In 1759, Arthur Guinness must have been bursting with confidence and optimism when he signed a 9000 year lease (that is not typo!), for the St. James Gate Brewery in Dublin. With an annual rent of 45 pounds that was fixed for the life of the lease, in the 1770’s he began brewing a porter style beer we all know as Guinness. It was so successful that in 1799 he stopped production of other beer styles and focused solely on porter. This lease also gave him a free water supply to make his beer. Today the Guinness factory makes three...
March in New England lasts forever. Winter slowly moves into Spring, but it really isn’t until May that Mother Nature allows us to start experiencing days of some consistent warmth. It isn’t until June that the weather really turns better and the breeze changes from chilly to warm. After apple season in October, fresh fruit is gone and the great wait starts until May & June when early crops like lettuce, asparagus & strawberries are ready. My husband Matt & I love berries and usually have some in our fridge. Apart from when berries in the middle of the winter...
Like the origins of many foods, it is difficult to determine where “sausage” originally came from. Food historians believe it was being made in the Middle East during the Bronze Age (approximately 3300 BC to 1200 BC). Most cultures have their own forms and recipes. German Bratwurst, Spanish Chorizo, Polish Kielbasa, French Andouille are just a few. Add, options such as cooked, smoked, fresh and cured, you get hundreds of varieties from many cultures.In our home, Matthew my Polish-Lebanese husband is the sausage maker. His parents used to make both Polish and Italian sausage and he enjoys carrying on the...
In classical mythology, Cupid, who’s name means “passionate desire” is the god of desire, erotic love, attraction, and affection. With February 14th fast approaching our boy Cupid is again out in full force, ready to sink his arrow into lucky people of the world who are open to love and affection in their lives.
Here in Connecticut, it’s getting serious outside. Serious meaning the weather has become awfully cold. Low teens and single digits and even lower with wind chill. Burrrrr! (Our frenchie’s Victor & Hugo have been sporting their heavy winter parkas!) At least in our southern New England area, we usually skate thru Christmas time with milder weather and very little or no snow. These milder temps always fool me. I begin to think “this Winter isn’t going to be bad”. Then the calendar moves into January, the cold hits and we descend into another long cold Winter and start the countdown...
If you are looking for a refreshing and delicious beverage to have available for a crowd, look no further. Our O'Live A Little House Punch will get rave reviews from all your guests. And, it can be made without or with alcohol, so let the party begin!
