Since everyone is doing everything via social media these days, this evening I tried something new with my Giveaway and posted that I wanted to give away an advance copy of the book The American Plate: A Culinary History of the United States in 100 Bites by Libby H. O’Connell. I’d heard about the book on NPR and thought it sounded like a fascinating approach to the cultural history of the U.S., about which I had felt the need to learn much more. And it was indeed a tasty journey from succotash to gumbo to graham crackers – a wholesome health food that was invented in 1829 by a New Jersey minister, Sylvester Graham, to reduce unhealthy carnal urges, which he believed were the cause of many medical and social problems. I have a lot of friends on Facebook who love eating, growing and cooking food and often post about food, so I thought this forum would fit the giving away of such a book.

I was a little worried that I would her back from someone in Australia and I’d only be able to mail it out tomorrow, but very fortunately, within an hour, I received a response from my friend Quincy (see also January 14), who lives just a few blocks away, so I was actually able to drive over and drop it on her doorstep under the cover of darkness. Quincy is a perfect recipient for a book on food, as she is an avid student and creator of all things delicious, American and beyond. In particular, her cakes are a delight for all the senses and come in a spectacular array of forms (including mermaids!), colors, textures and flavors. Kit Kats, M&Ms, 7-Up. You name it, she can mix it into a dessert and make magic with it. I recently sampled her lavender butterscotch banana bread. Yum! Although she mostly bakes for family and friends, the good news is that she has recently been creating cakes professionally, and I am leaving this space (………) for a link to the website that she is currently building for her fabulous new dessert business. I can’t wait to find out what she does with graham crackers. I am pretty sure it wouldn’t have the effect desired by our well-intentioned friend Minister Graham!