A Message from
BOOK OF THE MONTH Author Brunonia Barry...

Dear Red Hat Society,

I am so honored that THE LACE READER has been chosen as your September Book of the Month.

I envisioned this multigenerational woman's story as a variation of the Hero's Journey. So often, I have wondered what the heroic journey would look like from a woman's point of view. As I learned from my characters, it is largely a collaborative process.

In my story, Towner Whitney must return to Salem, MA to help find her Great Aunt Eva, the family matriarch, who has disappeared. Eva runs a tea room, and her customers and friends include the local chapter of the Salem Red Hats. In THE LACE READER, the Red Hats serve not only as friends but also as a sort of Greek Chorus that keeps an eye on all of the main characters. They are strong women who not only protect each other, but who come to the aid of one of the less fortunate women of the community as well. These women are not afraid to speak their minds and take action when necessary.

As a first time author, I am enjoying every bit of this publication process. This is the fulfillment of a childhood dream, and, as it has happened rather late in life, I treasure the experience even more.

Best Regards,

Brunonia Barry

Why is The Lace Reader a perfect Book of the Month for you?

According to Lace Reader author, Brunonia Barry, she included Red Hat characters in her runaway bestseller because,"they are daring women who aren't afraid to speak out. They are also a lot of fun."

Do you agree and enjoy being a character in the most talked about book of the year?

Read The Lace Reader to find out, then gather your sister Hatters and see what they think. The Lace Reader is a book you can't put down and won't stop talking about. According to People, "Lace is tailor-made for a boisterous night at the book club."

And because "every piece of lace has a secret", bring a piece of lace that has been handed down to you and read lace for each other. We have included instructions and the fascinating history of Ipswich Lace.

Your Exalted Queen Mother, Sue Ellen Cooper, will have a Q&A session with Brunonia Barry, and you can submit questions for Sue Ellen to ask and then enjoy the session from the Red Hat website.

How to Read Lace
"There is lace in every living thing:the bare branches of winter, the patterns of cloud, the surface of water as it ripples in the breeze…
Even a wild dog's matted fur shows a lacy pattern if you look at it closely enough."

(Click here to read more)

The History of Ipswitch Lace
Ipswitch lace, or bobbin lace, or bone lace is made on bolster pillows on the laps of the women. The pillows are round or elliptical and most resemble the muffs that Victorian women later carried to keep their hands warm while riding in their carriages.

(Click here to read more)

There have been many sightings of Red Hat chapters visiting Salem, Massachusetts, the location of The Lace Reader. What draws you there? See if you can find the answer here.

History of Salem

Founded in 1626-six years after the first Pilgrims arrived-Salem, Massachusetts, would weather wars and pirates to grow into one of the most significant seaports in colonial America and by 1790 would become the sixth largest city in America supporting global spice, fishing, and whaling industries to name just a few. The home of author Nathaniel Hawthorne, it is also the site of one of the darkest chapters in American history: the witch trials held between February 1692 and May 1693. More than 150 men, women, and children were arrested and imprisoned for witchcraft. Twenty-nine people were convicted; of these 19 were hanged. More than 200 years later, the events would become the basis of Arthur Miller's acclaimed drama, The Crucible. And in the 1800s several Salem residents gave refuge to individuals traveling north on the Underground Railroad.

As shipping declined through the 19th century, Salem's port was eventually eclipsed by Boston and New York, and the town became a center for the manufacturing of leather, shoes, and cotton. In 1914, a factory fire set the town ablaze, destroying more than 400 homes. Today, approximately 40,000 people live in Salem and thousands more visit each year. Famed for its architecture, Salem's collection of original and unique colonial-era homes and mansions represent the greatest concentration of notable pre-1900 domestic structures in the country. It is also home to one of the oldest and largest museums in the nation, the Peabody Essex Museum.

"Salem" is related to the Hebrew "shalom" and the Arabic "salam", both which mean "peace."

(Click here for a Walking Tour Map of Salem)

RECIPE CORNER

Colonial Salem Recipes for your Discussion Group

SYLLABUB (Soft custard pudding)

Syllabub is also classified as a wickedly rich eggnog type of drink to which brandy may be added, and is often served with gingerbread.

  • 4 egg yolks
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 pint whipped cream
  • Brandy or wine

1. Mix half sugar with flour
2. Bring milk to boil and add sugar and flour.
3. Cook in double boiler 10 minutes.
4. Beat egg yolks, add in other half sugar, and finally add this to milk mixture, stirring slowly.
5. Cook 5 minutes, stirring constantly.
6. Remove from fire and add vanilla.
7. Let mixture cool.
8. When serving fill a tumbler half full of this custard
9. Add a thin layer of brandy or wine on top of custard
10. Finish filling with the chilled whipped cream.
11. Often served with gingerbread on festive occasions


SALEM GINGERBREAD COOKIES

  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons ginger
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup melted margarine
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 cup unsulfered molasses
  • 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 teaspoon lemon extract
  • 4 cups stone-ground or unbleached flour, unsifted

Combine the sugar, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Mix well. Add the melted margarine, evaporated milk and molasses. Add the extracts. Mix well. Add the flour 1 cup at a time, stirring constantly. The dough should be stiff enough to handle without sticking to fingers. Knead the dough for a smoother texture. Add up to ½ cup additional flour if necessary to prevent sticking. When the dough is smooth, roll it out ¼ inch thick on a floured surface and cut it into cookies. Bake on floured or greased cookie sheets in a preheated 375° F oven for 10 to 12 minutes. The gingerbread cookies are done when they spring back when touched.

"Colonial cooks made this delight in a skillet with legs (about eight inches tall). It was cooked directly over hot coals. The electric (or gas) stove isn't nearly so romantic as an 18th century working fireplace, but much more efficient."

 

SALEM SKILLET CRANBERRIES

  • 1 pound fresh cranberries
  • 2 cups brown or white sugar
  • 2 1/4 cup rum

1. Dump the fresh cranberies in to your indispensable black iron skillet (or oven proof dish).
2. Sprinkle the cranberries with sugar, cover the skillet, and place in a 250 degree oven.
3. After one hour remove the lid (use foil if you don't have a lid) and pour in the rum.
4. Continue cooking until the rum evaporates.
5. And please do not stir unless you have to absolutely have to. Stirring breaks up the cranberries, serves 4 to 6.

 

HOW TO MAKE A PROPER POT OF TEA

Instructions
Difficulty: Easy
Things You'll Need:

  • Tea Filters
  • Bottled Water
  • Tea Infusers
  • Tea Leaves
  • Mesh Tea Balls
  • Teacups
  • Teakettles
  • Teapots

Step 1
Fill a kettle with fresh, cold water, adding enough to make the desired amount of tea, plus some extra to allow for evaporation and to prewarm the teapot.

Step 2
Wait until the water is near boiling, then pour a little into the teapot and swirl it around. This warms the pot so that it is at an optimum temperature for holding the tea. Empty the pot.

Step 3
For each cup of tea, place 1 rounded teaspoon of leaves into the warmed pot. (If your pot has a strainer basket, use that.)

Step 4
Allow the water in the kettle to reach a brisk, rolling boil.

Step 5
Pour the water from the teakettle onto the leaves in the teapot.

Step 6
Let the tea steep for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the size of the leaves. Allow a longer steeping time for larger leaves than for fine leaves.

Step 7
Stir just before serving, then strain the tea into cups. Depending on the tea, you might add sugar, milk, honey or lemon. (Or a combination, but don't use lemon and milk together.)

Step 8
Keep the pot covered with a cozy to keep the tea warm, and enjoy.