Flamingos on the Menu

In 1949, long before I was born, my globe trekking Dad left the rainforests of Vancouver, to live and work in the arid desert of a Saudi Arabian mining camp.  Two years, eight countries, and a trunk full of memories later, he was aboard the RMS Scythia, one of the Cunard Line's cruise ships, on a return voyage to Canada.

That old trunk was a treasure trove of tales and riches.  In addition to camera equipment, a diary, fabric and jewelry for his future bride, he kept the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus from the cruise.

The ocean liner printed new menus three times a day.  The breakfast menu was a simple, single sided narrow card, with the cheerful words, "Good Morning" surrounded by a flock of seagulls.  The lunch and dinner menus were larger, and more elaborate.  Every day, there were two different works of art on the lunch and dinner covers, and the menus opened up to reveal exotic sounding dishes, their names artfully typeset in French or English, across two pages.  My favourite menu cover was this one, with six flamingos striding through turquoise waters.  Time has not diminished the graphic design.

Food trends change through the years, which is why historians and chefs pour over old menus. These pre-Mad Men menus list heavier mains, fewer vegetables, numerous dessert "ices" (freezing food was still a novelty), and with the exception of Petit Fours, a surprising absence of cakes.  On this 1951 cruise, diners were tempted with:  Consomme Victoria, Fillets of Plaice Gronobloise, Noodles au Parmesan, Roast Ribs and Sirloin of Beef with Horseradish Cream, Roast Duckling Bigarrade, Lamb Cutlets, Calf's Head Vinaigrette, Cauliflower Hollandaise, Braised Celery au Jus, Leaf Spinach, Boiled or Delmonico Potatoes, Beetroot Salad, Bread and Butter Pudding, Compote of Black Currants and Cream, Souffle au Vanille, Raspberry Sundae, Neapolitan Ice, Pistachio Ice, and Vanilla Ice with Hot Chocolate Sauce.

Imagine, it is a Saturday night, in September of '51, and you are aboard the RMS Scythia.  You've returned to your cabin after dinner.  This is the inspiration behind these photo vignettes.

Photo credits:  Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated
       

Pancake Tuesday: Mardi Gras, Lent, and Something Worth Giving Up

Tuesday is Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday, the day of feasting before beginning the 40 days of fasting for Lent.  It's a time for one last indulgence before six weeks of abstention and self sacrifice.

Why then, would simple, healthy pancakes be the food of choice?  I looked it up.  In the Middle Ages, meat, eggs, fats, milk and fish were restricted during Lent.  So pancakes were a good way to use up three of those items - eggs, milk and fat (butter) all at once, so they wouldn't be left to spoil.

The diner photo was taken near the California-Nevada border years ago.  Every time I look at it, I can smell the bacon, eggs, toast, pancakes and strong coffee that greeted me coming in from the cold.  Perfect day for pancakes.

Here's my go-to pancake recipe:

1 1/2 Cups flour
1 heaping Tbsp sugar (I use coconut sugar)
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 Cups milk (I use almond milk)
2 Tbsp melted butter (I use coconut oil)
1 large egg, beaten
Mix dry ingredients and set aside.  Combine the wet ingredients, then add to the dry ingredients.  Stir quickly, and don't worry about lumps (just like making muffins).  Ladle 1/3 Cup batter onto a hot griddle, wait until bubbles appear, then flip over.  Repeat.  Serve with real maple syrup.

Thinking of giving up something for Lent?  How 'bout giving up your organs?  If you haven't registered to be an organ donor, take time to register!  Happy Mardi Gras!  Here's a feast for the eyes...

.  

 The Rio Roses in this photograph, are a Mardi Gras of vibrant colours:  mango, orange, coral pink, hot pink and fuchsia in a single bloom!  

The Salt Shaker

The salt and pepper shakers graced our family table for as long as I can remember.  The cut glass shakers stood side by side at every meal, through the seasons, and the years.  As a child, I thought that with their tall, tapered silhouettes, they were miniature, crystal Eiffel Towers.

Not long ago, one of the freshly washed shakers tumbled onto the kitchen tile floor, shattering into dozens of pieces.  Gone forever.  The lone salt shaker kept vigil on a dark shelf, until one day, it found a new life as a charming bud vase.

I miss my husband.  Brande and I were a couple for 25 years - a quarter century of living.  He was my lover, best friend, and mentor.  Just like perfectly matched salt and pepper shakers, we were always together.  Even when we lived in two different cities, he would phone every night.  We were two individuals, complete on our own, yet so much more together.  He died of liver cancer in October of 2014.

The salt shaker photographic metaphor is a reminder to those of us who are left behind when a spouse or partner dies, that even though they are gone forever, we can create a new life for ourselves.

As for my husband, I like to think he's found a heavenly fishing spot.  Just look at the shadow cast by the rose leaves and stem in the photo below.  It's a message to me, that he's alright!
   

Photo credit: Ruth Adams, Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated.

White rose:  Florigens Designs

Destiny's Child

I have always loved flowers.  My grandparents on my father's side were avid gardeners, and Summers in Vancouver, were filled with roses, peonies, dahlias, and sweet peas.  For my fifth birthday, Grandma baked one of her homemade cakes, iced it with yellow icing, and decorated it with yellow roses from the garden.  My mother hand embroidered our Summer blouses with "belles petite fleurs" of pink, yellow and white.       

I took my first photograph when I was five, and promptly dropped the camera!  Nearly a decade later, when high school friends were going on a mountain hike, my father gave me his camera, along with carefully hand printed, detailed notes on lighting and exposure settings.  Teaching me photography, was an everlasting gift.

Yesterday, I discovered old black and white photographs of myself as a still in diapers toddler, exploring my grandparents garden.  I vaguely remembered one of the photographs of me, captivated by the beauty and fragrance of a lush peony.  Up until then, I had spent my entire life in Quebec and Newfoundland, surrounded by snow and granite.  The Canadian West coast was paradise! 

 

I took the photographs to my friend, Nick Cassinath, of Northern Artists (he's been printing my photographs for years).  We both laughingly agreed, that I was destined to be a floral photographer!  It's what he saw in the next photo, that brought me to tears...

 

As Nick was removing the dark shadows in the photo, he said, "Look what you're carrying!  Is that a camera?!"  Out of the shadows, my Dad's old camera emerged.  Destiny's Child.

Congratulations!

I've just given birth to twins!  Well, it feels that way.  I've incorporated a business, and opened up the first of many on-line storefronts, all at the same time.  Far from exhausted - I'm rejuvenated!

As of last week, my hobby of floral photography is now a real business - a Federally incorporated business, known as Widow's Endorphins Photographic Images Incorporated. I'm also pleased to announce, that I have joined the wonderful photographers and artists of Society6, a California based, international on-line store.    

My floral images are now available on throw pillows, lap top skins, ipod skins, coffee mugs, tote bags, framed art prints, and so much more!  I will always hold the rights to my photographs.  Society6 manufactures each item on demand, processes payment through Pay-Pal, and ships the orders.  Society6 is just a click away...on the right side of the blogsite page, under where it says, "Let's Go Shopping".  Just in case you're at a party, and someone happens to notice the fabulous ipod skin and matching tote bag you're carrying, keep this link handy:   http://society6.com/ruthadams 

I have another surprise...Just in time for Valentine's Day, a never before seen photograph, entitled "Candy Pink Rose"...Please go to my Society6 page, and enjoy the eye-candy!

    

Would you be so kind as to leave your email address for me?  You'll be kept up to date on each new posting from this blogsite.  The email bar is located to the right of the page.