be fun! AND the music that's playing I'll be able to enjoy, the huge tent is near the gardens. AND it's perfect sunny skies for these days, hot also we hear. But I have great sunscreen and a neat hat with wide brim, I'm all set to do no work, just play. Talking to lots of nice people. Sounds perfect!
My sister arrives this week from Hawaii; we'll have so much fun. Starting with helping me do tables for the tea. She'll be taking some good pictures I'm sure of the fashion show :). Then we'll work with another sister getting ready for a grand day at her house. Our theme is being silly! With silly games and such. I'm checking also about getting some face paint/makeup? for the kids to do each other's, we'll get pics of that if it happens for sure. Lots will be there. A grandson-in-law has agreed to coach the teams when we play chickenball with a rubber chicken :). I went to his son's game last night nearby, he's a great baseball player!
From a (slightly better known!) museum, The Smithsonian, from their http://eyelevel.si.edu/2007/11/hats-off-hands.html :
The luncheon suggestion for today from 365 Luncheon
Dishes (from 1902) is Salade à la Russe, which they assemble with cooked
chopped carrot, turnip, potato, celery, beet, plus olives, anchovies, and a
dressing made with tarragon vinegar and oil. Hmm, if one were growing tarragon in one's summer garden, now might be a good time to start some homemade tarragon vinegar. Tarragon is ridiculous good for you and so unusually delicious.
August 13
Bert Lahr was born today in 1895. He played fascinating roles, including Queen Victoria! His son was a theater critic for the New Yorker!
August 11
Enid Blyton was born today in 1897! My husband loved her books as a child! She wrote literally hundreds!
The luncheon suggestion for today from 365 Luncheon
Dishes (from 1902) is Corn Chowder.
August 10
In case it's hot where you are...maybe you'd like to dream of a luxury hotel in the Himalaya Mountains! I've never been there but the hotels at http://elginhotels.com/ look lovely for relaxing and very much cooling down! Here's one from the 1880s!
It's national Banana Split Day, to cool you down even more!
August 9
On this day in 1842 Herman Melville escaped from cannibals! – yikes! – who had held him captive for a month! Good for you, Herman! No wonder you could write such adventure stories! (He's the Moby Dick guy.)
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