A Pleasant Surprise

Dear Constant Reader,

I’m sure you know by now that I’m rather fond of food history and cooking historical recipes (and making videos of recipe tests). One of the places I like to read about culinary oddities is Gastro Obscura, a section of Atlas Obscura.

Recently I saw that Gastro Oscura had an article on marlow, an early 20th century frozen dessert made from marshmallows. And I thought “Hey, I’ve made that! I should contact them and let them know.” And as I was reading I saw…

Gastro Obscura screenshot

The hard-to-read screenshot shows that one of their links is to my humble missive about Mocha Marlow!

I guess they know I’ve made it after all… It’s like I’m an actual expert!

Is there some old recipe or unusual ingredient you’ve always wondered about? Drop me a comment below and maybe it will show up in my kitchen (Patrons get priority!).

M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 21 Patrons. Welcome new Patrons Christina and Megan! Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 6 October 2023 at 11:35 am  Comments (1)  
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The Tale of the Topless Donut Shop

Dear Constant Reader,

It’s story time!

Ten years ago The Boston Babydolls (back before we became BeauTease Burlesque) went on our first tour, Madame Burlesque. I only mentioned this tale in passing, back in the earliest days of this blog

In July 2011, we were in Portland, Maine. Brigitte had heard there was a topless donut shop nearby and we should definitely check it out after the show. So we piled into Brigitte’s little yellow sports car and Scratch’s big black SUV and set out into the hot, sticky darkness in search of fried treats served by topless staff.

We couldn’t find it. So, we pulled off the road to regroup and strategize. I believe into the turn-off in front of a gravel pit. Almost immediately a cop pulled up behind us and went to question Brigitte about our suspicious doings. She cheerfully said something like “Hello Officer! Could you direct us to the topless donut shop?” Thus reassured that there was nothing more nefarious going on than pack of lost and hungry burlesque performers, he told us the whole sordid story.

The donut shop had burned to the ground, a victim of arson. They had valiantly reopened, but never recovered and closed for good mere months before our donut quest. Alas, no donuts for us that night.

One of the people on tour with us that fateful night was Corinne Southern, now one half of The Bottle Blondes. And the incident clearly made an impression on her.

We were so amused when their latest single dropped, loosely based on a true story…
topless donut shoppeListen to it on Spotify, Apple Music, or Bandcamp!
M2These writings and other creative projects are supported by my 13 Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 22 November 2021 at 10:40 am  Leave a Comment  
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Hanging on the Wall

Dear Constant Reader,

Back in February photographer Chris McIntosh came to Unlucky in Love. He took some photos of us on stage and off.

Friday night most of the Babydolls attended his gallery show and the first thing you saw when you walked in was this:

I was so sick during most of Unlucky in Love, but trying gamely to pose in lovely and creative ways. I was just setting up a pose when Chris said something I didn’t quite hear. I turned, raised eyebrows to say “yes?” and he snapped the shutter. I assumed it would be one of the dud shots, but it was one of the best. Someone thought it looked rather Gypsy Rose Lee, but I’m not sure I would go that far.

Chris is really good at capturing split-second moments like my inquiring gaze. There’s one picture of *something* that happened at the Expo. I don’t know what, but there’s clearly a good story there. That’s not to say he doesn’t take good portraits. There’s one of Serendipity Galore that makes her look like a Renaissance burlesque saint.

And this portrait:
EvieThis was the true center piece of the gallery show: Evie Sphinx as Columbine from the act “A Harlequin Romance”.

There is also a nice one of Evie and Devora together from that act, looking a bit like superheroes, but it wasn’t in this show.

By the way, Chris was working with actual film for the portrait shoots with us, so I got to see genuine contact sheets as a preview. Does my old fashioned soul good.

Published in: on 7 May 2012 at 10:44 am  Leave a Comment  
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We Glitter

Dear Constant Reader,

My copy of It’s All That Glitters: Portraits of Burlesque Performers in Their Homes arrived!

Why am I so excited? Because I’m in it, along with Scratch & Betty Blaize. And a whole lot of other fabulous performers.

Brian C. Janes took pictures of performers in costume, but in our natural habitats, as it were. So not only do you get to see us in all our finery (in my case, that’s a pair of fans and not much else), you get a sneak peak into our homes. Scratch was photographed in his office at Babydoll HQ and I was in my sewing room at Stately Babydoll Manor (I’m just sorry this was before I made my fabulous new curtains). Betty’s portrait is in her living room. Her dance room would have been more appropriate, but apparently too much of a challenge to photograph with the wall of mirrors.

The book should be available any day now on Amazon and in fine bookstores everywhere.

Published in: on 24 April 2012 at 10:15 am  Comments (2)  
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