Tag: Headstone

Cemetery Recipes: Chocolate Mint Brownies

Posted on Posted in Cemetery Recipes, Tombstone RecipesTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

This past Wednesday was Valentine’s Day, and like many others this past week, I wanted to make a little sweet treat for my sweetheart. So earlier in the week I tried out another gravestone recipe. My fiancé is quite supportive of my gravestone hobby, so I knew he wouldn’t mind where I got the recipe from. 

For this month’s gravestone recipe, I made chocolate mint brownies. This tombstone recipe can be found on the gravestone of John Rodda, in Maple Grove Cemetery in Wichita, Kansas. 

John Harold Rodda passed away on January 18, 2019, following a brief but courageous battle with cancer. He was a compassionate Funeral Director and Embalmer, having worked at Cochran Mortuary for 54 years. He enjoyed music, cooking, and collecting recipes and cookbooks.1 He was famous for his chocolate mint brownie family recipe, so famous that it was inscribed on a black marble plaque that can be found on his gravestone.2

  • Chocolate Mint Browne recipe on the grave of John Harold Rodda. Photo by Find a Grave member Lynda.

Here is the recipe, as written the gravestone:

Chocolate Mint Brownies

  • Bake: 350 
  • Time: 20 Minutes

By Sharon Wiens (Aunt Marie McKee’s recipe)

  • Beat: 4 beaten eggs, 1 cup melted margarine, 2 cups sugar.
  • Add: 4 squares melted unsweetened chocolate, 1 tsp peppermint flavouring, 1 cup flour.
  • Beat.
  • I put in a greased and floured small cookie sheet (can use a 9×13 baking dish).
  • Bake 20 minutes 350. Bake a little less with the thinner brownie.
  • Cool.
  • Frost with > for a 9×13 top: 1/4 cup margarine, 2 tbsp cream, 2 cups powdered sugar, 2 tsp peppermint flavoring (I go 1.5 of this to frost the cookie sheet top).
  • Place the frosted brownie in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Melt 2 squares of unsweetened chocolate, 2 tbsp Margarine. 
  • Cool. 
  • Drizzle over brownie and sprinkle with crushed peppermint.

This is one of the most complete gravestone recipes I have made. The directions are very straightforward, and they even include variations for bake time and measurements depending on what you bake the brownies in.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a 9×13 pan so I opted to bake my brownies in a 9×9 pan. In hindsight, I should have tried baking them on the cookie sheet. Because the 9×9 was deeper than both the cookie sheet and the 9×13, I had to bake my brownies for about an extra 15 minutes. After the initial 20 minutes in the oven, I could tell right away that the center was not cooked through so I put it back in for another five minutes, which then turned into 10 more. I knew it was done when the toothpick I pushed into the center of the dish came out clean.

I followed the cooling instructions and frosted the brownies. I thought about adding a bit of food coloring to the frosting to make it red for Valentine’s, but I also wanted to see how it would look without the added color so I decided against it. You could add whatever color you like to the frosting easily by adding a bit of gel food coloring. 

Because I used a 9×9 pan, I think the two squares of baker’s chocolate for the drizzle were a bit too much since I had less surface area to cover. I should have reduced it to half. I then took a candy cane and put it into a zip-lock bag to crush up for the topping. I wrapped the bagged candy cane in a dish towel and used a pint glass to crush the candy, as I didn’t have a rolling pin. It worked perfectly. 

Chocolate Mint Brownies
Chocolate Mint Brownies
Chocolate Mint Brownies

Chocolate Mint Brownies. Recipe from the gravestone of John Harold Rodda.

These are super minty, and sweet, but I would have liked them to be a bit more chocolaty. I think maybe my peppermint extract was a bit off because my batch has a bit of an aftertaste, or perhaps I just used too much? Either way, I still think they turned out decent and would try this recipe again with some slight modifications. Learning and experimenting are all part of the fun, after all. 

Have you tried this recipe before? Do you have any helpful tips for me? I would love to read them in the comments! 

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. John Harold Rodda Obituary | Cochran Mortuary & Crematory
  2. John Harold Rodda | Find a Grave

A Collection of Cemetery Statues

Posted on Posted in CollectionsTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

For today’s blog post, I wanted to share a collection of cemetery statues. I find this type of funerary art beautiful, and always enjoy finding detailed sculptures. I do often say that cemeteries are open-air art galleries, and statues are just one example of artistic works that can be found when you visit a cemetery. 

Angel statues are sometimes a very common sight in a cemetery, especially in Catholic cemeteries and graveyards. But, you might also find representations of saints, virtues, and other biblical figures. 

To decipher which saints or figures are being depicted, it’s important to look at the details. Little details like something at the statue’s feet, or what they are holding or doing with their hands can be a big indication of who the statue is representing. 

ANGELS

The most common figures you might find in a cemetery are angels. The winged statues can symbolize many things, most commonly that the deceased is now in heaven. They can also represent a connection between earth and heaven, comfort and mourning. 

An angel statue holding a book, for instance, suggests that this statue is a representation of a celestial scribe, a recording angel. Recording angels are thought to be tasked with recording historic events, actions, and prayers of everyone on earth.

  • Lakeview Cemetery, Midland ON ©2023

You might also come across an angel holding flowers. There are many variations of angels with flowers, ranging from full bouquets to single-stemmed flowers. The flowers are thought to represent how fleeting life is. 

  • St. Joseph Cemetery, Chelmsford ON ©2012

Some angel statues are depicted holding a wreath. This symbolizes memory and eternity, an indication that the deceased will not be forgotten. This example below also shows the angel holding their chin as if they are deep in thought, emphasizing the idea of remembrance. 

  • Saint Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cemetery also known as Cimetiere St. Patrick, Perkinsfield ON ©2023

Virtues

The Seven Virtues are traits that some of those of the Christian faith aspire to. According to Tui Snider’s book Understanding Cemetery Symbols, this list of traits was created by Greek philosophers and then adopted by Christian scholars. Sometimes the virtues are labeled on the statue’s pedestal, but most often you must look closely at their design for clues. In this example, we can tell this is Hope, by the large anchor she is dragging behind her. 

Hillcrest Cemetery, Parry Sound ON ©2023

Saints

Based on the details, we can tell that this statue is a representation of Saint Joseph. The carpenter’s square represents his trade, as well as the concept of truth. The lilies represent purity. Saint Joseph is the patron saint of many things, including families, fathers, craftsmen, engineers, and common workers.

  • Espanola Cemetery, Espanola ON ©2021

Jesus

Statues of Jesus can also be a common find in Catholic cemeteries. He is often depicted as a young child or an adult. When depicted as a young child he can sometimes be found in the arms of Saint Joseph. He is also sometimes depicted as a young boy, with both Saint Joseph and the Virgin Mary.

  • Sainte-Croix Roman Catholic Cemetery also known as Sainte-Croix Cemetery, Ste-Croix Cemetery, Lafontaine ON ©2023

Jesus is also commonly depicted as an adult, his hands pointing to a flaming heart with thorns, that have rays emanating from it in his chest. This is often called the scared heart, and also sometimes has the addition of being topped with a Latin cross. There is a lot of symbolism here to unpack. The flame represents Jesus’ love for God and humanity, while the thorns represent his passion. The rays emanating from it represent the glory of God. Jesus’s hands point towards his heart, encouraging the viewer to look at it and reflect.

  • Capreol Cemetery, Capreol ON ©2020

One of the more somber depictions of Jesus you might come across is a scene after the crucifixion. A thin and wounded Jesus is cradled in his mother Mary’s arms. He might be still wearing the crown of thorns, or it can sometimes be found lying by his side.

  • Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon SK ©2011

Statuary always seem to stand out to me, when I visit cemeteries. They are beautiful expressions of art and emotion, often made even more moving with the passage of time. Do you have a favorite cemetery statue? I would love to hear about some of your cemetery statue finds in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  • Understanding Cemetery Symbols: A Field Guide for Historic Graveyards by Tui Snider 
  • Stories in Stone: The Complete Guide to Cemetery Symbolism by Douglas Keister

Stone Stories: Canada’s World War I Flying Ace

Posted on Posted in Stone StoriesTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Have you ever flown out of the Billy Bishop airport, in Toronto? Were you curious as to who the airport was named after? I was, but I never got around to looking into it, not until I stumbled upon the grave of William Avery “Billy” Bishop.

In the Summer of 2023, My mother and I stumbled across the Bishop family plot, while visiting Greenwood Cemetery in Owen Sound. We had come to Owen Sound to search for the second grave of Tom Thomson, but the trip ended up being just as much about Bishop.

  • Canadian Military gravestone of William Avery “Billy” Bishop. Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound ON ©2023

Billy Bishop

William Avery “Billy” Bishop was born in 1894, in Owen Sound, Ontario. During his stint as a cadet at the Royal Military College in Kingston, World War I broke out. He enrolled in the 9th Mississauga Horse, Canadian Expedition Force and later transferred to the Royal Flying Corps.1 He received his pilot’s certificate in 1917, although some considered him a mediocre pilot, he was an expert shot with great shooting skill and extraordinary eyesight.2

Bishop became the first Canadian Airman to be awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest award for acts of bravery in wartime. Bishop was awarded the cross for his solo early morning attack on an enemy airfield in June, 1917.1 He single-handedly attacked a German aerodrome, destroying seven airplanes on the ground and shooting an additional four airplanes down, before running out of ammunition.2 Billy Bishop was the British Empire’s second-highest-scoring flying ace, with 72 official victories.1

  • Major William Avery “Billy” Bishop VC, DSO and Bar, MC, RFC 1917

Greenwood Cemetery

When we visited Greenwood Cemetery, we didn’t have any specific graves we wanted to see. I visited the cemetery office when we first arrived, as I had read online that they offered a self-guided walking tour. They were very friendly in the office and gave me a brochure with the walking tour details. There are a couple of different tours to choose from, that take you to different areas in the cemetery. 

Greenwood is quite large, covering approximately 40 acres of land in the southwestern part of the city. It also has a long history, having opened to the public in 1854. It’s a traditional cemetery, with both upright and flat markers, a large mausoleum, memorial gardens, and a potter’s field memorial.3 

We unexpectedly came upon the Bishop family plot after getting out of the car. I had parked in the heart of the cemetery. A small Canadian flag marked the grave, the flag blowing in the wind had caught our eye. There is a large upright stone that lists the family members buried there, with names on both sides of the stone. There are smaller flat markers laid in the earth surrounding it, marking where each family member is laid to rest. There is also a Canadian military marker for Bishop that stands apart from the rest. The upright grey granite marker lists his military designations alongside the emblem for the Royal Canadian Air Force and the Victoria Cross.

Bishop family plot in Greenwood Cemetery, Owen Sound ON ©2023

Bishop passed away at the age of 62, on September 11, 1956, in Palm Beach, Florida. His funeral service was held at the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto, the same church that he was married in. 25,000 people lined up outside the church to pay their respects. He was cremated, and his ashes were buried in the family plot, in Greenwood.4 He is laid to rest with his family; including both his parents, his sister Mary, and his brothers Hiram, and Reginald Bishop.

Bishop’s wife Margaret remarried after his death, and is buried with her second husband in Beachwood Cemetery in Ottawa. She passed away in 1981 at the age of 83.5 

The Billy Bishop House

The next morning, we decided at breakfast to visit one more thing before we left Owen Sound. My mother loves history, so I figured she would enjoy touring a historic home, The Billy Bishop House. She loved the suggestion, it seemed only appropriate to stop since we had already paid our respects at his grave. 

The house, built in 1884, is the childhood home of Bishop and has been preserved as a historic site and museum. The first floor has been decorated with period-appropriate antiques and items owned by the Bishops. It looks very similar to what it would have looked like when Bishop was growing up. There is a timeline in the parlor that details all the major milestones in Bishop’s life. I found this floor to be the most interesting. There is a lot of information to take in, but also lots to look at; like Bishop’s uniform, personal items, and a copy of Winged Warfare, a book Bishop wrote in 1918 that details his experiences in the air.2

The second floor looks more modern and houses changing exhibits. When we visited there was an exhibit of interviews with veterans from the war in Afghanistan. In what would have been Bishop’s boyhood room, there is a wooden framed airplane for children to explore, and the room is decorated with film posters and other memorabilia.

The Billy Bishop House & Museum

The Billy Bishop House & Museum

The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. I had a nice chat with them about Bishop, as well as the haunted history of the house. I can’t help but ask when I visit a historic location! They were not phased by my line of questioning at all, and I’m sure it’s something they get asked often. The museum runs a ghost walk in the summer months.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to attend one of the walks, but I did get to hear some of the stories. The house is reportedly haunted by two spirits, an older woman and a young child. The spirit of the young child is thought to be Hiram Kilbourn Bishop, who died of diphtheria at the age of 4 years old, in 1892.6 People say they have seen a small child wandering the house, wearing what looks like a dress. Young children, regardless of gender, often wore dresses during that time period, which leads the staff to think it is the spirit of young Hiram. 

We didn’t experience anything paranormal on our visit, but we did enjoy exploring the house and learning more about life in that era, Bishop’s personal life, and his legacy.

My mother and I both love history and getting to explore Bishop’s childhood home was a great way to end our Owen Sound adventure. We traveled to Owen Sound to learn more about art, but we ended up also learning more about our Canadian Military history. That’s one of the reasons why I love road trips, you can plan as much as you want but it’s often the spontaneous finds that end up being the most interesting. What do you think?

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport | Government of Canada
  2. William Avery “Billy” Bishop | Find a Grave 
  3. Greenwood Cemetery | Owensound.ca
  4. Billy Bishop, VC by W.D. Mathieson | Goodreads
  5. Margaret Eaton Burden Hughson | Find a Grave
  6. Hiram Kilbourn Bishop (1887 – 1892) | WikiTree

Cemetery Recipes: Chicken Soup

Posted on Posted in Cemetery Recipes, Tombstone RecipesTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

We recently had our first big winter snowfall, after enjoying a pretty mild start to the season. The snow and cold weather have me craving warm and cozy comfort food, so I thought this might be a good time to try out another gravestone recipe—Chicken Soup!

This gravestone recipe comes from the tombstone of Valerie C. Volpe, of West Seneca, New York. I’m not sure exactly where Volpe is laid to rest, but her pink granite gravestone topped with an open book design features her chicken soup recipe in her own handwriting. I thought that was a beautiful touch. 

The recipe, inscribed on the open book is laid out like a recipe card and even has her signature. In life, Volpe was co-owner of Valerie’s Family Restaurant where she not only fed her family but her community as well.1

  • Gravestone of Valerie C. Volpe, with Chicken Soup recipe. Photographer unknown. If this is your photo or you know who the photographer is, please contact me for proper photo credit. 

The epitaph reads: “Beloved Daughter, Mother / Wife, Grandmother, / Sister, Aunt & Friend / Valerie C. Volpe / She was a lady raised by a lady / Apr. 18, 1947 / Sep. 10, 2016”

Unfortunately, the only photo I could find of the gravestone is not the highest resolution, so the handwriting is a bit hard to make out. I did my best to transcribe the recipe, as inscribed on the gravestone. Here is the recipe:

Recipe for Chicken Soup

From the kitchen of Mommy

  • 1 Perdue oven stuffer
  • Cut in 10 pieces
  • 1 small Parsnip
  • 1 small Turnip
  • 2 stalks Celery
  • 4 Carrots
  • Parsley —
  • Dill —

This makes 1 large pot or 2 — pots / Clean chicken. Cover with / cold water — / Celery, Carrots, parsnip – turnip / Bring to a boil — / — / — / — / Cook about 2 1/2 hours.  / Valeria C. Volpe

Since I had such a hard time reading the recipe from the photo, I went by this recipe description from Billion Graves:

“Cut an “oven stuffer” into 10 pieces. Place in a pot. Rinse and cover with cold water. Add salt. Cut up 1 small parsnip, 4 carrots, 1 turnip, and 2 stalks of celery. Add to the pot and bring to a boil. Sprinkle with dill. Cook for 2 1/2 hours and then remove the bones. Top with chopped parsley when ready to serve.”

This is one of the more detailed recipes I have made so far, so once I had the above instructions I didn’t have too much to decipher to make it. The recipe does call for a Perdue oven stuffer, which I did have to look up. A Perdue “oven stuffer” is an American brand, of fresh whole chicken. These chickens, also called roasters, are older chickens and usually weigh between 5 and 7 pounds. I made a shopping trip specifically for the ingredients of this recipe and although we don’t have Perdue brand in Canada, I was able to find a fresh chicken that would work for my needs. 

I have trimmed a roasted chicken before, but trimming a fresh chicken was new for me. I didn’t end up using 10 pieces of the chicken, as the thighs, wings, drumsticks, and chicken breasts were more than enough. I was also worried about smaller bones being lost in the soup and causing a choking hazard, so I was happy to have just some larger bones in the pot. 

I should note that this was my first time making soup from scratch! Aside from getting the chicken ready, this soup is pretty simple with hearty ingredients. 

Once the soup was at a boil I lowered the heat to medium and let it simmer for 2 1/2 hours, checking on it now and then to stir. I will admit I did need to add water periodically as it boiled off leaving more of a stew at times. I made sure to re-season the pot every time I added fresh water, but in the end, I still needed to season it when it was ready to serve. I’m not sure if that was supposed to happen, or if I didn’t really need to let the pot simmer for that long, but in the end, the soup still turned out. I was of course mindful of making sure the chicken was cooked through.

Since it took so long to prepare, I didn’t have soup for supper that night, but I did make sure to do a taste test after removing the bones. It wasn’t as seasoned as I would have liked, but the cozy warm chicken soup taste is unmistakeable. I ended up enjoying a bowl for lunch the next day.

This one was a little tricky for me, and I would tweak the cooking time if I were to make it again. This recipe took me out of my cooking comfort zone. I think I would prefer to stick to sweet gravestone treats, but at least I tried.

Have you made this recipe before? Do you make soup from scratch often? I would appreciate any tips in the comments! 

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Gravestone recipes so good they are set in stone | Billion Graves

Tapho-what?

Posted on Posted in GeneralTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Are you a taphophile?

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you very well might be!

You may have noticed that I use this term a lot, and often refer to myself and others in the cemetery community as taphophiles. For today’s blog post, the first of the new year, I wanted to take a closer look at the word, and what it means to be a taphophile.

  • A grey tombstone with no writing on it. It is covered in thin cracks.
    Eyre Cemetery, Sudbury ON ©2011

The origin of the word taphophile comes from the Ancient Greek word taphos and phile. Taphos meaning funeral rites, burial, wake, or grave, and phile meaning dear or beloved.1 Curiously, if you look up the word in the Oxford English dictionary or Merriam-Webster online, the word does not come up. Although the latter did bring up the word typophile, similar but not quite right. 

Taphophile is defined as a person who is interested in cemeteries, funerals, and gravestones.2 To me that is a very flat and vague definition, as there is so much it entails. I was curious as to how others in the cemetery community would define the term, so I reached out to a few friends. The responses I received were very mindful and thought-provoking.

Tui Snider, speaker and author of Understanding Cemetery Symbols shared this thoughtful reflection:

“To me, being a taphophile means understanding that cemeteries are for the living. Not only do burial grounds provide a place for grieving, cultural expression, and contemplation, but they offer a direct connection to nature, something that is often missing from people’s lives.

Visiting graveyards throughout the year exposes us to cycles of life and death that are the foundation of our world. Many cemeteries are wildlife corridors that nurture vital pollinators as well as migrating birds and other animals. By visiting cemeteries, taphophiles gain a unique appreciation for all that burial grounds offer, not just to humans but to the plants and animals they sustain as well.”

Tasha Westby Tietz, also known as Graveyard Girl on Facebook shared this insight:

“Being a taphophile means to me, an unusual intense interest in cemeteries and all that is related. A way to remember and respect those that have gone on before. Endless adventures.”

Loren Rhoads, cemetery traveler and author of 199 Cemeteries To See Before You Die shared this interesting perspective:

“I don’t really think of myself as a taphophile, because the word seems academic and cold to me.

I’ve always thought of myself as a cemetery aficionado, because my love of burial places is much more about appreciating their beauty and ambience as a whole than it is about studying the stones individually.

To be honest, I love that everyone defines taphophile for themselves.”

I couldn’t agree more! Each of these responses showcases the many reasons why visiting cemeteries is so important. I really appreciate Loren, Tasha, and Tui taking the time, and want to thank them for sharing their thoughts with us.

It makes sense that everyone who would call themselves a taphophile has their own definition of the word since we all have our own unique interests and reasons for visiting cemeteries.

For me, the term taphophile names that connection I feel to those who have come before me and are now laid to rest. It means they will not be forgotten, and that there is still much that they can teach us. It means that I love the experience of wandering through beautiful cemeteries and reading the names out loud. I love to admire the uniqueness and craftsmanship of gravestones, while also learning more about art, architecture, and symbolism. I am curious about the person below the gravestone. I also love the adventure of finding and exploring cemeteries.

I always say that cemeteries are for the living, that they are open-air art galleries and museums, and that they should be explored.

Do you call yourself a taphophile? What is your definition? I would love to keep the discussion going in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Taphophile | Wikipedia
  2. Taphophile Definition | Your Dictionary

Cemetery Recipes: Spritz Cookies

Posted on Posted in Cemetery Recipes, Tombstone RecipesTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments

It’s the holiday baking season! A time when many family members are baking delicious sweet treats to share with loved ones. What better time than to try out another gravestone recipe? 

For this month’s recipe, I wanted to try Naomi Miller-Dawson’s Spritz Cookies. I have been saving this recipe to try specifically for this month. I hope to share these cookies with my loved ones this Christmas, at our annual family get-together. 

This cookie recipe can be found on the grave of Naomi Odessa Miller-Dawson. Beloved mother, aunt, grandmother and great-grandmother. She passed away in June of 2009 at the age of 87. Her gravestone, which can be found in Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn, features an open-book design.

Commonly a book represents the Bible or book of life, but an open book is sometimes used as a device to display the deceased’s details, like names and dates. Miller-Dawson’s son, Richard, told Medium in 2019, “It’s probably from the design that [one would] use if someone was putting a Bible verse onto the headstone, but instead of having the Bible verse, we put the part of the recipe from spritz cookies.”1  

Naomi Miller-Dawson was a first-generation American, her parents and two older sisters having been born in Barbados. Her family immigrated to America before she was born. She lived in Brooklyn, NY and supported her family by working as a postal worker for over 20 years. She was also an excellent baker, so much so that her two children immortalized her cookie recipe on her gravestone.1

  • Spritz Cookies recipe on the grave of Naomi Odessa Miller Dawson. Photo by Find a Grave member Brenda Barr-Gilbert.

Here is the recipe, as written on the gravestone:

Spritz Cookies⁠

  • 1 cup of butter or margarine⁠
  • 3/4 cup sugar⁠
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla⁠
  • 1 egg⁠
  • 2 1/4 cups of flour⁠
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder⁠
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

You may have noticed that this gravestone recipe only lists the ingredients. I have not baked a lot of cookies in my lifetime, so I did need to do some extra research to figure out the directions of this recipe. I learned that spritz cookies are similar to a sugar cookie but more buttery, and require some extra care when combining the ingredients. 

I found some tips for making spritz cookies online and added the ingredients together in the order they are listed on the gravestone. First, I whipped the butter and sugar together, until it was light and fluffy. I used a hand mixer for this part. I then added the vanilla and egg and used the hand mixer again to incorporate them.2

Another tip I found was not to overwork the dough, so I added the flour slowly and folded it into the butter mixture by hand. I then added the baking powder and salt. Making sure not to overwork the mixture created a light and fluffy dough. This is very important for the next part.2 

This is where the cookie press comes in! Spritz cookies are named from the German word spritzen, which means “to squirt”. The soft fluffy dough is squirted or pushed through a cookie press to make fancy designs.3 I had heard of a cookie press before but had never tried one. I did specifically buy a cookie press this summer for this recipe. I purchased my Wilton Cookie press at a local thrift shop, making sure to clean it thoroughly before using it. Since I had never used one before, and my thrifted press didn’t come with instructions, I turned to YouTube to learn how. I found a quick tutorial video that made it look incredibly easy.

Unfortunately, my press has a crack in it where it connects to the barrel, so the process of pressing my cookies was a little difficult. It was a bit of a struggle, but I was able to make it work. Luckily, because the dough is so light and soft, mistakes could be easily scrapped up and put back in the barrel to try again. 

To make them festive, I decorated them with red cherries. Sanding sugar and sprinkles. I had hoped to also use green cherries, but unfortunately, my local shops don’t carry them anymore. 

This recipe makes a fairly large batch of cookies, but because my press was malfunctioning, I don’t know how accurate of a count I can make. I ended up baking 5 full cookie sheets in the oven, at 400°F for 6 to 8 minutes each. You need to keep an eye on your cookies, as you only want to bake them until they are golden brown on the edges. They should still be very light in color when they are done. 

All in all, these were a very fun recipe to make, and the cookies turned out delicious. They are similar in taste to a sugar cookie but much more buttery. These would be great to make as an activity with friends or young children because they are so fun to decorate, the possibilities are endless. These spritz cookies also make a great big batch, which is perfect for sharing with friends and family while also enjoying a few, or several yourself.

Will you be trying out this recipe? Or do you have another gravestone recipe that you are dying to try? I would love to read about it in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

Refernces:

  1. Memorializing a Mother Who Fueled Lives With Spritz Cookies | Medium
  2. Tips To Make the Best Spritz Cookies | Go Bold with Butter
  3. Classic Spritz Cookies | Gold Medal Flour

It’s Winter in the Cemetery

Posted on Posted in GeneralTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Winter is here in Northern Ontario! 

We’ve had a few snowfalls since November, and the temperature has been steadily dropping. I have never been a Winter person really, although I have tried many times to find a winter activity that might make me enjoy it more. Figure skating, ice fishing, snowshoeing—not for me!

I tried again today to see if maybe winter cemetery visits might be something I would enjoy. It doesn’t hurt to try right? I was quickly reminded why I don’t like graving in winter, as soon as I exited my vehicle. 

  • Civic Cemetery, Sudbury ON ©2023

I hate the cold!

It isn’t even that cold today, but still makes me question why I live somewhere where the air hurts my face. It’s -3°C in Sudbury today, but feels like -8°C with the wind chill. That’s 26.6°F which feels like 17.6°F for my American friends.

Aside from being uncomfortable, the cold isn’t good for my equipment either. The cold can drain the battery life of my DSLR, which would shorten my cemetery trip unexpectedly. I would rather not play that game of roulette. 

Wandering cemeteries in the winter isn’t that safe either, for me or the stones. The snow isn’t that deep yet, but soon it will be a couple of feet deep, which can completely obscure some gravestones. I wouldn’t want to accidentally step on and damage a tombstone. They also become tripping hazards as well. I wouldn’t want to hurt myself tripping over a stone, while also damaging it in the process. Too risky, if you ask me.

I’m sure for some, visiting cemeteries in the winter, is a great past time. If you have the proper outerwear, can tolerate the cold, and come prepared with backup batteries an outing in a snow-covered cemetery sounds delightful.

For me, I see this time of year as a great opportunity to curl up with a good book and a hot beverage or research by the light of my iMac. Reading, scouring the internet, and sifting through my photo archive to work on future blog posts and cemetery trips seems like a much more comfortable use of my time.  

When I visited Civic Cemetery today, I did notice a few beautiful and interesting scenes. Many of the graves were decorated with Christmas ornaments, wreaths, and lights. I also found a small Christmas tree, that looked like it had been recently put up, judging by the tracks in the snow. I also saw some rabbit and possibly dog tracks dotting the fresh snow as well. 

Civic Cemetery, Sudbury ON ©2023

Despite the cold weather, the cemetery was a fairly active place today, with a handful of visitors in the mausoleum, a burial taking place, and a couple of folks just out and about for a walk, dressed warmly in their mitts, toques and snow pants of course.

Cemeteries in the winter sure are pretty though. The starkness created by the grey weather, bare trees, and white snow does create a mood. That being said, cemeteries in Autumn are still my favorite.

So until the snow melts, I’ll stick to online research, book reading, and updating my online portfolio. I do have some upcoming Stone Stories to share with you as well!

Stay warm out there, and thanks for reading! 

A Gift Guide for Taphophiles: 2023 Edition

Posted on Posted in General, Gift GuideTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

It’s officially the holiday season! The long-awaited horror film Thanksgiving is in theatres and Black Friday is behind us. Guess that means it’s time to start thinking about Christmas shopping! I love finding unique and meaningful gifts for my loved ones. It’s so fun to watch someone open up a unique gift that you know they are going to love! The perfect gift doesn’t need to cost a fortune, and supporting a small business is always a bonus. 

I had so much fun creating last year’s gift guide, that I knew I wanted to do it again. I even started a bit early this year, book-marking things I thought would be perfect for this list. So if you are looking for some inspiration for your cemetery-loving friends and family, or maybe your own Christmas wish list, look no further!

Here is my round-up of 13 unique cemetery-related items that I think every taphophile would love!

3D-printed gravestone with mourning woman statue 

These are perfect to add to your cabinet of curiosities! These beautiful pieces are made to order by Weeping Widow, from a lightweight resin and are hand-painted to give them a weathered finish just like the real thing. Pictured is a 3D-printed reproduction of a real gravestone. This monument is for the Sanford family which can be found in Cleveland, Ohio. Be sure to check out the rest of their Etsy shop, it’s filled with other gravestone reproductions and beautiful curiosities. 

A Mortal’s Guide to Cemeteries and

A Child’s Guide to Cemeteries

Described as a morbid activity book for the blossoming taphophile, A Mortal’s Guide to Cemeteries by Amanda R. Woomer is part reference book, part activity book. It features 30 pages of history, 50 pages of symbolism, and over 200 pages of activities! This book would pair well with the Woomer’s other new book, A Child’s Guide to Cemeteries Activity Book. Both of these books are available on the author’s Etsy shop. A note for Canadian shoppers, her Etsy shop does not ship to Canada, but you can also find her books available on Amazon. 

A Walk Through Mount Hope Cemetery

This coloring book, created for children ages 5 to 9, is full of pictures that the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery hoped would appeal to young children. I would argue that they also appeal to adults since coloring is a great way to unplug and exercise focus and mindfulness. This coloring book, available on Amazon, is illustrated by Ann McCracken, and written by Marcia Birken. Color your way through a beautiful and historic cemetery, while learning about its landmarks and common cemetery symbols. 

Cemetery Cats 

For the cemetery AND feline lover in your life. Over the past 20 years, Owen Philips has created thousands of photographs of cats in dozens of cemeteries, in numerous countries, on three continents. This photography book, available on Amazon, is a collection of some of the best of those photographs. By purchasing this book you will also be helping to support Philips’s future photography expeditions in search of the elusive cemetery cat.

Death’s Head Art Print 

They say you should surround yourself with what you love. This death’s head print is stained, ripped, wrinkled, and folded to feel old and authentic. Make sure to check out the rest of Archaic Archives Etsy shop for more memento mori and woodcut prints, but note that the frames are not included. 

Gravestone Enthusiast Package 

This collection would be a great gift for anyone looking to get started in gravestone preservation. Available through the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) online store, this bundle Includes A Graveyard Preservation Primer by Lynette Strangstad, the AGS Field Guide, and the AGS iconic “I brake for old graveyards” bumper sticker.

Graveyard Journal for Grave Hunters 

For the taphophile looking to get a little more organized! The Graveyard Journal for Grave Hunters: Cemetery Tourist Notebook and Log by G.C. Waites is available on Amazon. This softcover journal features numbered log pages as well as blank spaces for notes and sketches. Its small size is perfect for slipping into your travel bag, and you can record up to 60 cemetery visits within its pages. 

“I’d rather be at the Cemetery” unisex t-shirts 

I think every taphophile can relate to this sentiment. That’s why this beautiful t-shirt print would make an excellent addition to any taphophile wardrobe! Find this and other great prints over at Dana Glover Art on Etsy.

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Map 

Perfect for the taphophile who is always dreaming of travel. This map of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, a historic site, is the final resting place of Washington Irving, the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Sleepy Hollow Gifts also has other unique souvenirs that would pair well with this map to help get those travel plans started.

Spooky Art Print

This spooky-cute art print would be a great gift for any cemetery lover. Laurie A. Conley‘s art is full of lovey scenes depicting ghosts and grim reapers in a cemetery, so make sure to check out the rest of her Etsy shop.

Taphophile deaths head ring in sterling silver or gold 

Deaths heads, or skull effigies are my favorite graveyard symbol. I’m sure many other taphophiles agree. Along with being a beautiful ring, this deaths head ring by Arcana Obscura Designs on Etsy, is also a lovely memento mori, a reminder that life is fleeting and to live life for today.  

Taphophile Definition T-Shirt 

T-shirts are a staple to any graving wardrobe. This awesome print features the definition of the word Taphophile. Just in case you ever need to explain your love of cemeteries to anyone—there’s a word for that! You can find this and other great prints over at Noir Oddities on Etsy.

Tombstone Tourist Sticker 

I just love the design of this sticker from the Magic in our Bones Etsy shop. I think these would look great on a notebook, water bottle, or even a laptop. Love the design, but not into stickers? You can also get this and some of their other taphophile sticker designs on mugs and tote bags. 

There you have it, the 2023 holiday gift guide for the taphophile in your life!

Thanks for reading!

Cemetery Photography by Chantal Larochelle is not affiliated with any of these brands and artists. I do not receive any proceeds from sales. Just sharing products I love!

Cemetery Book Review: Sacred Ground, Volume Two

Posted on Posted in Book ReviewTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

I hinted last week that I had been working on another cemetery book review for you. For this month’s book review, I wanted to share Sacred Ground, Loyalist Cemeteries of Eastern Ontario, Volume Two by Stuart Lyall Manson.

Sacred Ground, Volume Two continues the author’s exploration of United Empire Loyalists buried in loyalist cemeteries in Canada. This volume looks at five cemeteries in the Eastern Ontario County of Glengarry, and one other in Cornwall, Ontario. I was very excited when Stuart reached out, asking if I would be interested in reviewing his second book on loyalist cemeteries. You might remember a previous blog post I wrote, reviewing his first book, Sacred Ground: Loyalist Cemeteries of Eastern Ontario, Volume One.  

Stuart Lyall Manson is a professional research historian with over 25 years of experience and is also a heritage cemetery advocate.1 His second book Sacred Ground, Volume Two just came out in September of this year. He graciously provided me with a PDF version of his book to review. This book, also available in softcover, is 214 pages and contains color as well as black and white images. 

Here is the book synopsis from Goodreads:

“The second volume of the book series Sacred Ground: Loyalist Cemeteries of Eastern Ontario continues the approach of the first volume, describing notable loyalist cemeteries situated in Eastern Ontario. This volume covers cemeteries in the counties of Stormont and Glengarry. It is a collection of detailed profiles of a selection of these historical locations in the region. In each chapter, the author discusses, in-depth, a single cemetery containing the mortal remains of at least one loyalist. A historical overview is provided of each of these burial grounds, along with biographical information on specific loyalists with particularly remarkable stories. The locations were selected based on geographic distribution, religious diversity, and other factors. The book is based on rigorous primary and secondary source research. It complements other publications that list burials or transcribe tombstone inscriptions. Those publications are important resources. This book supplements that basic data with greater historical context and additional research into the lives and experiences of these men, women, and children who laid the foundations of modern Ontario. This volume includes the following cemeteries:

  • St. Andrew’s United Cemetery (Williamstown)
  • St. John’s Presbyterian Cemetery (Cornwall)
  • Falkner Settlement Cemetery (South Lancaster)
  • Salem United Cemetery (Summerstown)
  • St. Raphael’s Cemetery (St. Raphael’s)
  • Gleninore Cemetery (Charlottenburgh)”
  • Sacred Ground, Loyalist Cemeteries of Eastern Ontario, Volume Two by Stuart Lyall Manson.

I enjoyed this book. The author digs deep to uncover the lives of those who have been forgotten by many. I liked the fact that the author does not shy away from explaining that this type of research can be quite difficult when many people have the same names and full details are not always written out. I can just imagine the rabbit holes of research one had to go down to pull it all together.

As well as providing life stories and timelines of those buried, Volume Two also looks at the story of the cemeteries themselves. The one that stands out the most to me is St. John’s Presbyterian Cemetery in the city of Cornwall. A beautiful cairn was constructed with the remaining gravestones in the 1930’s. In 2017, with hardly any notice the cairn was demolished, destroying most of the remaining gravestones. Today there is only an empty lot where this cemetery sits. Without this kind of research and documentation, these sites may be lost to time, but the author has done an amazing job of collecting old photographs and piecing together the history of this site for future generations. 

As I’ve mentioned before, I always jump at the chance to read about Canadian cemeteries. There is so much history to be found here, and you don’t have to travel far to find it. Accompanying each chapter is a smattering of maps, letters, and photographs of interesting gravestones and beautiful ruins. At the end of each chapter, I found myself saying “I have to visit this one!”. For this reason, I also loved that the locations of each cemetery were included as an appendix at the back of the book. Cemetery name, location, and even coordinates are included.

Just as I recommended the first book in this series, Volume Two would be a valuable read to anyone interested in learning more about Canadian history and the indelible mark left by United Empire Loyalists. This would also be a good book to pick up if you are planning some cemetery road trips in the future. As I did with Volume One, I have already added these cemeteries to my Google maps for future trip planning. 

Will you be adding this book to your TBR list? Or better yet, have you already read it? I would love to hear what you think in the comments.

Thanks for reading! 

I am always on the hunt for cemetery-related book recommendations. Please feel free to share yours in the comments. If you are an author and have a cemetery-related book you would like me to review, please reach out at hello@chantallarochelle.ca. I would love to hear from you.

References:

  1. Home | Stuart Lyall Manson’s website

A Collection of Interesting Epitaphs

Posted on Posted in CollectionsTagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Can you believe we’re already 3 weeks into November? Field season seemed to just fly by this year! We had our first snowfall last week, which solidified the end of the season for me. 

That being said, it’s time to turn my attention to my photo archive and research. That includes some heavy reading and crawling through the Find a Grave website. I am currently working on my next cemetery book review, but it’s not quite ready yet. So to tide you over this week, I wanted to share a collection of interesting epitaphs. 

An epitaph is an inscription found on a gravestone that accompanies the name, birth, and death dates. These short verses and poems are inscribed to the memory of the deceased. The word epitaph comes from the Greek word “epitaphion” which means funeral oration. “Epi” meaning upon and “taphos” meaning tomb.1

Epitaphs became more popular in the 19th century, as a way to honor and memorialize the dead, but also share a little about the deceased’s life and personality.1 The most common epitaph you will find in a cemetery is the phrase “Rest in Peace”, or the Latin “Requiescat in Pace”. But you might also come across bible verses, poetry, or short sentiments proclaiming everlasting love for the deceased. You might also find a variation of a momento mori poem, a reminder that death is inevitable:

“Remember me as you pass by, / As you are now, so once was I, / As I am now, so you will be, / Prepare for death and follow me.”

So for today’s collection, I wanted to share some of the more interesting epitaphs I have come across on my cemetery travels. 

  • “He is not dead but sleepeth” Photo: Eyre Cemetery, Sudbury ON ©2011
  • “”Blessed are the dead / which die in the lord” Photo: Old Greenwood Cemetery, Sault Ste Marie ON ©2019
  • “Do not stand at my grave and weep. / I am not there.” Photo: Strong Cemetery, Sundridge ON ©2022
  • “Rest is Free” Photo: Rea Cemetery, Mimosa ON ©2022
  • “Budded on earth, / to bloom in heaven.” Photo: Farr Historic Cemetery, Haileybury ON ©2022
  • “Farewell dear I bid thee Adieu, / My stay on earth was short with you. / Weep not for me, nor sorrow make, But love the baby for my sake.” Photo: Nipissing Junction Union Cemetery, North Bay ON ©2022
  • “Beware kind friends as you pass by. / As your are now so once was I. / As I am now you too must be. / Prepare therefore to follow me.” Photo: Sylvan Acres Cemetery, Waubamik ON ©2023

Have you come across some interesting epitaphs on your cemetery walks? Do you have a favorite? Or maybe you have something you would like written on your own gravestone? I would love to read your thoughts in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. What is an Epitaph? | Columbia Gardens Memorials