But really, it's here.Last weekend Josh and I hosted two separate gatherings of friends to play the Game of Thrones board game. This is a complicated, multiplayer game where folks play as the houses (House Stark, for example) from the books by George R.R. Martin. Each house aims to capture seven castles, all while dealing… Continue reading Winter is coming
Category: beverages
Dining at Downton: Champagne julep
There's something I've been keeping under my hat for a while, and it's time you knew: Josh and I are engaged!We're thrilled, and despite all the chaos of starting a new school year, we couldn't be happier. We're also trying to get used to calling each other "fiance," which feels pretty weird. (Did anyone else… Continue reading Dining at Downton: Champagne julep
Brewing and distilling the old-fashioned way
Turns out cooking from historical recipes isn't the only way to play with food and history. There's a new trend brewing in the alcoholic beverage world (sorry, couldn't resist).Cleveland's Great Lakes Brewing Company, maker of some of the best craft beers around (not like I'm biased), is now working with archaeologists from the University of… Continue reading Brewing and distilling the old-fashioned way
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 episode. Josh and I spent the whole season discussing when and how the writers would… Continue reading Dining at Downton: Flying Scotchman Cocktail
Dining at Downton: Mulled wine
It's getting to be that time when I start glancing at the calendar to see how many days are left. Not before Christmas (though that's another kind of concern) but before the premiere.Yes, you know. The U.S. premiere of Downton Abbey Season Three.January 6! That's less than a month away!Josh and my sister and I can… Continue reading Dining at Downton: Mulled wine
Dining at Downton: Afternoon tea
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
Dining at Downton: The perfect cup of tea
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
Lemonade
High summer in Rhode Island. The days are long and sticky and oppressive (but not as humid as Ohio, where summer can feel like you're swimming through tar). Although the mornings are cool and breezy, they burn off quickly once the blazing sun gets going. If you're out for a walk, you probably spend it… Continue reading Lemonade
Flaxseed tea
There can be hidden gems in old cookbooks. Like last week's kuchen tarts, or the Little House apple turnovers, or the Old Virginia pancakes. Come to think of it, those hidden gems all have to do with baking or flour-based deliciousness.Anyway. Sometimes there are successes. And sometimes there are failures. And sometimes there are just plain… Continue reading Flaxseed tea
Mint julep
Now that summer (with all its heat and humidity) is in full swing, my sister Lissa has been contemplating what would make the weather more bearable. There's swimming, long afternoons in Starbucks, evenings at the air-conditioned movie theater.* There's also the tried-and-true tradition of iced mixed drinks. Every few days, she sighs wistfully, "Wouldn't it… Continue reading Mint julep
Abby Murphy 