Reflections on a Dying Snack Food ~

      Hostess has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Apparently, it’s the second time in the last 10 years. Its hard to imagine a world without Twinkies and Wonderbread, but we may, in fact, be on the verge of witnessing their end. Can you believe it? Twinkies and Wonderbread: things that seemed at one point to be as American as America itself. They have graced the lunch boxes of just about every kid in the country. What happened? I have a theory, but before I throw it out there I want to say a few things. 1. I like - No, I LOVE zingers and the orange cupcakes with the white swirlies on them. Yes, I do. I freely admit it. 2. I am not speaking for everyone. I am making an observation about me and my own peer group using my experience. I’m generalizing and thats all. 3. I am not a crusader. Maybe I should be, but I have four kids and the oldest is five so cut me some slack. :)

Here goes... A few years ago I heard a lady named Lisa Johnson on the radio talking about her book, Mind Your X's and Y's: Satisfying the 10 Cravings of a New Generation of Consumers. She talked about how the new adults are changing EVERYTHING about the way the consumer world works. Products, politics, spirituality: its all changing. What’s different? In my own words: we are label readers. And, we are teaching the world to be label readers too. At one point, the advertisement on the front of the package was enough. (I am specifically talking about food, but its the same for everything else. We have a way of nicely packaging up whatever we are trying to sell to the world.) 

Twinkies! Yellow sponge cake with cream filling! Oh yea! What else do I need to know?!  

At some point, though, we began to wonder... Maybe I should know something more. What’s actually in this stuff? How is it made? Where is it made? People started to mistrust the flashy ad on the front of a product and to scan the back for more information. (Actually, I think the Baby Boomers started this and we just took it to a different level) We became researchers devoted to the study of words with 15 syllables that often turned out to be some horrendous chemical. We demanded change. Companies were required to provide nutrition information. Words like “natural” and “organic” entered our vocabulary. They were soon followed by other words like “free range” “grass-fed”, and, eventually,  “fair trade”. We are a generation that digs deep. We are not just consumers, but participants and often activists. We want to know what we are getting, what’s in it, where it was made, how it was made, if the person who made it was paid enough to do so, if we can recycle the package, etc. etc. etc. We want to see something we can believe in, something we feel is understandable and given out with  integrity. We feel the right to ask these questions about EVERYTHING and we demand full disclosure. As a result, companies and institutions that want to keep me and my peers are having to become more and more transparent and more and more in tune with the things we value. Those who don’t will not survive. 

Why is my generation like this? I honestly don’t know. Maybe we watched our parents be let down too many times - consistently getting more or less than what they bargained for. Maybe it’s just that we sung that song a few too many times in kindergarten: “Who? What? When? Where? Why? and How?!” Whatever the reason, this is the way we are. I’m not at all saying we do all this “label reading / accountability” stuff perfectly. We each have our own passions. But, in general, I struggle to give myself to something I don’t understand. I am focused on the food right now because of my kids. The point is, unlike the people who first bit into the soft and creamy deliciousness of a Hostess cupcake, I have the option of knowing what’s in it. And, having read the label, it feels like a bad idea to me. I am not blissfully ignorant. Because of that, I would rather eat my own cake or the one from the bakery down the road. I want real flour, eggs and sugar. I want things not injected with growth hormones or played with in a laboratory. I’m not too interested in malo-dextro-philo-something or other... In my opinion, this is why a company like Hostess is on the verge of dying.
This is both confusing and annoying to those who aren’t used to us. (I have known a few people to get exasperated with my many prodding questions.) Just so you know, sometimes its frustrating to me too. Sometimes I choose to turn a blind eye. I eat the cupcake on occasion. But, alas, sweet zingers, though I love the way you taste and your seductive vanilla ways, I also know how you poison me. Since I can’t imagine the words “all natural ingredients” gracing your cellophane package anytime soon, I think I will continue to avoid you. Maybe tomorrow I will give in, but not today.

The etiquette of Tea

My dad was born in England and grew up all over Europe. As his daughter I am considered a citizen of England as well as the U.S., though I have never really claimed my British citizenship. I have, however, always felt a strong desire to understand and respect the British way. I have payed attention to the British rules of etiquette that I encountered mostly in recreational literature, but also in intentional research. Yes, I admit I have read every bit of Jane Austin I can get my hands on, and I have spent time nerding around on British websites to find out how to "properly" do this or that. But, my passion in British etiquette is, with out a doubt, Tea. This post is going to be short compilation of what I have learned about a proper Tea and is by no means a comprehensive and flawless guide. If I were, let's say,  invited to Tea with the royal family, I freely admit I would be terrified. I am writing this anyway though, because I consider my knowledge to be above average for an American. I have seen some very interesting things go on at Tea in the U.S. such as- lasagna?? :/  And, to be perfectly honest... I am procrastinating cleaning my house.

My dad bought me a piece of property in Glencoe Scotland this year, and with it, I received the landowners of "Lady". I will go ahead and attach that to my name now so as to sound more official. Here you go...

Lady Pamela's Rules of Tea Etiquette

~ A guide for Americans

First of all, there are many various types of Tea from "Morning" to "Afternoon" to Evening or "High" Tea. The history of these Tea's are quite complicated and too intricate for this particular guide - for more information I suggest trying to sort it out for yourself over google perhaps. Just be careful of the American sites. They are filled with misinformation. *Note that is is an American site and therefore I have just discredited my own information... Moving on...

Afternoon Tea is what most of us are familiar with if we have been to a formal Tea of any kind. Sometimes they are advertised as "High" Tea on the menus of fancy American hotels and Restaurants. This is probably because it sounded like the more formal and ritzy option. In fact, it is quite the opposite. High Tea is actually served later in the day and is more of a regular meat and potatoes kind of dinner with tea. Afternoon Tea is the fancy British custom we were thinking of and, it is served between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00.  The point is, if you find yourself at a "High" Tea between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00, you can now feel superior in your knowledge that obviously someone was misinformed. 

At the thus inappropriately named "High" Tea (which is actually Afternoon Tea) you can expect to encounter a few things: the first obviously being tea, and then also a variety of delicate finger foods.  There are several various subtitles for Afternoon Tea which will tell you, if you take the time to remember them all, whether you will be offered a glass of champagne at the beginning or sherry at the end of the tea, how many courses you will be served, etc. From my research, an Afternoon Tea requires only ONE utensil no matter the number of courses - a spoon.

Traditionally the courses would consist of savories first, scones next, and then dessert. As I said before, no utensil is required other than a spoon. If you see a knife and fork you can shake your head with an air of superiority (once again) at the poor misguided souls around you. Also, scones are not triangles contrary to popular opinion. They are not supposed to be cut with a knife. They are very buttery and sweet, not baked with fruit or anything else inside. They are ROUND and biscuit-like and much more delicious than the typical American atrocity we have the nerve to call by the same name. They are meant to be pulled apart with toppings such as clotted cream, jam or lemon curd SPOONED on top. Tirade abating... Cookies are "biscuits", so don't be confused. 

The Tea itself is the most complicated part so I will try my best, but it won't be thorough. Water is brought to a rolling boil, poured into a tea pot, swirled around and dumped out - this is just to warm the pot. The tea is then put in the pot with boiling water - not sure which first, but black loose-leaf is tea is preferred. This is allowed to steep and then poured into the tea cups. Everyone seems to be in dispute over what goes into the tea cup first - milk or lemon, sugar, tea... Some say milk first if desired, then tea, then sugar. Some say sugar first, then tea, etc... this is a debate which I have zero interest in entering as I just don't care. However, I do know that my vote wouldn't mean much considering I like my tea with vanilla cream which is very taboo. Rebellious me. Lemons are to be sliced, not wedged. and obviously, you have either milk or lemon - not both. When stirring your tea don't clink the glass with your spoon. Don't slurp. And, IF you absolutely must place your pinky out to help balance the cup, be subtle about it, for peete's sake! A gently raised and curvy pinky is generally acceptable while the stick straight, "look at me I'm an American drinking tea" pinky is fairly obnoxious. Also, try to practice good posture and, when in doubt, look around for someone as British as possible and just try to follow. 

There you have it. Hope is was helpful. I think I will clean my house and make some proper scones now. :D

Endings...

I guess I haven't blogged in a lot longer than I thought. Well, chalk it up to the "life" part because we have had a busy one. Charlotte has made it midway through kindergarten and somehow we made it back to school this week after letting whatever schedule we might have had slip away completely during Christmas break. I think it was the combination of not having to be somewhere at 8:30 mixed with a touch of sickness (Jacks + the flu) and the general holiday fuzz of family time, laughing, presents and food that swirl together in a mish-mash of happy unstructuredness.

We also have a new addition, which reminds me that I should probably change my profile pic to one of me not pregnant...Colby Donald Edward Fraley. Yes, his initials are CDEF, and no, we didn't realize that till after we chose his name. Colby means "coal town"  which is a sort of round about way of naming him after his birthplace. (Homer's nickname is "Coal Bay" because of the coal that washes up on our shores.) Donald Edward was Scott's papa's name and papa was very special to my husband so, there you go... CDEF. He came into our lives very early in the morning on Sept 27th (my dad and my husband's best friend's birthday). It was exactly 9 days late and one day before they threatened to force the issue. He is the most content and generally pleasant baby I have ever encountered. His typical expression is a smile. His cries are few and easily soothed and his laughs are sweet though still a bit rare. He strikes me as the very opposite of our little TaylorBug who feels everything to an extreme - whether happy or sad. He is not like Charlotte who is calculated and logical. Maybe at this point he is the most like Jacks who is generally sweet and good natured, but Colby is calm and something tells me his calmness wont wear off as much as Jacks' did. Jacks has turned into a little tornado of a boy - a happy one, but still a tornado. He is a ball of energy functioning at 2 speeds - on or off. He gets excited and has to find something to throw or jump on or jump off or run into and has actually become very athletic for a just turned 3 year old. His birthday was 4 days after Christmas and I am rejoicing to be moving swiftly past toddlerness as he can now communicate very well and is therefore frustrated less.

Colby, I think will be calm and even and steady. I could be wrong since he's only 3 months old, but he seems older. In fact, he has seemed that way since his birth. He came out protesting loudly as most babies do, but then he quieted down. Only a few hours later I remember one of the nurses with a thoughtful look on her face saying, "he seems older than a newborn." Yea, I can't quite put my finger on why that's true, but it is. Interesting how we used to talk in psychology class about the theory of babies being born a "blank slate" and made by society and environment. My babies have all been so completely different from Day 1 that the idea is laughable to me now.

 Anyway, we ended the year of 2011 by becoming a family of 6 and I love it.  What does 2012 have in store? A few decisions have already cropped up and the rest I don't know, but it feels like change... more than what we have already anticipated. And, change is something I have a pretty good sense of. As someone who has moved over 30 times in my 30 years I feel the shift in the wind, so to speak, quite easily. Not, that we are moving, or that I buy into the world ending bit. I just have that general squirmy discomfort - the kind that hits when you feel like you are outgrowing the things you have become comfortable with... even if you don't want to. I feel like it happens so much that me and the unknown are actually becoming friends a bit. It used to bother me more, but I'm learning God knows more than me - duh right? Most of the time when I try to plan I get redirected anyway.  Often it's to something better or even just... more... than what I would have gone for but then there is still the mess of recovering from unmet expectations. Besides, anticipation and "if" tend to want to become anxiety inside of me and I think I like it better to throw it all up to God with the trust that I can muster and let Him bring the whatever. This is new because I am a person who likes to know the end. But, I can let it go for now so, fly away happy end and be illusive. I think I will linger in the now and love my family and make bread, take care of the laundry and then I'll go to sleep. Today I will not fool myself into thinking I can catch you and turn you wherever I want. I won't waste sleep on you either. Who can afford to give that up when they have 4 babies?