First BLTs of the season, a thatched cottage in Dorset, and a novel about two sisters in two different versions of the same Ireland.
The farmers market was full of everything that makes a summer Saturday worth leaving the house for: flowers, eggs, fat tomatoes, baked goods that required serious self-restraint. No cinnamon rolls this week, which was probably a good thing, since BLTs were already on the menu and, in my opinion, they are best on white bread. I am curious, which condiment do you use, Miracle Whip, Hellmann’s or Duke’s?
We had our first BLT of the season. Truth be told, bacon is not high on my favorite food list, except during tomato season. I do not like grease, and I do not like to cook greasy things in the house. Bill does not share that particular conviction, and it is a bone of contention, but that is a story for another day. What saved us this week: our local grocery store has a hot bar, and they sell cooked bacon. No muss, no fuss, and the BLTs were delicious.
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The Weekend
The weather report said cloudy. What we actually got was something in rotation: overcast, then stretches of full hot sun and some rain. We decided early that it was going to be a cloudy day regardless and got to work in the garage.
I am convinced things multiply in there when I am not looking. We went in to organize and came out having found boxes of Christmas decorations that apparently missed the memo about being put away. The irony is that in a few weeks we will be dragging them out again. I am choosing to see this as efficiency.
What I’m Reading
We Meet Apart by Martha Conway. This book is unlike anything I have picked up in a long time. Two American sisters, 17 and 18, find themselves stranded in Ireland in 1940 when World War II cuts off ocean travel. But here is the part that makes this book extraordinary: they are stranded in different realities. In Gaby’s world, Ireland is neutral, exactly as history records. In Sabine’s world, Germany has invaded. Both sisters end up at the same remote Irish manor, and for one hour each dusk (the Celtic hour of pookies and ghosts) their two worlds briefly overlap and they can find each other again.
What happens in that hour, and what threatens it (Sabine has fallen in love with a German officer who is charming in her world and sinister in her sister’s), is the whole novel. If you have ever wondered what you would risk to hold onto the people you love across impossible distance, this book will find you.
What I Watched
I found Tattie Isles this week, and now I want to move to West Dorset and keep peacocks. She is a florist and set designer who lives with her husband Fred in a 300-year-old thatched cottage that was originally two workmen’s cottages joined into one, which is why it has two front doors, two staircases, and two fireplaces. They found it just as the world was reopening after lockdown and knew immediately, as Tattie tells it, that the house had chosen them.
A wisteria arch inherited from the previous custodian. A rambling rose. A canvas marquee that stays up all summer for the flower school she runs, where students come from across the UK and as far as Australia to spend a day or two working with their hands. Inside: low beamed ceilings, a round kitchen table (always room for one more around a round table), an Aga that never goes off. Nothing designed. Everything collected, layered, lived in. She has worked with flowers for sixteen years, the Chelsea Flower Show, weddings in Siena, but her truest belief is simpler than any of that: a home only feels alive when you can tell who lives there.
I love that.
Outfit of the Day
It’s time to pull out your classics to get ready for cooler weather. Jeans and a white t-shirt can look smart with the addition of a cashmere sweater and your favorite slingback. Feeling casual? Wear tennis shoes. Add your favorite bag and that is all you need.
By the way if you like designer bags make sure to watch TJ Maxx and Marshalls, they occasional get your favorites, like this Burberry crossbody bag. You cannot search by designer, some brands like the designer brands are hidden in the search, but you can search by price. If I am looking for a high end piece to add to my wardrobe I search highest price to lowest.
Outfit Details Below
I hope your weekend was a good one, whatever the weather decided to do. If you have not been to your farmers market yet this season, go. Bring cash, bring a bag, and buy the tomatoes while they are this good. If you have been lucky enough to grow them in your garden that’s even better.
What have you been reading lately? I am always looking for my next book.
Find me on Pinterest for more of what I love, and if you enjoyed this post, I would love it if you shared it. And if you missed Weekend Meanderings with Kim and Juliet we all had lots to share.
You might also enjoy:
Monday Musings No. 224 | Baby Birds, Beach Reads and Brutal Heat
Friday Favorites from What’s Gabby Cooking, the Cottage Market, Vanilla and Bean and More
On My Radar
Hellmanns
That is what my husband prefers. Here in the South they like Duke’s. I like Miracle Whip and Hellmans.
Never Miracle Whip! Hellmans please! Or just salt and a little pesto.
Bobbie, salt and pesto sounds delicious.
Just so it’s real mayonnaise. I am not a fan of Miracle Whip.
None of the above! I have never liked mayo in any form & prefer butter on my BLT’s! 🙂
Sourdough bread, lightly toasted and well buttered. No mayo, as that is the one and only food product I just cannot get down, no matter the brand. I cook my bacon in the oven, foil lined tray, 435 for 20 minutes, drained well, minimal mess.
Miracle Whip
Me too! I like the extra sweetness.
Dukes…always and forever!!
I do like Duke’s.
We had our first BLT last week! Being a Northern California girl, it was Best Foods, now that we live in the Georgia Mtns, it’s Dukes…also I do not like bacon smell in house, I cook it outside on the grill in a parchment lined disposable pan, perfect every time..
Linda, there is something special about the first BLT of the season. I’ve never cooked bacon on a grill! I will have my husband try that.
I live in Washington state – Best Foods. The other brands aren’t typically available here.
I’ve never heard of Best Foods.
Best Foods and Hellmann’s are the exact same mayo made by the same company. Best Foods is sold west of the Rocky’s and Hellmann’s is sold east of the Rocky’s. Nonetheless, I prefer Duke’s!
Kiersten, thank you foe letting me know. I had no idea.
Elizabeth I agree with Sharon’s comments; butter and no mayo, plus I have been doing the oven bacon cooking method for years. No mess and it works every time. For reading, I am just finishing the latest novel from Louise Penny, The Last Mandarin co-authored with Melissa Fung. I am a Louise Penny fan and this is another great one from her. Have a great day and thank you for your always welcome reading and film suggestions.
KD, I’ve never tried butter. As for the bacon, I will have to try this method.
Have a wonderful week.
Duke’s but they don’t sell it in our area (I have ordered it from Amazon) so Hellmans.
Suzanne, yes Duke’s in regional. I had never heard of it until I moved to the South.
Agree with Dukes.
I’ll add our solution to bacon grease. Flat top grill. Hubby cooks bacon on the deck and it’s wonderful. Added bonus is the flat top is ideal for stir fries and so many other things!
Yes, a flat top grill is an excellent idea. How do you keep the grease splatter off of your deck? Do you have one of those mats?
Hellmanns all day!!
My husband says the same.
Hellman’s. We don’t have Duke’s here. NO MIRACLE WHIP!
Miracle whip seems to be quite contentious.
Miracle Whip
I agree!
Miracle Whip is what I grew up on. I only use it on a BLT though. Crispy turkey bacon and microwaved crispy preferred as I too can’t handle the fatty edges and grease. I so wish we had tomatoes ready..almost but still green in my yard.
Lori, the only time I like miracle whip is on a BLT.
I hope that you have a plethora of tomatoes soon.
Best Foods. Like Brenda said, the other brands are typically not found in SoCal. We do have Miracle Whip, but, no thank you.
Sandy, I think Miracle Whip is an aquired taste. I am going to try to find some of this Best Foods.
I believe that Best Foods and Hellmans are the same product, just with different names in different parts of the country.
Sandy S, thank you!
Oh the smell of frying bacon wafting up to my room as a kid on the weekend! That and percolated coffee!
I loved the smell of bacon because I knew that my dad would be making waffles or pancakes for us as well!
Duke’s for me!
I just finished a great book called The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. She wrote ‘The Help’. I wish she would write another book. What a story teller!
Debby, The Calamity Club is fabulous! I wish she would write another book too! Fingers crossed it will not be another 17 years!
Have a wonderful week.