Escapism at its Best

Escapism is defined by Merriam-Webster as the "habitual diversion of the mind to purely imaginative activity or entertainment as an escape from reality or routine". 

Well, for about two years now, on and off, I have participated in the perfect form of escapism for me - the SCA. The SCA, or Society for Creative Anachronism is "an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. Members, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events which feature tournaments, royal courts, feasts, dancing, various classes & workshops, and more.” 

That's right... on weekends I like to get dressed up in medieval styled clothing, also known as garb, and "play" "make believe" with friends and family. I can take on a different persona entirely and be a different person, from a different place, and from a different time. Now that is what I call escapism! 

If you would like to know more about the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), click here.

Every geographical area falls under a different Kingdom and divides up even further until it is specific to your locale. Since we relocated to Cape Coral, FL we now fall under the Kingdom of Trimaris. To learn more about the Kingdom of Trimaris, which includes majority of Florida, click here.

Cape Coral is technically an Unaffiliated locale, but our closest group is located in Ft. Myers and is the Shire of Trisel. To learn more about the Shire of Trisel, click here.

Even if you are not sure if this is the hobby for you... come to an event anyway! There is something for everyone in the SCA.

Thai Spring Rolls

Yields about 24 Spring Rolls.

Ingredients:

1 frozen package of spring roll wrappers 8”by 8” size (thawed)..or Chinese Egg roll wrappers
1 lb of lean ground pork - optional (or ground beef or ground turkey)
1 small bunch of mung bean thread noodles or cellophane noodles (soaked, drained and cut)
½ cup shredded cabbage
3 cups shredded fresh carrots
½ cup dried black fungus (soaked and drained) optional
4 cloves fresh garlic (finely chopped)
1 tsp sugar
2 tbsp soy sauce
A few drops of sesame oil
Fresh ground pepper
4 cups of vegetable oil
Sweet & Sour Duck Sauce

Preparation:

In a mixing bowl add soy sauce, sugar, & fresh ground pepper to the ground meat.
 

Pre soak cellophane noodles in a bowl of cold water for at least 10 minutes.
 

Drain, then cut noodles into shorter lengths.
 

Add them to the bowl.
 

Add in shredded fresh carrots, cabbage & chopped fresh garlic.
 

Add pre soaked and drained dry fungus (optional).
 

Add a few drops of sesame oil.
 

Mix all the ingredients together well.
 

Take out one of the peeled spring roll skins and lay it on flat surface.
 

Scoop up a spoonful of the filling mixture and lay it out on one corner of the wrapper.
 

Fold the wrapper twice to form triangle shape then close both ends and tighten.
 

Roll the wrapper to the end.
 

Set it on a tray.
 

Repeat until you run out of filling.
 

Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan over medium heat.
 

Add spring rolls to the pan and fry both sides until the roll turns golden brown.
 

Scoop the rolls up with strainer to drain the oil.
 

Set rolls on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
 

Keep them warm in the oven until they are read to serve.
 

Serve with Sweet & Sour Duck Sauce.

ENJOY!

A Woman Is

A woman is sometimes fugitive, irrational, indeterminable, illogical and contradictory. A great deal of forbearance ought to be shown her, and a good deal of prudence exercised with regard to her, for she may bring about innumerable evils without knowing it. Capable of all kinds of devotion, and of all kinds of treason, "monster incomprehensible," raised to the second power, she is at once the delight and the terror of man.  

~ Henri Frederick Amiel