My Bishop Hill food-themed collection for the Bouchercon
Silent Auction uses items that go along with my Bishop Hill Mystery books, well
sort of, I must be honest; the t-shirt came first.
I could not resist the “just here for THE PIE”
sentiment because the Bishop Hill Pie Diet was a real thing for my
friends and family.
At one time there were five restaurants in Bishop Hill,
and we could count on five variations on Swedish meatballs and rhubarb pie. It
was difficult being a shopkeeper on a slow day and staying sharp until the 5pm
closing time. Back then when 3pm came around the debate would start
with “Where to today?” The Bishop Hill tea rooms stayed open after the lunch
crowd left just for that mid-afternoon rush.
To go with the t-shirt, I chose a handmade basket by
Lori Keller Morrissey and began looking for foodie items that would represent the
past and present Bishop Hill.
Bishop Hill began as a communal society in Henry
County, Illinois in 1846. Those Swedish immigrants, like German immigrants, liked
their beer. Both groups had problems with prohibition. I know that the Swedes
made near beer and probably kept the harder stuff on hand for medicinal
purposes.
I included the VASA Cook Book, 1981, for its
historical importance. I checked it and found no recipe for near beer. Yes, for
Swedish egg coffee and for a couple of drinkable somethings that were yogurt
based. It was simply and disappointingly lacking in pie recipes.
I did find Gevalia coffee and Ligonberries for the
basket. That was a victory.
But still, we newer pioneers will always love our Bishop
Hill Pie Diet and will, sadly, make do with whatever is at hand.
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