Chips on a Sandwich | no. 7 | STACKED
ROCK CAIRNS: In my top 10 all-time favorite things-- they're more than just a man-made pile of rocks. The word cairn is of Gaelic origin (heap of stones)-- easy enough-- but the symbolism is complicated. They have been used as burial markers, astrological and navigational tools and monuments all over the world. In modern times hikers have been known to stack these "trail ducks" to help guide/warn others. I just find their seemingly haphazard balance super appealing (though I've learned that decorative cairns in the woods are a no-no; they could be mistaken as an actual marker.)
JENGA: (inhale) That feeling when a Jenga block slides out with ease (exhale). We have Leslie Scott of Tanzania to thank for creating the beloved stacked game of balance and subtle placement. She and her family claim to have invented it and though it's wildly successful now (50+ million copies sold!) it almost left her bankrupt in the beginning. The 54 rectangular building blocks may look identical but in fact each is a different weight and dimension-- making the game a) guaranteed to be unstable and b) unique; no two sets are alike.
PANCAKES: Flapjack, slapjack, hot cake, griddle cake, slap cake (I made up that last one). I can't think of another breakfast food that unites us like a stack of pancakes. And I don't mean that everyone loves them (I prefer waffles) it's the promise of the pancake breakfast that brings people together. Churches, fire stations, PTAs have all coaxed people in and raised money with pancakes. I remember such excitement for an elementary school father-daughter pancake breakfast that I couldn't sleep the night before. They're vehicles for maple syrup, butter, fundraising and togetherness (and late morning naps). And they've gone virtual-- have you "attended" one? Write to chipsonasandwich@gmail.com and share your experience.
[Williams Sonoma]
PLATES: You'll find stacks and stack of plates at Fishs Eddy located near Gramercy Park in NYC. This eccentric emporium of dish- and drinkware is a beloved staple of the city. Where else can one find dishes shaped like an artist's palette, a sheet of notebook paper or a parking ticket. Owner Julie Gaines published a graphic novel detailing its conception. Both online and brick-and-mortar shops are open.
POLL: Pancakes or waffles? (From last week: a resounding number of you sleep with socks off.)