Lord Whimsy

Redbud Jelly Time!

Lord Whimsy — Fri, 03 May 2013 03:53:28 +0000

An old friend of mine sent a delicious parcel to me this week: a jar of redbud jelly. One look at the color and I was smitten. It has a nice sweet/sour tang that is fantastic on toast. Many people enjoy redbud trees as an ornamental spring plant, but few realize that this tree’s blooms are edible, even choice. Redbud (Cercis canadensis) was once known as “salad tree,” and notables like Thomas Jefferson were said to have eaten their blooms by the bowl (the blooms have a lovely taste that brings to mind snowpeas). Want to learn how to make redbud jelly? Go here. Enjoy this all-too-ephemeral springtime treat!

Announcement: German Edition of AFC1 Out this Autumn!

Lord Whimsy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:58:44 +0000

My friends at Metrolit in Berlin have good news for you dapper germanophones in Europe: A German edition of my first book, The Affected Provincial’s Companion, Volume One, will be released this autumn!

(Side note: I’ve seen the cover design for this Metrolit edition, and I have to say: I’m taller in German.)

Morven Museum and Garden: April 10th

Lord Whimsy — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 20:24:19 +0000

I’m pleased and proud to announce that I’ll be doing a presentation about my pointless amblings in the Pine Barrens at Morven Museum and Garden on Wednesday April 10th at 7pm. My friend David Kessler will be sharing scenes from his film-in-progress, Pines. And my friend Bill Smith will be doing a short demonstration and lecture about the cultivation of native Pine Barrens plant species, particularly carnivorous bog plants. Should be a fun, informative evening. Looking forward to seeing you there.

My New York Minute

Lord Whimsy — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 22:44:57 +0000

Swung into Manhattan for a few hours this week to have lunch with my agent (showed him the current crop of illustrated pages for the upcoming Whitman book, which excited him), and then down to Nolita to visit my friends at Against Nature, with whom I am bartering my design services in exchange for a bespoke green tweed suit. The natural shoulders and slim silhouette are perfect. Hidden details like the vibrant blue lining and the embroidered quote by Lord Timothy Dexter under the collar (“Man is a Wonderful Toad!”) turn an otherwise dignified suit into a wunderkammer-a-porter. (Apologies for forcing the French and German into a shotgun wedding, there.) My thanks to Jake, Amber, and Natty for the kindness and generosity. This year seems to be off to a good start.

Hendrick’s Gin Apocalyptic Epiphany Series: Lust

Lord Whimsy — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:33:58 +0000

The last episode of the series we wrote, shot and edited for Hendrick’s Gin: Lust! (My thanks to the good folks at QCM and Hendrick’s for the opportunity to play with them. It was a pleasure.)

Hendrick’s Apocalyptic Epiphany Series: Greed

Lord Whimsy — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 23:40:35 +0000

I’ve made my video. Go get your own!

Hendrick’s Gin Apocalyptic Epiphany: Vanity

Lord Whimsy — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 04:08:21 +0000

Hendrick’s Gin has released my rant on the joys and uses of Vanity. Down with modesty!

‘Batsto Blush’ for sale at RareFind Nursery

Lord Whimsy — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 01:20:56 +0000

My friend and colleague Laura Baird and I have been putting the finishing touches on RareFind Nursery’s catalog for 2013 this week. I’m delighted that one of the plants I’d found on one of my kayak jaunts in the Pine Barrens is now being offered for sale. Proud to have my name associated with one of the finest plant nurseries in the country. (Lest anyone think I had dug up–that is to say, poached–a wild plant: only cuttings from the plant were taken. Then those cuttings were cultivated into mature plants. The original plant is alive and well in the wild–and I am the only one who knows its exact location.)

Hendrick’s Gin Apocalyptic Epiphany: Sloth

Lord Whimsy — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 16:08:22 +0000

Hendrick’s Gin has released the latest of my refutations of the Seven Deadly Sins! In this video I hold forth on the virtues of Sloth.

Production Stills: Gluttony

Lord Whimsy — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 23:12:07 +0000

My neck had a ring of cuts for a week after this shoot. Laura Baird is playing back the footage for me before we break down the scene for the next shot. We were going for a classic still life tableau in the manner of the Dutch masters. This is a classic old trope, so w couldn’t resist: it was extremely uncomfortable, but the results were good.