Pyrotechnics
Happy Independence Day!!! We would certainly be thrilled to name some pyrotechnics, but, alas, these were done up without any lexical support from us whatsoever. Which did not make them any less glorious. Privately, to ourselves, we called them Liberty Blossoms.
Publishing House
We are pleased to report that, while the publisher is not up & running yet, it has been officially christened.
Edwards, Maine, & Co. will initially specialize in historical geography & pre-20th-century architecture, but remain open to other topics & genres. They're not even averse to an occasional work of fiction, though, naturally, it would be a more organic fit if said work were topically oriented. Historical fiction immediately comes to mind.
Edwards, Maine, & Co. will initially specialize in historical geography & pre-20th-century architecture, but remain open to other topics & genres. They're not even averse to an occasional work of fiction, though, naturally, it would be a more organic fit if said work were topically oriented. Historical fiction immediately comes to mind.
Cocktail
Black Frankie
The Black Frankie has arrived! We are ecstatic to have been given permission to reveal its ingredients as it makes its way out into the world, &, hopefully, down to your local watering hole. Should the mixologist there be befuddled by your exotic request, you can instruct him to use one ounce of white rum, one-and-a-half ounces of Triple Sec, a few sprigs of barely muddled mint, juice of one lime, four or five lightly crushed blackberries, & a generous dose of soda water. We like ours in a pint glass, but a highball glass would look most elegant. Cheers, & enjoy!
Tartan of the Week
Unmoored
This week's tartan is Unmoored. Perhaps it reflects last week's raucous festivities, but we'd much prefer to think of drifting at sea on a calm & balmy midnight, with just a sliver of a moon to guide the way. Surely, few things are so soothing as broad expanses of inky darkness, both above & below. Pleasant dreams to all.
Entree
We got to name our first food! The Blessings of Abundance salad has more lovely ingredients than we can possibly divulge, but suffice it to say, no one went hungry for the rest of the day :-)
Tartan of the Week
Mindful Heaths
Our tartan of the week is Mindful Heaths. It's very wintry, so, do mind your footing; the frozen ground can be treacherous. Also good for thinking things through, and making important decisions on an empty stomach.
Children's Book Character
Fleurtius
This little fellow is Fleurtius. He's starring in a new children's book (which has yet to be named), & will also be gracing a tiny tee, or two, as well as a series of diminutive kid-friendly faux china, for those ever-important tea events. Fleurtius will also have a few friends, whom we will all be introduced to as they arrive on the scene.
Tartan of the Week
It looks like we're pretty much down to one tartan a week now, & here is this week's entry. It's been christened A Wisp of Fog, after those mystical late afternoons, when everything is a little bit magical, nothing is quite clear, and all colors tend to purple. Someday we're going to do a post on the particular wavelengths of light that prevail when that happens.
Music
The musical composition naming is coming along quite nicely. It's been agreed that the technical name is Three Partitas for a Piano Quartet, which sounds rather elegant, & leaves little room for doubt. Each individual partita will have a name of its own, a feat we may undertake before naming the entire effort, as, sometimes, the parts will dictate the whole.
Cocktail
American Rickey
In a brief flash of inspiration, we broke from musical research to christen another cocktail. The lion's share of credit for American-Rickey, which also, occasionally, goes by Rebellion Rickey, goes to our friend Jess, who was instrumental in nourishing the thought process & providing the initial spark. There is no patent on this one, so we can freely share the recipe, which is one part gin to two parts soda, with just the barest twist of lime. Can you tell what makes it American? E-mail us, & we'll see if we can't make it worth your while :-)
Tartan of the Week
Winter Sea
We call this one Winter Sea, after the imposing & somewhat grim cast of the waters in late December, the steely foreboding sky, & the hard, chilled ground. For a bit of insouciance, we like to wear Winter Sea on steamy August evenings ~ its seriously cold-shoulder attitude does wonders for keeping us cool.
Tartan of the Week
Speyside September
Speyside September is warm & comforting when the chill sets in. The peaty rusts & browns hold a close connection to the earth, & the faint touch of pale fall sky draws the eye upwards, to the heavens. We love sporting our most worn-in Speyside September gear when squiring visitors down to the pub or for a stroll on the heaths.
Tartan of the Week
Shoreline
Yes, we are still working with tartans. It's been quite a blessing, this tartan run. This is our Shoreline design, for cool autumn evenings, and frosty January days. We love the deep blue of the water, & the rich evergreen, shot through with just a touch of crisp icing.
Tartan of the Week
Field & Stream
We thought it was time to get back to the tartans. This is our Field & Stream pattern, crossed with tiny babbling brooks, strewn with a dash of sweet peas, begonias, & rowan, and stretching far & wide under a cloud-filled sky pregnant with rain.
Most people seem to want to wear Field & Stream in the spring, but we think it's just as dandy for a holiday outing.
Tartan of the Week
Highland Spring
This is Highland Spring. Yes, a little obvious, we know, but we wanted something truly traditional, and Highland Spring incorporates the bright emeralds of new growth, the clear waters of snowmelt, & the thick, rich greens of Scots pine so classically. A fine pattern to sport while zeroing out your books on Whitsunday!
Tartan of the Week
Islay May
From the Rebirth collection comes this entry, called Islay May. We love the way it's sprinkled with just the barest dusting of heather against the lush greenery of the heaths under an occasional cloud. Islay May is what we'd wear for a long, undisturbed sunset walk.
Cocktail
Before we got all wrapped up in tartans (as it were) we were working with one of our favorite bartenders on naming his newest libation. We can't wait to roll up to the bar in some fancy-pants über-hip downtown joint, & order a Black Frankie :-) Isn't it just so fun to say? Unfortunately, we are contractually obligated to keep the ingredients secret for now, but we have high hopes it'll soon make an appearance at a lounge near you.
Tartan of the Week
Before Lunch
Meet our work tartan. It's called Before Lunch, & its colors capture a bit of dawn & sunlight, while remaining serious & somber enough to take you through any major undertaking, like turning your garden, or knocking out that big order from your favorite client.
Tartan of the Week
A Dram at Dusk
This is one of the first tartans we designed & named. A Dram at Dusk evokes evenings in the Highlands, when the greenery is overcome with creeping shadows, the work day is done, & time has come to sit in the twilight, & indulge in one of life's greater simple pleasures.
Tartan of the Week
August Glen
We call this one August Glen because the riches of its green fields are tinged with just a hint of fall's changing leaves, peaty mushroom scents, & soggy afternoons. Our favorite pair of Wellies are lined in soft August Glen flannel, & our Mum adds an August Glen shawl when she does her marketing a bit later in the day than expected.
Tartan of the Week
Baby Fawn
This is our Baby Fawn tartan. It's super soft, winsome, & suitable for onesies, nightshirts, & rolling around in fresh hay. & if you need to sneeze into it, it won't irritate your nose.