The Daily Prep: November 2012

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Poll: Will you be sending out hand-written notes in the next month?

A few older friends have secluded themselves for the next few days, writing Christmas notes to a long list of friends. Others, mostly younger, think of hand-writing cards as a virtuous and charming idea in theory, but too "spectrum-hopping" for their lifestyle.

Will you be sending out hand-written notes in the next month?

Yes, longer notes
Yes, a sentence or two on holiday cards
No

**Final Results **

WILL YOU BE SENDING OUT HAND-WRITTEN NOTES IN THE NEXT MONTH?

Yes, longer notes	124 (24%)
Yes, a sentence or two on holiday cards	283 (55%)
No	100 (19%)

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Our Christmas China

Dispatch from my Father: Duck Shooting, 1961

Photographs by my father

“Even if they've never been near a duck blind or gone beagling, Preppies are dressed for it. Rugged outerwear and hearty innerwear are de rigeuer in even the most sophisticated suburbs.”

- The Official Preppy Handbook, edited by Lisa Birnbach

“These are Bean's bird-shooting pants, but I never shoot birds, I assure you.”

- Caption of a 1982 New Yorker Cartoon by Donald Reilly, reprinted in L.L. Bean's anniversary book, Guaranteed to Last.

I thought of these two quotes, predicting the derivative and then ironic apparel of the subsequent decades, as I came across these old black and white photos that my father took of some friends duck shooting, just off the shore of the coastal Connecticut town of Guilford in 1961. I still have many of those decoys.

To many today, "duck hunting" is more adjective than gerund.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

2012 Holiday Gift Ideas

Shirt from Concord Button Downs

I have received many requests for a summary of favorite 2012 items profiled on this blog for gift ideas. I have pulled those together, and added a few new items as well, including some things I have given as well as received.

1. Concord Button Downs Shirts. Concord Button Downs is a new company making beautiful Men's shirts, manufactured right here in New England. We could not be more pleased with its rich dyes, handsome tartans, silky smooth cotton and generous sizing.

Sporting a Minuteman Icon From Concord's Old North Bridge

2. Wool Tartan Throws. Wool Tartan blankets, made in Scotland and available from Bridgham & Cook in Freeport, are very had to actually give away once you have them in your possession.

3. Guernsey Sweater. I got my authentic Guernsey in Guernsey, but they are available from Newport's Royal Male. See entry here.

4. BBC Videos. As I have often said, I cannot get enough of British murder mysteries. This year we added the complete Morse series, as well as some more Midsomer Murders to our collection (we buy the UK editions, which are less expensive and uncut, provided your DVD player is region free, or the Blu-rays themselves are region free.). The list is nearly endless, including Downton Abbey, Foyle's War, and Sherlock. Many BBC programs are also available on streaming video services.

5. L.L. Bean Socks. We wear practically no other sock in the cold weather that these from L. L. Bean (and they are made in the US). These stocking are perfect stocking stuffers.

6. Leather Man Ltd. Belts. Leather Man Ltd. Belts are also worn most every day in our house and are good stocking stuffers, made in Essex, Connecticut. There is still time to custom order.

7. Christmas Cove Stockings. We have the larger versions for our stockings (Loons, Lighthouses, and Chickadees) and the little ones (below) for ornaments. These are made on the Maine Coast. (I eschew the heavier Victorian Christmas decorations, vastly preferring the lighter touch that these represent.)

8. Car Code Flag Monograms. Another personalized stocking stuffer, code flags can be adorned almost anywhere, including a car. See entry here.

9. Ivy Style Book. If you did not pick up enough copies at the event, the official book of MFIT's Ivy Style exhibit is also available on Amazon here.

10. Quoddy Shoes. We have simply worn our Dawson Mocs and Boat Shoes almost exclusively for the past couple of months. They are beautiful, tough, and impossibly comfortable. And they are hand-made in Maine. See entry here.

11. Handmade Wood Products. This solid cherry cutting board was hand-made by Tom Boothby on the Maine Coast. I bought mine at the Granite Hall Store.

12. Magazines. I am the grateful recipient of several enjoyable magazine subscriptions (yes, from older friends), including English Home and Country Life.

13. The Fisherman's Crew from Wool Overs. The Fisherman's Crew from Wool Overs is one of our new favorite sweaters. They are reasonably priced, with unisex sizing, and a perfect Navy; I have already given several as gifts. See entry here.

14. Lotuff. Every graduation or professional milestone should be marked with something - anything - from Lotuff. See entry here. They set the global standard for New England luxury.

15. Donations. Charitable donations are always appreciated. I am especially partial to Volunteer Fire Fighters, who collectively have been kinder and more welcoming to us than just about any other group. This would most definitely include Bristol Fire and Rescue, who have indeed "rescued" us.

The patch they gave to us is exceptionally good looking, designed by First Responder Service Chief, Jeri Pendleton, and features Pemaquid Light, which is just down the road from their firehouse.

16. CSAs, Farm Shares and Farm Dinners. Various local farms have subscription services, such as CSAs, Farm Shares, or Farm Dinners. The food is delicious and the relationship to the source is invaluable.

17. Vintage Glassware. I love old glassware. And although most of this small sampling of ours came from various grandmothers, pieces are readily available at church fairs and are usually very reasonably priced.

Any other gift suggestions are always appreciated.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

An Old Stack of Country Life Magazines

There is a pure, pre-Internet joy in finding a stack of old, forgotten magazines. I experienced this while we were preparing to close for the season this year. Country Life has long been my favorite British magazine and these, mostly from the 1970s, had some examples of why.