Charming Entertainment

My family and friends can tell you that I am passionate about history. I wouldn't go so far as to call myself a history buff, but I do love books, television shows, movies, and plays of a historical nature. Whether the setting is of the recent past as with AMC's Mad Men, a bit further back with regency era Jane Austen adaptations, or further still with HBO's Rome, a historical setting has the power to enthrall me. Of course as with all entertainment certain examples far outshine others in their excellence and I have seen some stinkers. Here is a list of my favorites for you to wade through at your leisure, some will be familiar but I hope that a few will be delightful surprises.

Miss Marple
(Masterpiece Mystery, ongoing)

~Photo credit, Amazon~

Agatha Christie's Miss Marple series centers around a sweet and very shrewd woman who solves the many crimes committed around her. Set in the 1930s and 1940s, the sets and costumes are beautiful and lush. Although the character has been played by many women I am partial to Julia McKenzie's performance.

The Tender Trap
(1955)


~Photo credit, Films In Review~

A funny witty comedy starring Frank Sinatra and a young Debbie Reynolds. If you like dialogue that is full of double meaning and fast paced humor this is a movie for you. Look out for the beautiful mid century sets (most especially the apartment that Sinatra's Character lives in).

Some Like It Hot
(1959

~Photo credit Bryn Mawr online archives~

Arguably one of the greatest comedies of all time, Some Like It Hot has stood the test of time. Set in the 1920s, the story centers around a couple of musicians, Jack Lemon and Tony Curtis, who witness a mob murder and are forced into hiding as a couple of female band members; hilarity ensues.

Breakfast at Tiffany's
(1961)


~Photo credit, The Cinema Source~

Ok ok, I realize that it's hardly news that Breakfast at Tiffany's is fabulous and adored. It's entry here is only a friendly reminder to watch it again if it's been awhile.

Sense and Sensibility
(1995)

~Photo credit, Amazon~

I will start out by saying that I am a Jane Austen fan. I know that it's not for everyone, but those of you who can lose themselves in the intricate language and fantasy of it all will appreciate my recommendation. This adaptation of Sense and Sensibility is by far my favorite. The screenplay, written by Emma Thompson who is surprisingly an English Literature scholar, is quite good. The cinematography is beautiful and the story is engaging.

Rear Window
(1954)

~Photo credit, About.com~

Stylish, suspenseful, and beautifully shot, this is Hitchcock at his very best. Stewart and Kelly give wonderful performances and the sets are exquisitely crafted. A perfect movie for people who enjoy a thrill but don't want to be scared half to death.

The Mating Season
(1951)

~Photo credit, Rick's Place~

A delightful and funny story about a couple of people from different backgrounds who impulsively marry. The girl is rich, the boy is poor, and the mother is mistaken for a housekeeper. Funny, touching, and worth a watch.

Emma

(2009 BBC)

~Photo credit, Broadcast Now~

Although this latest Jane Austin adaptation of Emma brought to us by the BBC has gotten some bad reviews, I thought that it was delightful. Romola Garai delivers one of the most charming performance as Emma to date and it's worth a watch for that reason alone. Not yet on DVD, I did manage to find a torrent of it to download and it should be more readily available soon.

More to come...

Carrot Ginger Soup

This recipe for carrot soup was born from my need to get rid of 3 lbs of carrots. The dish is hearty and warming on a cold day and relatively easy to make. Unlike many pureed soups, my version of carrot soup is not filled with cream and butter and relies instead on stock and whole milk to produce a texture that is velvety and satisfying.

INGREDIENTS
3 lbs whole carrots
1 quart whole milk
1 1/2 quarts vegetable stock
1/3 cup white wine
1 tsp grated nutmeg
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp sea salt
1 hunk fresh ginger root (about 1" wide x 2" long)
1 large clove garlic

1. Fill a large pot with water, cover, and bring to boil.
2. In the meantime wash and remove stems for all the carrots and cut into thirds.
3. Once water is boiling fill pot with carrots and cook until fork tender.
4. Use a blender to combine carrots and stock (little by little) until a creamy consistency has been reached.
5. Return carrot mixture to large pot (after discarding cooking water) and turn heat to medium low.
6. At this point add the milk (little by little with continual stirring) and gently simmer until combined.
7. Add all the spices, the garlic (minced), and the ginger root (add whole after peeling and scoring surface with a sharp knife), and the wine.
8. Continue to cook over low heat until flavors are combined.
9. Before serving adjust seasoning to taste (I added more nutmeg and salt).
10. Garnish with fresh ground pepper, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt, and toast points.

~Serves 6-8 as a side~

Wish List Wednesday

~Custom cashmere coat in cream, YYStudio via Etsy, $368~

~Black suede heel, Urban Outfitters, $49.99~

~Grey wool cardigan, Anthropologie, $128~

Home Tip Tuesday (fall leaves as mulch)

Raking is not my favorite activity. This time of year when it seems as if the number of leaves on each tree triples before hitting the ground, my neighbors and I are faced with piles upon piles of raked leaves. Although most people leave their piles for the city to haul and turn into compost, I use my leaves to insulate and bolster the soil around the trees and shrubs in my yard. As the leaves decompose under the snow they leave their nutrients behind for the plants to enjoy. This year think about using some of your fall leaves as a plant bolstering mulch.

Magazine Monday (holiday tree)

~Photo credit ReadyMade Magazine~

ReadyMade Magazine, which is published 6 times per year is a great resource for DIY projects. If you can't get your hands on the magazine, the website is the next best thing. Full of projects and photos submitted by readers and fans, the galleries are brimming with inspiration and ideas. I found this particular idea especially charming and perfect for small spaces just in time for the holiday season. I am one of those people who gears up for Christmas gradually and over a long period of time. Look for more great holiday decor ideas in the weeks (and months ha!) to come as I get ready to host the family holiday celebrations (both Thanksgiving and Christmas).

Halloween 2009

The Pumpkins

James carved the grinning face, I did the bat, and the moon and star was a collaboration. Our designs were not intricate or impressive but they were fun and easy to make and delighted our trick-or-treaters.

The Costume

Dressed as Eleanor from Jane Austin's Sense and Sensibility. I made the costume myself out of thrift store finds and bits of this and that with the help of my trusty sewing machine. I love Halloween as a time of year to live a little fantasy and historical characters have always intrigued me.

~Hope you all had a terrific Halloween~

Bean Salad with Mustard Vinaigrette

This bean salad is an easy dish that makes for a great meal when served with soup. You can also make it as an appetizer or side and serve it with crusty bread. White northern beans can be substituted in place of the butter beans and will yield a similar texture and flavor (kidney beans are another option but will result in a slightly more robust taste).

INGREDIENTS

1 14oz can butter beans
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 1bsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp mustard (I like stone ground)
1 cup fresh flat leaf parsley
1 cup diced cucumber
1 large minced garlic clove
2 cups chopped tomatoes
feta (for garnish)
ground pepper

1. In a medium sized mixing bowl whisk together the mustard, vinegar, olive oil, and garlic until creamy and combined.
2. Add in the beans (strained and rinsed), the tomatoes, and the cucumbers and allow to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.
3. Serve with chopped fresh parsley, feta, and fresh ground pepper.

~SERVES 2 (as a main part of dinner) or 4 (as a side or appetizer)~

Friday Web Roundup (Halloween edition)

Martha Stewart owl pumpkin carving project
~Photo credit, Martha Stewart~

This pumpkin drink bowl was found in a roundup of Halloween entertaining ideas over at the Kitchn. The complete list includes ideas for recipes and decorations.

~Photo credit Martha Stewart~

For those of you who wait until the last minute to figure out a Halloween costume take heart. Jessica Schroeder over at What I Wore has compiled a number of DIY Halloween costume ideas and you probably have most of the necessary items in your closet.

~Photo credit What I Wore~

~Happy Friday Everyone~

Apple Tart

Fruit tarts are my all time absolute favorite desserts. I like crust but the fruit is definitely the best part and for that reason I prefer tarts to pies. This apple tart is basically an apple pie with less crust and more spices.

FOR CRUST

1 stick of cold unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups finely milled flour (sifted)
1/3 cup ice cold water
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground cinnamon

• Into a medium mixing bowl sift flour and then add cinnamon, salt, and butter (cut into small pieces). Use a pastry cutter or fork to work the mixture together until it is the consistency of wet sand.
• Alternate adding little splashes of cold water and working the dough with your hands until it forms a solid mass.
• Continue to work the dough until it is completely combined and smooth. Form it into a ball, cover with parchment paper and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (up to overnight).
• Lightly butter or oil a 9" tart pan (with removable bottom, although you could use a pie pan if that's all you have) and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• On parchment paper, roll out chilled dough to 1" larger than tart or pie pan.

• Flip dough over and fit over pan. Gently peel off the parchment paper and press dough into pan. Trim any overhang.

• Bake with pie weights (or you can cut a fresh piece of parchment, place it over the tart, and weight the top with a glass pie pan or other heavy oven proof dish) until flaky and golden (20-30 minutes depending on oven).

• Remove from oven, take weights and parchment off, and set aside to cool completely (on a wire rack or something similar to prevent a soggy crust bottom).

FOR FILLING

1/3 cup sugar (I used finely milled organic sugar)
4 cups peeled and thinly sliced apples (about 6-7 small apples)
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp butter

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  
• Toss all ingredients (except the butter) together in a large bowl to coat apples.
• Arrange apples into desired pattern into cooled tart crust, dot with butter, and bake for 35-40 minutes.

• In the last 10 minutes of the baking cover the tart loosely with foil (to steam and completely soften apples).
• When apples are fork tender and glistening removed tart from oven and cool for about 20 minutes over a wire rack before removing from pan and serving.
  

~Serves 8~

Wish List Wednesday

~Whistle locket vintage necklace, BasilTheCat via Etsy, $30~

~Vintage baking tin (set of 3), Hindsvik via Etsy, $25~

~Knitted pillow, TheLongestYarn via Etsy, $45~