What a fabulous party the Brandywine River Museum volunteers threw on Friday evening to kick off the annual antique show! But we reporters are supposed to supply readers with telling details rather than just giving our opinions, so here goes:
1. The food: Mini-Reuben sandwiches and crab cakes. Bacon-wrapped scallops. Turkey, roast beef and sushi stations. Fingerling potatoes and green beans. Meatballs. Grapes with gorgonzola and walnuts. Spinach triangles. Mini-quiches. Honey cake. Peanut butter and chocolate brownies. Cherry cheesecake.
2. The people: I think it's safe to say that I have a wide variety of social acquaintances, and my date for the evening pretty much makes a living by knowing lots of people. We found ourselves in conversations about everything from the perils of historical research to the joys of mid-life romance. I didn't realize that so many of my friends were River Museum volunteers; it was so nice to chat with some ladies I hadn't seen in ages!
3. The antiques: They were, of course, exquisite. There seemed to be a lot of Rose Medallion pieces for sales, including a couple of stunning punch bowls. There were two foxhunting prints that I really liked. In one of them a woman in a green habit, riding side-saddle, was looking back with disdain at a fellow who had just come off his steed. The other was a post-hunt scene, and an exhausted-looking male rider was mopping his brow; the woman still looked perfectly fresh and mud-free. Perhaps the most unusual piece was an Italian cross-bow with beautiful inlay work; I can't say I've ever seen a cross-bow at an antiques show before.
Add in a warm evening, cold beverages, amazing flowers (done by the volunteers!) and an exquisite setting -- What do you think? Have I made my case?
Saturday, May 26, 2012
Bring out the Hellman's
Planning a summer BBQ? Apparently you do NOT need to worry that your guests will come down with food poisoning from spoiled mayonnaise if you serve potato salad or egg salad on a hot day.
This morning a few of us met to decide on the menu for a July picnic for our nonprofit group. Someone suggested potato salad, and predictably someone else raised a concern about food safety. The certified food handler in the group then surprised us all by saying that, yes, back in the old days when people whipped up their own mayo with raw eggs, safety was a concern. But modern commercial mayonnaise, because it contains vinegar, won't spoil in the sun in a few hours.
I did an Internet search and found an excellent interview on NPR's website about this topic with Michael Doyle, a professor of microbiology and direction of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia.
This morning a few of us met to decide on the menu for a July picnic for our nonprofit group. Someone suggested potato salad, and predictably someone else raised a concern about food safety. The certified food handler in the group then surprised us all by saying that, yes, back in the old days when people whipped up their own mayo with raw eggs, safety was a concern. But modern commercial mayonnaise, because it contains vinegar, won't spoil in the sun in a few hours.
I did an Internet search and found an excellent interview on NPR's website about this topic with Michael Doyle, a professor of microbiology and direction of the Center for Food Safety at the University of Georgia.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Fleece
I have a blue Polarfleece pullover from L.L. Bean that I wear pretty much every day from fall until summer. It's cozy. It's soft. It's warm. It has a spacious zippered pocket for my phone. I can get dirt or pet hair on it or spill things on it and the stains wash out perfectly.
Halfway through the winter a friend who I see often noticed my fondness for the jacket.
"How many of those do you own?" she asked curiously. (Only two.)
Alas, familiarity breeds contempt: she now gets close to apoplectic when she sees me wearing it for the umpteenth time. She is threatening to burn it, or to bury it, or to use it in some arcane ritual.
I think I'd better stash it in the closet til September.
Halfway through the winter a friend who I see often noticed my fondness for the jacket.
"How many of those do you own?" she asked curiously. (Only two.)
Alas, familiarity breeds contempt: she now gets close to apoplectic when she sees me wearing it for the umpteenth time. She is threatening to burn it, or to bury it, or to use it in some arcane ritual.
I think I'd better stash it in the closet til September.
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Entertainment
Via a historical charity I'm involved in, I received a promotional postcard from "Levram the Great, Colonial Conjurer." Levram, who lives in Exton, dresses up in old-fashioned garb and puts on an "authentically appointed" 18th-century magic show: "Levram is a simple-minded conjurer who has performed for heads of state (as well as their feet)."
I have to say, it looks like it might be fun -- and from a business point of view, I have to commend him for having a mailing list extensive enough to reach me. Those of you who are in charge of organizing events might want to take a look at his website: www.timand.com.
Speaking of entertainment, I was at a Cinco de Mayo business-association party a few weeks back where they had a psychic reader. Three of the women at my table bolted their food and then got in line to consult this woman. Me? Not so much: all I needed to know was that my future included some excellent Mexican food and Corona.
I have to say, it looks like it might be fun -- and from a business point of view, I have to commend him for having a mailing list extensive enough to reach me. Those of you who are in charge of organizing events might want to take a look at his website: www.timand.com.
Smoothies
For months a pal has been raving about the kale smoothies at the Produce Place, which is in the Country Butcher shopping center. So when we were out running errands this morning and she suggested I try one, I agreed. I'm glad I did. Wow, was it tasty! The guy behind the counter mixed it up fresh in a blender: kale (which gives it its green hue), apple cider, agave, ice, whey powder and a few other healthful ingredients. They have several other fruity varieties that I am eager to try as well.
Squished
This will not be news to those of you who work in the Great Valley Corporate Center or frequent the malls at King of Prussia, but the latest phase of the Route 202 construction involves channeling the two eastbound lanes between concrete barriers with no shoulders, starting at about the Route 29 interchange. It's a tad claustrophobic, and the guy in front of me this afternoon seemed to be testing how close he could get to the barrier. The speed limit through the construction zone is supposed to be 45.
(If you're up that way, I recommend the Kabab Cafe in the Gateway Shopping Center. I had their falafel platter, with rice, pita bread, a grilled tomato and fruit salad. Tasty and inexpensive, and excellent service.)
(If you're up that way, I recommend the Kabab Cafe in the Gateway Shopping Center. I had their falafel platter, with rice, pita bread, a grilled tomato and fruit salad. Tasty and inexpensive, and excellent service.)
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Band
Yesterday I went to the young relative's elementary-school spring band concert. I really enjoyed the Stomp-style number, where the percussionists pounded away on trash cans and buckets, and the cute baseball piece performed by the whole ensemble.
But what also struck me was the obvious rapport and warmth between even the smallest children and the school principal. He knelt down and chatted with some of the kindergarteners; he joined in the laughter and applause; he congratulated the musicians for their hard work. In contrast, I remember my elementary-school principal being a formidable presence who NEVER interacted with us and only rarely left his office. I think this is a welcome change!
But what also struck me was the obvious rapport and warmth between even the smallest children and the school principal. He knelt down and chatted with some of the kindergarteners; he joined in the laughter and applause; he congratulated the musicians for their hard work. In contrast, I remember my elementary-school principal being a formidable presence who NEVER interacted with us and only rarely left his office. I think this is a welcome change!
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