Homeowner's Guide to Greatness Giveaway

We were so clueless when we moved into our house.  It was only an inch away from foreclosure, there were tenants living here (the human and animal kind), and it had, to say the least, been neglected. If only I’d had The Homeowner’s Guide to Greatness by Jocelyn Jane Cox to refer to – I’d have been much better equipped to respond to these and many other challenges.  Or at the very least, laugh them off.  There are always unexpected surprises in store for the new homeowner, and humor always helps.  For example, I could have used a laugh the day we discovered that our underground oil tank was leaking and had to have it excavated. 

That was fun. 

When Cox and her husband moved from the city to a suburb not far from here, they were excited to begin decorating, gardening and otherwise customizing their home.  They didn’t count on poison ivy, mice, or trees falling on their roof.   Cox takes us through the process of procuring, purchasing, evaluating and maintaining a new home with an engaging combination of wisdom and goofiness.

My favorite part of the book was the “memos” section, where the various parties, such as bunnies, fruit flies and bees, are confronted in writing and asked such pressing questions as “Why horizontal stripes?”

I’ll give away a copy of the book to a random commenter on this post.  You can also order it here on Amazon.com.
 

Read more from Jocelyn Jane Cox on her awesome blog The Home Tome.

Commenting on this post will close on Saturday, September 1 at 12 noon.

Review of "Barnheart" by Jenna Woginrich

Strange things are happening to my reading habits.  When given a choice, I rarely choose to read fiction now.  It’s not unusual for me to pass up new books from favorite writers like Alice McDermott or John Irving in favor of a type of book that’s most decidedly in the non-fiction genre:  the homesteading memoir.   I have cancelled my subscription to The New Yorker and replaced it with Mother Earth News. 

I think I caught this bug a few years ago after reading Joan Gussow’s This Organic Life.  It was followed by Mildred Armstrong Kalish’s Little Heathens (my review here) , The Good Life by Helen and Scott Nearing, and Animal Vegetable Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver.   Jenna Woginrich has given a name to my affliction, and titled her book after it.   I may be a suburban mom with an urban job, and I may be approaching menopause, but I have a “Barnheart.” 

I recognized myself in Jenna’s description: “You start reading online homesteading forums and shopping at cheese-making supply sites on your lunch break.  You go home after work and instead of turning on the television, you bake a pie and study chicken coop building plans.  Then somehow, somewhere along the way, you realize that you’re happiest when you’re weeding the garden or collecting eggs from the henhouse.  It’s all downhill from there.”

Jenna did not have an easy time of it in the beginning, but her ordeal does show that with determination, and a flexible vision, a more fulfilling lifestyle is possible -- even if you don’t have money, inherited land or a background in animal husbandry.    While keeping a day job for a mail order company, she slowly builds her savings and purchases a plot, animals, and a truck.  There are financial setbacks, interferences from disapproving neighbors and landlords, and many lessons learned along the way -- for example, a sheepdog cannot be without a “job.”  

Our heroine is frank about her initial difficulties fitting into her Vermont community.  Throughout the course of the book, I found myself worrying for her, becoming anxious, then heaving a sigh of relief as each obstacle she encounters becomes a chapter, a memory, a tale that she has lived to tell.   Jenna announced on her blog, Cold Antler Farm, that she’s left her day job to focus on writing, farming and offering workshops.  A great lesson for all of us future farmers.

Cooking Like Paula Deen

Banoffee Pie

Come to think of it, I haven’t seen her cooking show too many times.  I must do a lot of Paula-Deen-style cooking, though, because whenever I’m looking for a recipe via Google, hers often pop up.  A few weeks ago, I wanted a recipe for Banoffee Pie, a banana pie made with whipped cream and carmelized milk.  Hers came up.  Then I looked for Shrimp Etouffee – and hers came up, too.  Neither of these recipes called for butter, the ingredient that has given her such notoriety.  (And enough about the butter -- have you read Ina Garten’s recipes lately?  Talk about heavy cream!)

Paula Deen

I loved Paula’s gracious and humorous response to the recent criticism from Anthony Bourdain that she is the "most dangerous person in America" and I LOVE the fact that Maxim readers have voted her TV’s hottest female chef (but shame on them for using a photo of a stick of better, rather than one of Paula, to illustrate their article!)   

What I love most about Paula Deen, though, is her story, which she told at a recent live event.   Most would never guess that she had to overcome severe agoraphobia  (“I ended up having to cancel my children’s activities because I couldn’t leave the house.”) and hypochondria (“It got to where I couldn’t even watch Dr. Welby MD.  I started thinkin I had everything they were talkin about.”)  Paula’s parents died when she was a young mother, and she was tasked with raising her younger siblings as well as her own brood, with a husband “who really liked lots of cold beer.”   She credits the Serenity Prayer with helping her stay grounded and on track.   Back then, she was afraid that her friends would see her mopping floors at the grocery store. I wonder what those same friends think of her now. 



Shrimp Etouffee



Growing up in Florida and living in Louisiana for a few years don’t quite make me a Southerner, but I have eaten and appreciate a good gumbo -- so I was happy to see that there is a recipe for it in her new cookbook, Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking Bible, along with lots of other dishes that I think will feel very at home on my table.

I don’t even think Paula expects me to feed my family from this book every day, but when I have time for something more than a quick weeknight dinner, when I need a dish with special comforting skills, or something to remind me of warm gulf coast breezes, I’ll be reaching for this book -- co-written with Melissa Clark.

So what do you think of Paula? 

How Big is Santa? Shocking Images Revealed

Once upon a time, Santa was a wee little guy who couldn’t even look the most petite women in the eye.  He could fit in a stocking, and could barely reach the fireplace mantle.  The towering volunteer Santas showing up on our fire engines, and the giants that are employed as Old St. Nick in our local malls have broken with tradition – Santa is an elf, people.

It’s well known that many of our Christmas traditions having to do with Santa were invented by Clement C. Moore whose poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (a.k.a. “The Night Before Christmas) dictated many of our current rituals.  Thomas Nast was an illustrator in the late 1800’s who came to fame by drawing political cartoons – in fact, he is also responsible for creating the image associated with Uncle Sam.  Nast played the greatest role in creating the image of Santa that we recognize today.

Nast’s employer, Harpers Magazine, asked him to compile his collection of Christmas drawings, and it’s here that the truth is exposed:

Just doing my part to set the record straight.  

And now….

BREAKFAST FOR A TIRED MOTHER

You may do this all by yourself—and surprise Mother. 

First get out the tray.  Then a plate.  You’ll need cup and saucer, knife, fork and spoon.  Don’t forget the salt and pepper.  Does Mother use cream and sugar?  Oh, yes, -- a napkin.

Decorate it with a sprig of evergreen.  Maybe a small tree ornament?  Whatever you think will make it pretty for Mother. 

NOW

Does she like juice?   Orane, tomato, grapefruit, tangerine, prune, apple – what do you have on hand?  Cranberry juice mixed with pineapple jusice tasts good and it looks gay and Christmasy. 

Put water on to boil for tea or instant coffee.

SCRAMBLED EGGSACTLY

Eggs must be scrabmled eggsactly to taste good.  Break 2 eggs into bowl.  Beat with fork.  Add 2 tablespoons rich cream.  Beat again.  Melt 1 tablespoon butter in frying pan.  Pour in eggs.  Stir over low heat.  Do they look thick?  They’re done. 

 From A Child's Christmas Cookbook with recipes by Betty Chancellor, Illustrations by Thomas Nast.

Capote's "A Christmas Memory"



Buddy and Sook



Although I’ve had the book for several years, last night I finally sat down to read the incredible short story by Truman Capote “A Christmas Memory.”   Capote, a.k.a  “Buddy” in the story, lived with some distant elderly cousins when he was young, and this autobiographical tale is an account of the special relationship he had with one eccentric relative, Miss Sook Faulk.   As they do in other Capote stories, such as “The Grass Harp, “ the family misfits bond and become each other’s closest friends, along with their little dog Queenie.  Together they undertake the baking of 30 fruitcakes, and we see them foraging for ingredients together (including moonshine), finding a Christmas tree in the woods, and crafting gifts for each other.  

It didn’t surprise me at all to learn that the story has been adapted for the stage by Ira David Wood of Raleigh, NC’s Theatre in the Park.  Wood also plays Scrooge in A Christmas Carol every year.  “Doing A Christmas Carol   is like playing a Super Bowl game; “ he says, “doing A Christmas Memory is like taking a quiet walk in beautiful winter woods.”  In an interview about the production he says “The wonderful thing about the work is that it becomes something very personal to each audience member. We all have a special Christmas locked away in our hearts — complete with close friends, pets, sights, and smells of the season. The story is merely a key we use to unlock the door that takes us back to our own past.” 

The story brought me to the present in much the same way.  On a Christmas morning kite-flying outing, Buddy’s friend “sees the Lord” in the ordinary, prompting her to say that she could “leave the world with today in my eyes.”

The story can be read on line here, but you’d be depriving yourself of the charming drawings in the edition illustrated by Beth Peck. 

A true gem and one of the most beautiful stories I’ve ever read.   Do you have a favorite holiday book that you like to read every year?

A Tony Curtis Story

Have you ever heard it said that a true friend is someone you can sit with in silence and not feel the need to fill up the empty space with chatter? 

Not long ago Tony Curtis appeared at the community center where I work.  I had the honor of greeting him and escorting him backstage to the green room, where he was reunited with several old friends, fellow veterans of television’s Golden Age.  After the hugs and handshakes, they sat down to what I assumed would be a conversation of excited exchanges and interruptions.   Instead they spent a few minutes just smiling at one another, simply enjoying each other's presence.   After a short silence, Tony said  “See?  Here we are old friends, sitting together in silence.  Loving the fact that we’re lucky enough to still be able to see each other…. When you meet strangers, they go on and on….”

That is not to say that he didn’t enjoy his fans.  After the program, he proceeded to his booksigning, where he spent over an hour greeting a long line of admirers, reminiscing about old times, and signing autographs.  As he left, a crowd approached him on the street and he spent another 20 minutes talking with them before getting in his car.  He was a class act – one of the last true Hollywood gents.

I know you're up there somewhere enjoying some joyful -- and peaceful -- reunions, Tony.

Here's a link to Leonard Lopate's interview on WNYC a couple of years ago.

Fruitful

I will not die an unlived life.

I will not live in fear

of falling or catching fire. 

I choose to inhabit my days

to allow my living to open me,

to make me less afraid,

more accessible,

to loosen my heart

until it becomes a wing,

a torch, a promise.

I choose to risk my significance;

to live so that which came to me as seed

goes to the next as blossom

and that which came to me as blossom,

goes on as fruit. 

-Dawna Markova

This is one of my favorite entries in our little book of graces "A Grateful Heart: Daily Blessings for the Evening Meal from Buddha to the The Beatles."  

I was excited to share it, but thought it might make sense for me to find out a little bit more about the author first.  How wonderful to stumble upon her website, "A Spot of Grace," listen to some of the stories featured there, and learn about Dr. Markova's distinguished career.  Among her many credits is the co-editing the Random Acts of Kindness series, and the SmartWired approach to learning.

What Color Is Love?

They say that children's books have the power to make a greater impact on your character than the books you read later in life.  When I think way, way back to the very, very first books that were read to me as a child, aside from "Pat the Bunny," and Richard Scarry, I remember this one:

When I read this book now, I hear my mother's voice.  Many years later, when I read it to my own children, I read it the way it was read to me, using the same emphasis and inflections. 

So my "Rainbow" garden this year is dedicated to Joan Walsh Anglund, and her book "What Color is Love?"

I can't imagine a better way to gently introduce children to the "we're all the same inside" concept, and get them thinking about emotions, tolerance and even world peace.

Colors are important
  because they make our world beautiful,
  but they are not as important
   as how we feel...
       or what we think.....
           or what we do.

Colors are "outside" things and feelings are "inside" things.

Below, she describes why her drawings omit the children's mouths and noses:

"I still 'see' different expressions on the children's faces. I think perhaps I am trying to get down to the essence of a child - not drawing just a particular, realistic child, but instead I think I'm trying to capture the 'feeling' of all children - of Childhood itself, perhaps. This may be too why I find myself dressing the children in a timeless manner, not really in any definite 'period' in time - but always with a vague sense of nostalgia."

Karen, of Greenwalks,  is our prize winner!  Karen not only won the drawing, but knew the title of the book as well as the illustrator, so her award is well-deserved. (Karen please email me your address at nyackbackyard@gmail.com so I can send you your prize.)

"What need we touch a child—

with our books and rules?

Let him walk among the hills and flowers,

Let him gaze upon the waters,

Let him look up to the stars—

And he will have wisdom."

What's the very first book you remember being read to you?

Name that Theme! (....and win a prize!)

Can you guess the name of the person that my vegetable garden pays tribute to this year?   Having a theme helps me narrow down the overwhelming selection of seeds that we're bombarded with this time of year. While I was seed shopping last week, I realized how much I love growing mixes. I love variety, color and the challenge of identifying the produce. I like the suspense and mystery. I wanted a more literary theme for the garden this year, since last year's was musical, and I wanted to honor a woman this time. Contenders included Beatrix Potter, Tasha Tudor and Laura Ingalls Wilder. When I thought about the array of plants that I want to grow this year, though, one little book came to mind, and one illustration in particular that is very close to my heart. Now I'm going to show you the drawing and a bit of text from this very special little book.

"In a garden, all the flowers are different colors....

but they live happily together side by side"

Ringing any bells?  Think Good Housekeeping magazine circa 1979....

Now I'm going to show you my seed order which might help you with a few clues. (I never got around to requesting catalogs from all those who took the Safe Seed Pledge like I intended. I didn't do all the research I promised myself I would. I ended up going with my two old favorites: Baker Creek and John Scheepers. Then I got the Abundant Life catalog, read up on their mission, and decided to spread the love.)

From Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Red meat radish, Sweet Dumpling winter squash, Five Color Chard, Sungold Select II Tomato; Big Rainbow Tomato, Stevia, Japanese Long Cucumber; Cimmaron Lettuce, Drumhead Savoy Cabbage

From John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds
Rainbow Cauliflower, Rainbow Radish, Lovely Lettuce Mesclun blend; Tuscan Kale blend, Super Snap Pea; Sweet 100 Tomato, Alpine Strawberry, Bob's Pumpkin Mix, Arugula

From Abudant Life
Red Okra, Cippolini Onion, Red Ruffles Pepper, DiCicco Broccoli, Wild Mix Ornamental Kale; Goldy Summer Squash, Brush Delicata; Butternut Squash; Black Beauty Squash

Can you tell me the name of this illustrator? Or any illustrator that this might remind you of?  One of my kids will draw a name at random from those who commented on Sunday.  The winner will win a signed copy of Gretchen Rubin's book "The Happiness Project,"  which has just hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list.   If you can tell me the name of the illustrator, I'll throw in a packet of "rainbow" seeds, too. If you know the name of the book, you'll just have my undying admiration!

I know what you're thinking...."just place the dang seed order already!"

Have you placed your seed order yet?  If you're in my area and you're not into starting plants from seed, you'll be happy to know that Hook Mountain Growers is now taking orders for their organic seedlings.  Go over there and have a look - some unusual as well as tried-and-true goodies!

In Memory of Howard Zinn

(photo by Joyce Culver)

Howard Zinn, author of The People's History of the United States was an extraordinary man who changed the way we look at history and spoke for the people who couldn't.  I had the honor of meeting him several times when he spoke at the 92nd St. Y.  Most recently, when my colleagues and I produced "Voices of a Young People's History of the United States," hosting actors who brought the words of some often-forgotten historical figures to life on stage.  You can hear his intro to the evening by clicking on the top photo of my sidebar.  The Y, in fact, hosted the first of over 60 performances of A People’s History of the United States in 2003- that performance featured Alice Walker, James Earl Jones, Marisa Tomei, Kurt Vonnegut, Danny Glover and many others and can be seen here.   Below, I've compiled a few favorite quotes.

The memory of oppressed people is one thing that cannot be taken away, and for such people, with such memories, revolt is always an inch below the surface.

We need to decide that we will not go to war, whatever reason is conjured up by the politicians or the media, because war in our time is always indiscriminate, a war against innocents, a war against children.

Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.

 Historically, the most terrible things - war, genocide, and slavery - have resulted not from disobedience, but from obedience.

What matters most is not who is sitting in the White House, but "who is sitting in" -- and who is marching outside the White House, pushing for change.

If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.

Ten Things I Learned from Gretchen Rubin

Have you seen Gretchen Rubin’s blog “The Happiness Project” ?  I've follwed it for a little over a year now and was excited to learn that she was writing a book.  Now I had an actual professional reason for arranging to meet her in person!  What a relief (but not a surprise) to find out that not only is she extremely nice and down-to-earth, but open to doing an event with us! I read her book while on vacation and now see that the book holds the #2 spot on the New York Times bestseller list.


The book is part memoir, part self-help manual, and I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t find something useful in it. She says it many times: “Everyone’s Happiness Project is different” – so she's very clear that what works for her may not work for you. Some things, however -- like sleep -- are pretty universal. How can you be happy if you don’t get enough? Tired people are not happy.

Below are a few other tips that I’ve gleaned from her toolbox – most of them already tried and endorsed.


1. Show up for friends and relatives. How many times have you complained about going somewhere, but went anyway, and felt really glad you did afterwards? This happened to me last summer with a family reunion in Ohio. Most of these relatives I hadn’t seen since I was little. We had to travel miles and miles to get there (and there was more than a little grumbling), but it was great for my kids to meet some of their long lost relatives. I saw it as a way to honor my grandmother's memory by reuniting with her brothers and sisters. What surprisingly fun event have you been to recently?

2. Forget about results.  When I read blogs from other gardeners who are weighing and documenting the pounds and pounds of produce they’ve cultivated, it’s hard not to feel like I’m doing something wrong. When I remind myself that it’s the learning, the process, the trial and error, and even the failure that makes the experience enjoyable, I don’t feel as bad. And "Garden Amnesia,” as they say, “ensures eternal hope.” What results are you too preoccupied with?

3. Enthusiasm is a form of social courage.  I love Gretchen’s story about her friend who “came out” with her love for Barry Manilow.   I love bluegrass, clogging, and country step dancing. What “uncool” thing do you finally have the courage to admit that you like? You may find a kindred spirit.

4. Help people think big.  One of my friends is single and thinking about adopting a baby. This person would make such an amazing parent – and I tell her all the time. Even though she has major reservations and obstacles to tackle, it feels wonderful to encourage her. Are you helping anyone who is thinking big right now?

5. Wanting to be happy isn’t selfish. Research shows that happy people are more altruistic, productive, helpful, likable, creative, resiliant, interested in others, friendlier and healthier. Working on your own happiness has great potential to improve the lives of those around you.

6. Strong social bonds indicate happiness- for close long-term relationships, you need to be able to confide in others. You need to feel like you belong. Community theatre is awesome for creating these kinds of bonds. Is there a group that you’re happy to be a part of? People you can confide in?

7. Don’t take yourself too seriously. When I was a kid I had a poster with this motto on my bathroom door. As a teenager, I really think it helped me put things in perspective and worry less by reading it once a day.

8. Sing in the morning. Have you ever heard the sayings “When mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.” or “You’re only as happy as your unhappiest child” ? We forget that our moods are contagious and mornings set the tone for everyone’s day. I can always guage my son’s mood by his hum. (Though I can't be counted on to utter much of anything before coffee.)

9. Create an atmosphere of growth – start a blog. I am living proof that one doesn’t need any kind of special technology skills to start a blog. It’s been an amazing way to meet people with similar interests, get feedback (and yes, some criticism) on my projects and share updates with the Relatives in Far Flung States.  And as Gretchen reminds us, if you do something wrong on the blog, it's not a disaster.  If you haven’t started a blog yet, what’s holding you back??!

and finally this --maybe my favorite.....

10. Cut people some slack.  People's lives are more complicated than they seem, and situations that we're not aware of often influence actions that we might judge more harsely than we should.  (If you doubt this, you should read the short story "A Small Good Thing" by Raymond Carver - it completely changed how I look at human relationships.)  A forgiving heart is a happier one.

Do you have any happiness tips to share?

Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including the bestselling Forty Ways to Look at Winston Churchill and Forty Ways to Look at JFK. Rubin began her career in law, and she was clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor when she realized that she really wanted to be a writer. Raised in Kansas City, she lives in New York City with her husband and two young daughters.

Gretchen is speaking at the 92nd St. Y on February 9.

Collecting The Night Before Christmas

from Richard Jesse Watson

Did you know that the famous poem by Dr. Clement C. Moore had a huge part in defining the “Santa” tradition in the U.S.? He was a native New Yorker who wrote it for his children in 1822 and titled it “A Visit from St. Nicholas.”  Before the poem was published, St. Nicholas, the patron saint of children, had never been associated with reindeers, chimneys and a sleigh full of toys.

Even now, as my kids outgrow their belief in Santa, they still love reading the poem leading up to and on Christmas Eve, and each year we come close to memorizing it, only to forget it by the following December. My first copy might have been this one, done in cloth, that E got when she was a baby.

Here I am, thinking I had a very antique copy of the poem here. Actually, it's a reproduction from the New York Public Library. Look how Santa is dressed in this edition!

This version by the renowned pop-up artist Robert Sabuda quickly followed.

That got us hooked on collecting new versions, by different illustrators. It’s fun to see the different interpretations. Below, Jane Chambless.

Did you have any books when you were a kid that were illustrated by Leonard Weisgard? The Caldecott award winner was preeminent in his day – maybe best known for the many classic Golden Books he illustrated, and his collaborations with Margaret Wise Brown.

Speaking of Margaret Wise Brown, does this illustration from Grandma Moses remind you of another famous room in a children's storybook?

Bruce Whatley gets the reindeer award.

Some other favorites...

Check out the outstanding cutouts in this one by Niroot Puttapipat.

And here is another one by Grandma Moses.

By Matt Tavares

This edition from Chronicle Books, features lots of classics from bygone eras.

I have a few editions on my wish list: those by Tasha Tudor and Jesse Wilcox Smith. Maybe there are others I’m missing? Wouldn't it be great to have one by Edward Gorey, Dr. Seuss or Elizabeth Sayles?  And I wonder, if you could have one illustrated by an artist of your choice, who would it be?

Would you believe my youngest wore this getup to school today?

Wishing you all the happiness
the season will allow.