Making Cookies, and Unanswered Reader Questions

Many of us here in New England are preparing for storms, such as this morning's moving boats up river and bringing the stairs in off the beach. We also have to anticipate some time without power.  One thing that stores well is these cookies, so I made a few batches (the recipe is at the end of this entry). 

Unanswered Questions
However, between the storm and some business travel, I am a bit behind on answering reader questions.

Waiting for delayed flights yesterday at least allowed time to inspect some Brooks Brothers offerings at their airport mall store.

So here are some unanswered reader questions.  I will get back to them once the storm blows over, but I also know that many of you have deep insights into these areas, so I did not want to be a bottleneck. Also, if I am without power, I can't immediately post submitted comments, so forgive any latency. 

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Reader Questions

I.  Firstly, thank you very much for your wonderful blog! I have two quick questions:

1) I am an Episcopal clergyman (and was pleased to see St. Thomas, 5th Ave. -- one of the most beautiful churches in this country -- a part of your Christmas Eve tradition, though I was sorry you were not able to stay for the service). As such, I feel obliged to break with you eschewal of black as a staple color for clothing, though of course I agree with you completely with respect to lay dress. I also run on the "big and tall" (ugh) side of the spectrum, measuring in at 6 feet, 5 inches tall. I would love to be able to find a classic sack suit (no darting, no padded shoulders, three button jacket with the lapel rolling to the second button, unpleated trousers with cuffs) in black. Do you have any suggestions? Also, not breaking the bank is an important criterion.

2) Despite a four year sojourn in New Haven for my education, and despite having had two sets of ancestors arrive in this country on the Mayflower (John Alden and Priscilla Mullins, and Thomas Rogers), my family left New England for the South shortly after their arrival. We are southerners. I was wondering whether you had any observations on differences between Northern and Southern prep. The differences I have noticed tend to be differences of degree rather than kind -- for example: a heavier emphasis on socklessness in the South. For me, young men in church -- even, depending on location, after Labor Day -- wearing a navy blazer or seersucker jacket, oxford shirt, bow tie, and penny loafers sans socks, is the quintessence of prep. Also, in winter, it seems to me that a sturdy pair of upland hunting boots (by, e.g., Gokey) or even cowboy boots here in Texas, are common stand-ins where one might see the LL Bean Duck Boot in New England. Thoughts?

God bless.

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II. I need your help ASAP! I've been invited to sit in the President's box at the US Open in September. I have no clue what to wear. Gentlemen must wear a coat and tie, and ladies dress up but not too dressy (sort of dressy casual, whatever that means). The weather could be hot, cool (cold for someone that lives in Florida), rainy, or sunny. Please help! I have no idea what to wear and a very short time frame to shop.

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Khakis and Boat Shoes

III. I am currently looking for a pair of khakis in a light stone (or comparable color) that is not chemically treated. I have exhausted both Lands' End (they have discontinued their only viable option and their new "Original Oxford", while untreated, has no color lighter than a strange looking beige) and L.L. Bean (they currently do not offer a single pair of chinos that are untreated). I know you have recommended Bill's Khakis and Jack Donnelly Khakis, but I can't (yet) bring myself to pay so much for a pair of pants. Do you have any other suggestions?

On a side note, I have two pairs of Lands' End Canvas Heritage Straight Fit khakis which have performed well but I am looking for a lighter color for my next pair and alas, they don't have such a color.

Thanks (especially because I know how impossible a request this is!).

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IV.  Hi Muffy,
I enjoy reading your blog & always appreciate your opinion on the preppy classics. I am needing (wanting) new boat shoes for the Fall. They are my go-to shoe for apple picking & enjoying Fall weekends on the Cape. I have always owned Sperrys, but my most recent pair of A/Os seem to be wearing out rather quickly & aren't as supportive as I remember them to be. So, I am considering Sebagos. I don't think I've owned a pair since elementary school in the 80's, so I don't remember the quality. However, on first glance, they appear sturdier & better made than the ole Sperrys. I was wondering what your thoughts are on the great boat shoe debate?

Thanks in advance for your response. I hope you are enjoying the last days of our treasured New England Summer.

Cheers!

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Since some have asked, here is the recipe.

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
2 sticks butter
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1-1/2 cups flour - I use a mixture of whole wheat, white whole wheat and white flour as well as some bran
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 cups 1-minute, raw oatmeal
1 cup chocolate bits

Preparation
Heat oven to 350°F, although I set my oven to 375. In large bowl, beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat well. Add combined flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Add oats and chocolate bit; mix well.

Bake on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes ( I cook mine for 15 minutes) or until light golden brown. Cool 1 minute on cookie sheets; remove to wire rack. Cool completely.

Frank Zachary’s Town & Country

Northeast Harbor, Maine

One of my all time favorite editors of Town & Country was Frank Zachary. He put together an incredible publication for close to twenty years. The pictures, stories, and themes so often hit the mark.

As I was sorting some back Town & Country issues that I had saved (typically those with people or places I knew well), I found myself flipping through two magazines, one from 1982 and one from 1985, that were part of his run. They contained many familiar images that I still enjoy today.  Here are a few that I scanned in.

Northeast Harbor, Maine

Pot and Kettle Club, Bar Harbor, Maine

Fenwick, Old Lyme and Hadlyme, Connecticut

Hadlyme, Connecticut

Essex, Fenwick, Old Lyme, Connecticut

Madison, Connecticut

Marion, Massachusetts and Sippican Harbor

Marion, Massachusetts

This was always one of my favorite clothing combinations, and still is, shown here at the Beverly Yacht Club.

A Piece on Loafers by the Legendary G. Bruce Boyer

Peach Pies

I was making some pies today and I thought I would re-post this recipe. It always makes me think of my grandmother as it is not only her recipe and cookbook, but her rolling pin and table as well.

Here is a straightforward recipe that I have been using since I was twelve years old. This was handed down to me by my New England Grandmother, and has never failed. It is best however, to use fresh, local and ripe peaches if possible.

I use local and organic ingredients when available.

Ingredients for Filling
4 Cups of peeled and sliced peaches
⅞ cup sugar
4 Tbsp flour
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1⅓ Tbsp butter

Peel and cut up peaches
Mix in sugar, flour and cinnamon

Ingredients for Crust
This is an incredibly simple and reliable crust

1 cup white flour
¾ cup whole wheat flour (If whole wheat flour is anathema, use all white instead. Whole wheat gives it better flavor.)
1 teaspoon salt (don't leave out)
½ cup canola oil
¼ cup whole milk

Mix together, divide in half
Roll each half flat between two pieces of waxed paper

Combine
Put bottom crust in pie pan (I use 9 inch Pyrex pans)
Pour in filling
Cut up butter into four or five pieces and place evenly on top of filling
Put on top crust
With a knife, place five or so slits in top crust

Bake in pre-heated oven at 425 degrees

Bake for around 40 minutes and check. I usually bake it for an additional 10 minutes, or until crust is darkened enough

I make at least two at a time; sometimes four.

None seem to go to waste...

...although the dog positions himself carefully for any scraps. 

Poll: Is L.L. Bean on the right track?

In 2001, the owners of L.L. Bean made Christopher McCormick the CEO of L.L. Bean when Leon Gorman stepped down from his daily duties. This post-Gorman era brought a lot of changes to L.L. Bean, including the launching of the L.L. Bean Signature line.

Now, after a decade of McCormick control, here is a question.

* Is L.L. Bean on the right track?

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** Update** The poll is closed.  Of 1424 readers who voted, 1355 (95%) believed L.L. Bean is currently on the wrong track.

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It is worth noting that I have certainly been critical of L.L. Bean's current direction. And perhaps because of that, I have received comments and emails that have also been critical of L.L Bean.

For example:

"Although not a New Englander, I am a practical person and have sadly watched the growth of shoddy merchandise and foolish style. Bean's is just one of many retailers that I no longer trust for quality and dependability. "

"Bean's has frustrated me for years for several reasons, but mainly for the reason you write about-they change what is good and has served many so well for so long. It's too bad, and when I think about how so much used to be manufactured in Maine (Bean's is just up the road from us), their shoes and other goods are now made in China instead."

"My dad has many Bean shirts from 20-30 years ago that still look just as good as the day he bought them but the ones they sell now are terribly lower in durability and quality. "

"What has become of my beloved LL Bean? I noticed that in the past year I have returned all items ordered except a chamois shirt and a classic tote bag. I've been ordering for 50 years ... where to turn?"

"Where in the world can I get good khaki pants these days? One that fit near the waist, traditional? I was raised on LL Bean and forsaken."

"The women's offerings have too many gaudy, tight, flashy items, if you ask me"

"I wrote a balanced, rational, review, and it was not posted. I'm disturbed by what seems to be artificial inflation of the overall 'rating' by leaving out reviews which focus on construction flaws."

"I'm enough of a cockeyed optimist to believe that if you keep explaining to LL Bean where they are breaking our collective heart, they might stop doing it."

"With the introduction of L.L. Bean Signature, I feel like I barely know L.L. Bean anymore. I am constantly disappointed when I head to Freeport and see the catalog items in person - quality is way down and the items have been changed."

"It's so frustrating. L.L. Bean seems to think that women don't want classic styles, fabric, and colors. They did away with the women's flannel shirts, only to bring back a VERY cheap version in a more fitted style. I looked at the fabric in the Freeport store, and it was thin and awful. I actually went on a rant to my husband while in the store."

But I may simply be a convenient venting site. So in the interest of fairness, I wanted to open up the question to anyone who cares.

• Is there a silent majority who is appreciating where L.L. Bean is going? Do you believe L.L. Bean is on the right track (and they just need to continue to make incremental calibrations)?

• Or are they not on the right track, and would you advise the leaders of L.L. Bean to change their current direction?

Finally, if there was one thing you wanted to tell the leaders of L.L. Bean, what would it be?

** Update: I was just sent this link to this article about the team behind L.L. Bean's Signature. **

Poll: Keen Sandals?

I enjoyed this email, and thought others might like to cast their vote and opinion.

Hey, Muffy. I actually thought of you on vacation while I was pondering some footwear.

My father is a pretty well dressed gent. Not in your father's class, of course (who is?), but very sort of old school Ivy League. That's why it alarmed me a couple of years ago when he and his lady friend (who is also very stylish, not to mention wealthy) each bought a pair of Keen sandals. I have since kidded my father about them as mercilessly as my conscience will allow given his 83 years of age, for they are doubtless the ugliest things ever introduced onto the planet since their godforsaken progenitor, the Teva.

That said, over the summer, including this past week, I've happened upon at least half a dozen instances when these things would have come in damn handy, all involving water and the crossing thereof, where Top-Siders simply won't do. I have a dog who likes to swim and I want to wade into the stream with him; I like to take my young son out kayaking but sometimes I need to jump out of my boat and help him with his; things like that.

What's your opinion? Should I go over to the dark side or hold fast?

Final Poll:

Reader Question: Acadia and Bar Harbor

Hi Muffy,  First of all, thank you for taking the time to create such an enjoyable and informative blog. I read it everyday and am always excited to see a new post.  Later this month I will be camping in Acadia with my children (8 and 11). I wonder if you've ever done this with your son, and perhaps have some general tips for Acadia and points of interest in Bar Harbor that we shouldn't miss? If you recommend something, I trust that it will be worth our effort!   Take care.

Acadia is so beautiful, and especially at this time of year, that it may be enough all on its own.  I have yet to hear of anyone visiting the park who has not enjoyed the popovers at The Jordan Pond House. I am not a fan at all of Bar Harbor (with the exception of College of the Atlantic, and visiting friends and family), but then again I am not an eight or eleven year old boy. I find it crowded and terribly commercial, so they might love it! 

We do tend to head to quieter places like Southwest Harbor, home to Sawyer’s Market and Hinckley Yachts, and Bass Harbor, home to Morris Yachts and the ferry to Swans Island. A ferry ride out of Bass Harbor to Swans Island might be fun. Swans Island is where the famous (and famously expensive) Swans Island Blankets originated. Although there is absolutely “nothing to do” on the island, which is why I like it; the ferry ride is only about thirty minutes each way and it has a decent schedule, so it, in itself, might be worth it.

If you are driving up, and depending on which route you take, there are some very pretty towns along the way. We are always coming from the Route 1, midcoast region, and often have reason to stop in: Thomaston (with its “devasting little sign” - Thomaston, 1605); Owls Head, which has the well known Transportation Museum and a spectacularly set light house; Rockland (and the ferries to Vinalhaven and North Haven), which went from shipbuilding to canneries to the”Rockland Renaissance”; Rockport and its exquisite little harbor; Camden with its windjammers (my father's picture) and tourists; and Belfast which has experienced recent and rapid gentrification. Also, the ferry to Isleboro is out of Lincolnville. Just don’t stop in Ellsworth!

Men's Shirts: Transitioning from Summer to Fall

 I love the feel of summer materials (and apparently I am not the only one), but...

Summer plods on.  Still, the change in color of a few slacker leaves, the shorter days, and the different light are signs of fall that ping on our seasonal situational awareness.

Slightly prematurely (and certainly optimistically), I have been taking inventory of casual shirts both to put away and to take out for my family.  The process also gives me the opportunity to re-appreciate some of the details.

...Their days (such as seersucker) are numbered.

I am "geeking out" on tattersall: some new, some old, some all cotton, and some cotton and wool blend.

I almost forgot about all of these Willis & Geiger button downs...

...(just post-Lands' End acquisition)...

...with a plethora of details.

As with my gingham in the top picture, I procured this shirt from my father's closet many years back.

Vintage L.L. Bean

I love the seasons in New England. Especially in our modern context of climate controlled everything, I respect the rituals of adapting to the changes.

Just Madras Grace Beach Bag

This Just Madras tote has quickly become one of my favorite summer bags.  It is perfect when something more festive is needed than canvas or luggage. 

One of the many things I like about it is it's roominess, which is perfect for island house overnights.

Pink and White Striped Seersucker Lining and Rope Handles (and a last minute gift picked up on the big island)

Just Madras is a Connecticut company where everything is made in America.

Good looking and well made (the bag, that is), it comes in handy when plans are a bit delayed.

The Classics Endure for a Reason

One of our oldest (and kindest) family friends just gave me permission to use this picture of her from the late 1950's.

Sally Stevens at Connecticut's Sachem's Head Yacht Club (which was founded by her great-grandfather)

I like this picture as it suggests at least two points.

1. Classics endure for a reason. 
2. Androgynous clothes do not result in androgyny.  In fact, done well, the effect is the exact opposite.

Reader Question: Common and Amusing Acronyms

Muffy, I enjoy reading your blog and others, but I hate the acronyms.  OCBD?  P&G?  T&C?  What do these mean?

Acronyms are everywhere, IMHO.  Here are some of the most common that have been used in the comments section of this blog or are otherwise iconic.

BB - Brooks Brothers
LLB - L.L. Bean
JRT - Jack Russel Terrier
P&G - Pink and Green
OCBD - Oxford Cloth Button Down
RL - Ralph Lauren
TOPH - The Official Preppy Handbook
NYT - New York Times
WSJ - Wall Street Journal
OCLS - O'Connell's Clothing of Buffalo
JP - J. Press
T&C - Town and Country
NYYC - New York Yacht Club
NYAC - New York Athletic Club
WASP - White Anglo-Saxon Protestant

I hope others will feel free to add to this list as well.

(BTW, technically an acronym is an abbreviation that is spoken as a word (radar, NASA) rather than spoken spelled out.)

NYAC