Abby Murphy

  • Helpful advice for new mothers

    Over the past few years I’ve pointed out historical hints for illness, cleaning house, and other realities of daily life. These tips are often funny and strange, and while I enjoy reading them, it’s tough to actually follow their advice.… Continue reading

  • Afternoon Adventure: Servant Life Tour at The Elms

    I want to say something meaningful about all this horrifying news coming out of Boston, but I can’t find the words. There’s only so much sadness I can take in at a time, especially when it’s on such a vast… Continue reading

  • Spring greening

    Ah, spring! When a young lady’s fancy turns to…plants? Yes, it is all plants, all the time around these parts. When Josh and I go for a walk, I coo over the tiny purple stars blooming in the myrtle. I… Continue reading

  • The Ancient Table: Roast boar

    Obelix with dinner I have this habit of getting totally immersed in whatever topic I’m teaching in history. The Declaration of Independence? Let’s watch 1776! Ancient Greece? Let’s check out The Odyssey from the library! The Gupta empire? Let’s eat Indian food… Continue reading

  • Spring cleaning

    It’s getting to that point where things just feel blah. It’s officially spring but not quite warm, the kids are either bonkers or asleep at school, and the crust for my first-ever tart puffs up like a balloon. Even food… Continue reading

  • The wearing of the green

    Almost all the seeds I planted a few weeks ago have sprouted, and my seed tray is now a veritable wonderland of tiny green sprouts and tendrils. While I love all the phases of the growing season (except perhaps pest… Continue reading

  • Dining at Downton: Kedgeree

    Kedgeree is the very first dish served on Downton Abbey. Mrs. Patmore sends a steaming bowl up for breakfast, and with that we’re immersed in the sumptuous world of Edwardian cuisine. Brits still eat kedgeree today, and it’s one of… Continue reading

  • Starting seeds

    Earlier this week, it was finally starting to feel like spring. The air lost some of its chill, birds chirped in the tree outside our dining room window, and the first crocuses poked up from neighborhood yards. Of course, this… Continue reading

  • Dining at Downton: Flying Scotchman Cocktail

    I don’t know about you, but I’m still recovering from the season 3 finale of Downton Abbey. To be fair, I’d had some warning; my sister told me of Dan Stevens’ plans to leave the show long before that last… Continue reading

  • Maple sugaring (II)

    Last week I wrote about my family’s maple sugaring tradition. Today I’ll add an amendment: while we love most of the maple sugaring process (tapping trees, collecting sap, boiling it down in the evaporator), we have a hard time with… Continue reading