holidays – Abby Murphy

Remembrance

November 11, 2014February 19, 2015 Abby Murphy

Veterans' Day is one of those holidays that are easy to forget. Josh and I have the day off from school today, and as we were driving to a local coffee shop for a leisurely breakfast, we reflected on our midweek break. Rhode Island gives us the day off to celebrate our veterans, but how much… Continue reading Remembrance

18th century, activities, childhood, crafts, holidays, vacation, winter

Colonial Craft: Pomanders

January 6, 2014February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and that you're settling into 2014. I spent Christmas with my family in Ohio, listening to my dad's beloved Ray Conniff Singers and cooking up a storm. We spent many an evening by the fire and even processed maple syrup in one long day… Continue reading Colonial Craft: Pomanders

activities, adventure, crafts, family, holidays, sister

Valentine’s crafts

February 10, 2013February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

Dispatch from the blizzard: we survived, with nary a power loss! Others in Rhode Island were not so lucky, and I'm thinking of those wrapped up in blankets or staying in emergency shelters. It's going to be chilly tonight.We stayed indoors most of the time, watching the snow fall and catching up on shows or… Continue reading Valentine’s crafts

adventure, baking, britain, dessert, dining at downton, disaster, edwardians, escoffier, family, fruit, holidays, victorians, winter

Dining at Downton: How to serve plum pudding

December 27, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

We had a relatively quiet Christmas here in Ohio, seeing family and telling funny stories and going for long, snowy walks and eating good food. As per tradition, we served plum pudding for dessert on Christmas night, along with a lot of other treats (frosted cookies, red velvet cake, petit fours...). We don't mess around… Continue reading Dining at Downton: How to serve plum pudding

adventure, baking, britain, dessert, dining at downton, edwardians, escoffier, family, fruit, holidays, victorians, winter

Dining at Downton: How to steam plum pudding

December 24, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

On Saturday we talked about how to make your own plum pudding, the most classic of British holiday desserts. (Yes, I am still wondering where the plums are in the recipe.) Today we'll discuss the cooking process, which is a rather elaborate steaming method. It requires parchment paper, cooking twine, a water bath, and lots… Continue reading Dining at Downton: How to steam plum pudding

adventure, baking, britain, dessert, dining at downton, edwardians, escoffier, family, fruit, holidays, victorians, winter

Dining at Downton: How to make plum pudding

December 22, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

This time of year, my family is all about tradition. Previously I wrote about the Brunswick stew we've kept from my mom's side of the family, though I tested out a Williamsburg variation of the recipe. That's still on the menu this year. My sister and I maintain important traditions like decorating the tree while… Continue reading Dining at Downton: How to make plum pudding

beverages, dining at downton, edwardians, escoffier, fruit, holidays, winter

Dining at Downton: Mulled wine

December 18, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

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

candy, dessert, family, fruit, holidays, settlement cookbook, winter

Candied orange peel (with chocolate)

November 28, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

Thanksgiving is over. The turkey's been roasted and eaten (or perhaps you tried a duck?), the festive harvest plates have been washed and put away for another year. And now everything in America is telling us it's time for the winter holidays: the pharmacies selling mechanical Santas, the radios playing nothing but Elvis, the twinkle… Continue reading Candied orange peel (with chocolate)

baking, fall, history lesson, holidays

The "First" Thanksgiving (III)

November 21, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

Last week we looked at some of the myths surrounding the original Thanksgiving. We've explored how the Pilgrims were not, in fact, Pilgrims, and how the First Thanksgiving wasn't the homey, pastoral scene we're taught in school. Today we'll look at the final piece of the puzzle: the idea that the Native Americans and the English… Continue reading The "First" Thanksgiving (III)

fall, history lesson, holidays, meat

The "First" Thanksgiving (II)

November 17, 2012February 16, 2014 Abby Murphy

This week and next, I'm exploring some of the myths about the First Thanksgiving. We've discussed how the Pilgrims were not, in fact, Pilgrims (they had much fancier terms for themselves back in 1621). We've looked at a bizarre recipe for sour stewed pumpkin. Today let's talk about the biggest myth of all: the story… Continue reading The "First" Thanksgiving (II)