Journal
ISSUE 12::BREAD
Greetings Reader!
Do you, like me, feel an anticipation of the coming season? I don't mean just because we're already hearing holiday music in the stores (and have been since Halloween!?), but because, regardless of our irritation with what seems to be an ever-earlier commercial onslaught, something real and meaningful does occur this time of year.
Families and friends come together, catch up and reconnect. Frequently, they also share a meal together: they break bread. Which is, of course, what I'm inviting you to do, metaphorically speaking, when you go with me on this virtual tour of the Taproot ISSUE 12::BREAD.
Should what you see tickle your fancy, I'd be really pleased if you'd take the time to subscribe (and get the swell subscriber bonus of mini-prints of our 2014 covers by Geninne Zlatkis). I'd hurry, though, because the number of copies we have with them included is limited.
Subscriber Bonus of mini-prints of 2014 Cover Art by Geninne Zlatkis.
As you might expect from a BREAD-themed issue, there are plenty of recipes for bread, gluten-free and gluten-rich, yeasted and sourdough. There's even an article on building your own cob oven. Let's take a look.
Regular contributor Phoebe Wahl has shared both the art of watercolor and the art of baking in this issue, hand-illustrating her family's simple bread recipe. As we were putting the magazine together, naturally we had to try it out. It's so easy to make and vary each time with sweet or savory additions, it's become one of our family favorites as well.
For the gluten-free gang (celiacs like the author, or those experimenting with their diet), the article by new contributor Tara Barker will show you that the term Gluten-Free Sourdough isn't oxymoronic, it's tasty. You'll want to be sure to try out her bagels and flatbread regardless of your tolerance of that pesky protein.
While this issue is chock full of still more recipes and ruminations on bread, we do veer off to take some time with Chris Knapp (interviewed in ISSUE 5::DREAM) to learn about carving wood. To make wood-carving a joy, you need a sharp knife, so we produced our very first video so you can learn how to do it properly. Take a look.
There's so much more inside (Even I'm still getting used to 96 pages of ad-free content!), it'd probably best to just head over to taprootmag.com now and take a look at ISSUE 12.
Of course, it wouldn't be a new issue without a new signed print in the Print Shop. In this issue we have one of Phoebe Wahl's family scenes depicted in Bakers (I love the father's bare feet and the flour underneath his helper!). Reproduced in its vibrant glory in an archival format, it's signed by the author herself, ready to be framed and hung wherever you need bread baking inspiration.
ISSUE 12 marks the end of our third year, so we have a new collection to offer, one that includes all 12 issues published to date, our Year 1, 2 + 3 Collection. It can be a perfect gift for anyone on your list (including yourself). If you order that (and subscribe), be sure to choose to start your subscription with ISSUE 13::SONG coming March 2015.
We'd like to take a moment to thank Geninne Zlatkis, our 2014 cover artist for the amazing work she did for us this year. If you would like additional copies of the mini-prints to share with friends or family, they're also available in the shop.
That leaves us with one other bit of business to cover, the announcement of our 2015 cover artist. After gracing the interior of Taproot for all of our issues, Phoebe Wahl moves to the front. Look for her inimitable playful and whimsical art on the covers of SONG, WILD, FOLK and SHELTER. If your subscription is up, take the time to renew now. You won't want to miss a single issue!
As ever, I thank you kindly for your support,
Jason
Announcing our 2015 Taproot Calendar
I don't know about you, but for me it sure feels like 2014 has gone by wicked fast. I know there's still better than two months to go, but if your household is anything like mine, the holidays are the most breakneck, flat out time of any year. I'm not complaining either; this has been a good year (so far) for all of us here and I hope for you as well.
All of which to say, it's time to start thinking about the turn of the calendar. Well, friend, we've got you covered. The new Taproot Calendar with art by Phoebe Wahl is available and ready to purchase. Unlike last year (when we sold out in a matter of days), we've done our best to make sure there's enough stock to go around, but I still wouldn't dillydally about picking up one for yourself or giving one to a friend; supplies are limited.
As well received as last year's was, we think this one is even better. Better paper, better printing and (saving the best for last) seven never-before-seen new pictures from Phoebe Wahl. I could go on and on in words, but why don't I show you around instead? Also new to the shop is the Taproot Tote Bag that visitors to our booth at the Common Ground Country Fair really loved. What's not to love? It's organic, made in the USA and sports art from Phoebe Wahl. Take a look at the pic. We hope you like it.
These are just two of the new offerings you can expect from us this fall and winter, in addition, of course to your copy of BREAD in late November (you have subscribed or renewed, haven't you?), so be sure to keep in touch by watching our website or following us on Ramblings (our blog), Instagram or Facebook. We want you to be the first to know.
Also, remember that we want to hear from you more (wherever you prefer to post). Writers of Letters to the Editor whose missives (or short notes) are published will receive a free one year subscription or subscription extension.Wishing you a colorful Autumn,
P.S. Your continued (or new) financial support in the form of a subscription or renewal allows us to continue our work. If you know of a friend who would enjoy Taproot, please consider sending them a gift subscription. We'll even send a handwritten gift card to your friend free of charge (sorry, U.S. only) announcing your purchase before the arrival of their first issue.
THANK YOU for supporting Taproot, an ad-free, independent voice committed to seeking out the stories that connect us all.
errata :: Barn Sweater (from Issue 11::MEND)
Work 1 WS row even as est, keeping band sts in garter st and all other sts in Rev St st.
Repeat the last 2 rows 18 (19, 21, 24, 26, 27, 29) more times; and at the same time, when yoke measures approx 1" (approx 6" from cast on edge), ending after a WS row. (The numbers in bold were omitted from the printed pattern.) We apologize for any inconvenience! ~amanda
Taproot at the Fair
on the way to the fair
ISSUE 11::MEND Now Available
I don't know if you're feeling it where you live, but here in Vermont and other points Northeast, it's clear that summer is losing steam and fall is more than willing to pick up the slack. This morning over breakfast I tried to deny it was happening, deny that I'd seen brown or red leaves on the ground or noticed the quickly shortening days. The family consensus was that I had lived in Vermont too long to act so silly.
I suppose then that it's time to pull my head out of the sand and prep for fall: That means putting away the tools that have been left in the field waiting for the completion of some now-forgotten task, gathering up the last of the tomatoes to can into sauce and paste, harvesting potatoes to cure now that the basement is cool enough and stacking wood that should have been in neat rows out on the deck three months ago.
Not to be forgotten, in this lull between summer and winter, are tidying and straightening, considering and remembering, readying and mending; in other words, the perfect time to cozy up with a cup of tea and take in the latest issue of Taproot Magazine: ISSUE 11::MEND.
Since, if you're a subscriber it's on the way, and if you're not, you'll need to subscribe to receive a copy, let's take a moment and look inside.
Regular contributor Schirin Oeding starts off MEND with a thoughtful piece challenging us to work to mend the Earth, even in spite of the possibilities for doubt and cynicism that could leave us stymied. As she says in the close of her piece, "Start where you are. Don’t wait. "
Next comes a lively piece of reportage from Julia Shipley (composed in her effervescent style) about poet W.S. Merwin's efforts to plant a tree a day for almost forty years, returning a former pineapple plantation to a grove of native trees in Hawaii. Rounding out the Head section are essays on reconsidering our relationship to clothing, learning from failure and the value of meditation.
As ever, the Hands section of this issue is filled with great ideas for things to make and do, so with the theme of MEND, we'd be remiss if there wasn't a tutorial on clothes-patching. We've one from new contributor Em Falconbridge who exchanges the humdrum with clever ideas for making extraordinarily pleasing patches.
I know some knitters who don't mind wool draping over their legs during the hot summer months (I'm looking at you, Amanda), but I for one can't do it. That's why I'm excited about the prospect of getting my needles out and warmed up to take on this charming Barn Sweater pattern from Carrie Bostick Hoge.
Erin Benzakein returns to Taproot with a terrific and timely piece that will inspire you to plan (and plant) so you can harvest beautiful bouquets in the spring. She makes it seem easy and the glorious photos are so inspiring, you'll want to find a spot where you can poke at least a few bulbs into the soil.
Also returning is Steve Soule with an essay in the Heart section accompanied by a lovely piece of art by Jenn Judd-McGee. Documenting his difficulties with the social attitudes and life-struggles of the Ingalls family while reading the Little House books to his children, he is able to recognize and appreciate the progress we as a culture have made. (Though recent events clearly underscore that we have not come far enough!)
In other MEND news, we're pleased to offer two new signed prints from this issue, Feeding Time by Phoebe Wahl (left) and Let in the World by Slavka Kolesar (right).
Speaking of Phoebe Wahl, don't miss out on an opportunity to meet her if you're in the neighborhood of the Common Ground Country Fair in Unity, Maine September 19-21. As we have the last couple of years, we'll have a booth in the Media area. Please come by and say hello!
One other small point of interest before I sign off is to let you know that we want to hear from you more. Starting with ISSUE 12::BREAD, writers of Letters to the Editor whose missives (or short notes) are published will receive a free one year subscription or subscription extension.
~jason
Taproot Contributor :: Ashley English, Handmade Gatherings
Taproot Contributor :: Jenna Woginrich, Cold Antler Farm
Taproot Stockist :: Spruce & Gussy in Bar Harbor, Maine
Jennifer Judd Mc-Gee at College of the Atlantic
Taproot Stockist :: Mrs. Brown's in Northeast Harbor, Maine
(For a near-complete list of Taproot stockists visit here. And if you have or know of a shop who should carry Taproot, contact us!)
~ amanda