I spent many years driving by here on the way to church as a child… what went on behind that tale wood fence hidden beneath the gigantic Fir trees??? And then the magic when we finally visited - ! It literally felt like entering a different world. It’s such a special feeling to revisit the enchantment through your writing. 💛
It truly is like stepping into a different world, isn't it?! I'm glad you were able to revisit the magic a bit through this. :)
I normally don't bring a camera to Camlann with me, but this year, I'm planning to photograph it more and share about all the festivals...so it'll be a trip down memory lane for you!
Living near a medieval living history museum is the sort of thing young me dreamed of. Thankfully I have a colonial home to help fulfill some of that fascination with the past. Definitely have found food and feasting to be our gateway to the liturgical/seasonal living side of faith, so it’s really fascinating to learn about how food was also what was the starting point for this museum!
A Colonial home really does sound so lovely! There are so many different historical eras that I'm fascinated with, so it's nice when one of them can 'scratch the itch' for all the others, in some sense.
Food really is such a perfect introduction to liturgical living! I'd love to hear if you have any favorite liturgical year cookbooks that you lean on.
It’s been really fun. I’ve learned a lot about the family who built/owned it (including a potential out of wedlock baby born in the 1860s!) and we’ve been able to dig up a lot of fun “treasures” as the kids call them. And Dining/Drinking with the saints has been great, and we got Haley Stewart’s Catholic kids cookbook this year for my son and it’s great for simpler/kid friendly ideas!
Oh my goodness, what a remarkable thing to get to dig up treasures! I spent a lot of my life wanting to be an archaeologist, so I have a real soft spot for that.
Such great book recommendations! Isn't Haley's a marvel?!
One of my favorite cookbooks - since it's also accompanied by such wonderful reflections - is "Cooking For Christ":
It’s been such a treat. I also had the archeology bug/dream! Lots of little glimpses of 200+ years of life on this land. Side note-have you ever watched Time Team? If you love archeology it’s a delight. It is a marvel! And that’s a great recommendation, I love the combination of reflections and recipes!
Don't we all need some brightening of lagging spirits? Oh, that phrase just resonates so beautifully, even in our modern world. Their mention of the various performing arts and how visitors can be immersed in them reminded me that I learnt to dance the Maypole at my Catholic girls school in Year 8 and we used to go to local fetes and occasions to perform. It was such fun. It would have been even better if we had been given some history and context but I still remember the joy it gave us as young girls to particpate in the dance and the viewers always loved it too. Your village would be a very special, memorable place to visit. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Ohh, it makes my heart so happy to know that you got to dance the Maypole as a girl! And I totally agree: the experience of it is really primary to the historical context. These deserve to be lived traditions!
We have a May day celebration on the farm, with a (very chaotic) Maypole dance...nothing like at Camlann, where they have two colors that the ladies and gents weave.
The first year I lived here, I didn't know it existed - it's a bit of a 'best kept secret' in the area, for some reason. Then a couple of friends asked me if I'd like to go to to a Yule feast at the Medieval village by our place, and I was like...what?! You would LOVE this place. We have a new director, too, and are going in some exciting directions.
It's absolutely worth a PNW visit! I'm not sure which festival is my favorite...maybe Michelmasse? But their Yule feasts and Twelfth Night feast are absolutely incredible.
How wonderful! I work at an 18th century historic house in New England and we host Living History weekends every other year. It is so fun to immerse guests in the lives of people from the past and visiting a medieval living history museum would be fantastic. I would love to have a meal there!
I hope you can find some living history options near you! I believe Camlann is a member of this association...and they have a directory to help you find museums nearby.
I spent many years driving by here on the way to church as a child… what went on behind that tale wood fence hidden beneath the gigantic Fir trees??? And then the magic when we finally visited - ! It literally felt like entering a different world. It’s such a special feeling to revisit the enchantment through your writing. 💛
It truly is like stepping into a different world, isn't it?! I'm glad you were able to revisit the magic a bit through this. :)
I normally don't bring a camera to Camlann with me, but this year, I'm planning to photograph it more and share about all the festivals...so it'll be a trip down memory lane for you!
Living near a medieval living history museum is the sort of thing young me dreamed of. Thankfully I have a colonial home to help fulfill some of that fascination with the past. Definitely have found food and feasting to be our gateway to the liturgical/seasonal living side of faith, so it’s really fascinating to learn about how food was also what was the starting point for this museum!
A Colonial home really does sound so lovely! There are so many different historical eras that I'm fascinated with, so it's nice when one of them can 'scratch the itch' for all the others, in some sense.
Food really is such a perfect introduction to liturgical living! I'd love to hear if you have any favorite liturgical year cookbooks that you lean on.
It’s been really fun. I’ve learned a lot about the family who built/owned it (including a potential out of wedlock baby born in the 1860s!) and we’ve been able to dig up a lot of fun “treasures” as the kids call them. And Dining/Drinking with the saints has been great, and we got Haley Stewart’s Catholic kids cookbook this year for my son and it’s great for simpler/kid friendly ideas!
Oh my goodness, what a remarkable thing to get to dig up treasures! I spent a lot of my life wanting to be an archaeologist, so I have a real soft spot for that.
Such great book recommendations! Isn't Haley's a marvel?!
One of my favorite cookbooks - since it's also accompanied by such wonderful reflections - is "Cooking For Christ":
https://catholicrurallife.org/store/cooking-for-christ-cookbook/
It’s been such a treat. I also had the archeology bug/dream! Lots of little glimpses of 200+ years of life on this land. Side note-have you ever watched Time Team? If you love archeology it’s a delight. It is a marvel! And that’s a great recommendation, I love the combination of reflections and recipes!
Oooo, I haven't seen Time Team but will for sure add it to my list!
Don't we all need some brightening of lagging spirits? Oh, that phrase just resonates so beautifully, even in our modern world. Their mention of the various performing arts and how visitors can be immersed in them reminded me that I learnt to dance the Maypole at my Catholic girls school in Year 8 and we used to go to local fetes and occasions to perform. It was such fun. It would have been even better if we had been given some history and context but I still remember the joy it gave us as young girls to particpate in the dance and the viewers always loved it too. Your village would be a very special, memorable place to visit. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Ohh, it makes my heart so happy to know that you got to dance the Maypole as a girl! And I totally agree: the experience of it is really primary to the historical context. These deserve to be lived traditions!
We have a May day celebration on the farm, with a (very chaotic) Maypole dance...nothing like at Camlann, where they have two colors that the ladies and gents weave.
Ours were never chaotic as the nuns were in charge, gentle smile, but it was always fun.
Looks SO fun!!
Oh wow, Camlann sounds wonderful! I am half the country away, but that's definitely the kind of place I'd spend a lot of time at!
Great place to take kids for the living history -fun for adults too.
Absolutely! Honestly, just bringing a sketchbook and sitting on a mossy bench there is such a sweet way to spend the afternoon.
What a cool cookbook! Thanks for sharing
What a lovely book and a lovely spot to visit!
Oh oh oh!!! I squealed when I saw this beautiful book. I’d love to have it!
It's definitely squeal-worthy!
I am just burning up with jealousy over how close you live to this medieval living history place.
The first year I lived here, I didn't know it existed - it's a bit of a 'best kept secret' in the area, for some reason. Then a couple of friends asked me if I'd like to go to to a Yule feast at the Medieval village by our place, and I was like...what?! You would LOVE this place. We have a new director, too, and are going in some exciting directions.
This book looks amazing. And now I definitely need to get down to the PNW and visit Camlann medieval village.
It's absolutely worth a PNW visit! I'm not sure which festival is my favorite...maybe Michelmasse? But their Yule feasts and Twelfth Night feast are absolutely incredible.
I’d love to add this to my collection of cookbooks!
What a generous idea to buy an extra copy and offer it here. The book looks enchanting!
Ohh, I would adore this. I nerd out HARD over historical recipes. Love!!!
How wonderful! I work at an 18th century historic house in New England and we host Living History weekends every other year. It is so fun to immerse guests in the lives of people from the past and visiting a medieval living history museum would be fantastic. I would love to have a meal there!
Oh, how fantastic! That immersive approach to history is so illuminating.
What a fascinating place...perhaps someday I'll visit, but for now I'm inspired to look for living history towns near me!
I would love to be entered for the cookbook :) this is a lovely thing to share with your readers.
I hope you can find some living history options near you! I believe Camlann is a member of this association...and they have a directory to help you find museums nearby.
https://alhfam.org/