About the Book
A highly engaging and beautifully presented book, "Fireside, A Family Companion" is an intriguing collection of information on all things related to the fireside, from the architecture of the hearth, what woods to burn, to recipes for fireside drinks and dishes and patterns for quilts to sew and rugs to knit. There are stories about the gods and goddesses who inhabit the fireplace, the sweeps of yesteryear who cleaned our chimneys, parlour games that were played around the fireside, songs that were sung and stories that were told. Amongst all this are peppered poems and extracts from literature in which the fireside is a central theme.
Table of Contents:
Introduction, Radiate cosy heat, Hot tips, Mark Twain's fireside, The fire-king, Whiskey sour, Fireside games, Children's fireside games, Pencil and paper game, The corn's a poppin!, Homemade popcorn, Fireside nursery rhymes, Fireside charades, Give us a clue, Warmy, warmy totey wotes, Fireside foot warmers, Make your own slippers, Silas marner, Fireside toasts, Teatime treats, The cup that cheers, Tea, glorious tea!, A Canadian folk song, Fireside scones, Chocolate chip muffins, The hearth goddess, Hearthrugs, Hooked rugs, Make your own hooked rug, American braided rugs, Men on the hearthrug, Warming Christmas drinks, Mulled fireside drinks, Down the chimney!: the Night before Christmas, Christmas Stockings, Make your own stockings, Roasting chestnuts, Fireside fun, Buying and storing wood, Woody superstitions, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, Fire lighters, Sweeping the chimney, Climbing boys, The water-babies, The fireside at Halloween, Fireside punch, David Copperfield, The wonderful Aga Saga, Alice in Wonderland, Little Jack Horner, Hot toddy and hot chocolate, Mantel Clocks, Fireplace mirrors, Through the Looking Glass, The goblin's blessings, A Christmas Carol, Modern rustic fireside style, Drying the washing, Safety tips gas fires.
