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Backcountry Mercantile
- Jan 24
- 4 min
The 'Galette des Rois'
Traditionally, in France, a 'Galette des Rois', otherwise known as a 'king cake', is served for the Epiphany. As history will tell it, the twelfth night following the birth of baby Jesus marks the arrival of the three kings to Bethlehem, and therefore, the day the Galette des Rois debuts. If you have done your math correctly, this translates to the sixth day of January. It is at this time that every pastry shop and boulangerie throughout all of France will display this decade
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Backcountry Mercantile
- Jan 3
- 5 min
How to Make a Bûche de Noël
A Bûche de Noël is a traditional Christmas cake in the shape of a log that is served for dessert around Christmas time in countries such as France, Belgium, and Switzerland. The tradition dates back to the 19th century when families would burn a yule log in their homes starting on Christmas Eve. Some say the log was cut from the bottom of the Christmas tree, and others say it had to be big enough to burn for twelve whole days, up until Epiphany. The burning of the log symboli
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Backcountry Mercantile
- Oct 27, 2020
- 3 min
Is it really even Fall if you have yet to make Butternut Squash Soup?
How many of you have already had your dose of butternut squash for the season? We sense the overload! However, we promise that once you get your hands on a bowl of this slightly sweet, somewhat nutty, and very light butternut squash soup, you will find yourself asking for more. We hosted an afternoon of pumpkin carving on our lawn this past weekend. Following an earlier rain, a damp chill hung in the air. We poured soup in mugs for each of our guests to enjoy upon arrival. Th
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Backcountry Mercantile
- Oct 12, 2020
- 4 min
Autumnal Delights & Butternut Squash Risotto
Autumn has officially arrived. The days seem just a little bit shorter, as they remain darker longer, and the air has taken a turn to a crisp nip. Heirloom pumpkins and cheerful mums have made way into our gardens and onto our front doorsteps. We are finding comfort in warm sweaters, seasonal soups, and apple crisps. In our household, we have switched out the 'everyday' milk glass that was used so often during the summertime and moved onto our cheerful pumpkin earthenware. Th
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Backcountry Mercantile
- Jul 3, 2020
- 4 min
Peace, Love & Unity for All
As I considered two possible themes for our summer ceramics collection back in March, family celebrations were on my mind. Our family kicks off the month with our wedding anniversary on the first, then our older daughter celebrates her Independence Day birthday during the same week. Next, the coronavirus had just begun to affect our nation and the world. Citizens struggled to come to terms with the fact that we were experiencing the beginning stages of a devastating pandemic.
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Backcountry Mercantile
- Jun 26, 2020
- 5 min
Summer Solstice Calls for Cherry Gazpacho and Apricot Clafoutis
Longer days, thanks to the summer solstice, haven't exactly meant logging in extra hours of sleep in this household. What it has allowed, however, is a preconceived notion that because the days are staying lighter much longer, that the hours we stay awake, too, should be much longer. As a result, more time is being spent in the kitchen, allowing more sweet treats to make their way into our 'before bedtime' rituals. I suppose that when my children look back one day, the memori
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Backcountry Mercantile
- May 25, 2020
- 3 min
Home of the Free, Because of the Brave
Today, we saluted those who serve us both presently, as well as honored those who have served us in the past. As we gathered around the table with our loved ones this evening, we remembered the fallen soldiers who bravely fought for us and for this country. Westmoreland milk glass in the paneled grape pattern as well as a floral bouquet designed by McArdle's Florist in Greenwich was the inspiration for our tabletop. With the inclement weather we've experienced, we decided to
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