Waking Up in Utah

From May 2010 photos

That photo was taken the day after we arrived at my in-laws' in Utah. Snow, on May 24. Quite a change from the 90 degree F weather we'd left back in Jersey. But it's warming up a bit, day by day.

From May 2010 photos

This was the sunrise two days ago. I'm really looking forward to enjoying that every day on my commute to Park City.

From May 2010 photos

The view out the front door. Snow-capped peaks. What could be better?

More next week on the work at the Park City Museum. Stay tuned!

The Shakespeare Garden in Plainfield, NJ

From May 2010 photos

One of the great things about local libraries is that they collect marvelous local treasures. Recently, I wrapped up a re-processing project on just one of those treasures. The collection I refoldered, rearranged, and documented was the Plainfield Garden Club's records. Along with the well-used files I processed, the collection includes photos, slides, and scrapbooks detailing the activities of these talented and dedicated home and civic gardeners dating back to 1915. If you're interested in more details of the club, here's the finding aid.

Within the records researchers can find the history of the famed Shakespeare Garden in Cedar Brook Park. I had the great fortune of spending Mondays with these documents, sifting through the meeting minutes and treasurer's reports until I almost felt that one of these garden ladies (who all referred to each other as Mrs. Husband's-Name-Here) would walk through the Local History doorway and invite me to tea.

It seemed only right that I should pay my respects to at least one of their civic works.

From May 2010 photos

It's a lovely little garden, still well tended, at one end of a sprawling local park. My fellow library volunteer, historic Plainfield resident, and schoolmate, Michelle was kind enough to accompany me on a visit last week. It was a bit early in the garden's season, but we saw the beginnings of what promises to be some lovely blooms.

From May 2010 photos

The garden features all the flowers, herbs, and plants referred to in the famed Bard's works. Alas, we were a bit early for the roses, but we did see these bluebells.

From May 2010 photos

Like many English gardens, the shapes of the beds were maintained impeccably.

From May 2010 photos

I knew a few of the plants and flowers, but not these. Anyone know? They were growing under a tree, so I assume they tend to be found in part shade.

From May 2010 photos

Some very fragrant purple sage.

From May 2010 photos

If you decide to visit the Shakespeare Garden in Plainfield, do continue walking through the park. You will happen upon a lovely little pond, here and there sprinkled with irises at the edges.

From May 2010 photos

Directions.

Book Review: Viva Vegan!

Viva Vegan, the newest book by Terry Hope Romero (of Veganomicon, Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar, and Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World fame) is an excellent resource for newbies to Latin cooking (like me!). One of the aspects of Romero's books that I find particularly useful is all the tips and other helpful information in the front of the book as well as throughout the recipes. Reading through the cookbook, I felt like I could easily try the recipes and achieve good results.

I'm really looking forward to making my own vegan seitan (I don't know of any non-vegan seitan), especially the Chorizo Seitan Sausages Romero describes in Viva Vegan! I suspect that they will become our new favorites. She also details how to make authentic vegan refried beans from dried beans -- a technique I've not yet tried, but can't wait to do.

I would have liked more photos (always seem to want more photos in cookbooks, so there it is), but overall, I find the book to be very accessible and appealing. The recipes read well and are organized effectively, and the ingredients aren't tough to find (at least here in New Jersey). The menus and cooking techniques in the appendices are very helpful, as are the notes in the front and the tips throughout. As per all her previous books, I'd say it's going to be a big hit with vegans and the folks who love them.

SOURCE Book Conservation Workshop with Maria Pisano

From April 2010 photos

On April 17, SOURCE at Rutgers hosted a highly entertaining and educational book conservation workshop with guest instructor, Maria Pisano (shown above). Maria provided us with loads of handy resources for conservation and preservation, and gave us a short history of some of the materials used in book preservation. Our workshop was primarily targeted toward students who might have an interest in working with special collections or with circulating books that require conservation.

From April 2010 photos

The SOURCE group was a mix of first-semester MLIS students and those of us who are graduating now or in a semester. It was a well-attended event, complete with a yummy lunch.

Maria first taught us how to bind our own book using library board, heavy-weight acid-free paper, and linen thread. We later used the book as a place to display our material samples. (I took a boatload of photos of Maria's technique which are available on my Facebook page here.)

From April 2010 photos

Maria also taught us how to cut and make our own rare/fragile book enclosure (shown above). When I did my independent study project last semester, I requested a few of these from Tim for the Suellen Glashausser artists' books.

From April 2010 photos

She also showed us how to keep very descriptive records of conservation work, describing the paper, damage, printing, structure, repairs, etc. She showed us how to make mylar covers for books as well as clamshell boxes and self-closing wrappers.

From April 2010 photos

Finally, Maria showed us how to use Japanese papers as well as filmoplast to repair tears in paper. She used dry techniques rather than wet ones due to the limitations of the space. I would have liked to have experienced some hands-on work with wet repairs, but I plan to gain this experience in another workshop, hopefully by the end of the summer.

Overall, it was very useful to have Maria Pisano show us these techniques and share with us her experience in the field. She is an excellent resource, and I hope that Rutgers brings her back to teach a semester-long course as part of a conservation track.