Living the Dream

The Ladies: A Journal of the Court, Fashion and Society, came chatting into existence in March 1872, offering scientifically precise fashion advice and demanding political rights for women. The weekly London newspaper sought out the burgeoning female readership, explicitly catering to upper-class society women who could pay the sixpenny rate but implicitly offering middle-class women a guide to social-climing success. Although The Ladies--with its fashion plates, housekeeping tips, suffrage demands, and employment advice--collapsed after nine months, its reign reflects a cultural moment and its deposing, a cultural instability. The journal proposes an impossible dream of womanhood allowing for femininity, domesticity, brilliance, assertiveness, and political activism. This project opens the window onto a forgotten Victorian periodical and its attempt to create a place in the Victorian culture and the Victorian press for the well-dressed women of England.

Here's to living the dream. (and to dreaming dreams of our own to live.)

Kale? It's been a while

Sausage, Kale and Cranberry Pasta that is:

1 lb Rigatoni
Salt
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan
1/2 lb hot bulk Italian sausage
1/2 lb sweet bulk Italian sausage (veggers can omit)
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 med red onion, thinly sliced
3/4 C whole berry cranberry sauce
3/4 C dry red wine, eyeball it
1 1/4 lb kale, stems removed and chopped (rinse this well, I'm telling you now. I'm serious.)
Black pepper
1/8 to 1/4 tsp nutmeg to taste

*3 generous handfuls Romano cheese, plus some to pass at the table.

Boil lg pot of water and add rigatoni and salt. Cook al dente. Drain, reserving 2 ladles of pasta water.

While pasta cooks, heat oil in lg deep skillet med-high heat. Add sausage--brown and crumble it. Add garlic, onions, cook 5 min. Then add cranberry sauce and wine. Cook and stir to combine and reduce a minute.

Add kale in bunches and stir to wilt down. Add reserved pasta water and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. ( I love nutmeg in pasta dishes.)

Add pasta to pan with sausage and kale. Top with cheese and toss. Serve immediately with extra cheese.