Vicki Lane's Blog, page 505

Book Report Time

Paris Was Ours makes me nostalgic for an experience I never had -- living in Paris.  Indeed, I've only visited Paris once -- back in 1970 when John and I were riding a motorcycle and camping our way around Europe. With very limited French, a scruffy wardrobe, and a tight budget, we weren't exactly welcomed with open arms in the City of Light. (The people in the countryside were more forgiving.)

This book, a collection of essays by thirty-two writers, shows me what we missed. I was  entranced by the diverse experiences and recommend this book highly.  And should I ever return to Paris (not very likely,) I'd make a serious attempt to learn conversational French. 

The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb is the imagined story of Lavinia Warren Bump, the 'little person' (32 inches tall) who was one of P.T Barnum's 'oddities.' This is a thoroughly engaging historical novel, full of period detail. But most of all it's the story of the indomitable Vinnie who decides, 'Never would I allow my size to define me. Instead, I would define it.'

The Bartimaeus Trilogy is set in an alternate London, in a world divided between Magicians and Commoners. The Magicians, aided by the powerful spirits they control, are the government. The Commoners are the governed -- and some of them are becoming rebellious. It's the story of Nathaniel, a child in the beginning, whose growing strength as a Magician is an object lesson in the corrupting influence of power.  And it's the story of the cheeky Bartimaeus, the 5,000 year-old Djinn, who -- though technically enslaved by Nathaniel -- doesn't hesitate to point out his master's shortcomings. Excellent fantasy!
Traveling to Marshall --  a memoir of the author's stint as a Baptist pastor in our county seat -- makes me nostalgic for Marshall as it was when we moved here in '75. The author covers a good bit of history pertinent to Marshall and Madison County.   I enjoyed this little book a lot and learned some more about the area but I'm not sure that it would have the same appeal for anyone not already familiar with Marshall and Madison County.

Incautious Bloomers?

Snow Cream -- A Slightly Wistful Repost

We haven't had snow like this this winter and, while I'm not complaining, I'd sure like to make some snow cream ... this was originally posted on February 5, 2009.  Yesterday was a beautiful snowy day and at some point in the afternoon I remembered that Bo Parker had mentioned snow cream in one of his emails to me. I haven't made it it years, not since my boys were young, and, as I grew up in Florida, snow cream was definitely not a family tradition. But I still remember reading about the Bobbsey Twins making it and how magical it sounded.
And yesterday's snow was especially lovely, supremely dry and fluffy. I went out around four and scooped up a bowlful then rushed back to the kitchen and sprinkled a little sugar on it along with a dollop or so of vanilla . . .


. . . then stirred in half and half till it began to seem like ice cream. John and I shared the bowl and it was amazing! Pure and simple and very, very cold. So good, in fact, that after supper I made more.


Thanks, Bo! And thanks to the Bobbsey twins.

Promises

Family Archives

John's father's sister died last year and a cousin has just sent him a box of family letters and pictures from Aunt Nancy's house.  It's a treasure trove --  letters from John's grandmother, father, and mother . . .
Postcards and memorabilia from a year John's grandmother and her children lived in Europe . . .
The story goes that the decision was made that they could live more cheaply over there -- the grandfather stayed in the states and worked while Olive and her children were abroad.
Lots of postcards which I'll undoubtedly be sharing in days to come . . .

There was a picture of Olive's mother -- Kathryn Florence Rakestraw. (I was absurdly delighted at the Rakestraw, having loved the name ever since first seeing a grammar school production of HMS Pinafore in which my brother played Ralph Rakestraw.) And there was this cheery group -- the photo was taken in London -- Islington.  I believe that Olive's husband's family was from England but shall have to investigate further.
I spent the afternoon reading the letters and putting them into chronological order as best I could and came away with a real feeling of knowing John's family much better -- what his grandmother thought of her daughter-in-law, a hint of an unhappy romance in the aunt's past, my father-in-law's description of his children . . .  this is wonderful stuff!

We'll be sharing all this bounty with John's brother and sister, of course. And I'll be sharing more right here. Stay tuned! 

Chicken Cacciatore

Oh, yum!  I served it over noodles with a green salad on the side.  The recipe is straight from my Fannie Farmer cook book, which is much-stained and held together by a rubber band.
Chicken Cacciatore 
1 oz. dried mushrooms (I used porcini) 1/4 cup olive oil 1 medium chicken, cut in pieces (8 or more) 1 large onion, chopped 1/4 cup dry white wine 1 clove garlic, minced (I used three) 1 tablespoon tomato paste 2 cups canned tomatoes, drained 1/2 teaspoon allspice Freshly ground pepper 2 bay leaves 1/2 teaspoon thyme, crushed Salt to taste
for the Gremolata garnish
Grated rind of one lemon 1/2 clove garlic, minced (wimps! I used 2 cloves) 3 tablespoons minced parsley
Put the mushrooms to soak for half an hour in a cup with just enough warm water to cover. Heat oil ion a large skillet and cook the chicken till lightly browned on all sides. Add the onion and saute a few minutes, then splash in the wine and let it boil up. Lower the heat and add the garlic, paste, tomatoes, and the soaked mushrooms and their liquid (carefully strained,) and the seasonings. Cover and cook slowly for about 40 minutes or until done.  Remove bay leaves, taste and add salt, if needed.   Mix together the lemon rind, garlic, and parsley and scatter over the top of each serving. 

Gardening? Really?

The last day of January and the temperature was nearly 70. I had to get out and pull a weed or two. And Willa was moved to do a little excavating.
That handy hole reminded me I'd been meaning to transplant some daffodils. I know you're supposed to do this is the Fall but I always forget exactly where the big crowded clumps are once the foliage has died.
These are in bad need of thinning -- they don't have buds but maybe next year, once they're not so crowded. So I'll separate them and plant them back -- a little deeper and with lots of room. Dogs have often influenced my gardening --  I may put a thorny bush here to prevent dogs making a path or a big rock there to discourage lounging in the soft dirt of the flower bed.
So weird, to have weather like this.  It's pleasant, of course, but the potential for snow remains.  Still, it feels good to have dirt under my fingernails again. 
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Six Thousand Words?

Boys' Play Time

Yesterday our nephew Drew and his little boy came over. The last time they were here, Jack had  fun playing with a toy cow and some hippopotami. They had hay to eat and there was poop (coffee beans) to clean up.
So I went to Tractor Supply and got a little tractor and some farm animals to surprise him the next time he was here.
Jack drove the tractor and herded the animals and shoveled the poop. Then he took a snack break while Ali Ali and Willa watched with interest.
Mean while, Jack's dad Andrew and Justin were busy, searching through the cubby holes for toys from their own childhood. They discovered a major treasure trove of GI Joe action figures from the 80's.
Justin spent a good bit of time explaining to Jack which were the good guys and which were bad.
Uh oh! The bad guys have invaded the peaceful farm! The big boys are working out a scenario . . . The blue napkin is a pond -- the perfect thing to do with the action figures who'd lost their legs.  
Look like they're wading in deep water, don't they?
I'm not sure why the fellow in pink is guarding the poop...
But undoubtedly the strategists know.  Note the cup of milk and the two glasses of Scotch in the midst of the action. . .
Justin helps Jack plan an aerial attack from the corner cupboard.
Meanwhile, I was in the kitchen photographing more action figures.
They're a wild and crazy gang. . .  

Trading Up

 "There's no question at times of my life, partially driven by how passionately I felt about this country, that I worked far too hard and things happened in my life that were not appropriate"
Newt Gingrich, quoted HERE.