The Common Tater - Brandywine Edition

That Nothing Worth Knowing Be Lost
By Philena Tewksberry, a right honorable judge, deceased (@foxxybites)There comes a tyme in many a hobbit’s life when one wonders what shall become of the things they know. Not every hobbit hath a son who wishes to learn the mother’s craft, nor a child who wants the grandfather's recipes. Some have no children at all. Some have kin aplenty, but none who care to learn the old song, the proper stitch, the brewing of a perfect summer ale, or why a tool must be held just so.If there is something... Read more...
How to Know the Wether by Beastes or Birds
By Toss Withybrook (@foxxybites)A wise hobbit knowes the creatures of field and farm may know weather changes before we do. These are seven signs of the wether. Swallows Flying Low -- Raine is near Frogs Croaking Loudly - Wet wether approaches ye Cat Sits With Back Towardes the Fyre -- A storm approaches Squirrels Gathering Stores Earlye - A hard winter is promised Spiders Behaving Oddley - A wether change is coming Sheep Gather Close - Foul wether follows Bees Stay Home - Expect raine Should the beastes disagree, the... Read more...
Names for Babes Born in the Coming Yeare: With their Significations, that Parents might Name Wisely
By Toss Withybrook (@foxxybites) Those expecting a new little hobbit in the coming yeare may wish to consider carefully the name bestowed upon them, for a good name ought carry some hope for the child who bears it. Names for LassesDaisy — For innocence and loyal loveViolet — For modestie and faithfulnessPrimrose — For youth and new beginningsHazel — For determination and a stubborn heartMyrtle — For love and a happy householdRosemary — For remembrance and memorieClover — For good fortune all her dayes Names for LadsMeriadoc — For a... Read more...
To Make Golden Morsels
By Hon. Judge Moss Taterton (@foxxybites)Beat together eggs, rosewater, sugar, and therein wet good bread with crusts pared away and toasted. Once wet, fry the morsels apart in good butter and they are once again golden on each side. Lay them on a dish and whilst still hotte, sprinkle them in syrup of sugar, rosewater, and a few threads of saffron or a dash of cinamun.Thus ye shall have Golden Morsels, being a fine sweete dish, best eaten in the morn before harvest.   Read more...
A Recipe for Switchel: A most refreshing draught for a Hotte & Wearie Harvest
By Toss Withybrook (@foxxybites)Switchel is a fine cooling drinke for those who have labored in the field or travelled beneath a hot sun. Make it ahead if you may, for a little resting improves the draught.Take half a gallon of good drinking water, half a cup of molasses, one quarter cup of apple-cider vinegar, and one tablespoon of powdered ginger. Mix these together right well, and set it someplace cool until wanted. Honey or maple syrup may be used in place of molasses, should you haff need to use your... Read more...
On the Care of Shell Buttons
By Hon. Judge Moss Taterton (@foxxybites) A shell button is a beautiful thing, lustrous as the fine snails and river creatures they’re carved from. However, they do be more delicate to care for and harder to replace than bone or wood. Take care, fine and fancy hobbits, to not boil your shell buttons, nor harshly scrub them with soap and lye. It is best to remove them before wash!Should you forget and your button becomes dull or scabberous, a shine with oil and wax and vigorous rubbing with stiff cloth... Read more...
The Language of Potatoes: A guide to Courtship and Affection
By Toss Withybrook (@foxxybites) It is a knowne facte that words are not always suited to affayres of the hearte. And that is when a good hobbit may turn to a properly handled potato to convey what a tongue cannot. Holding a potato over the right shoulder - You may speake to me Holding a potato up in the left hand - I should like to knowe you better Holding a potato up in the right hand - I would rather be left alone Carrying a potato before you in... Read more...
A Day for Weddings
The honor of your presence is requested to celebrate the wedding ofAster DiggletoHal Thornburrow Saturday, 5PMThe Wedding ArchThe 12th of WinterfilthThe wedding will be held in the traditional fashion of the Brandywine Festival. Any and all engaged couples wishing to be married (or married couples seeking vow renewals) are encouraged to join the ceremony. All participating couples must bring a valid signed marriage certificate. Inquire at Harvest Hall for more information.   Read more...
From the Journal of Samwell Hornblower
by Char Hornblower (@charredtree) [From the journal of Samwell Hornblower. Samwell Hornblower is Char Hornblower’s grandfather. It is unclear from the journal if “Gramfer” referenced here was Theodrick Hornblower (Sam’s grandfather) or Diggle Hornblower (Sam’s great-grandfather). The Softburrow records and memory of their oldest family members don’t recall when, if ever, their family grew pipeweed to any large degree. If there is any veracity to this story, then the Hornblower clan of Longbottom has long held an agricultural secret that has helped them prosper beyond the bounds of ordinary Hobbits.... Read more...
Fyre Safety
By Ivy Sapfoot Many a fine hobbits visiting the festival are not familiar with the means of cooking away from the comfort of hearth and home. So I'd like to pass advice from a seasoned traveler to you. Firstly when traveling to an area unfamiliar to you, listen to your neighbor if it is safe to make a fire. Should the land and plants be dry with little rain in sight, and or the wind gusty and blustery, best not set wood alight. Perhaps have a sandwich for dinner, and... Read more...
Getting Started With Sewing
By Gertude Gerdalblum (@fancynancypantsshow)Approaching sewing can be a little scary for some hobbits but to get started there is no need to worry about perfection one just needs a needle and thread and go in and out. To get yourself started its nice to have an assortment of needles (but 1 needle will work) for the materials like a small slim needle for getting tight small stitches but if you need to repair say your heavy wool garment, a longer needle will be best.Of course you will need a good... Read more...
A Snippet with Style
By Rosilee Bowmeer (@roszilla_makes) While we are all familiar with the uses of a pretty scrap of fabric- squared off and added to a quilt, sewn adjacent with a plethora of scraps to create a bag or wrapping, or possibly pieced into the mosaic of an ornamental vest- it is forever on the mind of the avid collector "What shall I do with this delightful piece of ribbon?" A few sweet inches of lovely embroidered silk, beautifully dyed satin, or skillfully woven jacquard will languish for eternity in our sewing... Read more...