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Vol. 41 - Finding Joy In Cancelled Plans

and an update on the next merchandise drop


Happy Sunday, everyone! I hope you are all doing well in the run-up to Christmas. Unfortunately, this week, I caught that dastardly flu (Editor’s Note: days after writing this, I’m now 90% sure it’s bronchitis and also my cue to stop smoking) that has been making the rounds, and I have been knocked for six. Usually, I can shake these things in two days, but this one doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. It was as if the universe could sense this, though, as quite a few of my plans this week were cancelled for me before I even had the chance to send out an ‘I’m so sorry to do this, but can we re-arrange because I am currently an incubus of sickness’ type of text. As a result, I’ve been able to spend all of this week doing sweet nothing other than watching films, cooking, and generally scheming. It’s basically just been a week of all of my favourite things. It’s also been the perfect opportunity to slow down and say ‘no’ to things that I would otherwise politely (and begrudgingly) agree to. So, in this week’s issue, I’ll keep it short and sweet with everything I’ve been busying myself with due to my cancelled plans. Hopefully, there will be some good recommendations here for you all! Before we begin, though, as private members, I would like to both update you and poll you on our next batch of merch. Part of this week’s scheming has involved moving forward with our knitted jumpers. Our detailed tech packs have been completed, and supplier negotiations have begun. We’ve decided to use an intarsia knit technique for the jumpers (pictured below), so please use your imagination when I show you the basic jumper images.


an example of an intarsia knit technique


We have drafted the two designs below (Wimbledon Rhubarb and Driving Rhubarb) in cream and navy options. The sizes will be unisex (for women, I wanted the jumper to feel like one you would steal from a boyfriend or brother). Of course, as members, your feedback is invaluable, and before we order our first samples, we would love to hear which combination you would be the most interested in, to begin with.



Please also feel free to comment, email, or DM @therhubarbsociety should you have any further feedback :) And with that out the way, let’s begin!



WATCHING

This week, I’ve alternated between the sofa and bed, watching as many films as possible. I feel as though I’ve been too busy over the last few months to do this, so I’ve revelled in it. It also means I’ve had buckets of time to analyse and deconstruct said films, much to my joy and others’ dismay.



Saltburn - Of all the films released since I started on social media, Saltburn was the one that was the most requested for me to review across all platforms. If you happen to follow me on IG and Tiktok, you would have seen me break down my feelings on this film numerous times. You can see a full 5-minute video of me talking about it here and a follow-up one that breaks down one particular scene and its relation to the British class system here. Saltburn is a fabulously dark and dizzying story about obsession, desire, and hierarchy. The trailer only shows a crumb of what this film has to offer, and I would personally describe it as a cross between Parasite and The Talented Mr Ripley. Emerald Fennell is detail-obsessed (which she admits in this Vanity Fair interview), meaning I will have to watch Saltburn numerous times over to pick up on all of the easter eggs she leaves us. My biggest concern about the discourse of this film has been the misinterpretation of its key message, which many are reading as either ‘eat the rich’ or ‘poor people are bad and rich people are good’. Many non-British viewers seem to conflate wealth with class, and without understanding how deeply ingrained the class system is here in the UK, Saltburn is a film that can easily be lost in translation. The performances are all-electric, especially the chemistry between Jacob and Barry. This film is being talked about everywhere for a reason. I do hate how something set in 2006 is now seen as a ‘period piece’, though.


Marcel With The Shoes On - What would happen if you took the personality of ‘Paddington’ and crossed it with the characters of ‘Soul’? Well, you’d end up with Marcel With The Shoes On. This has been on my watchlist for nearly two years, and I finally saw it this week. I will also say that this is an A24 film, so you can probably already gauge what kind of film it will be. A seemingly ridiculous premise involving a 1-inch tall talking shell with shoes and one eye is so much more than you could ever begin to imagine. I was surprised by how delightfully funny this film was. It takes a lot for me to physically laugh out loud when I watch something and I found myself doing it often during this film. I was also brought to tears multiple times over Marcel’s responses to the most simple questions. It’s a film that makes you feel good whilst also taking pause to think about your own outlook on life. It tackles huge topics like loneliness and loss in such an earnest way that it’s hard not to be moved by it. If you’re looking for something sweet and wholesome to watch with the family this Christmas, I could not recommend it more.



May December



I wrote about how excited I was to see this film a few issues ago because all the early reviews had been raving about it. However, it’s still not out in the UK, so between my impatience and newfound time, I decided just to use a VPN to hack the US Netflix and watch it there. My first piece of advice would be to go into May December blind. Don’t read anything about it (except this review, of course) if you can. My second would be to not read up on the story that it’s inspired by because you will fall into a rage hole. Anyway. The main cast consists of Julianne Moore, Natalie Portman, and Charles Melton. The first two are acting powerhouses, as we know, so initially, the addition of Charles Melton seems odd. Pitting a Riverdale actor against two Oscar winners seems like an odd choice, but not only does Charles hold his own, but he deserves a nomination in his own right after this performance. May December is strange in many ways, and admittedly, Todd Haynes isn’t my favourite director due to his style. This film is dark and camp, which makes it feel like it should be a comedy even though there’s nothing comedic about its subject matter. The pace and storytelling are slow, but I think that works because so much of it relies on the subtle cues and interactions between the characters. You will want to laugh and cry and crawl out of your skin all at the same time.



Wonka



As much as I love Timothee Chalamet and think he’s an undeniably talented actor, I grew up with the Gene Wilder Willy Wonka, so I knew I would go into TC’s ‘Wonka’ with some reservations. Knowing that Paul King was writing and directing did help, though (he is the writer/director for two of the best films of all time, aka Paddington and Paddington 2), so when I finally arrived for the late-night screening of Wonka, I felt very neutral about it all. Sometimes, the best expectation is to have no expectations at all. So, where to begin? Starting with the positives, the film itself is utterly charming. The writing is sharp and funny and oh so British. The British cast excels, with standout performances from Olivia Coleman, the ‘Chocolate Cartel’, and Hugh Grant (who really is the star). It’s whimsical and visually magical, taking us on a magical otherwordly journey. However, I don’t think Timothee was the right casting choice. Either that or the writing wasn’t doing him justice. Now, don’t get me wrong, he was good, especially when he needed to be earnest or charming (and he definitely evoked his time as Laurie from Little Women in some of these scenes). However, when he needed to be quirky and whimsical and odd, it fell flat. I was fully aware that I was watching Timmy trying to be these things, other than believing I was watching a young Wonka. I think the script's flow favoured the British actors, which is why some of Timmy’s performances felt jarring; his pacing and delivery didn’t quite match everyone else. I was also disappointed that, for a musical, there wasn’t one singular standout song. The best song in the whole thing was Timmy’s end-scene rendition of ‘Pure Imagination’, which, as we all know, belongs to Gene Wilder. Criticism aside, would I watch this again? Definitely…it’s an instant Christmas feel-good classic that I plan to watch annually alongside both Paddington’s.



EATING


When I am feeling under the weather, my appetite comes and goes with no rhyme or reason, and on the odd occasion my appetite does actually arrive, my cravings are very specific. For the longest time, I’d been thinking about this slow-cooked lamb stew with mint dumplings that my mother would make me growing up. I realised that it had been a good ten years since I’d had it, and with nothing but time on my hands, I had to attempt to make it myself. So, I did, and guess what? It slapped. Not only is it perfect for cold days and nights, but it’s super comforting and easy to eat if you’re feeling poorly. This can be made in a slow cooker, but I don’t have one, so I just made sure I used oven-proof pans! So, here’s the recipe (with pictures, of course).


Lamb Stew (serves 2-3)

  • chantenay carrots (topped and tailed)

  • diced lamb (I used 300g of lamb leg steaks)

  • peeled potatoes cut into chunks

  • broth/stock of choice

  • 1 shallot

  • 3 garlic cloves

  • 2 tbsp mint sauce (homemade recipe below)

  • mint dumplings (homemade recipe below)

  • horseradish

  • peas (optional)

  • swede (optional)

Mint Dumplings (this makes 4 decent size ones)

(the ratio for this is 2:1 with the flour and suet, so use whatever you like)

  • 100g self-raising flour

  • 50g beef suet

  • fresh mint

  • cold water

Mint Sauce (optional, you can always use premade)

  • two handfuls of fresh mint

  • 2 tsp sugar

  • 2 tbsp malt vinegar

  • hot water



If you plan on using homemade mint sauce, start with that first. Remove your mint leaves from their stems and chop them finely. Put your chopped mint into a bowl and cover it with boiling water for a few minutes. Once done, strain and rinse with cold water to prevent the mint from cooking further. Mix your sugar and your malt vinegar together before adding it to your strained mint. Stir thoroughly and let it sit and steep for 20-30 minutes.



Preheat your oven to 150c fan. In an oven-proof pan, fry your diced lamb, garlic, and shallot with a drizzle of olive oil until the lamb has browned. Feel free to add salt and pepper to taste at this stage. Once done, add your chopped potatoes, chantenay carrots, and any additional vegetables of your choice. Add freshly boiled water to the pan until everything is submerged. Next, add your stock of choice. I used a cube of my homemade bone broth and half a knorrs beef stock cube. Once your stock has mixed in, add a tablespoon of horseradish and two tablespoons of mint sauce. Stir thoroughly before bringing your pan to a boil. Add the lid and transfer to the oven. You will want this to slow cook for 2-3 hours if possible.



Whilst your stew is cooking away, you can start making your dumplings. Mix your suet and self-raising flour with a pinch of salt until combined. It will look a little lumpy due to the suet, but that’s okay. Stir through your freshly chopped mint until evenly spread in your mixture. Create a well in the centre, and slowly incorporate a tablespoon of cold water at a time until your mixture becomes dough-like. Once everything is fully combined, you will be able to roll the dough into balls of your choice. If you like your dumplings extra minty, you can roll your balls in any spare mint you may have. Ensure your stew is thoroughly stirred before placing your dumplings into the pan. They will need about 20-30 minutes to cook with the lid on so only add them towards the end of your stews cooking time. Check on your stew occasionally and have a little taste test to see if there are any extra flavours that need adding. If it’s starting to look a little dry, you can always add a cup of water at a time! Serve fresh with some cracked black pepper and crusty bread. This keeps well in airtight Tupperware and tastes even better when reheated the next day :)



SCHEMING



I say ‘scheming’ because it’s more exciting than ‘these are the things I’ve been using or buying or pinning to my mood board’, but essentially, these are the things I’ve been using or buying or pinning to my mood board.


  • Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa Cough Syrup - This is a Chinese herbal medicine we were forced to take growing up if we had anything wrong with our throat or chest, and it is a godsend. I put it on my IG story, and everyone asked me where to get it. Luckily, we now live in an age where stuff like this is on Amazon, and I don’t have to go to a Chinese supermarket to order it from behind the till.

  • Dr. Teals Epsom Salts with Eucalyptus and Spearmint - A follower recommended these long ago, and I’ve been using them ever since. I ordered the eucalyptus version this time in the hopes it would help me clear up my chest.

  • Sloggi Bras - My friend recommended these zero-feel top bra things that are somewhere between a sports bra and a non-wired bra and I love them. Great for days you can’t be arsed to wear a bra but you still need a bit of support.

  • Before The Coffee Gets Cold - Admittedly, I haven’t read this yet, and it has just been sitting on my shelf staring at me, but this was another recommendation from a friend. The book is about a small coffee shop in Tokyo that allows visitors to travel back in time if they sit in a specific spot. It’s a short and sweet read but apparently very heartfelt and emotive. One for me to start reading when wallowing in my Epsom salt bath.

  • Elemis Pro-Collagen Overnight Moisturiser - I had an Elemis facial a few weeks ago, and they gave me some products after my treatment. Of all of them, this was the standout. I wake up with really soft skin that, most importantly, looks even. Being sick has zapped the life out of my skin, and this product is reviving it.

  • Deep Tissue Shiatsu Massager - I love this thing. I feel very QVC using it, but it’s firm, and it does the job, and I can prop up it against the back of my chair whilst I type, so it’s a WIN-WIN.





If you have enjoyed today’s issue (or any issue) of The Rhubarb Society, please feel free to share with those closest to you using the button below. Thank you for supporting the Society, and we look forward to seeing you in the next issue.


With love,

Tamsin & Rhubarb

xoxo

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