The Storybook Home Journal

Many Apologies for a Somewhat Distressing Emergency

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:00:00 +0000

It has just been brought to our attention that our manufacturer inadvertently printed a proof copy of our Winter issue of The Storybook Home, instead of the completed, camera-ready version. We wish we could say that, as with stamps where the image is printed upside-down, that it will increase the value of the artifact in years to come and that you can put your great-grandchildren through Harvard on the proceeds; all we can say, however, is that we will ship all subscribers the correct copy of Rachel Ray within the week. We appreciate your patience in this matter, and wish to thank those of you who brought this mistake to our attention.

The painting, above, by Auguste Tolmouche, expresses our feelings at this time.

Our Winter Issue

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:53:00 +0000

Our Winter issue featuring Anthony Trollope's endearing Victorian-Valentine-of-a-Romance, Rachel Ray, is on its way, speeding to subscribers' mailboxes. It features every "batter-cake"--from barley to buckwheat--the eccentricities and chic of an 1860s ballroom, how to be "clever in little comforts" like dear Rachel, herself, a new sheet music arrangement in honor of Trollope's heroine, a discussion of literature and home life, and much, much more. (Available for $5, plus shipping.)

Playing At "Miss Potter"

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:38:00 +0000

By Elspeth Young

Spending a "Sawrey Summer with Beatrix Potter" last year, inspired my pen. While working on that issue's Hearth article, I had the pleasurable experience of learning firsthand from the whimsey of Miss Potter's artistry and visual cleverness. The article featured a pen-and-ink and watercolor lesson encapsulating what I'd learned by studying her work--Peter Rabbit in particular. I little dreamed, however, that I'd be back at it again this year, creating my own original pen-and-ink productions for a new series of publications by my father which are soon-to-come, but so it is.

Subscribers and readers know all about Seymore Wainscott--colonial historian (and mouse)--the serialized "Writer's Garret" portion printed in the Journal since our Persuasion issue in 2006, but at last, Seymore is setting sail in his own volumes. Together with my father and brother, Ashton, I am privileged to add some artistic scribblings of my own to the myriad illustrations for the project. Below is a sneak peek of my latest work (Seymore, himself is pictured center, 17th century Dutch colonists, below). Click here for more about the Wainscott project.

Home Quotes: 'And I adore anyone who adores anyone who adores Emerson. Your turn.'

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

"We have a debt to every great heart, to every fine genius; to those who have put life and fortune on the cast of an act of justice; to those who have added new sciences; to those who have refined life by elegant pursuits. 'Tis the fine souls who serve us, and not what is called fine society. . .Society wishes to be amused. I do not wish to be amused. I wish that life should not be cheap, but sacred. I wish the days to be as centuries, loaded, fragrant."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Photograph by Elspeth Young

Snowmen for Snow-less Days

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 21:25:00 +0000

With this year’s low snowfall over most of those of us accustomed to freezing flurries and blustery blizzards, there’s little to miss about shoveling walks, navigating slippery roads or tending to frostbitten toes. In the snow-free garden even freeze-dried pansies are pretty and there are delicious days that suggest spring. For those aching to sled or ski or build snowmen, however, this year’s so-far-quiet-winter (with emphasis in Utah on the so far, the snow’s likely to arrive in time to thoroughly white-out the vernal equinox) is a bit of a non-starter.

While we can’t help out those who slide or slalom, we can do a little something for those whose mittens lay idling in anticipation of reviving Frosty. A pound or more of any favorite medium rich bread dough (the recipe on page 21 in the Heidi’s Christmas journal issue, for example, makes dough that’s a perfect consistency) along with the following process, and Frosty’s back in town—at least until after dinner. And no wooly mittens or galoshes required.

These are mini-loaf sized breads great to serve for supper with warming soups or hefty chef salads. Each one requires about 6 to 8 ounces of dough--everyone can size their own. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, then create the various shapes at the top and assemble as shown in the subsequent photos, above. Place each snowman on a parchment or silicone-covered baking sheet and brush with egg wash. When snowmen are very puffy and about doubled in size (this can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes depending on dough type and room temperature) slide them into the oven and bake until golden brown, around 25 minutes. Cool on racks, then let him melt in your mouth.

Films for "Little Christmas"

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 23:30:00 +0000

Everyone has at least one must-watch holiday film that heightens anticipation, enlivens the season, and simply speaks Christmas to the heart--and most of us probably have several. This pair of "Forgotten Films" is less about paving the way to Christmas morning, then about traveling the sometimes flat days after Christmas, when watching spirits visit Scrooge or angels visit George Bailey suddenly seem part of an exciting past that sadly won't return for another three-hundred-and-sixty-something days.

We love the week between Christmas and New Years, known in some traditions (and ours) as "Little Christmas," when unhurried overtakes hectic and the fridge is full of can't-afford-the-price-or-the-calories-the-rest-of-the-year foods. It's usually during those quieter days that we settle in to enjoy two films that wind down the season seamlessly--providing an essence of Christmas, but free from reindeer, red suits or wrapping paper. And each movie is a perfect match for prosciutto or Parmagiano-Reggiano.

Bachelor Mother begins on Christmas Eve and ends with New Years' Day, but across those handful of days, and in a mere 82 minutes, director Garson Kanin and writer Norman Krasna pack in an impromptu baby adoption, a romance, adventures in childcare, department store politics, a soul-satisfying damaged-merchandise return, a gallant landlady, a stuffy butler, a cocky stock clerk, New Years' Eve on Times Square, a Sunday in the park, and still manage to have multiple opportunities to show off Ginger Rogers' panache on the dance floor. Bachelor Mother is delightful, innocent fun that makes perfect use of the comedic skills of David Niven, Ginger Rogers, and Charles Coburn, as well as those of its admirable supporting cast. It's our favorite film for counting down the hours of the old year.

After seeing Pocketful of Miracles, Ginger Rogers' response to Frank Capra was: "Frank, it's so wonderful! What are you trying to do--bring back movies?"

The film, lacking a big Hollywood-style build-up and given a very short run, failed to meet budget and temporarily languished among the more critically-acclaimed Soulful, Sad, and Meaningful films of the early sixties, but has found a permanent home on the small screen ever since. A remake of Capra's earlier Damon Runyon adaptation Lady for a Day, it's a Cinderella tale of real rags to make-believe riches, street peddlers, small time gangsters, big time mobsters, anxious cops, and Spanish royalty combining to do the miraculous in 1930s New York.

Capra's final film, it's big, splashy, colorful, and nicely sentimental with the added bonus of Edith Head's costuming from a grander, lovelier day. Some Christmas decorations and bits of incidental seasonal music are the only overt ties to Christmas, but it's got a huge, happy Christmas heart that carries out the season comedically and completely. Though Glenn Ford and Hope Lang were anything but Capra's first choices for bootlegger, Dave the Dude, and his girlfriend, Queenie Martin, it's hard to imagine anyone else in their roles. Bette Davis makes her transition from a gin-soaked hag of an apple peddler into a gracious society maven with resounding authenticity, and there are a wide range of outstanding performances by supporting players, though all may be upstaged by Peter Falk in a very early and acrid role as Glenn Ford's gangster lieutenant, wonderfully misnamed "Joy Boy."

Despite the literal headaches its production caused Capra, it's the perfect prescription for post-Christmas viewing.

Happy St. Nicholas Day--An Abridged Hans Brinker Christmastide Countdown

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 00:08:00 +0000

Traditionally our St. Nicholas celebrations have included fat loaves of grattiman (also known as grittibanz in some parts of Switzerland) and when the children were little the writing of letters to Santa to be picked up as he made his St. Nicholas rounds across the planet. But even when there's no time or inclinations for such activities, there's still a part of St. Nicholas festivities that can fit in whatever the demands of the day--the commencement of a seasonal read of one our favorite tales, Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge. Though we sometimes read the book page by page, we generally skip the the lengthy armchair tour and travelogue, and invest our hours (which pass altogether too quickly, by the way) in the story of the Brinker family and their trials and triumphs.

This depiction of a Dutch girl by nineteenth century artist Therese Schwartze seems an ideal image of Gretel Brinker, who Dodge described as "lithe and quick; Gretel's eyes had a dancing light in them, and while you looked at her cheek the color paled and deepened just as it does upon a bed of pink and white blossoms when the wind is blowing."

We've designed this abridged reading to begin today in celebration of St. Nicholas Day and end on the twentieth, the day of the the long awaited race for the silver skates, but it can be expanded or contracted at will. (We usually can't wait and gobble the book up in a few evenings.) There are two chapters per day and all are chronological with the exception of today's reading which jumps ahead to begin with the St. Nicholas celebrations at the home of kindly Hilda van Gleck and then moves back to introduce Hans and Gretel Brinker. One caution, however, concerning the St. Nicholas chapter, there may be some hints about Santa that the reading parent may want to skip in behalf of any starry-eyed tots in the family.

December 6

The Festival of Saint Nicholas

Hans and Gretel

December 7

The Silver Skates

Hans and Gretel Find a Friend

December 8

Shadows in the Home

Sunbeams

December 9

Hans Has His Way

Introducing Jacob Poot and His Cousin

December 10

A Catastrophe

Hans

December 11

Homes

Homeward Bound

December 12

Boys and Girls

The Crisis

December 13

Gretel and Hilda

The Awakening

December 14

Bones and Tongues

A New Alarm

December 15

The Father's Return

The Thousand Guilders

December 16

Glimpses

Looking For Work

December 17

The Fairy Godmother

The Mysterious Watch

December 18

A Discovery

The Race

December 19

Joy in the Cottage

Mysterious Disappearance of Thomas Higgs

December 20

Broad Sunshine

Conclusion

Our favorite edition is the 1918 Hans Brinker (pictured above) because of the delightful illustrations by Maginel Enwright--used copies of which are still easy to find from online sources.

For more ideas about creating a Hans Brinker Christmas, see Vol 4 No 1 of The Storybook Home Journal.

Heidi's Christmas Carols

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:58:00 +0000

By Elspeth Young

Painting by Viggo Johansen

Christmas isn't Christmas without inspiring music, and Heidi's Christmas just wasn't complete without a carol arrangement. Any reader of Heidi knows that carols are never specifically mentioned within the book, but Spyri left ample clues as to her own hymn favorites, and it was just a small step from there to choosing Heidi's very own Christmas carol. Though every translation I've ever seen of Heidi seems to choose different hymns and poetry to replace Johanna Spyri's original choices for the Grandmother's "old prayer-book with beautiful songs," looking at the original German, Spyri was very specific in her choices. Hymns read or recited by Heidi include Die güldne Sonne Voll Freud und Wonne, Kreuz und Elende, and Befiehl Du Deine Wege by Paul Gerhardt, and Gott will's machen, dass die Sachen by Johann Daniel Herrnschmidt--all of 17th and 18th century creation, and all beautiful.

Painting by Franz Skarbina

Inspired by Gerhardt's texts, Tanner and I choose to adapt his Christmas carol, Kommt und laßt uns Christum ehren ("Come and Christ the Lord be Praising"), for voice, keyboard, and flute--leaving the original melody in the keyboard accompaniment, and exploring some pretty polyphony for the voice and flute parts. The sheet music is found on page 22 of Heidi's Christmas. (I was sorely tempted to choose another famous Gerhardt carol, Fröhlich soll mein herze springen, ("All My Heart This Night Rejoices")--a favorite of mine since childhood--but opted for the lesser known text and music, in the hopes of sharing something delightfully new with Journal readers.) Due to space limitations within the Journal itself, we could only include verse one in the sheet music, so we provide more verses, below, to aid in Christmas performances.

The quest for Heidi's carol, however, need not be over. So many beloved carols have their birth (or at least their popularization) in Alpine climbs. My Swiss grandmother has often told me of childhood days she spent beneath the Christmas tree, clasping hands with loved ones, singing traditional carols of Christmas and advent. Inspired by the thought of such Swiss traditions, here are ten German and Swiss-German carols I love, and which Heidi or Klara might easily has enjoyed during the warm glow of Christmas in Frankfurt or Dörfli:

Heidi's Christmas Carols

Illustration by Maria L. Kirk

Alle Jahre wieder

Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen (Lo! How A Rose E'er Blooming)

Ihr Kinderlein kommet (O Come Little Children)

Joseph, lieber, Joseph mein (Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine)

O du Fröhliche (Oh How Joyfully)

O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree)

Still, still, still (Still, Still, Still)

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht (Silent Night)

Vom Himmel hoch

Was isch das für e Nacht

Come, and Christ the Lord Be Praising
English translation by John Kelly, 1867

Come, and Christ the Lord be praising,
Heart and mind to Him be raising,
Celebrate His love amazing,
Worthy folk of Christendom!

See what God for us provideth,
Life that in His Son abideth,
And our weary steps He guideth
From earth's woe to heav'nly joy.

His soul deeply for us feeleth
He His love to us revealeth,
He who in the heavens dwelleth
Came to save us from our foe.

Jacob's Star His advent maketh,
Soothes the longing heart that acheth,
And the serpent's head He breaketh,
Scattering the pow'rs of hell.

Op'd hath He and freedom gain'd us,
Now the prison that contain'd us;
Where much grief and sorrow pain'd us,
And our hearts were bow'd with woe.

Beauteous Infant in the manger,
O befriend us! beyond danger
Bring us where is turn'd God's anger,
Where with angel hosts, we'll praise!

Thanksgiving Gluten-free Alternative to Stuffing...

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 04:10:00 +0000

Facing the first Thanksgiving with our newest sweetheart-of-a-niece-in-law just diagnosed with gluten intolerance, this was our concoction designed to give some of the satisfactions of stuffing, without the wheat-laden woes. Of course it doesn’t go inside the bird, but it’s as moist and satisfying as it if had. And while it's unlikely that anyone's going to mistake it for grandma’s stuffing in a blind taste test, it’s a very nice, very filling side dish all on its own. We thought we’d share it in case any of you face similar challenges either for yourselves or your holiday guests.

Sleepy Hollow Pumpkin Pie can also be converted to a gluten-free status by changing the crust recipe to 2 cups quick oats, 1 ¾ cups ground almonds and 1/4 cup rice flour, 12 tablespoon butter and 1 cup sugar—it’s more expensive and more fattening, of course, but it’s also more delicious!

Instead of Stuffing—Sage and Celery Polenta

Photograph by Elspeth Young

by Nancy Young

4 cups milk, heated

4 cups hot water

11/4 cups polenta meal

1 teaspoon salt

6 fresh sage leaves or 3 dried sage leaves

6 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons dried

½ teaspoon Aromat seasoning (optional) or salt to taste

2 grated shallots or ½ teaspoon onion powder

5 to 6 dried sage leaves rubbed, or about ¾ teaspoon ground sage

1 to 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary

1 to 2 tablespoons dried celery flakes

2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

Melted butter or olive oil

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place polenta meal into an oven-proof 11-quart stockpot, and stir in milk and water, mixing well—then add the sage leaves and put the pot into the oven. Check after about 20 minutes always using hot pads or oven mitts to do so, and stir again being careful that no polenta is sticking or clumping around the bottom sides of the pot. Return polenta to the oven and check every 5 minutes until done—25 to 30 minutes is typical. When polenta is cooked and thickened, stir in the butter and Aromat or salt to taste, then add all the remaining ingredients, testing and adjusting flavorings as desired. Pour into a large casserole and allow to cool and set—it will take about an hour. When polenta is cooled it can be cut into pretty shapes, drizzled with a little butter or oil and put under the broiler to lightly brown.

Christmas is Coming!

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:37:00 +0000

Heidi's Christmas is almost here! We're just putting the finishing touches on this latest issue of The Storybook Home Journal, featuring the delights and magic of a Christmas on the Alm. While you're waiting, mix up a batch of Cup O' Cocoa Cake Batter and bake away! You can use some left-over hot chocolate or cocoa from one of these cold autumn evenings as the third of a cup of "very dark cocoa" called for in the recipe, or use the equivalent as listed below.

Cup O' Cocoa Cake

Photograph by Elspeth Young

by Nancy Young

4 egg whites beaten to soft peaks
10 tablespoons butter
1 ¼ cups sugar
4 egg yolks
1/3 cup very dark cup of cocoa or ¼ cup warm water and ½ cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon almond, vanilla, rum or hazelnut flavoring
½ cup cream
½ cup milk
Pinch salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 cups whole wheat flour or 2 ¼ cups white flour
¾ to 1 cup chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips
Extra Sugar for sprinkling
Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 375° and butter or baking-spray any 7-cup or larger pan or mold. (We used a 12 x 5-inch ceramic cake pan.) Cream butter and sugar together in the bowl of a heavy duty mixer, and then beat in egg yolks until mixture is light. Beat in the flavoring, "cup of cocoa," cream and milk. Mix the salt and baking powder into the flour and mix lightly into the batter, and add the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips. Carefully fold in the egg whites. Spoon evenly into the prepared mold, sprinkle lightly the top with sugar and bake until cake tests clean about 45 to 55 minutes. Remove to wire and rack and cool for 5 to 10 minutes before unmolding. Allow unmolded cake to cool thoroughly on wire rack, and then dust with powdered sugar.

Forgotten Films: Arsenic and Old Lace & The Ex Mrs. Bradford

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 03:45:00 +0000

I'm sure I'm not the only one who would never think of classifying Arsenic and Old Lace as a "forgotten film," but after an hour of listening to a movie reviewer and his radio-talk retinue of phone-in suggestions for viewing on All Hallows Eve, and never hearing Frank Capra's classic recommended by anyone--the grisly, ghastly, macabre, and just plain silly apparently being preferred--I don't want to miss the opportunity of recommending what I consider to be the Halloween equivalent to Capra's ultimate Christmas film: It's a Wonderful Life. Of course, there's no angelic instruction or soul-searching (Christmas warrants it, Halloween does not), but there's still the full Capra-esque exploitation of what Halloween ought to be--a rollicking romp with a bit of a shiver.

According to Capra's autobiography, he was headed into the army in the early part of 1941, and needed to make a quick film in order to help his family pay the bills during his absence. Adapting a hot Broadway play seemed to be the solution. However, rights to the play he hoped for--Arsenic and Old Lace--had already been bought up by producer Jack Warner, so Capra put together a capable crew, a scanty budget (with a fat candy-bag portion of it devoted securing the talents of Cary Grant), two cameras, and an "imposing cast" of veteran "scene stealers" whom Capra would eventually let "run wild." With all this going for him, he talked Warner into letting him direct the film.

A short bit of filming commenced, but almost immediately the bombing of Pearl Harbor changed everything, Capra could only beg a 6-week extension of the deadline for reporting for military duty; six weeks in which to film, finish, edit, and preview his movie. And then the film couldn't be released until 1944, when the play finished its Broadway run. By then, most of Capra's first earnings went to pay income taxes.

Despite all of these obstacles, Capra created an enduring Halloween treat. Cary Grant was worth every bit of his star salary and more, although John Alexander, Peter Lorre, Raymond Massey, James Gleason, and Edward Everett Horton knock repeatedly and firmly at the upstaging door. Josephine Hull and Jean Adair as the Brewster sisters, and Priscilla Lane, (one of the talented quartet of Lane sisters) as the newest newlywed Brewster, are all delightful as well. The film is a great Halloween lark for all but young children who may be rather frightened by it, and a bit befuddled by its dark humor.

Capra referred to James Gleason as his "favorite character actor," and he wasn't alone. Gleason was in constant demand to add a comedic, fatherly sense of reassurance (as well as to write dialogue) in dozens of films.

Gleason and another wonderful forever-in-a-supporting-role-actor, Grant Mitchell, are also in the cast of another of our favorite end-of-October romps: The Ex-Mrs. Bradford. Gleason's wife, Lucille, makes up part of the cast as well.

While most audiences know William Powell best for his portrayals of the bright, witty, never-entirely-sober Nick Charles of The Thin Man series, Powell played a range of detectives in a slew of films. In most of them he depicted yet another character based on best-selling crime novels--S.S. Van Dine's, bon vivant Philo Vance. In The Ex-Mrs. Bradford, he's a whole new breed that would become the stuff of television mysteries: The detecting doctor. The "Ex-Mrs." in his life, Jean Arthur, is a prototype of yet another string of film and TV hits: The detecting crime writer.

Arthur reappears--unannounced, uninvited, and somewhat unwelcome--in Powell's becalmed life to insist that he produce the unpaid alimony he owe her, or to requite her proposal of a second try at their marriage. She promptly moves into his spare room to help ensure that one or the other of her demands is met, even though she is blatantly more interested in marrying him again. And just as promptly she draws Powell into the investigation of the suspicious, mid-race death of a jockey riding the favored horse at the local racetrack.

Thus the very full stage is set for a galloping gambol of a whodunit. There are enough suspects to fill a waiting room;, some fine, healthy repartee; and even a mild dose of suspense. Powell is his usual dapper-detective self, and Arthur is able to walk the challenging line between sophisticated savvy and stereotypical screwball--helping Powell solve the crime, albeit more by bravado than brains.

There's nothing to take too seriously in either films. Like Arsenic and Old Lace, The Ex-Mrs. Bradford may be a bit frightening to tots, but it's generally quite tame. All in all, the pair make for a fine double-feature-recommendation: "Watch two movies and call me in the morning."

Sleepy Hollow Pumpkin Pie

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:19:00 +0000

Photograph by Elspeth Young

Unlike most recipes researched for The Storybook Home Journal, we've named this for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, not because we have the slightest proof that either Washington Irving, Brom Bones, or Ichabod Crane ever dined upon it, though "yellow pumpkins" from Baltus Van Tassel's acres suggested to Ichabod's mind " the most luxurious of pies"--but because it's a rich, wholegrain practically-meal-in-itself pumpkin dessert that, like generous Mynheer Van Tassel, is "satisfied with its own wealth, but not proud of it."

It's a little like some Old-time, New World Dutch Dish--a cross between Katrina Van Tassel's "crisp and crumbling cruller" and a conventional pumpkin pie. It's capable of pleasing both "Herculean framed" Brom, as well as gourmandizing Ichabod whose mouth watered at the hope of the "sumptuous promise of luxurious winter fare."

For a Storybook All Hallows Eve

Winter and Autumnal fare this is, and we enjoy it through both seasons as a great accompaniment to a hearty vegetable soup, or even as a quick, but sustaining breakfast or snack, especially for the "ever-hungry" male contingent of the family. We rarely top it with cream, except on the most official, traditionally pumpkin pie days of the year like Halloween, Thanksgiving, or some other festival equivalent to Katrina's "quilting frolic"--so we feel a little less guilt-ridden over its repeated appearances at the dinner table than we might under more indulgent circumstances.

Any cook who has traveled beyond classic pumpkin pie will recognize this as deriving from the "pumpkin square" class of recipes, but ours is more robust overall, while remaining lighter on fiery spices (hence the whipped cream being a luxury instead of a necessity). It's a generously sized recipe as befits pumpkin season, but can be cut in half to make a single pie, if desired--in which case a 15-oz. can of pumpkin puree or 1 3/4 cups would be used.

Of course, any pumpkin recipe is vastly improved by using home-cooked pumpkin puree--particularly some "shattered pumpkin" rescued from the bridge near Wiley's Swamp. Canned pumpkin works admirably as well, however; and is generally what we use.

And--at least for us--it's legendary.

Because it's a large, expecting-company kind of recipe, prepare two deep-dish pie or casserole dishes, or one 4-quart casserole with pan-spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Sleepy Hollow Pumpkin Pie by Nancy Young

Photograph by Elspeth Young

Crust and Topping:
2 cups quick oats
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup unrefined cane sugar, or refined, if preferred
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup hazelnut, olive or canola oil (hazelnut oil provides a wonderfully rich, earthy tone if it's available)
Pinch salt (optional)

Filling:
1 29-oz. can of pumpkin, or 3 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
2 12-oz. cans of evaporated milk
4 large eggs
1 tablespoon ginger
3/4 to 1 tablespoon cinnamon (depending on taste preference)
1 teaspoon vanilla
A fat pinch of salt

Mix together the crust/topping ingredients in the bowl of a heavy-duty mixer using the paddle attachment until the mixture holds together when squeezed. (It takes a moment or two.) Spread about half of the streusel on the bottom of the prepared dish or casserole, and set aside the rest. Beat together the filling ingredients until very smooth--I usually let the mixer do this part, too. Pour the filling over the crust and top with the remaining streusel. The dish will be quite full, so use a steady hand when placing it in the oven to avoid spills. I've never had a pie overflow, but if anyone feels any Ichabod-like misgivings, place a baking sheet beneath the pan to catch any superabundance. Bake in the preheated oven until pie(s) test clean when pierced with a sharp knife. This will vary depending upon the baking dish(es). Start checking at about 35 minutes. Serves a frolic-full.

A New Anne-thology

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:31:00 +0000

The newest issue of The Storybook Home is available for sale (it shipped last week to subscribers). Featuring autumnal "Anne-thology" of Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, and Anne of the Island, it is sheer delight and back-to-school with Anne Shirley. Enjoy prettily packaged home-made preserves, a reading list for a cozy autumn afternoon, a piano arrangment of "Nell In the Hazel Dell," a gorgeous glimpse of historical quilting, ideas for transforming the mundane into the magical, and all about lavender.

Followers may also remember our look-ahead-to-Anne teaser we gave back in April forecasting the Workshops article, wherin Ashton's equisite design for a hope chest is now shown in full.

And, for Seymore Wainscott fans, Al's newest installment describes the whimsy of Seymore and Bryhta's early married life. (Visit the blogpost mentioned in footnote number five here: http://pswblog.alyoung.com/2011/10/seymore-wainscotts-backpack.html.)

Meanwhile, we're delving into the charms and pleasures of an Alpine Christmas with Heidi and Klara!

After Just David: Pasta Soup

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 00:50:00 +0000

Photograph by Elspeth Young

We were going to toss this recipe in with “Pot-Boilers Pâté” as a great use for the broth that remains after boiling the meatloaf; but ran out of space so we decided to share it here. But even if you don't have any cooking liquid leftover from making the recipe featured on page 21 of the Just David issue of The Storybook Home Journal, you can still create this rich and simple pasta soup by substituting any nice savory beef or chicken stock. It's especially nice if you've got a really fabulous homemade one.

Pasta Soup by Nancy Young

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons flour

1 tablespoon tomato paste

6 to 7 cups beef and herb stock left over from cooking meatloaf or equivalent amounts of good beef or chicken stock

About 1 to 1¼ lb fresh or dried ravioli, tortellini, farfalle or orzo

A small bunch of spinach

Salt and pepper to taste

In a medium-sized stock pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, stir in the flour and cook for a minute, stirring constantly. Pour in the beef stock and tomato paste and allow it to come to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. Boil for a minute or two, then reduce the heat and when the stock is simmering, add the pasta. Cook until pasta is almost done to taste, then add the spinach and continue cooking until pasta is done. Serve warm, top with olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Makes about 8 servings.

Forgotten Films: Angels in the Outfield (1951) and 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962)

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 02:34:00 +0000

Orphaned heroes and heroines abound in children’s literature. From Oliver Twist and David Copperfield to Mary Lennox and Pollyanna—not forgetting those in our most recent and upcoming journals, “Just” David, Anne Shirley and Swiss-Miss Heidi—the value in the stories and their impact carries on even for children with highly intact, two-parent families because we all find ourselves “orphaned” in society from time-to-time. Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten or college, a nursery school or a nursing home—we sometimes find ourselves making our way amongst strangers in a strange land, and reading about the courage and successes of other “orphans” bolsters our own bravery.

These two “Forgotten Films” carry on the orphan tradition; and have the added enchantment of featuring two agreeably innocent child stars. Either film makes for fine viewing to mark both the official end of summer, as well as any wee one’s return to the bewildering post-summer world of public school.

Angels in the Outfield: Paul Douglas probably wouldn’t be cast as a leading man today—and more’s the pity. Anyone who can make a convincing love interest for a much younger and flawlessly beautiful Janet Leigh, without seeming either silly or seedy, is one great actor. And he’s certainly ideal here as gruffy Guffy McGovern, the belligerent and bellering manager of the slumping Pittsburgh Pirates. Janet Leigh plays a reporter whose usual beat is the household hints column, but who’s on temporary assignment to give a woman’s viewpoint as to the reason for the Pirate’s sagging success. One listen outside the locker room after yet another Pittsburgh loss, and she quickly crowns confrontational McGovern as king of the crash. Her paper assigns her to follow up with further attacks on McGovern’s embittered, foul-mouthed ways, but in the process she begins to take a liking to both the man and the orphaned moppet whose prayers—answered by angels in the outfield—are mending not only McGovern’s ways, but also the Pirate’s chances at a pennant.

Donna Corcoran, a child star from a family of child stars—the most prominent being brother Kevin who appeared in Disney films such as Swiss Family Robinson, Old Yeller and Toby Tyler—is truly endearing as the aforementioned moppet; and Paul Douglas’s immediate respect and affection for her in the film quickly endears him as well, which aids greatly in the believability of his reformation. Spring Byington is pleasantly along as the orphanage’s baseball-loving Reverend Mother, and Keenan Wynn is unpleasantly along as a spiteful stinker of a baseball announcer out to oust McGovern.

And, not to worry, though McGovern clearly swears, he never swears clearly—all his rampages are totally unintelligible so anyone can listen without picking up any new vocabulary—wish that happened at school!

This is not, by the way, to be confused with the 1994 Disney remake that shares the same name and same basic plotline, but is possessed of less sheer, delightful innocence.

40 Pounds of Trouble is itself a remake of Damon Runyon’s Little Miss Marker, but in this case, I prefer the remake to its more melodramatic predecessor—even if it has a very young, sweet, curly-topped Shirley Temple as the “little miss.”

And while “Some Like It Hot,” I like Tony Curtis rather cool—which he certainly is in this film. He plays Steve McCluskey, a Tahoe casino manager with a quicksilver mind, a GQ wardrobe, a Machiavellian ex-wife and a mania for neatness. Perhaps the greatest difficulty for this light comedy was casting a love interest for Tony Curtis who was actually prettier than he was, but Suzanne Pleshette, in her first non-television role, fills the bill beautifully. Casting Claire Wilcox in the “little miss” role as Penelope Piper (whose clothes are as good as Curtis’s, by the way) may have been the real coup, however, as she is unfailingly adorable, and charmingly holds her own in the presence of every other cast member—playing particularly well across from Curtis. A large share of the balance in the relationship certainly goes to legendary Norman Jewison who made his directorial debut with 40 Pounds of Trouble.

The film isn’t without its flaws. In Pleshette’s own words in the film, “no one’s ever going to mistake me for Peggy Lee;” and having listened to her simulated stage performance once or twice, we don’t generally feel compelled to watch it faithfully each time we view the film. The too-long chase scene may only send preschoolers into gales of laughter—the rest of us may want to exercise fast-forwarding privileges. Still, something works really well in this film, and we don’t like to go longer than a year without a re-watch. It’s a whole lot like a quick, end-of-the-summer trip to Disneyland—which, incidentally, it is.

The Veranda: The Sunflower House

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:23:00 +0000

Perhaps the greatest joy we've gleaned from creating The Storybook Home Journal is the many friends we've met along the way. One such kindred spirit is Janet, a bright, amazing, and beautiful mother of five, who recently contributed to The Veranda in our Beatrix issue, as well as The Veranda in our winter jaunt with Susan Coolidge's What Katy Did Next.

This morning she sent us word that she planted up her own real-life version of the "Sunflower House" garden plan we presented in The Boxcar Children issue in early summer 2005. We were so delighted with it, we simply had to share.

Home Quotes: Great Design

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 00:07:00 +0000

Photograph by Elspeth Young

This quote we love is a summation of common man interior design, which comes from Marco Pasanella in his savvy and easy-to-absorb book astutely published by Simon & Shuster way back in the pre-market-meltdown days of 2000—Living in Style without Losing Your Mind:

“A closetful of cash, a boatload of workers, and a couple of years will get you an expensive, labor-intensive home that takes forever to complete. It might be good. More often, however, great design comes from having imperfect circumstances, from having too little money, labor, and time. Only then are you forced to figure out what’s really important and invent better ways of achieving it.”

We couple it here with another favorite quote from cleric Thomas Merton:

"Pride makes us artificial and humility makes us real."

Farewell Sawrey, Welcome Just David

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 20:18:00 +0000


Vintage Beatrix postcard from Sawrey

We’re finding that Beatrix Potter’s spell of delight is as potent as it was when Peter Rabbit first raided Mr. McGregor’s garden, as evidenced in the kind response we’ve received on the Summering in Sawrey issue—some subscribers rating it as their favorite issue ever. We also received these charming images (above)—thanks to subscribers Rebecca Copeland and Rowena Edlin-White, based on Beatrix’s ongoing “sideshows” that seem never to lose their endearing appeal.

Just David shipped on Monday, and we hope visiting the backroads of New England will give readers as much pleasure as our stay in Sawrey. Smitten as we were with David, Strad and Amati, Elspeth created a painting just for Just David (see The Attic in the table of contents page) of a fictional Stradivarius concocted for the cover. We also offer it as a 5x7 mounted giclee canvas print perfect for popping into a frame, or as a dozen blank note-cards ideal for sending love to a friend.

Note cards by Elspeth Young available from Al Young Studios

While you’re waiting for your copy to appear in the post, the NY Met has an exquisite visual and audial sampling of Amati and Stradivarius violins. As David tells John Holly at the end of the book, “This is an Amati, but the other is a Stradivarius. I don't know which I do like best, sometimes”—perhaps in listening and looking, you can choose for him which you “like best.”

Just Just David and Pane Siciliano with a Twist

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 19:54:00 +0000

Photographs by Elspeth Young

As our work commenced on our late summer issue of The Storybook Home Journal, in the end we were too besotted by Eleanor H. Porter's endearing novel, Just David, to be satisfied by sandwiching it in between a summer anthology also starring the Miss Billy Books and Six Star Ranch. So we decided to adapt our editorial calendar to feature just-Just-David for our summer jaunt with Eleanor. Miss Billy and Texas will simply have to wait while we go back to school with Anne Shirley, spend Christmas in the Alps with Heidi, and while away winter evenings with Rachel Ray.

While knee-deep in violin-mania, gorgeous gardens, perfectly pure interiors, and summer soups, we paused this morning for some Italian bread baking. These loaves of whole-wheat-laced and black-sesame-seed-topped Pane Siciliano shaped in a traditional Occhi di Santa Lucia form are fresh from the oven, and were too delectable not to share with followers at the same time we spread the good news about doing Just David justice.

Look for a Stradivarius in your mailbox in a couple of weeks!

Black Sesame Seed Pane Siciliano

by Nancy Young

Using black sesame seeds makes for strikingly handsome loaves, but regular sesame seeds are traditional and make for beautiful loaves as well. The whole wheat adds an earthy richness, but go for white if you prefer--just add an extra 1/4 cup or so above the amount of whole wheat called for. Makes 4 three-quarter pound loaves, recipe can be halved.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon yeast

3 cups warm water

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon salt

2 1/2 cups semolina flour

2 cups whole wheat flour

2 to 3 cups (or more) white flour

Topping:

A little beaten egg

1/4 to 1/3 cup black sesame seeds

Black Sesame Seed Pane Siciliano by Nancy Young

In the bowl of a heavy duty mixer, proof the yeast in the warm water until foamy--about five minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, using 2 cups of white flour to begin with. Beat with the paddle until smooth, then add enough additional flour as necessary (half a cup or less at a time) to create a slightly sticky, but smooth dough. (You can change over to the dough hook before beginning to add the additional white flour--but I rarely bother as I find the paddle keeps the dough lighter.)

Allow dough to rise until doubled--an hour or two depending on the strength of your air conditioning--then deflate and shape by cutting into fourths, rolling each quarter into a long rope, and rolling opposite ends to create a sort of sinuous S-curve. Finally, place on parchment-covered baking sheets. Brush each loaf with the beaten egg and sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons over each. Allow to rise again--about another hour. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

When fully risen, bake until a nice light golden brown, then remove and cool on wire wire racks. Very nice with everything from cheese and soup to butter and honey or jam.

Happy Bastille Day! Lessons from history ala Brioche à tête

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 19:20:00 +0000

While Charles Dickens and the Baroness Orczy make it easy to celebrate Bastille Day either by sharing a hammock with a fat novel such as A Tale of Two Cities or The Scarlet Pimpernel, or spending the evening in front of a film adaptation of one or two of the aforementioned tales, we’ve found that, once again, our Brioche has something to say on the matter Of French history. Instead of being instructed in French phrases, however, it brings Gallic history right to the table. Admittedly, there are major gaps. We skip more than we cover from the Gauls to De Gaulle, (though we’re still figuring on seeing him and Churchill pop out of the oven someday), but nonetheless—actually quite a bit less—we present here a brief Brioche history of France from hulking Charlemagne in 800 A.D. to the petit Emperor Napoleon, shown here prior to his Waterloo in 1815, as well as the one encountered at our breakfast table. Bon étude before you Bon appetit!

More From Mr. Jeremy Fisher's Larder

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 00:05:00 +0000

Photographs by Elspeth Young

There may not always be time to create a full Jeremy Fisher "Roasted Rosemary Grasshopper" presentation-loaf prior to a Miss Potter-style picnic or party; but using the same dough (pages 12-13 of Summering in Sawrey with Beatrix Potter) you can still create sandwiches--not from butterflies like Jeremy's--but from "Hopper Heads" simply by following the instructions below, allowing to cool completely, then adding your favorite sandwich fillings. They may be the only truly welcome insect near the Lily-Pond!

Click on the images, below, to enlarge text instructions.

Summer On The Way: The Tales of Beatrix Potter

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 02:53:00 +0000

Photograph by Elspeth Young

Summering in Sawrey is at last on its way, regrettably slowed by Al’s chemotherapy and hospital time, as well as some surgery on my part (with a second surgery to come soon.) Thanks to all our subscribers for their patience, as well as their concern and prayers!

The “Good Bunny Supper Cake” featured on pages 16 and 17 of The Kitchen—though more authentic to Peter Rabbit’s tale when fixed with blackberries—may be even better with this summer’s blueberries substituted for an equal amount of the seedless blackberries called for in the recipe. We combined it with the whole wheat flour choice given in the recipe to gone-in-no-time, delectable results. Elspeth gave it a quick swirl of a garden robin inspired by Miss Potter's endpapers, to finish the effect. Whether with blackberries, blueberries—or raspberries or strawberries—it’s a wonderfully quick and palate-pleasing cake.

We’re long-time fans of Tricia Foley’s books and articles, and were delighted to find her latest blog, The Table, which joins her other blogs as yet another inspiring place to feast the eyes. While waiting on the Summering in Sawrey issue, squeeze under the gate as Peter did, and savor her Beatrix Potter table settings from April 10, 2011 originally included in her book, At Home With Wedgwood: The Art of the Table. The lovely book from 2009, with text by another delightful contributor from the days of the original Victoria Magazine, Catherine Calvert, is available from online sources and in bookstores.

Photograph by Jeff McNamara

Summering in Sawrey - Veranda: Invitation for submissions due June 14th

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 19:47:00 +0000

The tales of Beatrix Potter are such an integral part of childhood that we're sure many of you have enduring memories of her images and stories. Some of you may have even made the pilgrimage to her National Trust-owned lands including Hill Top Farm (pictured below) or Castle Cottage. We'd like to include a Veranda in "Summering in Sawrey" for some of you who would be willing to share Beatrix-inspired memories with fellow readers.

If you would like to submit sweet reminiscences to The Veranda, please use the "Contact Us" page at Al Young Studios and limit the submission to about 150 words. If you have images of Sawrey of Potter Country you would wish to share, please contact us with your email, and we will email you the appropriate address to which to send digital photographs. Submissions received by June 14th will be considered. We reserve the right to edit submissions, but will not publish entries without sending an email proof to the contributor. Those selected for publication will receive a complimentary copy of the Journal.

A String Bag Fit for Mr. Alderman Ptolemy Tortoise

noreply@blogger.com (Al Young Studios) — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 23:23:00 +0000

"And Mr. Alderman Ptolemy Tortoise brought a salad with him in a string bag." ~The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher

Illustration by Beatrix Potter

Though originally designed with Eric Kastner's thoroughly delightful Emil and the Detectives in mind, Elspeth's unique pattern for a whimsical string market bag is also an excellent fit for the Alderman's "string bag" seen in Beatrix Potter's illustration from The Tale of Mr. Jeremy Fisher (pictured below right).

So, while we're busily working away on the upcoming summer issue celebrating Beatrix's beloved Tales, you might pull out your Emil issue and have some hand-crafting fun.

When we published it in summer 2009, there wasn't room within the Hearth article featuring the full crochet pattern to discuss the yarn Elspeth chose for her bag, so we share it here: Lily's Sugar and Cream 0004 Ecru seemed to us the perfect cotton--as creamy to handle as it is to the eye, and a delicious neutral to make groceries look good. Any cheerful Sugar and Cream color would brighten a summer shopping day, however, if you're bringing a salad to a party as vegetarian Mr. Tortoise did, you might choose "Country Red," as it may be the nearest color match to Beatrix's illustration. Their yarns are 100% cotton, and therefore wash and wear well.

The Storybook Home Journal

Many Apologies for a Somewhat Distressing Emergency

Our Winter Issue

Playing At "Miss Potter"

Home Quotes: 'And I adore anyone who adores anyone who adores Emerson. Your turn.'

Snowmen for Snow-less Days

Films for "Little Christmas"

Happy St. Nicholas Day--An Abridged Hans Brinker Christmastide Countdown

Heidi's Christmas Carols

Thanksgiving Gluten-free Alternative to Stuffing...

Christmas is Coming!

Forgotten Films: Arsenic and Old Lace & The Ex Mrs. Bradford

Sleepy Hollow Pumpkin Pie

A New Anne-thology

Recommended Reading: Simple Knits for Cherished Babies

After Just David: Pasta Soup

Forgotten Films: Angels in the Outfield (1951) and 40 Pounds of Trouble (1962)

The Veranda: The Sunflower House

Home Quotes: Great Design

Farewell Sawrey, Welcome Just David

Just Just David and Pane Siciliano with a Twist

Happy Bastille Day! Lessons from history ala Brioche à tête

More From Mr. Jeremy Fisher's Larder

Summer On The Way: The Tales of Beatrix Potter

Summering in Sawrey - Veranda: Invitation for submissions due June 14th

A String Bag Fit for Mr. Alderman Ptolemy Tortoise