Okie Dokie Artichokie

People seem confused about how to eat asparagus and ask me over and over about them and also because we Hooper-Bracketts like to eat them here at the estate. There’s no need to be intimidated by this dish.

The artichoke is a study in contrasting textures. You have the tender leaves,  the inedible fuzzy ‘choke’ and finally the soft heart. Did you know that the artichoke is in the thistle family? When we cook it and eat it, it is an immature thistle bud. Here is the artichoke in all of its blooming glory:

Artichike flower.jpg

But as we are not interested in growing it…let’s get back to consuming it.

When you are served an artichoke, you must remember that it is a finger food. You pull the leaves off (one at a time), dip the meaty base into the sauce that is served with the artichoke (usually a hollandaise or a lemon butter) and then pull the leaf through your teeth to scrape off the end dipped in sauce. You would then place the inedible part of the leaf on the side of your plate. (Be neat!) You will proceed with each leaf in this fashion until you reach the center where you will find the fuzzy ‘choke’. Remove this fuzzy layer with a spoon, but don’t scrape too deeply…you want to keep the best part intact: The heart. You may cut heart into small bits and dip in the sauce.

Best Food Wishes,

The Lady Hooper-Brackett

Using The Neighbors Recycling Bin

This question was an interesting one. I wonder how many people have dealt with this or just filled trash bags and called it a day!

Dear Lady Hooper-Brackett, 

I had about 80 people over for a party As you can imagine, we served beer, wine, and other adult beverages (we were responsible and had designated drivers) What I have to deal with now is the huge amount of empty cans and bottles that I need to put in the recycling bins. Can I put the extras in my neighbors recycling bins? Would this be proper?

Responsible Recycler

Dear Responsible Recycler,

I’m most pleased that you were a responsible host, also, and provided your guests with the gift of safety as you entertained them.

Now…on to the question of your neighbors’ bins. You ask if it would be proper….do you mean legally? I advise you to check with your local council.

Now…is it mannerly? Hmmm.

Perhaps your neighbor would not like to be seen by others as being someone who likes to imbibe. Your placement of the empty cans and bottles would certainly give judgmental neighbors something to talk about. I mean, dozens of bourbon bottles would get anyone talking!

The next problem that may arise is that your neighbor may run out of room for his own bottles and cans. This is certainly an imposition.

My advice is thus: Ask your neighbor if you may use the bin and if they say yes, place soda bottles or other non-alcoholic packaging in their bin. Save the booze bottles for your own bin.

Best Recycling Wishes,

The Lady Hooper-Brackett

Removing the Engagement Ring

One of the young people in the Hooper-Brackett clan was recently engaged and she came to the party ready to show off her beautiful new ring. I heartily approved of the good taste her fiance showed in choosing this particular ring. A problem arose, however, when the young couple wanted to join a game of baseball and the newly engaged young woman wished to remove her ring in order to do so. Her fiance was aghast and claimed to all and sundry that this was bad luck! The young people turned to me for advice. (How I sometimes feel like Solomon!)

Here are my thoughts on this matter:

To believe that removal of the engagement ring is bad luck is a quaint old mindset. To remove a large and expensive ring to protect it while playing sports, doing dishes, or even digging clams is an intelligent practice. The engagement is neither made nor broken by the wearing of the ring…the agreement of the person asked is what creates the engagement. The only time there should be concern over the removal of the ring from the finger is if it is thrown at the fiance and the words “It’s over” are spoken.

Best Ring Wishes,

The Lady Hooper-Brackett

Personal Questions

I had an interesting discussion with a friend on the subject of personal questions. She was amazed that her daughter-in-law actually answered when someone asked her age. I could sympathize with her surprise, but I also acknowledge that the younger generations are generally much more open about things than we ancients are. (I’m not really ancient…but I like to pretend to be of a different era.)

Even with these more open, free social customs, The Lady believes that the following examples fall into the category of personal questions:

-How much money do you make/have/plan to inherit?

-How much did this cost? How can you afford this?

-When are you going to have children/stop having more children/discipline the children you have?

-What exactly is wrong with your health?

-Why are you getting divorced?

-How much do you weigh? (Ha…you knew that one was going to make the list!)

-Did you have some work done? (Referring to plastic surgery, not work on the house or car)

-Is it real? (Whatever it is…a gemstone, bosom, derriere, hair, etc…)

In all things, discretion is your friend. No probing questions.

Best Manners Wishes,

The Lady Hooper-Brackett

Is Clothing Part of Manners?

I received this interesting question and was at first at a loss if an answer was appropriate as it doesn’t strictly pertain to manners and etiquette. Then, after thinking about it, I do believe it is a good question for us all to ponder.

Dear Lady Hooper-Brackett,

Do you think clothes have anything to do with manners? I mean, the items we choose to wear every day have nothing to do with how we treat people. Am I wrong to think this way? 

Casual Dresser

Dear Casual Dresser,

Your question is a good one…and seemingly very relevant in our less formal ways of current living.  Clothing does communicate to others, and this communication should be mannerly and in good taste. Yes, I do believe that clothing is part of manners and gracious living. You wouldn’t (hopefully) show up at a formal dinner wearing a Speedo.  You wouldn’t wear a tuxedo to a pool party. These examples show that these choices would call attention to yourself and make others uncomfortable. As much as we hate to admit, people judge others upon first meeting. Your appearance will color what others think of you, more than the fact that you open doors for ladies or have impeccable table manners.  Especially if you seek to dress differently for shock value, choosing the wrong clothing can be rude. Appropriateness in all situations will make you and everyone else around you comfortable.

Best Clothes Wishes,

The Lady Hooper-Brackett