November 2013 – Poole Party of 5

We have stood at the bus stop for approximately 59 days so far this fall. Give or take… For the foreseeable future the bus stop will be part of our everyday life. Four of us (mom and three kiddos) trek outside each morning at 8:34, no matter the weather. As a stay-at-home mom of babies, there was little need to get outside – we could stay cozy inside on those rainy, nasty days, drinking hot cocoa and reading stories. Now, we all go outside with our kindergartner and wave him off, wishing him a successful day away from us.

Sam has transitioned just fine to riding the bus, the element I hadn’t thought about was bus stop style. Whereas in years past, I could throw on some Uggs for the quick drive to preschool, suede is totally impractical for the muddy, rainy days of Seattle (of course as I write it is a gloriously beautiful, sunny, clear and cold day!). Anyhow, on those rainy days, I have been challenged to find the “just right” footwear for our quick, daily trip out into the elements.

I have a hypothesis. It goes something like this… The people who are happiest in their environment (whatever that may be), have figured out how to dress for it and be comfortable. We moved to Seattle 11 years ago (Gasp! I can’t believe it has been that long!) and since then I have been trying to figure out how to be most comfortable in this mild, yet damp place. Hunter boots and Patagonia jackets have been successful steps towards Seattle comfort in varying degrees. But this week I think I figured it out. Eureka!!

There is an L.L.Bean tradition in our family that goes back to my husband’s Maine roots. We named both our dogs after this particular northeast retailer, respectively Leo (after Leon Leonwood Bean – L.L. Bean) and Ella Bean. As we have made our life on the west coast, this is a small nod to our extensive roots that exist on the other coast. When Gus and I first got together I became obsessed with the L.L.Bean Tote, . Every summer when visiting family back east, we would get a new one with some new monogram. Eventually our home reached a saturation point on those totes, but they are used heavily to this day and are still one of my favorite gifts to give. My newest L.L.Bean passion is for the classic Bean Boot. I think it was created specifically for the PNW Bus Stop. I just ordered a pair of the classic 6″ style and I couldn’t be more excited for them to arrive (and for the rain to begin again so that I can give them a try)!

I found a fun Bean Boots guide on The College Prepster. It gave me the courage to add these to my Bus Stop look! I went with the classic 6″ – which pair would you choose? Maybe add them to a holiday wishlist and let Your LL Bean Boyfriend know that these could make your winter “just right”!

Moccasins | They’re great for slipping into on lazy mornings and wearing with patterned socks when it’s cold.

Gumshoes | These are a great pick if you’re not sure what size to get. They’re low. And easy. A great medium between the 6″ and the mocs.

6″ | Perfect for slouchy socks and tucking into skinny jeans. I like that these are definitely made more for the elements.

8″ | If you’re in a snowier climate, you might consider the higher boot. I personally think the six inches feel more comfortable and hit my leg at a better point, but you definitely get more pant coverage with the eight inchers!

You may be familiar with Your LL Bean Boyfriend on Tumblr. It was created by a fellow Mainer, Liz Pride and is hilarious. She pulls photos from the LL.Bean catalogs and creates dialogue with them as though it is your ideal man saying something dreamy. It is something Gus and I particularly enjoy, because of these L.L.Bean connections and history. Pretty brilliant actually.

“I just chopped more wood for the wood pile,” Patrick said. “If we get snowed in, we’re prepared.”

Before I’d even woken up, Liam had already raked the yard and was in his workshop refurbishing some chairs for his parents. I brought him out some coffee to reward his hard work and he took me into his arms. “You’re all the reward I need,” he whispered.

“Let’s go check out the foliage by the river trail,” Mitchell said. “We can pick up some apple cider doughnuts to take with us too.”

I see now that Liz is doing a female take on the award winning, Your LL Bean Boyfriend, with Your LL Bean Girlfriend…”She’ll serve you pancakes with the maple syrup she tapped herself. Can’t beat that.” I think these Bean Boots move me a couple steps closer to fitting the profile of Gus’ LL Bean Wife… Here’s hoping!

Happy Fall!

PS: If a buyer from L.L.Bean reads this, please know that my LL Bean husband would do practically anything for you to make Bean Boots in a size 16. Pretty, pretty please…

IF THE BITTER CUP CANNOT BE PASSED, DRINK IT AND BE STRONG

Jeffrey R. Holland

November has arrived and we need a little restart here on the blog. September and October were surprisingly busy and I am trying like heck to keep up with my life. I am also noticing that a different sort of drink is calling my name these days. As the leaves turn and fall off the trees, one of the warm-ups I relish is a lovely, mixed cocktail. This is a bit of a departure for me, as in the past I would have called myself a wine or beer drinker, but last winter I discovered rye whiskey and a fabulous cocktail from Zig Zag Cafe, called a Blessed Event. And it is just that… I was inspired to look at this drink a bit more closely and try to recreate it at home.

Over the last twenty years, both wineries and breweries experienced a surge in popularity and now it appears to be the distillery’s turn for a time in the spotlight. Distilleries are popping up all over the Pacific Northwest, as well as a revival of prohibition-style speakeasy bars, specializing in the “craft cocktail”. As we enter the season for entertaining, I recommend adding classic cocktails to your party menus. A well-stocked bar is easy to pull together, as long as you have a few ideas of what cocktails you are ready to make for your thirsty guests!

Bitters are an ingredient in many of these classic cocktails that I had never spent much time thinking about, but they are an intriguing element to be sure. With only a dash or two, bitters can transform your craft cocktail, adding warmth, complexity, and dimension. For a full description of bitters, head over to The Kitchn for their conversation on All About Bitters. Last winter it came to my attention that it is possible to make bitters. My curiosity was immediately piqued and I tried it. Over the course of a couple of weeks, I made my own bitters using wonderfully aromatic ingredients like orange peel, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. Although I made this during the summer months, I kept thinking how perfect it would be come autumn. (Scroll down to see the recipe for orange bitters and the accompanying photos). But, if a cocktail is what you seek, we’ll start there…

As I mentioned above, this fall has been a crazy one. We have been getting used to the schedule of kindergarten, and this has been admittedly tougher than I thought it would be. I’d like to raise a glass to the fact that we are two months into this new elementary school gig and all members of the Poole household are here to tell about it. Sometimes it is just important to celebrate the fact that you are surviving. So, without further ado… three “bitter” cocktails that you can raise your respective glass to:

Part 1: Cocktail Recipes

1) The Classic Manhatten

This classic cocktail was my grandmother’s favorite. Listing it here is a nod to her and how eminently hip she was.

1 3/4 ounces rye whiskey or bourbon

2/3 ounce sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica formula is my favorite)

dash of bitters (homemade orange bitters, recipe below, was used)

maraschino cherry or twist of lemon (my grandmother always drank hers, “Up with a twist.”)

2) Blessed Event

As I mentioned above, this is my current fave. The renowned bartender, Erik Hakinen, at Zig Zag Cafe is credited with its creation, as a twist on the classic Boulevardier.

1 ounce rye whiskey

3/4 ounce sweet vermouth (Carpano Antica formula)

3/4 ounce Campari

1/2 ounce lemon juice

3) Soda with Bitters

I loved the article written about the refreshing nature of this simple beverage found here on The Kitchn. Bitters are known to have a medicinal quality and they add a light and refreshing, yet complex addition to a glass of soda.

Dash or two of bitters (Peychaud’s brand preferred)

Soda water

Wedge of lemon or orange

Cheers!

Part 2: Making Orange Bitters

Orange Bitters

2 oranges
1 bottle (750 ml.) Everclear* (grain alcohol)
10 cardamom pods
2 whole star anise pods
3 cinnamon sticks (each 2 1/2 in.)
1 teaspoon whole cloves
1 tablespoon plus 1 tsp. chopped fresh ginger
1 cup sugar

Preparation

Preheat oven to 250°. Remove zest from oranges with a vegetable peeler and put zest on a baking sheet (save fruit for another use). Bake until zest dries, starts to curl up, and begins to brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool.
Put all ingredients except sugar in a 1-qt. glass jar and seal tightly. Let sit in a cool, dark place for 2 weeks.
Strain liquid through cheesecloth into a 1 1/2- to 2-qt. glass jar (save spice flavorings) and set aside. Put flavorings in a small saucepan with 2 cups water. Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Set aside.
Cook sugar in a small saucepan over medium-high heat, lifting and shaking pan occasionally, until sugar caramelizes and turns deep amber, 8 to 10 minutes. Pour caramel into liquid in pan (it will bubble furiously and may firm up). If needed, return pan to medium heat and cook, stirring, for a few minutes until caramel melts again.
Set pan in a bowl of ice water until liquid is cold, about 10 minutes. Pour into jar with first infusion. Seal and let stand in a dark place 5 days.
Strain final mixture through cheesecloth into a glass measuring cup and discard flavorings. Divide bitters into small jars and seal tightly.
Make ahead: Up to 1 year, chilled.
Bottle it: 7.5-in. clear glass bottles

I am so excited to have tried this DIY recipe. It turned out beautifully and some of you will be receiving it this winter for Christmas. Now, you will, potentially, know what to do with it!!

Month: November 2013

Bean Boots and the Bus Stop

Moccasins | They’re great for slipping into on lazy mornings and wearing with patterned socks when it’s cold.

Gumshoes | These are a great pick if you’re not sure what size to get. They’re low. And easy. A great medium between the 6″ and the mocs.

6″ | Perfect for slouchy socks and tucking into skinny jeans. I like that these are definitely made more for the elements.

8″ | If you’re in a snowier climate, you might consider the higher boot. I personally think the six inches feel more comfortable and hit my leg at a better point, but you definitely get more pant coverage with the eight inchers!

Bitters

IF THE BITTER CUP CANNOT BE PASSED, DRINK IT AND BE STRONG