Category Archives: Maine Living

The “Summer Kitchen”

I’m a big fan of a certain television show wherein the host travels around the country interviewing people who cook on unusual, outdoor setups. It’s compelling for two reasons: first, it’s just nice to see folks standing around a fire and cooking a meal without a lot of fake time constraints or competitive judging. Second,Continue reading “The “Summer Kitchen””

A Persistent Rhythmic Clucking

I’ve never raised chickens. In fact, the closest I’ve come to governing domestic fowl was an antagonistic relationship with a nasty parrot in a rented room in Miami. But I do know a lot of people who keep chickens, or lich fowl, or ornamental heritage whatevers. And when you ask them why, their eyes growContinue reading “A Persistent Rhythmic Clucking”

Introducing: “Yeah, but is it worth it?”

I grew up in a disposable household, in the heyday of impossibly-cheap products destined for limited use and quick replacement. It wasn’t my parents’ fault, of course, it was the nature of society at the time. Why pay more for something that will rack up wear-and-tear when you can pay less and get a newContinue reading “Introducing: “Yeah, but is it worth it?””

‘Wich-Craft

I’ve written too much here about the relationship the people of Maine have with the weather. Be it a gallows-glee at an incoming storm, or the quiet spite reserved for warm and muddy spring days. I won’t belabor those points here, beyond a simple reiteration that springtime in Maine amounts to two (2) weeks ofContinue reading “‘Wich-Craft”

Pan-Fried Spring Smelts with Lemon Dip

#RecipeUpTop (details below): Fresh smelts; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup coarse-ground cornmeal; 3 eggs; 1 cup whole milk; Salt (to taste); 1/2 cup vegetable or canola oil (for frying); For the dip: 1 lemon (zest plus juice); 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 3/4 cup sour cream; Salt (to taste); Method: Rinse the smelt and pat dry.Continue reading “Pan-Fried Spring Smelts with Lemon Dip”

A Fixed Point of Light

There have been times in my life where the power has gone out. Where the wind howls and buffets the windows; where the doors strain and groan against their frames. Where the darkness is impenetrable and unending, with the thickness of damp wool. In those times, I’ve focused on a fixed point of light. InContinue reading “A Fixed Point of Light”

Kitchen Essentials, Part III – Accessories

Well, we covered knives and boards in Part I, then took on pots and pans in Part II, so onward to the real heart of a good kitchen setup: the accessories. I am a kitchen minimalist. I don’t like drawers overflowing with nonsense, or countertops covered in gadgets. As a general rule, if I haven’tContinue reading “Kitchen Essentials, Part III – Accessories”

Kitchen Essentials, Part II – Pots and Pans

Well, you’ve got yourself a knife and board. Next up: invaluable, mutli-functional, buy-it-for-life pots and pans. If you’ve been reading this blog, you know my favorite piece of cookware in the kitchen is my giant cast-iron skillet, Ol’ Faithful, and we’ll get to that. The reality, though, is it’s not the first thing I’d buyContinue reading “Kitchen Essentials, Part II – Pots and Pans”

Keepers of the Arcane

In my youth in rural Maine, when my parents would travel out of town on business, my brother and I would frequently stay with our next-door neighbors; an elderly couple. I cannot say enough nice things about these people. They were the consummate New England neighbors, but more than that, they seem to have beenContinue reading “Keepers of the Arcane”