Saturday, August 11, 2012


Severin Rosen, Still Life with Strawberries, (c. 1848-1870)
Summer Cold Strawberry Soup
1 1/2 c. water
3/4 c. red wine
1/2 c. sugar
2 T. fresh lemon juice
1 cinnamon stick
2 qt. strawberries, hulled and pureed, reserve a few for garnish
1 c. heavy cream
1/4 c. sour cream
Combine water, wine, sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon stick in a 5-quart saucepan.  Boil, uncovered, about 17 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add strawberry puree and continue boiling, stirring frequently.  Discard cinnamon stick and cool cooked mixture.  Whip cream and stir in sour cream.  Fold into strawberry mixture.  Refrigerate several hours.  When ready to serve, garnish with reserved whole strawberries.  This recipe makes about 8 cups.


Sunday, August 5, 2012

Coldbeach

Beach Sand
by Raymond A. Foss

Maybe it is the memories
the change of pace that brings us there
the sense of vacation
maybe the smell of the place
the sights of the gulls, the dunes, the grasses
but oh it is the feel of it, 
the crunch and slide of it
the feeling of beach sand
so different from dirt, soil, loam
no, not earthy, moist, rich, 
but oh so granular and gritty
even when wet,
moveable paper spreading under toes
sliding beneath the soles
smoothing my skin
clearing my mind
unburdening me of the rest
drawing me to the tactile, the feel
of beach sand.