Abby Murphy

britain, history lesson, holidays, movies, vegetables

The "First" Thanksgiving (I)

November 13, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

With Thanksgiving little more than a week away, I've had cooking on the brain. No wonder--it's the only national holiday entirely devoted to food (plus, well, giving thanks). Is there anything more wonderful? I decided to honor the holiday by investigating its historic roots.(And, as you know, I can't leave well enough alone.)The results were… Continue reading The "First" Thanksgiving (I)

books, family, settlement cookbook

Luisa Weiss’ My Berlin Kitchen

November 5, 2012 Abby Murphy

You know how there are books that grab you from the first page? You think to yourself, This is me. I see myself in this story. This was my experience with Luisa Weiss' memoir My Berlin Kitchen. I was so enthralled that I actually read the book as slowly as possible rather than zipping through it,… Continue reading Luisa Weiss’ My Berlin Kitchen

adventure, canning, fall, fruit, homesteading

Canning: Apple butter

October 30, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

We're safe and sound here in Providence. The hurricane swept through yesterday and we stayed snug in the apartment, catching up on schoolwork and relaxing. There were several hours of Diablo III (Josh) and of baking cheesy pull-apart bread (me). There was an evening of catching up on our favorite shows and watching The Adventures… Continue reading Canning: Apple butter

britain, dining at downton, edwardians, escoffier, history lesson, mrs beeton's book of household management

History 101: Downton Abbey

October 25, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

While Downton Abbey is purely fiction (in all its soap operatic glory), it's based largely on fact. Julian Fellowes, the creator of the show, is known for writing well-researched films set in earlier days of the British Empire (like Gosford Park, one of my sister's favorite movies). Downton Abbey is no different. That intrigue and scandal is… Continue reading History 101: Downton Abbey

baking, fall, little house cookbook, vegetables

Pumpkin pie

October 23, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

This time of year, Led Zeppelin's "Ramble On" always seems to be stuck in my head. Yes, I did play it in class because it connected to our Lord of the Rings discussion, but it's also just so seasonally appropriate. "Leaves are falling all around....time I was on my way." It's the perfect thing to… Continue reading Pumpkin pie

beverages, britain, dining at downton, edwardians, escoffier, fish, sandwiches

Dining at Downton: Afternoon tea

October 14, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

When I graduated from college, I moved to New York City to work at a children's literary agency. I knew almost no one and quickly discovered that I am really not cut out for big city living. While I quietly raged against the masses of people crowding the sidewalks of Manhattan, I tried to carve… Continue reading Dining at Downton: Afternoon tea

adventure, books, cheese, dessert, fall, grains, history lesson, holidays, meat, vegetables

This meal brought to you by Christopher Columbus

October 8, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

Ah, Columbus Day. I'm not sure there's any other secular holiday more filled with angst and mixed feelings than this one.When I was little, we learned the basics of Columbus Day. We sang that catchy song, the one that goes, "In Fourteen Hundred and Ninety-Two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue..." and read picture books about… Continue reading This meal brought to you by Christopher Columbus

college, fish, sandwiches, settlement cookbook

Sardine sandwiches

October 4, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

Yep, you read that right.As you may recall, I'm one of those weird folks who actually enjoy foods deemed disgusting by many Americans: anchovies and sardines, in particular. Anchovies don't just add a unique umami flavor to pasta sauces and Caesar dressing, they make a delicious topping for white pizza, too. Unfortunately, few people in… Continue reading Sardine sandwiches

beverages, britain, dining at downton, mrs beeton's book of household management, victorians

Dining at Downton: The perfect cup of tea

September 27, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

You know you're in a committed relationship when you start buying the foods your significant other likes. When Josh and I started dating, we quickly discovered that while we both enjoy tea, there are a few major differences in our habits:Josh loves green teaI prefer black tea, but usually I'd rather drink coffeeJosh hates coffeeThey pose… Continue reading Dining at Downton: The perfect cup of tea

britain, dining at downton, edwardians, victorians

A very British announcement!

September 24, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

It's no secret that I'm a bit of an Anglophile. This, combined with my love of history, made me fall utterly and irrevocably in love with Downton Abbey.For those of you not in the know, Downton Abbey is a PBS historical drama (ITV in the UK) chronicling the secrets, romances, and tragedies of the aristocratic… Continue reading A very British announcement!