starboard clothing co. -toile bow tie

Another cottage industry tie maker you may/not have heard of, Charleston Clothing Co. Hard to find toile bow ties, but they have them. Look good. $45.

whole larder love -gets cooking

Rohan Anderson of Whole Larder Love gets busy with a pesto made from gone-by rocket (called arugula in the US) and local (that is Australian) cheese and other ingredients. Fantastic. This guy is publishing a tabletop book of his blog but I'll say it again, thinking a cooking show might be in order as well...

no one regifts liquor

#damnstraight #truth #packagestore Part of an ongoing series. All thriller no filler...

parenting -wool/cotton johnny

From LLBean for the groms. Outer of wool for warmth and cotton layer inside for comfort. Put this uniuonsuit under a snowsuit and they'll ride snow all day. #camoboom

in the blood

In The Blood is a film & live exhibit/show illustrating turn-of-the-century Maine lumbermen & river drivers. If you follow 10engines you'll know this is a favourite subject of mine, and have to say this is one of the the best productions of this sort I've seen.

ITB is ostensibly a documentary featuring interviews with retired loggers laid over uncommon archival footage and photos of rivermen and activities in the camp. If you have seen From Stump To Ship it is that on steroids, taking every advantage of technology but respectfully. The filmmaker Sumner McKane, also exhibits the movie as a show with live music; a few left if you live in Maine -check listings.

that christmas eve cocktail party look

Soon it will be that certain winter evening in December and everyone headed out to the small church in the middle of town. One stop sign provides all the traffic control needed. Licorice keeps the small ones quiet. The Christmas "story" that night might be from Kermit's playbook. "The Orange" discusses the novelty and treat of oranges in rural New England in the 1940s and 1950s. One would have the wrap them in a blanket on the sleigh ride home so they would not freeze, but when that orange zest sprayed into the air you can imagine the freshness that would explode in a midwinter kitchen.

Afterwards the congregation heads to someone's house for food and drink. Is it our turn this year? Hope someone brings devilled eggs. You'll be dashing in an out of the house, and maybe pushing someone out of a snowy ditch so bring your gloves. One year I wore kelly green pants and Weejuns, no socks. Latest about 2 minutes... If you stay up late enough you can go out to the barn and see if the animals start to talk at midnight.