Despite my well documented love for Renaissance Rock, I'll be the first to admit that it can be hard to pull off. The genre seems to just want to be annoying sometimes but in the hands of some of the British folk movement's most adored, Tim Hart and Maddy Prior (who became founding members of frequent Brix Picks songs of the week entries, Steeleye Span) the music should sound perfect. On Folk Songs of Olde England Volume One, it does.

Comprised of all traditional English songs, this album was recorded by the love birds as they were playing the folk club circuit. These are simple, beautiful renditions that highlight both of their unique voices.

There's a great murder ballad called Bruton Town, a rousing ode to drink and play called Lish Young Buy A Broom which happens to be my favorite song in the collection, but by far the dominant theme is the call of the sea coming between the powerless love of a man and a woman just listen to Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy, Maid That's Deep In Love, Farewell Nancy, and The Rambling Sailor.

Looks like Looking Glass would have had a runaway hit on their hands with the similarly themed Brandy (Your a Fine Girl) if only they had released it in the 17th century.

While this album may not sway those that hate this kind of music (trust me I tried with a non believer), it is sure to become a favorite of fellow fans. Unlike their later more complex arrangements, these are pure and pleasant and each songs is as good as the last. Even though it was reissued in 1991, it is no longer available, but used copies pop up on ebay and it can be found to download too.

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Posted on September 1, 2008

The Mistress of the Art of Death is a perfect storm for some moms. Part mystery about a strong headed woman in a man's business; part CSI investigation; part historical fiction with fun facts about daily life in the middle ages; and part modern romance. Author Ariana Franklin, who looks like a very nice realtor who's not afraid of a dirty joke, blends the genres well to make a quick, summertime girly read for those with a taste for the criminal procedural.

And while the book may not be truly historically accurate, who cares? My only quibble is that Franklin seems much more skilled at writing mystery than romance. The tension leading up to the somewhat unpredictable and undeniably unrealistic (for the time its meant to take place) romance is fine, but once she gets into the bodice ripping, there are a few moments where you may want to roll your eyes: “Lubricated”, “Harlot”. Still, these are small squabbles, and what's the point with a read this enjoyable?

We are thrust into the English countryside of the 12th century just as many townsfolk from Cambridge return from their pilgrimage. All seems oh so very Chaucer-esque, except that one of them is a child murderer. The people are blaming the ostracized Jews, who are holed up in the castle for protection. While there, they're unable to make money for King Henry II, so his interest in clearing their name is of utmost important.

Enter, Adela a rarity in that she is a practicing and trained doctor from Solerno, Italy one of the only places on earth where it's legal for a woman to have such knowledge.?She's an expert mistress of the art of death, a middle ages Katherine Willows–sans the former exotic dancing career. When she finds herself shipped off the England to solve the grisly child serial murders, not only is the investigation itself a risky mystery, but she must keep her profession a secret lest she be tried as a witch and burned at the stake.

This is one of two books (so far) that feature the bold Adela and her medical skills that lead to all sorts of middle ages intrigue. The second, The Serpent's Tale, draws her into the personal life of Henry II himself when his mistress is killed.

I'd love to see this character adapted for Masterpiece Theater series, it would be such a better use of PBS funds than shilling out for a seven hundreth Jane Austen adaptation. They'd be making many a mom (and myself) very happy.

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Posted on September 1, 2008

It's a weird tagline, I'll admit, but the taste is pretty awesome. The insides are actually a liquidy, sugary marshmallow (as you can kind of see from my photo). It's the same recipe that's been used since the company (the same family still runs things today) began making penny candy in the 1920's.

I had my very first cup today, and that may not be such a bad thing. If these were at the ready when I was growing up with a massive sweet tooth, I probably wouldn't have any teeth left. ?br/>
You can grab this piece of nostalgia at Whole Foods and elsewhere.

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Posted on August 25, 2008

Past the Catskills, between Otsego and Chenango counties, the land of huge old wooden farm buildings teetering on the brink of falling down, shiny, gleaming Dodge Rams with souped up engines, and expansive fields of green with something usually burning in the distance, we found a little cabin to rent for our fifth anniversary.

Outside the small and regionally typical town of New Berlin that has a feed and grocery store and a teenage-run spot to buy hoagies (these three things can be found in nearly any town west of I-87) the cabin lies on a secluded 4 acres. Past a kind of wild trailer park (with things burning in the yard), the gates open to a private long driveway that opens to a spectacular scene. The lovely pond, the surrounding trees, and the quaint cabin are picturesque and offer the kind of secluded relaxation the waining days of summer call for.

While there will be no swimming for you in the pond – it's quite shallow with a murky bottom and is teaming with fish, it is great for rowing – an activity I got pretty good at by the end of the long weekend. There is also a small sauna that was a bit overwhelming for me for any longer that ten minutes or so, but a fun luxury to have at your disposal.

While you're not exactly roughing it with a?full kitchen and running water, the furniture set up is less than comfy. If you plan on watching movies late at night, bring a lap top and watch it on the porch on the futon (It's almost like seeing a movie at a drive in). The double bed, which at first seemed daunting due to it's hardness was actually just fine – perhaps there is some validity to the claim that a hard mattress is good for your back.

There is a barbecue that is kind of tough to get going and a nice trail beside the house as well as tons of toads, frogs, geese, and reportedly a red fox (hence the cabin's name) but he didn't make an appearance during our stay.

Not far from town, affordable produce, pulled straight from the ground can be bought from Gayle Austin (up route 8 from New Berlin), though beware!! She is a talker and mostly, she wants to talk about how you have no future unless you too become an organic farmer and that NYC will be under water in ten years leaving us stranded to die on the island. Fun times, but her carrots were sweet and delicious.

We stayed the long weekend and there are lots of attractions and things to do nearby (which I'll be getting into more detail about in future weeks).

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Posted on August 25, 2008

Throughout the past year of living in Greenpoint, I've always found the Franklin Corner Store closed whenever I passed by, so it hasn't been a big part in my diet until… now. Thanks to the coaxing of a co-worker, I finally made it up to the seemingly nondescript and unexceptional looking bodega and I can say with certainty that they make the some of the best sandwiches you will ever try. I have, even recently, touted many a sandwich spot but (with the possible exception of a perfect bahn mi) none can really compare.

The lone dude who makes all the sandwiches (all the other employees are apparently only paid to watch him and man the counter with semi competency) should sue every Subway staff member for their false claims of sandwich artistry. This guy is the real deal. Each taste combination is perfect, many are actually pure genius. Just listen to what goes into my personal favorite, the hot and pressed Chicago: thin fried eggplant, turkey, jalapenos, avocado, bean dip, lettuce, and provolone; or?Jim's infatuation, the Bronx Bomber: roast pork, swiss cheese, avocado, BBQ sauce, mayonnaise and jalapenos, served hot and pressed.

For around $6 each (some are even cheaper), these can become an obsession, the kind of food that keeps you up at night with eggplant and turkey dreams and the kind that keeps you fat in the middle. We even ate there twice in one day only a few days after our first taste. Sounds similar to getting hooked on a drug, right? Well, try it yourself and you'll understand the extreme reaction.

If you do and you ever tire of the clap board sandwich menu, you'll be as delighted as I was to find that they have a paper menu with a plethora of additional mouth watering choices. Also adding to the place's mystique: modestly hidden behind a cooler hangs a signed photo of none other than David Lynch.

The only draw back (aside from a kind of dirty cat that jumps on Jim's lap) is that it can take forever. Remember, only one guy is allowed to make the sandwiches–which can be irritating if you're impatient; but how could anyone not be impatient when waiting for a sandwich this amazing?

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Posted on August 25, 2008