King’s Arms Tavern Peanut Soup

In my youth, when I traveled, I would always come home loaded with various remembrances of my trip. It was always fun, and I still retain some of those items, fondly remembering each adventure every time I look at them. These days, with storage at a premium, and my interest in lugging big heavy bags a part of my past, I shop for more practical souvenirs. Because traveling is as much about sightseeing as it is about sampling the local cuisine, I tend to opt for local cookbooks, recipe postcards, and tea towels, so I considered my purchase of a souvenir tea towel that contained a recipe to be a bit of a double bonus.

The Kings Arms Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg is a fun, atmospheric, tasty place to dine. One of their specialties is peanut soup. I'd never had peanut soup prior to visiting here, and found the whole concept to be rather off putting, so, naturally, I ordered it. It was delicious! Now I'm not quite sure just how authentic to colonial days peanut butter is, but I refuse to be bothered by that because I really like this soup. With Thanksgiving now behind us, we are on the cusp of loads of holiday dinner parties and other such gatherings, so why not start off your lunch or dinner with a little bowl of this soup? Unique and enjoyable, I'm sure your guests will love it.

King’s Arms Tavern Peanut Soup

1 medium onion, chopped

2 ribs celery, chopped

1/4 cup butter

3 Tablespoons flour

2 quarts chicken broth

2 cup smooth peanut butter

1-3/4 cup light cream

Chopped peanuts, for garnish

Saute onion and celery in butter until soft, but not brown. Stir in flour until well blended. Add broth and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and puree either in a blender, using an immersion blender, or food processor. Add peanut butter and cream, stirring both in thoroughly. Heat through and serve. Garnish with chopped peanuts (and I used bacon as well.)

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Tales from the Crypts

One of the plusses in being married to a professor is the research.  It helps to be his research assistant.  It also helps that he’s a literature professor, specializing in 18^th Century British Periodicals.  Why, you ask?  Because in order to research these periodicals one must see the periodicals, first hand, warranting research trips to some of the most interesting cities and beautiful libraries in the world.

Back in 2004 we spent autumn in New England, specifically at Yale University working in the Beinecke Library.  Being on the campus of Yale was a particular joy for me because my dad was a Yale man.  It gave me such a thrill to walk in his footsteps, sit on the steps of the Sterling Library where he saw Glenn Miller play, wander the courtyard of Calhoun College, where he’d lived, and walk across New Haven Green.

I always do a lot of research prior to these trips and managed to find something in New Haven that my dad knew nothing about.  In fact, most people I talked to who had a working knowledge of Yale didn’t know that beneath Center Church  (one of three on New Haven Green) are crypts with the identified remains of 137 people. Among them city founder Theophilus Eaton; Benedict Arnold's first wife, Margaret Arnold; James Pierpont, one of the founders of Yale College; and the grandparents of U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes.

The Crypts, located on the Green in New Haven at 311 Temple Street, are open for viewing, free of charge, from April 1through Halloween.

I thought this a suitable post to share for “Dia de los Muertos,” and am linking up with The Tablescaper’s weekly travel link, “Oh, the PLACES I’ve been!”

 Happy Dia de los Muertos everyone.  Remember, with fondness, the people you’ve lost who’ve had a special place in your life.  I’ll be thinking of my mother today, as I do every day.

 

Camden Market

I thought it was time for another travel post, so today I am taking you to yet another wonderful market in London, the Camden Markets.  Popularly referred to as “Camden Lock,” it is located in Camden Town near the Hampstead Road Lock of the Regent’s Canal.  Now, you’re probably saying to yourself, gee, this woman goes to a LOT of markets.  I do.  I find when travelling that markets such as this one, the Borough Market, and Portobello Market really give a taste of what a neighborhood is all about.  I like mingling with locals and tourists alike, and always enjoy seeing what people eat and buy.

 The fourth most popular visitor attraction in London, Camden Market attracts nearly 100,000 people each weekend.  You can find quite an interesting variety of things here, among them crafts, clothing, bric-a-brac and fast, and ethnic foods. 

Trying to find just the right outfit for that special occasion?  Check this out. 

Are you hard to fit when it comes to buying shoes?  I think this shop can accommodate you.

 No, these are not gumballs, these are rocks.  A chart hanging behind the dispenser explains it all.  As a former geology major, I quite enjoyed this.

 “T” is for toilet, not Mr. T. and I wouldn’t want him staring at me when I’m in the bathroom.  I can’t imagine anyone wanting one of these toilet seat covers.  Scary! 

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Off the beaten path: Zoar, Ohio

 I LOVE to plan trips.  In fact, sometimes I think that I may enjoy planning a trip more than actually taking the trip.  Mr. O-P is from New Jersey so this means many trips east.  Many, long trips DRIVING east.  After ten years or so, this same trip can get pretty boring.  A couple of years ago I decided to attempt to make the drive less monotonous by looking for another route and something interesting to see off of our usually beaten path.  It was then that I stumbled upon Zoar, Ohio.

Zoar is a village in Tuscarawas County, Ohio.  It was founded in 1817 by German religious dissenters called the Society of Separatists of Zoar.  A former communal society, it features numerous German-style structures that have been restored and are part of the Zoar Village State Memorial.  For a taste of Old-World charm in east-central Ohio, it is well worth a visit.

 

 

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Portobello Market

  Shopping and sightseeing are two of my favorite things to do when traveling.  I love it when I can combine the two as in the case when I visit Portobello Market, the world’s largest antiques market, and a beloved London landmark.  Here you will find over 1,000 dealers selling every kind of antique and collectible, plus food, fashion, the works! It attracts visitors from all over the world who come to shop the most extensive selection of antiques in Britain.  We do not go to London without making a stop here, and always come away with as much as we can carry.

My dad had a birthday coming up when we visited.  He’s been a trumpet player since his youth, so we bought him the pocket trumpet (far left) for his birthday. 

I love culinary antiques (naturally!), so at this stall I treated myself to a set of Apostle Spoons.

This colorful shop was one of my favorites.  

 We both fell in love with a Didgeridoo.

It was unbelievably difficult to carry home with us.  I am convinced that it was this cumbersome and unusual piece of art that bumped us from coach to First Class.  I don’t think the airline people had any idea just what to do with it (or us!).

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