Muse and Hearth

Valerie and Lydia delve deeper into Robert Capon’s thoughts on hospitality (Is formal hospitality the same as “entertaining?” How has the cult of authenticity shaped our approach as hostesses?) and shaping taste in our children.

Links: 

• Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection, by Robert Capon

Delighting in food and creation is our theme in this episode! Lydia and Valerie explore the classic, mid-century theological culinary reflections of Robert Capon, pastor and amateur of all things delightful in the kitchen. How can we learn what it means to love a thing like God does, to delight in creation not for its "usefulness," but because God called it good? We love Capon so much we decided to spread his book over two episodes, so tune in to the next episode as we go more in-depth on specific passages that may cause a stir!

Links: 

• Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection, by Robert Capon
• A Perpetual Feast #9: On Hospitality, Tradition, and Trave

We’re excited to launch a short series of episodes on the topic of hospitality, beginning with a discussion of Babette’s Feast, the moving novella (and its film adaptation) by Isak Dinesen. What can Babette’s Feast teach us about the nature of grace in hospitality, and the giving of oneself? How do we apply this to how we show hospitality to our own families?

Links: 

• Babette's Feast, A Film by Gabriel Axel
• Babette's Feast and Other Stories, by Isak Dinesen

Persuasion is not the most popular of Austen’s works, but we think it’s a hidden gem. Can a passive heroine be an agent of change? Is there a hint of Dante’s Beatrice in Anne Elliot? And is Persuasion a “follow your heart” story? 

Links and Books: 

• Persuasion, by Jane Austen
• Persuasion, (movie, 2000)

Lydia and Valerie have strong feelings about Austen. Especially modern re-interpretations of Austen. We won’t give too much away, but we had LOTS of thoughts on Autumn DeWilde’s 2020 film adaptation of Emma. Is Austen rolling over in her grave?

Books and Links:

• Emma, by Jane Austen
• Emma, 2020 movie
• Emma, BBC mini-series
• Busyman's Honeymoon, by Dorothy Sayers
• Miniatures and Morals, by Peter J. Leithart

 

“Words, words, words!” Get ready to add some titles to your reading list, and be sure to let us know what your favorite or current reads are! We need more to add to our lists...which is to say we already have more than we can read, but since when has that stopped us? We also discuss audiobooks vs physical texts, and building reading habits, both in Bible reading and literature reading!

Books and Links: 

• The Faerie Queene, by Edmund Spenser
• Emma, Jane Austen
• Song of Roland, Tr. Dorothy Sayers
• 12 Rules for Life, Jordan Peterson
• Christ Church Bible Reading Challenge
• Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, by Samin Nosrat
• Wee Free Men, by Terry Pratchett
• The Cozy, Minimalist Home, by Myquillyn Smith
• Food and Faith: A Theology of Eating, by Norman Wirzba
• Ghost Soldiers, by Hampton Sides
• The Clicking of Cuthbert, by P. G. Wodhouse
• Meet Mr. Mulliner, by P. G. Wodehouse
• Jill the Reckless, by P. G. Wodehouse
• Leave it to Psmith, by P. G. Wodehouse
• Norms and Nobility, by David Hicks
• Riders of the Purple Sage, by Zane Grey
• Supper of the Lamb, Robert Farrar Capon
• Poetry & Prose in the 16th Century, by C. S. Lewis
• Whose Body?: A Lord Peter Wimsey Mystery, by Dorothy Sayers
• Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger
• Thirty-Nine Steps, by John Buchan
• Churchill Factor, by Boris Johnson
• The Longest Day, by Cornelius Ryan
• Band of Brothers, by Stephen E. Ambrose
• On the Origins of War and the Preservation of Peace, by Donald Kagan
• The Winter King, by Christine Cohen
• Hannah Coulter, by Wendell Berry

Welcome to our eclectic COVD-inspired episode on our favorite cooking tips and recipes, including broth and stock, and of course sourdough.

Books and Links: 

• King Arthur Baking Company
• Sourdough Chocolate Cake
• Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat
• Kitchen Counter Cooking School by Kathleen Flinn

Once upon a time, C. S. Lewis gave one of his best lectures ever. It was called “De Descriptione Temporum,” and everyone—yes, you too—should read it. We were joined in this episode by Daniel Foucachon, Lydia’s husband and the founder of Roman Roads Press and Kepler Education. We talk about watershed moments in history, pre-Christian and post-modern man, why we should keep the “clean sea breeze” of old books flowing through our minds. In the second half, we also discuss the difference between The Great Books and the great books, and the importance of knowing “your” people.

You can read C. S. Lewis’ lecture here.

Learn more about Old Western Culture. 

Roman Roads Press
Classical Christian curriculum for home and school. "Inherit the Humanities"

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In today’s episode, Lydia and Valerie discuss Thomas Howard’s book, Hallowed be This House. We chat about seeing the glory in the “everyday” things, the anchoring power of ritual in the home, especially during a pandemic, and how our work reveals the mystery of charity in the daily “my life for yours.” 

Books and Links: 

• Hallowed Be this House, by Thomas Howard

We recorded this episode during the Coronavirus pandemic shutdowns in March/April. Lots of time at home got us to thinking about home decor, making inviting spaces, and interior design. We discuss two of Myquillyn Smith’s books The Nesting Place and The Cozy Minimalist Home. Smith’s books encourage jumping in and not waiting for the perfect time or materials to make your home more inviting. She helps point us toward gratitude for “the space I’m in now.”

Books and Links: 

"The Nesting Place" by Myquillyn Smith

"The Cozy Minimalist Home" by Myquillyn Smith

The Nester Blog