billy collins, sir paul mccartney, and a summer blog break

June 26, 2015September 11, 2017 ~ jama ~ 47 Comments

Ah, summer! Time to step away from the stove and laptop, relax, and stay cool.

Mr. Cornelius, 50-something Paddingtons, and I are looking forward to ice cream sundaes, fresh peach pie, reading ~~trashy novels~~ mind-enriching classics, growing basil, hanging out with relatives, tickling the ivories, and shopping for cool things.

Before we sign off for a bit, wanted to share this interesting video of former U.S. Poet Laureate Billy Collins interviewing Sir Paul McCartney at Rollins College last October. They discuss early academic influences (Chaucer, Shakespeare, Keats), songwriting, poetry, celebrity, and much more. Paul shares a few naughty bits from Chaucer’s “Miller’s Tale” and sings “Blackbird” at the end.

I especially enjoyed hearing how the Beatles honed their craft, how John’s snarkiness complemented Paul’s optimism when it came to writing songs. Paul hasn’t lost any of his boyish charm or good looks, remains humble and grounded, and it was nice to know that had he not become a musician, he might have tried his hand at teaching English. 🙂

Can you imagine walking into class on the first day of school and seeing Paul as your teacher??!!! SCREAM.

The video is about an hour long, so you might want to bookmark this post and come back later when you have enough time to get nice and comfy, sip a tall glass of iced tea, and enjoy the meeting of two brilliant minds. The students in the video remain amazingly calm throughout. If I ever found myself in the same room with both Billy and Paul, I’d probably faint dead away. Just sayin’.

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six cool things on a tuesday

May 19, 2015October 18, 2017 ~ jama ~ 20 Comments

Bonjour!

A few tasty tidbits to make your week:

1. Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana, Charlotte Charlotte Charlotte! How much do we love the new royal baby? She seems perfect in every way, doesn’t she?

And what better way to mark this special occasion than with a sweet mug from Emma Bridgewater? 🙂 You can pre-order this little beauty now for shipping later this month (U.S. residents can get free shipping from Joanne Hudson).

Here’s the other side:

You know you want one. 🙂

2. Nothing I like more than a chewy, flavorful foodie book roundup. Check out Anne Schamberg’s delectable post from the Journal Sentinel featuring 11 new titles. I’ve reviewed several of the books here at Alphabet Soup (A Fine Dessert, Gingerbread for Liberty!, Kids Cook French, Lidia’s Egg-Citing Farm Adventure). Can’t wait to read the others. Anne has also included five recipes. Yum!

3. Recently, readers of the News & Observer were asked to share stories of their favorite kitchen heirlooms. They sent in photos of old cookie cutters, whisks, scales, and other cooking and baking tools, and talked about the history behind them. So interesting to read about what foods were made with these objects, who made them, and how they were shared. Thanks to Melodye Shore for the link!

4. Guess what just came out on DVD?! Hooray for Paddington! In case you missed seeing the film this past winter, or if, like me, you want to watch it again and again, grab a copy soon. Make a pile of marmalade sandwiches to munch on while you watch. Did you know they’ve already started working on the sequel? 🙂

5. How about 15 Places for Afternoon Tea You Must Visit Before You Die? Thus far I haven’t been to any of these places — frankly, some of them feel a little too posh for my tastes, but I could see myself at Cinnamon Soho, Drink Shop & Do, or the Betty Blythe Vintage Tearoom. The Berkeley and Bake-a-boo look like fun too!

6. Mmmmm, how about “8 Fictional Chefs Whom We’d Like to Sit Down and Have a Meal With?” Nothing better than a piece of fiction that makes your mouth water. Invite me to Mrs. Weasley’s, of course I’d love to visit Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, and Calpurnia’s cracklin’ bread from To Kill a Mockingbird sounds divine!

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Oh, a hummingbird just greeted me at the window!

It’s going to be a good day!

Happy Tuesday!

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hotTEA of the week: Jake Gyllenhaal

May 14, 2015October 4, 2017 ~ jama ~ 1 Comment

*“My mum and dad are pretty amazing chefs and they spent most of my childhood cooking really extravagant things for my sister and me.”*

HotTEAs of Children’s Poetry: Richard Michelson

April 2, 2015April 2, 2015 ~ jama ~ 21 Comments

Richard Michelson is a poet, children’s book author, art dealer and former Poet Laureate of Northampton.

☕ Cuppa of Choice: “I am no tea snob and try everything—green, black, white, oolong. No sugar, no lemon. But most often I reach for the herbal mint teas in the afternoon. Chamomile in the evening. And Nighty Night or Sleepy Time before bed.”

☕ Hot Off the Press: S is for Sea Glass: A Beach Alphabet, illustrated by Doris Ettlinger (Sleeping Bear Press, 2014), More Money Than God (Pitt Poetry Series, 2015).

☕ HotTEA in the Flesh: Mr. Michelson will be reading from More Money Than God at The Emily Dickinson Museum/The Homestead this evening (April 2) as part of the Amherst Art Walk (5-8 p.m.)

☕ Visit his Official Website

☕ ☕ ☕ Bonus Poem with mention of tea from Animals Anonymous (Simon & Schuster, 2008):

The SNAIL Ideal

When I was just a baby snail, I chose all clothes of blue.
I giggled goo goo ga ga. Mama answered coochie coo.

But as I grew, I knew I looked nice in chartreuse and pink.
And Mama never cared a whit ‘bout what the neighbor’s think.

Be yourself, she said, for that’s the thing we all do well.
Let no one tell you what to wear when you’re in your own shell.

When I was just a baby snail, Dad bought me soldier rattles.
And just before my bedtime I would watch them wage their battles.

But as I grew, he and I brewed pots of rosemary tea,
And perfumed all my dollhouses with passion potpourri.

Be yourself, my Daddy said, don’t let other’s presume
To tell you how you should behave when you’re in your own room.

When it was time for dating, I went out to meet my fate.
I eyed the hunks and harlots till I spied the perfect mate.

We belched at all the ballgames, and we swooned at the ballets.
Together we attended the hermaphrodite soirées.

Be yourself my partner said. Someday you’ll be my spouse.
No one can tell us who to love when we’re in our own house.