About Me

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My friends call me the "grammar goddess." Really. ;-) I own a freelance writing, editing and tutoring business. Previously, I served three years as food editor for The Morning Sun in Mt. Pleasant, which kindled my interest in food writing. My other areas of expertise in writing include features, community news, architecture/construction and engraving/personalization. I have a frightening number of cookbooks and watch too many DIY, HGTV, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Antiques Roadshow (BBC and PBS versions) shows. And I tweak nearly every recipe I make.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Barbecue: A Historic Viewpoint

Here's a little bonus about the history of grilling (which many of us are undertaking on this day celebrating our freedom). It's an excerpt from John M. Duncan, a Scotsman publisher/bookseller (1795?-1825) from Glasgow, called A Barbecue in Virginia. The description of it on the Library of America's story of the week follows: "Invited to join Busrod Washington
(a favorite nephew of George, and owner of Mount Vernon) for an afternoon

barbecue, Duncan discovered a cotillion-like 'rural fête.'"


It includes some historic explanation of barbecues in America as well as a link to the actual story, originally part of the 1823 work Travels through Part of the United States and Canada in 1818 and 1819, which is reprinted in O'Neill's bestseller, American Food Writing: An Anthology With Classic Recipes.


Happy grilling and a Happy 4th to all!

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