tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74246057689224201212024-03-06T00:52:24.363-08:00Tea By 2Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-72917130885020349622011-11-14T20:38:00.000-08:002011-11-14T20:38:02.249-08:00<div style="color: #bf9000; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Afternoon Tea And My Mom's Sugar Cookie Recipe</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroRQcugtDs0hWvTY6WyHzbfDZxeoqS0q8Ik2wmPakN0Rko9XHgb0yzGPcgdBzqA6YHPr-gXN97EXh0Tivp-1J38dttab7qtpzVKSPeG71KOxLLQocKj9XZDdwAWGBaDiNaWKgr4Wnbxg/s1600/933--save-for-web-1273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroRQcugtDs0hWvTY6WyHzbfDZxeoqS0q8Ik2wmPakN0Rko9XHgb0yzGPcgdBzqA6YHPr-gXN97EXh0Tivp-1J38dttab7qtpzVKSPeG71KOxLLQocKj9XZDdwAWGBaDiNaWKgr4Wnbxg/s400/933--save-for-web-1273.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">I collect Old Country Roses China and tea ware.., </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpwIVmwni25KtnRQWpNaJ5MP-DnKU4vUi0jEY1yiTFIxfKxRdzvvqWf49f828xkyYU0YPaKsgenARBapfAX5BFzzNZ7z28wgG7PdQSK170Ejzy5efq4q-fQFmAy-SIfxm_NschTQznE4/s1600/933--save-for-web-1274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYpwIVmwni25KtnRQWpNaJ5MP-DnKU4vUi0jEY1yiTFIxfKxRdzvvqWf49f828xkyYU0YPaKsgenARBapfAX5BFzzNZ7z28wgG7PdQSK170Ejzy5efq4q-fQFmAy-SIfxm_NschTQznE4/s400/933--save-for-web-1274.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQ2RxAPpX3RXCTPmmdY4ZhiO1tCbq_mrVsMIPa4iwsg0dUNlRvVoF32HFMcSiE8B_RAeCLGkJTv0vokSnuDiZ8tEyt30dgE9M8JE0pd8pdGkn69TMCsnXLyoHxkPWHTOLM2yjaNQHL-U/s1600/933--save-for-web-1275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoQ2RxAPpX3RXCTPmmdY4ZhiO1tCbq_mrVsMIPa4iwsg0dUNlRvVoF32HFMcSiE8B_RAeCLGkJTv0vokSnuDiZ8tEyt30dgE9M8JE0pd8pdGkn69TMCsnXLyoHxkPWHTOLM2yjaNQHL-U/s400/933--save-for-web-1275.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;"><b>I</b></span> <span style="font-size: small;">am joining Wanda Lee and Pam this week for, <span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><b>Teapot And Tea Things Tuesday</b></span> @ <a href="http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com/">http://silkenpurse.blogspot.com</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">and also @ <a href="http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com/">http://breathoffreshair-paperbutterfly.blogspot.com</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;"><b>M</b></span>om made these cookies every Christmas for as long as I can remember. To be honest, they weren't my favorite, because they were very hard. However, since they were the only sugar cookies I had ever eaten, I asked Mom for the recipe.<br />
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<b style="color: #e69138;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span></b>he first year of my marriage, I made the cookies, but instead of using margarine, as Mom always did, I used butter. The difference it made in the recipe was phenomenal! In fact they were so good, I was grateful that I lived 4000 miles away from Mom. I didn't want her to taste my version, because she took such pride in her own recipe, and frankly, mine were SO much better, that I didn't want hers to be overshadowed.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXs6oC1U43I-ZUjnsZ2i_fq_F_2sjhhvemuXG_HUCfywh_0ESxtMrUrdPW9X4NM6jiYR6qXeC225bYvdFmxEGRkLds2Ps1TPj6QSx-lGVZf1Pt1ib0b8FnbdU8V_ZZjcAFb0-S5qEQSk/s1600/933--save-for-web-1276.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXs6oC1U43I-ZUjnsZ2i_fq_F_2sjhhvemuXG_HUCfywh_0ESxtMrUrdPW9X4NM6jiYR6qXeC225bYvdFmxEGRkLds2Ps1TPj6QSx-lGVZf1Pt1ib0b8FnbdU8V_ZZjcAFb0-S5qEQSk/s400/933--save-for-web-1276.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">E</span></b>very year I would make them I would say to her, "Well, Mom, I made the sugar cookies, but they just don't taste like yours." I never told her that I used butter, and she would quiz me as to what I might have done wrong. I'd tell her that there was no way that I would be able to bake them like she did. I think she took some pride in being the "Sugar Cookie Queen".<br />
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<b style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">H</span></b>aving said that, I have to admit that my Mom's potato salad was absolutely THE BEST! I couldn't come close to reproducing or improving it. She just had the touch, and she certainly didn't pass that one on to me, or any of my sisters. Mom passed away 7 and 1/2 years ago. I really miss her, and would give anything to sink my teeth into her sugar cookies one more time., even if they were a little firm.<br />
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<span style="color: #bf9000; font-size: x-large;"><b>T</b></span>hese cookies are absolutely delicious, very moist and flavorful, and they are especially good after a week or two, once the flavor of the nutmeg really becomes pronounced. This makes about 5 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dozen</span> cookies, or about 2 1/2 dozen double cookies. I make double cookies which are a round cookie on the bottom, and a cookie of the same circumference but with a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">small </span>hole in the centre, into which I put a dab of raspberry jam. To give you a word to the wise, these bake up quite large, and need to be watched so that they are baked sufficiently , but are not over-done.<br />
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-size: x-large;"><b>A</b></span>nyway, here they are in all their glory, but take my advice and use <b style="color: #f1c232;">butter</b>!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRal8ivVwEG-R5OtNKzTD128x2sel9H_A2fxu8yH5DtNlFV58Rmcfzi1sIF_SiwsAX4jCgLbbm_AlxqANT74QlIpj8mOBhYcc-UA4Q68iPZ5uHv1DiuOp0vrR4VJigykXscl49g1wTdg/s1600/933--save-for-web-1277.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRal8ivVwEG-R5OtNKzTD128x2sel9H_A2fxu8yH5DtNlFV58Rmcfzi1sIF_SiwsAX4jCgLbbm_AlxqANT74QlIpj8mOBhYcc-UA4Q68iPZ5uHv1DiuOp0vrR4VJigykXscl49g1wTdg/s640/933--save-for-web-1277.jpg" width="432" /></a></div><br />
<b style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">P</span></b>lease enjoy our little <b style="color: #bf9000;">Tuesday, Afternoon Tea </b>respite my friends. ~ Do make this special Sugar cookie recipe soon <i>and </i>curl up with a freshly brewed cup of tea and a good book, enjoying the sweet, slightly crunchy, somewhat soft, buttery delights with just hint of Vanilla flavor.., Yum!<br />
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Compliments of <i>moi</i>, A.K.A./The Scone Queen<br />
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<b>Mom's Sugar Cookies</b><br />
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Cream together: 2 cups sugar<br />
1 pound of butter<br />
4 eggs (room temperature)<br />
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Combine and then add to the above mixture: 5 cups white flour<br />
2 teaspoons baking soda<br />
4 teaspoon cream of tartar<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
1 teaspoon nutmeg<br />
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<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Roll</span> into a large ball. Cover with saran wrap and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">refrigerate</span> until firm to make rolling easier. Roll out 1/4 inch and cut into designs. Bake 350 degrees F. six to seven minutes.<br />
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~ <b style="color: #b45f06;">Please let me know you came by to visit<span style="color: #783f04;"> </span><i style="color: #783f04;">by kindly leaving a comment.</i> ~ <span style="color: #bf9000;">I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU.</span></b><br />
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<b style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">W</span></b>armest regards, <b style="color: #bf9000;"><span style="font-size: large;">Rose</span></b>, A.K.A./The Scone QueenScone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-72623463912049114012011-11-08T15:12:00.000-08:002011-11-08T15:12:17.818-08:00Cherishing Christmas in Our HeartsHere I am again, my sanity precauriously intact. With Halloween behind me by a mere 48 hours, I feel this year as though I have escaped a dark and foreboding maze. For the past several weeks the road has been difficult,Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-8146244834022050122010-03-23T09:21:00.000-07:002010-03-23T13:04:53.244-07:00A Fresh Springtime Beginning:<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;"><strong>Hello there once again dear friends;</strong></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInBhMwmIar-y4jvWfEqNlYREZUnzbIjZ4VLHkRfDTZuZu6FiQyrbgTR25fUFKgdupSGh9z8h8FrNXUsT0ojMHNLcl9jfB7iRvPLI4vK8LZFRyYZYn7epnrXkFxW0ZV9pCirpcmOvorjY/s1600-h/A-copyforweb-1128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInBhMwmIar-y4jvWfEqNlYREZUnzbIjZ4VLHkRfDTZuZu6FiQyrbgTR25fUFKgdupSGh9z8h8FrNXUsT0ojMHNLcl9jfB7iRvPLI4vK8LZFRyYZYn7epnrXkFxW0ZV9pCirpcmOvorjY/s400/A-copyforweb-1128.jpg" vt="true" width="302" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pretty little molded sugars..,</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong> A word from a dear blog friend:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong>T</strong></span>oday, <em>at long last</em>, there is a post on this lovely blog of my dear friend <strong>Scone Queen</strong>! ~<span style="color: #6fa8dc;"> <em>I am a guest</em> <em>blogger</em> <span style="color: black;">and my name is</span> <strong><span style="color: #e06666;">Silken Purse</span></strong>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: large;"><strong>D</strong></span>ear <strong>Scone Queen</strong> and I have been friends for many years and from time to time, we will be enjoying being guest bloggers on each others blogs!..,<strong> Scone Queen</strong> has been <em>very busy</em> over the last while, yet from time to time it is my hope that she will once again grace the pages of her delightful and well written blogs, full of her lovely pictures of teatime repasts and her wonderful prose!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">D</span></strong>o enjoy some of her posts from the past, especially her <em><strong><span style="color: #e06666;">Valentines tree</span></strong></em> post; so pretty!..,(We have been enjoying Afternoon Tea and the decorating of fun, seasonal projects, such as our own respective, <em>Valentines trees</em>, for many years).., FUN!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: large;">P</span></strong>lease visit her other blog for today's latest, <strong><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Tuesday Tea For Two</span></strong>, blog post on her lovely , <strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">The Tea</span></strong> <strong><span style="color: #e06666; font-size: large;">Trolley</span></strong> blog: <a href="http://theteatrolley.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue;"><strong>theteatrolley.blogspot.com</strong></span></a><br />
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Please do <strong><span style="color: #e06666;">leave a comment</span></strong> and also consider following my friend's blog; that way it is easier to stay in touch!~ She's a very special and dear lady with an abundance of God given talent!<br />
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<span style="color: #ea9999; font-size: large;"><strong>A word from Scone Queen:</strong></span><br />
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<em><span style="color: #444444; font-size: xx-small;">Photo credits; photo is from Flickr.</span></em>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-59586010254468260342009-11-11T17:31:00.000-08:002009-11-13T15:38:26.583-08:00Rolling out the Tea Trolley Once Again!After a delay of many, many months, I am pleased to announce the re-introduction of "The Tea Trolley", my blog dedicated to the sumptuous art of preparing and enjoying afternoon tea. I want to express my heart-felt appreciation to my dear friend, and blog collaborator, the Paper Princess, creator and author of The Silken Purse, who graciously gifted me with an absolutely stunning banner to crown my new venture. Even though we are sadly seperated by thousands of Canadian miles, it was so much fun to partner on this project, via long disatnce and internet. It was ALMOST as fun as spending an afternoon at her lovely Bed and Breakfast on the east coast, enjoying her precious company, sipping a steaming bowl of splosh and indulging in freshly-baked scones smothered with raspberry preserves and topped with a generous dollop of clotted cream.. (ALMOST, but not quite!)<br />
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My vision for "The Tea Trolley" includes the sharing of recipes, table-setting and tea invitation ideas, and so much more. Come and be a part of our little community. There may even be an opportunity for a cyber-space tea party and a give-away or two! Our only limitation is the breadth, height and depth of our collective imagination. How wonderful is that! <br />
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The Paper Princess and I have been blessed immeasurably by the people we have fellowshipped with over the intoxicating aroma of a finely-brewed cup of tea. Between the two of us, we have hosted and attended hundreds of tea gatherings, each unigue and memorable. We invite you to join us at "The Tea Trolley" to glean what you can from our experiences, and to contribute what you will to our tea-sipping community at large. You are most cordially invited and welcomed! Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-670905261210192192009-11-01T15:17:00.000-08:002009-11-01T15:21:40.731-08:00Flowers From a Kindred Spirit<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfjr9FOKMCtctitqpk2jIJ44EbPnD5a95hDK9gigvVrGdATU0VyHv00yeJSFDaAl0j6oZ0EsIFfX0AChrMk6sfV6aKNVMa4HepQdUoORz4drNnVOY724jZa4_LOyoowZIHrVgfVRq6ic/s1600-h/IMG_9450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTfjr9FOKMCtctitqpk2jIJ44EbPnD5a95hDK9gigvVrGdATU0VyHv00yeJSFDaAl0j6oZ0EsIFfX0AChrMk6sfV6aKNVMa4HepQdUoORz4drNnVOY724jZa4_LOyoowZIHrVgfVRq6ic/s320/IMG_9450.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ten minutes ago my doorbell rang and I received an unexpected but much needed long-distance hug from an old and dear friend, in the form of beautiful posie of purple Roses, Irises and Snapdragons accompanied by a sweet stuffed bunny. My first thought? Some bunny loves me! I wonder who?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Although I seldom let my mind travel down this dangerous road, I found myself wondering today what, or more specifically who I have spent my life serving. Sometimes people can be so self-focused, ungrateful and unhelpful, and I have recently had my fill of feeling unappreciated and taken for granted. After a week of ill-health, and stress, I finally reached my limit in the early hours of this morning and called an old, dear freind to share my heartbreak amid many tears. She listened, she comiserated, she couseled she told she understood, and I believed her. By the end of our conversation, I felt as though I could live through the rest of my day. What would we do without friends like that? I shutter to think. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The card read: "Friendship is when people know all about you but like you anyway. Here is a hug to celebrate 33 years of unconditional friendship, Love Cindy" Thanks, I needed that. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-66332587771923744492009-08-26T07:06:00.000-07:002009-11-02T05:19:50.693-08:00A Diminuitive Strand of Pearls<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC5idSC0kQfWPf6P9PYmlXXbv2dfkqxIhAjovkONBoV8lsUFkl_Ho1vgCr40gXsHelL-JNnpOl98KmTU4RIqPt3roTIcF_la7SJeBzkdiWntMdGgR8fCwMmHTgYShbqkaxj0N08gUbdU/s1600-h/IMG_1443.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376164275534480914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC5idSC0kQfWPf6P9PYmlXXbv2dfkqxIhAjovkONBoV8lsUFkl_Ho1vgCr40gXsHelL-JNnpOl98KmTU4RIqPt3roTIcF_la7SJeBzkdiWntMdGgR8fCwMmHTgYShbqkaxj0N08gUbdU/s320/IMG_1443.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 320px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 238px;" /></a>I remember my grandmother Annie as a woman of extraordinary integrity, compassion, and dignity. Although she died when I was very young, her influence on my life has been monumental. A devoted Catholic, the loving wife of a hard-working husband, and the mother of 16 children, she epitomized grace even at the most <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">difficult </span>of times.<br />
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As a young girl I suffered from a perforated eardrum, a condition that colored my young life for many years. Because of it, I was unable to learn to ride a bike, as it affected my balance. Lack of coordination made me clumsy and prone to falling. I always seemed to be sporting scrapped knees, sprained ankles or wrists and I was constantly plagued with painful ear infections. I remember one year when all my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">classmates were </span>enthusiastically <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">involved</span> in swimming lessons at a local pool, but I was doomed to sit out, and watch them have fun because <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">chlorinated</span> pools were breeding grounds for bacterias that I was not able to properly fend off. I felt isolated, excluded. awkward and sad. My grandmother understood my disappointment, but never allowed me to fall into self-pity. When my doctors determined that they only way to deal with the condition was surgery, I was frightened, but hopeful that I would soon be able to participate in the many childhood experiences that my condition had kept me from enjoying. Sadly though, my dear grandmother had become ill, and died of pancreatic cancer days before my surgery. One of her last requests was for my grandfather to make sure that I received a bouquet of roses from her after my surgery. When I awoke from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">anaesthetic my eyes focused on a beauty lady's head vase filled with pink baby roses, with a small card that simply said "with love from Meme". It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The porcelain lady wore a grey-black hat, a diminuitive strand of antique white pearls around her neck. I was smitten by her simple elegance, and have always wanted to own just such a necklace of my own. </span><br />
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<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Pearls however, are an expensive luxury, and not something I could ever justify buying for myself. Even for my wedding, fifteen years ago, it just wasn't possible to see my way clear to indulging in something so costly. Five years ago my husband, a fine piano accompanist, visited China as part of a cultural exchange with the British Columbia Girls Choir. Knowing that China was renowned for pearls, and thinking that buying them from the source mught make them affordable, I requested that he look for a strand for me. When he arrived home, he informed me that, in fact, the pearls were VERY expensive, and it just wasn't in the budget. I was disappointed, but understanding. Two years later, on Christmas day, he gifted me with a gorgeous, long strand of ivory pearls, presented in a pink box from the pearl district of China. I loved them, but they were not the short elegant string of antique white pearls I had dreamt of for so many years.</span><br />
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<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected">The following year I began to teach ESL(English as a Second Language) to a group of wonderful Asian adults at my Church. At the end of the year, it is their custom to gift their teachers with a token of their appreciation. That day in June, I opened a little box to find something that took my breath away. There, cradled in a cloud of white cotton batton were the pearls of my dreams. My students did not know, as I had never mentioned how much I had always wanted just such a necklace. I was taken back, shocked really at how they were exactly as I had imagined them; unassuming, pure and elegant, just like the ones worn by the demure lady with the pink roses in her hat, that bitter-sweet gift from my Meme. So, it seemed appropriate to wear them on that special day this summer, lovingly coupled with my engagement amethyst when I once again renewed my wedding vows. The idea of them, a gift from my beloved grandmother, the reality of them from precious ones whom I have had the priviledge to teach and befriend in my adopted province. </span><br />
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</div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-20493743285647047072009-08-26T06:13:00.000-07:002009-08-26T13:32:36.557-07:00More on the Anniversary Party<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWGZZwnzyF3-QwIESjkkTHO5kz5T1pXlE3TiJ_PTNaZ1O91Khm6XN_oqlBqP_oFJ_23WsMsYnReH9ITek_0v1FLEiDEDsJyWz_G7cjN4cmiBV8i5bbODlix-tfvE03mcoTnzMeWS5L89E/s1600-h/DSC02588.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObIqW1zw24NGl4x6yuSOPOx_GDIs9XG1hBJhrh9HGEfznY35nef5bL42moXuy8h0xS51kEZKfhvT1G0efCyqjRbWXZoGVecte9f5LWwlMMvq1xmnRsrDHyEwdC5dehaexFaFaWEOXztY/s1600-h/IMG_8887.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 320px; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374269874058926082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObIqW1zw24NGl4x6yuSOPOx_GDIs9XG1hBJhrh9HGEfznY35nef5bL42moXuy8h0xS51kEZKfhvT1G0efCyqjRbWXZoGVecte9f5LWwlMMvq1xmnRsrDHyEwdC5dehaexFaFaWEOXztY/s320/IMG_8887.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div><span style="font-size:78%;">Rose with Joseph Shore who gave the toast to the anniversary couple<br /></span></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Back again with a few more pictures from our recent soiree. Celebrating a 15th amiversary is a bit unusual, as it is not traditionally seen as a significant year, but we felt very much in the mood to recognize the blessings we have receieved over the past decade and a half. Our love for one another has been greatly enhanced by the friends and mentors we have met in our adopted province since 1994. As none of us are getting any younger, we wanted to fete not only our marriage, but the significant influence these wonderful folks have had in our "Common Life". Eric's pastor, a young man in his thirties, commented that many of our guests were elderly, and as I reflected on his observation, I came to the conclusion that this celebration was really in honor of these dear ones who have meant so much to us, and have taught us immeasurable lessons about what it means to be committed to God first and then to your life's partner. It was far more about them and much less about us. Because of their sainted example, Eric and I have successfully completed Marriage 101, and look forward to tackling advanced studies, and perhaps even our PhD in marriage like many of these folks have who have been faithfully espoused some of them for 45 to 50 to 60 years. It is one of the truisms of life that you never know when someone dear will be taken from you, so the rule of thumb should always be celebrate when you can, as often as you can, with as many of your loved ones as you can. Tomorrow may be a day when sterling memories of parties-past will be one of your most precious comforts until that Day when, all tears behind us, we meet at the Great Wedding Feast that knows no end. </div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-14821778178881140172009-08-22T11:55:00.000-07:002009-08-26T06:13:32.133-07:00Our 15th Wedding Anniversary Vow Renewal and Reception<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgos5Jb8x81qUcfEnRK3VQqZQpsgRLz3XO35B1bom0dBjpZ0CuIdi-KV8v6NBmyqIfvVo4I2i6de-Wn1eQMGoaW3LL6OtMQvDCVF2JeC-dNv9-RyNTFfiT9QP9M6w7sNT1ATD_qfkRtP6U/s1600-h/IMG_8936.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372912297931096098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgos5Jb8x81qUcfEnRK3VQqZQpsgRLz3XO35B1bom0dBjpZ0CuIdi-KV8v6NBmyqIfvVo4I2i6de-Wn1eQMGoaW3LL6OtMQvDCVF2JeC-dNv9-RyNTFfiT9QP9M6w7sNT1ATD_qfkRtP6U/s320/IMG_8936.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372911825239984866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFDUhnDtKT26ho3OpuxHwrUs8x0p0_rsWgDtI-_weO3MhPDYd_nLOpX5FWgEDZfG7_Qj8abf576tyq6zCCt0WbM5hvAXUiHjZy0xeu8u23V1LxibkWHXWk58CqgaI9tZoNP2YHpNzLnXI/s320/IMG_8896.jpg" />Question: How do you know you are getting older? Answer: When it takes an entire week to recover from planning,preparing for and implementing a small party! It has been seven days since Eric and I celebrated with our 15th Wedding Anniversary. Although it was a tremendous amount of work, it was truly lovely. We renewed our wedding vows in a short but meaningful ceremony presided over by Eric's pastor and witnessed by our dearest friends (minus a few, who due to illness or distance were not able to be with us). Eric and I catered 90% of it ourselves, although two dear friends brought welcomed additions to the buffet table, and several more sweet people aided significantly in the setting out and cleaning up. We are left with wonderful memories, and not a few unexpected anniversary gifts! (something we weren't at all anticipating, but my, wasn't it just so generous!)<br /><br /><div><div>As planned, I wore my wedding dress of antique white bridal silk. my pearls and amethysts, and the wedding wreath and veil I had lovingly designed as my something new ( the wreath) combined with something old ( the veil from my wedding day). Eric looked dapper and handsome in his new suit. Using gorgeous antique white and mauve-pink roses, my friend Hellie, made my bouquet, the corsages and buttonieres for various participants. The tables were set with lilac gigham, and antique white. It all looked just spendid! Our venue was the banquet room at a local condominium complex which was like a resort; the grounds were a verdant bower of summer blossoms; roses, hydrangea, daisies, petunias, dahlias, imaptients, lilies, nicotania, and pansies, to name but a few. </div><br /><div>The buffet table looked most inviting , with the food set out on various levels, draped in lilac and gigham. We all ate to our hearts content, and from all accounts, we had a wonderful time. Despite the fact that Eric and I got little (Eric) to no sleep (me!) we enjoyed the celebration immensely. People are already asking when we will be doing it again, and we are seriosly considering revisiting the idea in 5 years for our 20th anniversary. </div></div></div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-71291591571227618372009-08-12T08:30:00.000-07:002009-08-22T11:53:38.404-07:00Celebrations A Plenty!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L-Ol8LOoWqKaulmAEyP3KVpndHQM_qqG2YPA6pp0yEXq1xXHrPED2OryxzNWc8grdVpbbAlEJ5r6-C7TW2uEQVZeWjhZ4u2Tg7KnGNNo098PVClgsdQttNWX9fxmZHeB6v5xETs5QgU/s1600-h/IMG_8872.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369189093057079186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5L-Ol8LOoWqKaulmAEyP3KVpndHQM_qqG2YPA6pp0yEXq1xXHrPED2OryxzNWc8grdVpbbAlEJ5r6-C7TW2uEQVZeWjhZ4u2Tg7KnGNNo098PVClgsdQttNWX9fxmZHeB6v5xETs5QgU/s320/IMG_8872.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasKgKE1CslkvWB-M2qcnOcIrnqj4mx0qX3kmjImNIzpOPUBEp91V09gsvYLsadn5f4eBZGNRLmtL2vYuMiK5pR7f95ZTmWsfRDrCedF5fJssps9bsKN3a9HWRqIONy-J_uwDGTXulg9Q/s1600-h/IMG_8867.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oqmaq31NWR2HoJL4kqo8pf0qlMBCNKQsNcr6F1hv5FsOBYjr_JV6IyKMgbIZG1Urw-yeTDuOIwYmHvKPB56XY5CDCkQiAFTNh26idoG6lBSY77bMMJc9h8eHV01ZozTzdi4og7o_JGE/s1600-h/IMG_8867.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369188680368416802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oqmaq31NWR2HoJL4kqo8pf0qlMBCNKQsNcr6F1hv5FsOBYjr_JV6IyKMgbIZG1Urw-yeTDuOIwYmHvKPB56XY5CDCkQiAFTNh26idoG6lBSY77bMMJc9h8eHV01ZozTzdi4og7o_JGE/s320/IMG_8867.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Pearls ( a gift from my ESL class) joined with my lovely engagement <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">jewellery</span>, an amethyst pendant. </span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;">(Above)) My hand-crafted bridal wreath with attached veil from my wedding in 1994</span></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Dearest Readers,<br />It is hard for me to fathom that it has been over two months since I last blogged! Life is progressing at the speed of light! Entertaining <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">house guests</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">maintaining</span> my home while my husband has been off on a 3-week European tour, tending my fledgling garden, and planning an anniversary celebration which will take place in just three short days, has left me little energy to do anything else! But as the busyness will soon be at an end, I promise to take the time to share with you some photos from my activities as well as a few recipes from the menu of our up-coming festivities.<br /><br /><br />My husband and I observed our 15<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span> Wedding Anniversary this year, on July 9<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">th</span>. I say "observed" and not "celebrated" because in fact, we were apart on that special day because Eric was away on tour with the British Columbia Girls' Choir. Alas, my ardent hope of joining him on that adventure to England, Scotland and Germany was dashed in early April when I had to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">admit</span> that the precarious state of my health would not allow for extended <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">and</span> prolonged travel. Although the trip was one I had dreamed of for many years, I knew in my heart of hearts now was not the time to consider it. Instead, I chose to stay at home to rest, care for our beloved pets, and keep the home-fires burning, so to speak. ( not that we NEEDED any home fires, as we have been experiencing a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">bonifide</span> heat wave here on the West coast. Yikes, The mid thirties and HOT, HOT, HOT!) Partially to distract myself from not feeling too sorry for myself, and partially because we felt the definite need to celebrate with our dear friends, we decided to pick a Saturday in mid-August to renew our wedding vows and have a little reception. It amazes me how much effort and energy it takes to plan such an event, but, dear readers that is what I have been doing for the past two months or so; planning, coordinating, and creating for our little festivity! In another day or so I will be knee-deep in catering preparations for our little soiree for 28 people. We have intentionally kept it very intimate, as I am more or less catering it by myself and want to have enough <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">hootspa</span> left to enjoy myself. Once it is over and the dust has settled , I will share some of our photographs. Meanwhile, I want to include here a picture or two of the bridal wreath and veil I made for the ceremony. The veil is the one I wore originally, but the wreath is a new addition which I really love. Please consider this a hopeful sign of things to follow, and meanwhile take good care of yourself. </div></div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-61295965402278873142009-06-11T17:51:00.000-07:002009-06-11T18:11:42.610-07:00How My Garden Grows!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1AmutdP16LIH6-T9-tSHNrFS7qPBzzW163yp0AE0G1IOpv-eQdhpbX1PPLfRu7wN9OS4MZU_ZBQfwiwQn3AZhgn6XNnTPEI6BjIYa2_oHfEGM6MqQD0MOgjg7Mi5xDaXe6l2L2H7RJA/s1600-h/IMG_2138.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346237839840646178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1AmutdP16LIH6-T9-tSHNrFS7qPBzzW163yp0AE0G1IOpv-eQdhpbX1PPLfRu7wN9OS4MZU_ZBQfwiwQn3AZhgn6XNnTPEI6BjIYa2_oHfEGM6MqQD0MOgjg7Mi5xDaXe6l2L2H7RJA/s320/IMG_2138.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Look at these absolutely gorgeous peonies! I am so proud! This season, for the first time in nigh onto 7 years, I have been enjoying the garden. For whatever reason, ( and believe me, I am NOT complaining) the pernicious allergy I have had to something in my back yard seems to have <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">abated</span>, allowing me to cautiously venture out into the garden. My sorely-neglected, but much-beloved <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">peonies</span> have been pruned and watered regularly, and I was able to plant a stand of stargazer, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Pandora</span> and C<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">asa-</span><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Blanca</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">lilies</span>, (which I hope will be lovely!) and create several window boxes and large planters of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Draecena</span>, pansies and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">lobelia</span>. I do hope everything will flourish as I have sorely missed the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">opportunity</span> over the past several season to drink in the splendours of the out of doors. I will post pictures of the other plants as I get them. My, isn't nature wonderful! </div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-88104904339957431542009-06-11T16:59:00.000-07:002009-06-11T17:28:26.581-07:00Kudos to My ESL Class! They have Endured Another Year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR715I3enU0bFpxoqVMjpExpJ8Bgav7y5XOKSJkI6lCiiMH2rC3DhSGzEUAgzhi0c2rUpmHvrYQsuZlrJ1K8Y4sga6yvp0fnEQN8WjlyDsHnjqD-nsZL64t7M5kMsv1Nx4D7KyE0VVlk/s1600-h/IMG_2141.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346231224069436290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnR715I3enU0bFpxoqVMjpExpJ8Bgav7y5XOKSJkI6lCiiMH2rC3DhSGzEUAgzhi0c2rUpmHvrYQsuZlrJ1K8Y4sga6yvp0fnEQN8WjlyDsHnjqD-nsZL64t7M5kMsv1Nx4D7KyE0VVlk/s320/IMG_2141.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJb_U54dzMMgwgyzkFiheDs0L8wcLA2MZ8KMSBVi5BEbCdTHBm7hAe6TaQdMBM4fPOX91Y3PCnZb6thBsnFudeYdmHaWAFXz_Ap4GjNT-fKGCcSaxyi47MCCErwU-9ojhdDZ8xxOo0ao/s1600-h/IMG_2139.jpg"></a><br /><div>Congratulations to my wonderful ESL class. They have endured another year of learning our very difficult language. What a priviledge to teach them! Here is a picture of all who have worked so hard and so faithfully this year. I will miss you all and hope to see you again in September. </div></div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-66042091556909206512009-04-26T16:15:00.000-07:002010-08-30T12:39:17.497-07:00Canadian Regional Cuisine? Nova Scotian GingerbreadIs there anything that can be called "distinctly" Canadian? Are there social, cultural, religious, political values that belong to Canada, and Canada alone? My ESL students have asked this question and are eager to hear my answer. I have pondered the question and can come up with only one honest answer, and that answer is "No". Canada is truly a mosaic. Our national fabric resembles a quilt,not a mono-chromatic blanket. We are one, and yet we are many. We speak many <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">languages</span>, although our official tongues are French and English. At one time we would have called <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ourselves</span> a Christian nation, yet we embrace those of every creed and those with no creed at all, and long may we do so. We are Scottish, French, Irish, Kurdish, German, Korean, Israeli, English, Latvian, Italian, Greek, South-East Asia, Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Australian, African, Iranian, Welsh, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ukrainian</span>, and the list goes on and on and on. Our regional dishes include, but are not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">restricted</span> to Cedar-planked Salmon ( Aboriginal Canadian) <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Banach</span> (Scottish) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Rappie</span> Pie (French) Sauerkraut (German) <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Pirogi</span> (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ukrainian</span>) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Spanakopita</span> (Greek) Curry ( South-East Asian) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kimchi</span> (Korean) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Dolma</span> (Kurdish) Sushi (Japanese). We celebrate the best of all cultures and dare to call the resulting beloved menagerie "Canadian". If we are distinctive it is because we desire to be inclusive of all that is lovely, honorable, wholesome and respectful. In case you have not yet cottoned on, I am passionately in love with this country and this culture. I can think of few blessings greater than that of having been born and raised here. In celebration of my own, east-coast heritage, I would love to share a very famous recipe from Nova <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Scotia</span>. It is simply, Nova <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Scotian</span> Gingerbread. Low in calories and high in taste, the fragrance of it fills the house with the scent of baking ginger and cloves. Served warm with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream, or a delicious warm lemon sauce ( or a bit of both!) it is a delight both to the eye and the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">taste buds</span>. Enjoy, and think of me as you indulge in your first bite!<br />
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<div align="center">Nova <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Scotian </span>Gingerbread</div><br />
<div align="center"></div><br />
<div align="left">1/4 cup shortening</div><br />
<div align="left">1/4 cup lightly packed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">demerara</span> brown sugar</div><br />
<div align="left">1/3 cup Molasses</div><br />
<div align="left">*1 egg</div><br />
<div align="left">1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour</div><br />
<div align="left">1 teaspoon salt</div><br />
<div align="left">1 teaspoon baking soda</div><br />
<div align="left">1 teaspoon ground cinnamon</div><br />
<div align="left">1 teaspoon ground ginger</div><br />
<div align="left">1/4 teaspoon ground cloves</div><br />
<div align="left">3/4 cup boiling water</div><br />
<div align="left"></div><br />
<div align="left">Method:</div><br />
<div align="left"></div><br />
<div align="left">In a medium-sized bowl combine the dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking soda, and spices) Set aside. In a separate bowl, cream together shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Into these wet ingredients beat in molasses and egg.Stir the dry ingredients gently into the creamed mixture, alternating with with boiled water, and ending with dry ingredients, combining until just mixed. Spoon batter into a lightly greased 8 X 4 or 9 X 5 inch loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F oven for 40-45 minutes or until a tester inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool in pan for ten minutes. on a baking rack. Remove from pan and allow to sit of baking rack until completely cool. (If you can STAND it, but I like to serve mine warm from the oven!) To store, wrap tightly or put in an air-tight container. Each 1/12 of a loaf is 133 calories! Pretty good for a delicious dessert, but that of course does not include the lemon sauce or whipped cream. (Lemon Sauce Recipe to follow! Yum, yum, oh yum!)</div><br />
<div align="left"></div><br />
<div align="left">* your egg should be room temperature, but I NEVER remember to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">take</span> it out of the fridge in time for that, so soaking the egg in warm water for 15 minutes before hand will bring it closer to room temperature. </div><br />
<div align="left"></div><br />
<div align="center"></div><div align="center">Lemon Sauce</div><br />
<div align="center"></div><br />
<div align="left">1/2 cup white sugar ( if you are concerned about calories you could use a 1/2 and 1/2 split if sugar and S<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">plenda</span>)</div><br />
<div align="left"></div><br />
<div align="left">1 tablespoon cornstarch</div><br />
<div align="left">1/8 teaspoon salt</div><br />
<div align="left">1/4 teaspoon nutmeg</div><br />
<div align="left">1 cup boiling water</div><br />
<div align="left">1 tablespoon butter ( Go ahead and indulge, it won't kill you!)</div><br />
<div align="left">1 teaspoon grated lemon zest</div><br />
<div align="left">*the juice of one lemon</div><br />
<div align="left"></div><br />
<div align="left">In saucepan combine sugar, cornstarch, salt and nutmeg/ <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Gradually</span> whisk in boiling water, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">stirring</span> to remove any lumps. Simmer over low hear, stirring <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">occasionally</span> until the mixture is thick. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter, lemon zest and lemon juice. Serve over warmed gingerbread and enjoy AS, NO DOUBT, YOU WILL!</div><br />
<div align="left"></div><br />
<div align="left">* To get the most juice out of your lemon, heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds on high. You will double or even triple the amount of juice you will get from the lemon. I like to zest my lemon after if has been juiced, because if you do it before, the lemon falls apart as it is juiced. </div><br />
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<div align="left"></div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-21567967890260397482009-03-25T11:25:00.000-07:002009-04-07T01:55:35.474-07:00Dripping with Diamonds and Pearls<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3EyFYSniYZYa6anKqL3xjLdZQ2UzoSSdfXfXH8w5ZlhpXmqX2VhzgqaAHHBflcdTrUimGiQLhUo4Vs-GsSOfQa_F0egKw8Vlpz6ohB-Dt4jHrV3Sy-H6z4lWnpbygrrJHG_eAXpXQDs/s1600-h/IMG_1733.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321865864460899378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3EyFYSniYZYa6anKqL3xjLdZQ2UzoSSdfXfXH8w5ZlhpXmqX2VhzgqaAHHBflcdTrUimGiQLhUo4Vs-GsSOfQa_F0egKw8Vlpz6ohB-Dt4jHrV3Sy-H6z4lWnpbygrrJHG_eAXpXQDs/s320/IMG_1733.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfvJ2fZopio4M96DP5A02sjjkWwPo7-Cs1EF5BDnH-0I4BPsv8G9EuKf1DrOsX2-yhF2pqtdJ4LFcRHp5zGor5ga_2-7u7XLuj5ZeJhhnvIjrkM5fSzKMM1J2LSwvqDqc_19ALMDXv0HI/s1600-h/IMG_1722.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div>The excuses for an almost two month hiatus from my blog are multitudinous, and I won't bore you with them at great length. Suffice it to say that in early February I had all four of my wisdom teeth extracted at the same time, and it has taken me quite a while to recover. Note to those of you with teenagers..... if wisdom tooth extraction should ever become necessary for your child, make sure to deal with it while they are young and able to bounce back easily. At the ripe old age of 29 and some-months :), it was not a cake walk, to say the least.</div><br /><br /><div>Fast on the heels of my dental surgery came both Valentine's Day and my much-anticipated birthday. (after last year's celebration of my ?0<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span>, from theretofore I will forever be 29-and-some-months) On Hearts day, hubby-dearest presented me with a little square <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">velvet</span> jewelry case. He gave me a lovely, wide, gold, comfort-fit wedding band. Although I appreciated the band, and wore it with pride, one thing was still missing. During our engagement, almost 15 years ago, I received as engagement jewelry an absolutely stunning 9-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">karat</span> amethyst <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">pendant</span> set in gold. Although it was quite striking, I felt sad that I didn't have a proper engagement ring, something that every girl in the culture expects. However, at the time, finances would not permit such an extravagance, so I hoped for it one day, and always felt that the solitary wedding band looked incomplete. Well <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">this</span> year. not to be outdone by Valentine's, on my birthday, my husband presented me with a truly gorgeous trinity-styled princess-cut engagement ring highlighted by eight inset diamonds (three on either side of the larger stones and two embedded on the underside of the ring highlighting the phrase "past, present, future"). To say the least, it is a stunner, and looks great on my pudgy digits! Despite my attempts to be "cool" about the whole thing, I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">admit</span> that I often find myself mesmerized by the sparkle! It is, most certainly, not the kind of ring I ever expected to own. And yes, I am going to be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">gouache</span> enough to post a picture of it! It is ever-so-much larger than what I had imagined owning. In this case though, folks, bigger is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">definitely</span> better!</div><div></div><div> </div><div>After receiving the gorgeous ring, I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">surprised</span> once again by the generosity of my ESL class (English As A Second Language). At the end of the winter term they presented me with a beautiful cultured pearl necklace and bracelet. It was a total shock and a complete delight. I had been looking for a short, simple white pearl necklace, and without having ever mentioned to anyone, I was stunned to open the gift from my students to find exactly what I had envisioned. I have worn it almost daily since receiving it. Between this thoughtful gift, and my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">apres</span>-engagement ring, I am feeling most blessed and not a little pampered! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-57799026322414547552009-01-22T15:00:00.001-08:002010-08-23T04:09:56.968-07:00Just a few more pictures and a recipe for scones<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kd_kdWXOoH1Pspwb2Cjn-mtQGJN2dZwIavReJSS0F3Z2km6xLnHX0UN0pY_fxVvPoTGpspiIJDLkIwoMWGA8_YNcKH-6k8qXl7vHBwFRBKzb6bTrYOxtW63U7WXHeC66r0_hgg6cers/s1600-h/IMG_2399.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294265994862567554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kd_kdWXOoH1Pspwb2Cjn-mtQGJN2dZwIavReJSS0F3Z2km6xLnHX0UN0pY_fxVvPoTGpspiIJDLkIwoMWGA8_YNcKH-6k8qXl7vHBwFRBKzb6bTrYOxtW63U7WXHeC66r0_hgg6cers/s320/IMG_2399.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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(Upper Left) Tea guests Dorothy (chintz polo shirt) and Kathleen (black cardigan and chintz blouse) survey the desert table. Directly in front of the ladies on the tea table are chocolate-dipped shortbread heart cookies alternated with decadent chocoalte-dipped strawberries. Toward the front is clotted cream encircled by freshly baked English Scones accompanied by Raspberry Jam. At table center is a heavenly Chocolate Pound Cake and Skor-Bar Trifle. At the back of the table sits the meticulously-polished Silver Service ready to dispense two types of delicious tea, the ubiquitous Orange Pekoe, and a new favorite, Chocolate Dessert Tea ( a perfect accompaniment to all things Chocolate!)as well as a rich, dark brewed coffee. (Lower-Upper Left))The first course in an afternoon tea is a variety of savouries, consisting of sandwiches (egg salad, curried chicken, cucumber with cream cheese and dill, and for those with a sweet tooth, the ever-popular cherry-cheese sandwich.) Also served was a spinach dip accompanied with rice crackers and miniature toast-point ramkins., as well as tuna mushroom toastades. Each dish was garnished with a variety of crudite and/or grapes)<br />
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(Lower left) More desserts are featured on a lovely silver tray. Starting from the left are buterscotch squares, followed by chocolate, oatmeal and cocont macaroons, lemon-curd shortbread tartlets and Nova Scoita's famous Cape Breton Pork Pies (not REALLY made of pork but a to-die-for puree of cooked dates, demerara sugar and lemon ensconsed in a shortbread tartlet, and topped with a diminuitive dolop of maple syrup butter cream. My husband's hands-down favorite!)<br />
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpit_Nx08vYNc7n0aQjLq9zZkW8cw7mR-dABRGue0wggqBwNxyv_5JVm8lwpm5HMxAkhwVhU1KZ5bvWmpfdNQPO-Hlo66ax3PPBC7phCN3H0w3V5wNTi-3SamE7N3AeriABIz_lxgyiPI/s1600-h/IMG_2401.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294257789002051426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpit_Nx08vYNc7n0aQjLq9zZkW8cw7mR-dABRGue0wggqBwNxyv_5JVm8lwpm5HMxAkhwVhU1KZ5bvWmpfdNQPO-Hlo66ax3PPBC7phCN3H0w3V5wNTi-3SamE7N3AeriABIz_lxgyiPI/s320/IMG_2401.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a> </div><br />
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<div>(Below) Elisia can always be depended upon to help out in the kitchen. What a gem of a friend!<br />
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294257774557442130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN67bpQbs6v4TIKQMbLX4qtRkgT3rykW4BnomnpgV8EXyMg3cxdl7EL1jbGgvqPB4IGyZpWqUg2dXU6j45eeXK2ubtCcqOj7NQm09KnVm97gd_JdX6oydSLwSVx6_KzT8OSJZT9ENPIO8/s320/IMG_2365.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2mBVkSMQOKNl7KuFXIxrKddDiwRITkgZiit12XoswzVbxKbeOC2ERD7ZmFELnh8Nh5tq4W4kPP-PmIJP-U3ct3EeTNwlXbje5lMy6AyWo8gzTZUFZJ016R7lvF0pmPAK4F6qSsfgEXw/s1600-h/IMG_2363.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294257768226286418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2mBVkSMQOKNl7KuFXIxrKddDiwRITkgZiit12XoswzVbxKbeOC2ERD7ZmFELnh8Nh5tq4W4kPP-PmIJP-U3ct3EeTNwlXbje5lMy6AyWo8gzTZUFZJ016R7lvF0pmPAK4F6qSsfgEXw/s320/IMG_2363.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
(Immediate Left) Scone Queen putting the final touches on the tuna-mushroom tostades.<br />
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</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Rose's Tea Scones</div><div align="left">Set oven to 375 or 400 degrees F. (depending on how hot your oven bakes)</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong>Please read through the Complete Listing of Ingredients before you start!</strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">2 cups all-purpose flour</div><div align="left">4 teaspoons baking POWDER</div><div align="left">1 teaspoon salt</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong>Optional Ingredients</strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong>Add One </strong>of the following four options</div><div align="left">1/2 c. currants soaked in hot water and drained once they are plumped</div><div align="left">1/2 cup raisins ( if they are really dry you can soak and drain these as well)</div><div align="left">1/2 cup dried apricots cut into the size of raisins, along with 1/4 cup chopped pecans</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">1/2 cup (one stick) extremely cold butter cut into eight pieces</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">1/4 cup granualted sugar</div><div align="left">1 egg (room temperature)</div><div align="left">1 teaspoon real vanilla</div><div align="left">enough homogenized milk or cereal cream to make 1 cup of liquid when combined with the egg and vanilla</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong></strong></div><div align="left"><strong>Method</strong></div><div align="left">Combine the following ingredients using a wire wisk.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">2 cups all-purpose flour</div><div align="left">4 teaspoons baking powder</div><div align="left">1 teaspoon salt</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Reserve 2 tblsps of the flour mixture.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Then, using a pastry cutter, cut into the remaining flour mixture 1/2 c ( 1 stick) very cold butter (which has been cut into eight large pieces) until it looks like coarse oatmeal.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">In a small bowl, add the 2 tablespoons of reserved flour mixture to one of the OPTIONAL ingredients, making sure to coat them thoroughly. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Add the optional ingredients <strong>gently </strong>to the rest of the flour and buter mixture. </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Gently add 1/4 cup granulated sugar </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">In a 2 cup measuring cup, lightly beat one room temperature egg. Add to that 1 teaspoon of vanilla, and enough homogenized milk (or cereal cream) to make one cup of liquid.</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Using a fork, add 1/3 of the wet ingredients to the flour,butter, optional ingredient, sugar mixture, blending gently, but thoroughly. Add the next 1/3, blending gently, but thoroughly.and the final 1/3 blending gently until it incorporated. You should still be able to see small bits of butter in the dough. Do not over mix! </div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead gently 4 or five times until it just holds together. Use a VERY GENTLE HAND when kneading the scones. Pat gently into a 1 1/2 high rectangle and cut into 8 large rounds or 12 smaller rounds. Place scones in a 9x9 ungreased square cake pan. Bake until the scones are a medium golden brown. (Larger scones take longer to bake than smaller ones!) Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes, before turing them out and seperating them Serve warm with clotted cream and jam., or at room temperatrue later in the day. These are best when they are eaten on the day they are made. Bon Apetit! </div><div align="left"></div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-36715529067152892872009-01-21T13:38:00.000-08:002009-01-22T14:28:14.222-08:00Valentine's Day: The Celebration of all things Romantic<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckSd_VjQxTVvN-wzQ21DOwvOlvnOMiuwwEK62y2_1Kn2C_DZnnQTRh5s1vAxr3RnSXM1b7zZWqLH8jXXmv_VwrSt93-wFFDJ72C1YpNb_GAopDWBaKVWJUMZ4FLMrmSl0d8df9kGDNq4/s1600-h/STA_2312.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293889081777750562" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 226px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgckSd_VjQxTVvN-wzQ21DOwvOlvnOMiuwwEK62y2_1Kn2C_DZnnQTRh5s1vAxr3RnSXM1b7zZWqLH8jXXmv_VwrSt93-wFFDJ72C1YpNb_GAopDWBaKVWJUMZ4FLMrmSl0d8df9kGDNq4/s320/STA_2312.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293889075285605138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-wL_mNaoHrkSV6xdZr99UFXkIiqZ30UZpxZAFqa-Wl9DUhgEzX6Xa4TXNZBezv26WOM6sgaWATYpAECi1pj5oHxTEytPXQuNBMRVl53O8JBlHmPy0GW-qIi3acHqmlNWBoP3JfASBFFI/s320/IMG_2331.JPG" border="0" />Taking down the Christmas Tree is a task that I am willing to put off for as long as possible. The living room looks so desolate without it. Several years ago, my friend the Paper Princess and I decided that we would prolong our enjoyment of the holidays by transforming our trees for Valentine's Day. It has become quite a tradition! In the fourth week of January, decorations that are explicitly meant for Christmas are spirited away and replaced by old-fashioned Valentines, glittering hearts and anything else we can find that pays homage to the Patron Saint of Love. Last year, in an attempt to return my living space to a semblance of pre-Christmas order, I replaced the larger tree with a diminuative one, which took up much less space. This allowed me to comfortably seat several more guests at what has affectionaltely been called the Bi-Coastal Valentine Tea hosted simultaneously by the Paper Princess in the East and the Scone Queen in the West . (well, as simultaneous as one can get, given that there is a 4 hour time difference between our geographically opposing coasts!) Needless to say, the invitations state that each tea is held at 2:00 p.m. on the same day!) If you promise to "blog in" tomorrow. I will include some pictures taken at our little soiree, where everyone had a wonderful time, and special memories were made.Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-4358203047497658112009-01-13T10:37:00.000-08:002009-01-13T11:40:24.382-08:00An Inauspicious Beginning to 2009I dearly hoped that Richmond had finally escape the deep freeze. I was wrong. Last Thursday, after some torrential rain-fall, the snow finally melted, and as I looked out my window onto my soggy backyard, I spied a brilliant and inviting blue sky peeking through enticing cotton-baton clouds. The sun had finally made an appearance, and so, not wanting to fall into my usual mode of procrastination, I harnessed up the dog and set out for our first walk in over 3 weeks. Within minutes I realized that although I was dressed warmly, the wind was bitterly cold, and I was chilled to the bone. However, puppy was enjoying the walk and I didn't have the heart to turn back without giving him a chance to sniff and poke for the first time since before Christmas. After all, HE, sporting the coat that God had given him as well as his dapper Roots <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hoodie</span>, was more than warm enough! So, resolutely and with a stiff upper lip (or was that the beginnings of frost-bite?) I soldiered on. All told, the excursion took half and hour.<br />When will I learn? Have I been away from the frigid East Coast for too long to remember that biting cold should be avoided at all costs? Obviously so! Yes, dear readers, I have been bed-ridden for four days (and counting) with Bronchitis, hoping against hope that I am not facing pneumonia. Four days of rest, but hardly relaxation! Hacking, coughing and severe sinus headache. Yesterday came the temptation to venture out to work with the British Columbia Girls Choir. (I am the director of their novice department) Although not completely recovered, I was feeling somewhat better, and according to my husband, bronchitis is not contagious., so I determined to press on, especially since our first session of the New Year had been cancelled due to bad weather. Thankfully, a call from a friend challenged the "not contagious" aspect of my malady, and with a bit of research I discovered I was, in fact, a seething cauldron of infectious bacteria. I crawled back into bed yet again, feeling well enough to watch "Mary Poppins", on DVD and sip a therapeutic mug of apple cider vinegar, sunflower oil, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">manuka</span> honey and hot water. Oh yes,I was feeling better, but none-the-less I had to admit to being exhausted and much in need of further recuperation. Today I have decided to actually forgo p.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">j's</span>. and housecoat in favor of warm but more socially acceptable attire. Realistically, I think it will be a day or two before I am ready to face the outside world again. This time I will remember to wear a warm scarf and and a hat!Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-85578870091888292412009-01-06T19:15:00.000-08:002009-01-09T11:02:17.716-08:00Some More Pictures from Christmas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQ4ilt1fToyqIRyoPOl8gaO0jpmJiyKlTHPiZHoqhBb9X890iHxi9jAF7MBtD_FjIEn9BBspP05vmoyctxG3QHi-cbhHcCHKklISn74AaLp_7yh81DLJKdX5Z1YyDx6NsujTjxyxK-EE/s1600-h/IMG_1272.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288387030070008290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCQ4ilt1fToyqIRyoPOl8gaO0jpmJiyKlTHPiZHoqhBb9X890iHxi9jAF7MBtD_FjIEn9BBspP05vmoyctxG3QHi-cbhHcCHKklISn74AaLp_7yh81DLJKdX5Z1YyDx6NsujTjxyxK-EE/s320/IMG_1272.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>(Left) Handmade Seashell Angel with Mustard-Seed Hair</div><div></div><div>(Below) Nativity creche flanked by Buffet lamps displaying pictures of our mothers.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUX24ZRo-NKZnFmutNNlhlAvybkLpmsUtrX1MyeEHOiB74snehFRWgsf1FQnAo2q8Ghg58IQzWhmd3ziaOpNvyzKmYmx7j3myj5bv375Z2lWk0_5CSIWsmCUEq8hYFx31RF96Laa4DdMg/s1600-h/IMG_1259.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288387023508398482" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUX24ZRo-NKZnFmutNNlhlAvybkLpmsUtrX1MyeEHOiB74snehFRWgsf1FQnAo2q8Ghg58IQzWhmd3ziaOpNvyzKmYmx7j3myj5bv375Z2lWk0_5CSIWsmCUEq8hYFx31RF96Laa4DdMg/s320/IMG_1259.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xh_A8xRqBngd98EWScK2dH7ydEk1CZ3VuymDKEEuMTWgXQ7n0btC7kIQtQ6yYSwxbUBNiFxWvkjagxEDUf4ZPFSqlQDww1pv6Q3klTniiCo-J88TyVuxYYWER_9RpWNhEYlNJM0CW8U/s1600-h/IMG_1265.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288387018195136402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xh_A8xRqBngd98EWScK2dH7ydEk1CZ3VuymDKEEuMTWgXQ7n0btC7kIQtQ6yYSwxbUBNiFxWvkjagxEDUf4ZPFSqlQDww1pv6Q3klTniiCo-J88TyVuxYYWER_9RpWNhEYlNJM0CW8U/s320/IMG_1265.jpg" border="0" /></a> (Left) Eric's Mom </div><div>(Below) Remembering Rose's Mom<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu69C5jweDzx2rQsLM3RsxUniLAwEv09T6Ja_rW2OXlzTne1140S6BWijPO7449rFudjmgYMx9WdwhHY7xvIqLmVCr8FZetjbIVCKSN0WELv8a5J3gIK-CCvdAnabaSI1JosIXezPSurg/s1600-h/IMG_1263.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288387002288317970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu69C5jweDzx2rQsLM3RsxUniLAwEv09T6Ja_rW2OXlzTne1140S6BWijPO7449rFudjmgYMx9WdwhHY7xvIqLmVCr8FZetjbIVCKSN0WELv8a5J3gIK-CCvdAnabaSI1JosIXezPSurg/s320/IMG_1263.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTheIMWotBztZcMmG6NrjilkUx5m0RtD3lkB3XVvAc47PeYDS85tS3WoH8usmmo4hbuGv65iAM692lAD1aVQKPezsY3IPPM5NsuHwcBSRKuKD2v9GOOrpk_T-WR_ZC1SO3M27dvyghszQ/s1600-h/IMG_1375.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288386992589496514" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTheIMWotBztZcMmG6NrjilkUx5m0RtD3lkB3XVvAc47PeYDS85tS3WoH8usmmo4hbuGv65iAM692lAD1aVQKPezsY3IPPM5NsuHwcBSRKuKD2v9GOOrpk_T-WR_ZC1SO3M27dvyghszQ/s320/IMG_1375.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />(Left) Rose standing in the dinning area<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-60360964001715025582009-01-06T19:10:00.000-08:002009-01-09T11:00:29.823-08:00Oh Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Vc9IIQGrbdCP26dxzE4r85UizpbeupM8Oaiu0uA2rngUgPSCbN6s0mccaO_2f6bdi5-ObqEdExJRer9AAJ7ymuA-MiV2dTCK-bTX7HLVl-8d8YHFrVVSZ7YUiGfxtkL6itKG4bJTit0/s1600-h/IMG_1301.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288384257431222434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Vc9IIQGrbdCP26dxzE4r85UizpbeupM8Oaiu0uA2rngUgPSCbN6s0mccaO_2f6bdi5-ObqEdExJRer9AAJ7ymuA-MiV2dTCK-bTX7HLVl-8d8YHFrVVSZ7YUiGfxtkL6itKG4bJTit0/s400/IMG_1301.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Above is a picture of this year's Christmas Tree. Somewhat simpler than usual. it is still quite lovely, and we will enjoy it well into February, when we will change the decorations, making it a Valentine Tree. </div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-68299117186392491962009-01-06T18:48:00.000-08:002010-08-30T18:58:02.090-07:00Finally, some Pictures from Christmas!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWAXJzU_EydbxVJKNUb2V8gZ-QbP3SxXIKG95kfwEDIWLLhWSOyHI_wzOldMKRrfAkQcm_LlKQHNr-djNYmeFfB9ZhuGuBkpk7AlRI5bg0ghCfE_2yHZrdHxXx_6jikavzG4K1UHvNces/s1600-h/IMG_1301.jpg"></a><br />
<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZidSUU9S7flmhtGIrsoCGwEzuiH2C5vEqBxOMQkt-8-T8l_9AHgh-I1z9Tcsmu8Uk_za5iB4kvB5g3cFZ3ep_v1VaQvdZvS-LuTeUks3E3-fke3vSnX-kWdJ6erLhyAskN139dw8GuSw/s1600-h/IMG_1244.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288379898600799250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZidSUU9S7flmhtGIrsoCGwEzuiH2C5vEqBxOMQkt-8-T8l_9AHgh-I1z9Tcsmu8Uk_za5iB4kvB5g3cFZ3ep_v1VaQvdZvS-LuTeUks3E3-fke3vSnX-kWdJ6erLhyAskN139dw8GuSw/s320/IMG_1244.jpg" style="float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 240px;" /></a> (Left) Charlie D. Dog </div><br />
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<div>(Below) Dorothy surveying her present of miniature German Glass Ornaments<br />
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJqegdfrLqpzqud_hVppYPP0M9WI2nkdB-9ZDj5B8Tm0GAm_VlPwDWPh25oNbPTKlL0jPeZzRbNEePLBtSJFcULOFpA8HdNO2TypzeJ8TR4AKyl2KbBLiA1osFQzbrlg7ovqn4Cf0qmM/s1600-h/IMG_1192.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288379884900474354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJqegdfrLqpzqud_hVppYPP0M9WI2nkdB-9ZDj5B8Tm0GAm_VlPwDWPh25oNbPTKlL0jPeZzRbNEePLBtSJFcULOFpA8HdNO2TypzeJ8TR4AKyl2KbBLiA1osFQzbrlg7ovqn4Cf0qmM/s320/IMG_1192.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a> (Left) Christmas Dinner with Evart-Jon, his wife Anna, their two delightful offspring and our well-bleonved Dorothy </div><br />
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<div>(Below) Evart-Jon and Anna<br />
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeARt5UaPR4tEKcI-639nR6Ngwp4DcryahQRMhO4ns8rxJo26-1KaJkbiPLn7MprxWkdNM-LBOHuIc-SjtS9iI-sPwE8PszXtxT93NcgdAuT9rnZczZeyTO_CiS01oVEI7nSHUdxCtnY/s1600-h/IMG_1355.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288378409364093170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFeARt5UaPR4tEKcI-639nR6Ngwp4DcryahQRMhO4ns8rxJo26-1KaJkbiPLn7MprxWkdNM-LBOHuIc-SjtS9iI-sPwE8PszXtxT93NcgdAuT9rnZczZeyTO_CiS01oVEI7nSHUdxCtnY/s400/IMG_1355.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 400px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
(Left) Rose and Anna B. on a post-Christmas visit. We hadn't seen Anna for almost 2 years so it was nice to re-establish contact!<br />
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<div></div></div></div></div></div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-83272159408561421242008-12-30T16:47:00.000-08:002009-04-26T15:58:38.550-07:00My! Didn't it snow!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2IDTUwslrYqhBZUNkpy5MHoPaFs2h9KoAPEDuRioyNkHU08jgA42gHSKyQGtq7SegPaKnjWzcm9nXAAmguD-hJdCf9sxy7gzPszJUtxUYUYn_mt1uEiTQYXRck6pnIJDBFsSnuy2Qk0o/s1600-h/IMG_1301.jpg"></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PVmmXCN_bIoBD5KkmwNFrJttNZWD-Dd5A7Z6hHhBqC9CQJCj3Ncc4TYP77YU4QNXeEB2ykRNHxg5EeOol3yL-6MsompjrANoY9fY8H4WonCE__qWPZp23PbhjDBmn0vS1FXsAnAQP_E/s1600-h/IMG_1130.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288375976224799010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_PVmmXCN_bIoBD5KkmwNFrJttNZWD-Dd5A7Z6hHhBqC9CQJCj3Ncc4TYP77YU4QNXeEB2ykRNHxg5EeOol3yL-6MsompjrANoY9fY8H4WonCE__qWPZp23PbhjDBmn0vS1FXsAnAQP_E/s320/IMG_1130.jpg" border="0" /></a> I hope your holidays were wonderful and fulfilling! Ours certainly has been a white one! Nearly three feet of snow has fallen on our other-wise temperate community, and all socialization and business has been at a standstill since the 23rd of December. Despite the inconvenience, it was absolutely dleightful to view from our livingroom window! Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney would have loved it!<br /><br />We received so much fluffy precipitation that I feared we would have to postpone Christmas. However, (God bless them!) my dinner guests drudged through the blizzard (via bus, if you can imagine it!)and made it to our little holiday oasis just in time to help with the final preparations for the feast. We hosted a lovely young family originally from Holland; Evart-Jan and Francike and their two small children, Anna (aged 5 and 1/2) and Job (aged 3). Also in rapt attendance was our dear friend Dorothy ( aged 29 and some months!), a kindred spirit of the first water! The visit was a whilrwind of excitement, as one would and SHOULD expect with children of that age. In fact it was that very whilrwind we dearly hoped for and will fondly remember! As a childless couple it was an experience that Eric and I had never been privy to, and <em>my, wasn't it magical</em>!<br /><br />Job, was immediately drawn to the Polar Express train set that circled the bottom of our Christmas Tree. How could it be otherwise? Charlie, our llaso-shiitsu-husky dog was beside himself with delight. As I have told anyone who will listen, poor Charlie asks for a little boy every year for Christmas, and is always disappointed. This year, I am sure he thought that Santy Claus had granted his wish, because there was Job more than willing to be his boy at least for the day.<br /><br />Anna fell madly in love with Charlie. With a little instruction from me, it wasn't long before she learned how to make him sit, lay down, give a paw and retrieve his stuffed toys. ( "Retrieve" is a bit of a euphemism. He will run after a toy, but we have not yet discovered how to make him bring it back) After an hour of play, poor Charlie was in need of a rest, as he is not as young as he used to be. (he turned 7 in November which is 49 in people years, so by now he is well over 50!)<br /><br />After a spirited time of opening presents, and eating our turkey dinner (a veritable banquet with all the fixings including a dessert of several kinds of baked gooods, traditional English Trifle, and a delectable white chocolate cheesecake!) it seemed that in no time at all our Christmas day was at an end. Uncle Eric gingerly backed his car out of the driveway so that he could offer our holiday visiters a swift ride home in the comfort of a heated vehicle. The children were sleeping soundly by the time they were tucked into their cozy liitle beds. Auntie Dorothy was our houseguest for Boxing Day and the day after that.<br /><br />Looking back on it now, I suspect that Christmas 2008 will be remembered as one of our most-memorable. The hot mulled cider served with beaiming looks and plenty of love, the jovial exchange of gifts, the amiable company, the children's eyes a-twinle with the magic of this most beautiful season; it was an enchanted foray into the heart of the Holidays.<br /><div></div><br /><div></div></div>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-69957887519423555322008-11-29T18:19:00.000-08:002011-11-14T19:27:44.146-08:00Mom's Sugar Cookie RecipeMom made these cookies every Christmas for as long as I can remember. To be honest, they weren't my favorite, because they were very hard. However, since they were the only sugar cookies I had ever eaten, I asked Mom for the recipe. The first year of my marraige, I made the cookies, but instead of using margarine, as Mom always did, I used butter. The difference it made in the recipe was phenomenal! In fact they were so good, I was grateful that I lived 4000 miles away from Mom. I didn't want her to taste my version, because she took such pride in her own recipe, and frankly, mine were SO much better, that I didn't want hers to be overshadowed. Every year I would make them I would say to her, "Well, Mom, I made the sugar cookies, but they just don't taste like yours." I never told her that I used butter, and she would quiz me as to what I might have done wrong. I'd tell her that there was no way that I would be able to bake them like she did. I think she took some pride in being the "Sugar Cookie Queen". Having said that, I have to admitt that my Mom's potatoe salad was absolutely THE BEST! I couldn't come close to reproducing or improving it. She just had the touch, and she certainly didn't pass that one on to me, or any of my sisters. Mom passed away 7 and 1/2 years ago. I really miss her, and would give anything to sink my teeth into her sugar cookies one more time., even if they were a little firm. These cookies are absolutely delicious, very moist and flavorful, and they are especially good after a week or two, once the flavor of the neutmeg really becomes pronounced. This makes about 5 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dozen</span> cookies, or about 2 1/2 dozen double cookies. I make double cookies which are a round cookie on the bottom, and a cookie of the same circumference but with a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">small </span>hole in the centre, into which I put a dab of raspberry jam. To give you a word to the wise, these bake up quite large, and need to be watched so that they are baked sufficiently , but are not over-done. Anyway, here they are in all their glory, but take my advice and use butter!<br />
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Mom's Sugar Cookies<br />
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Cream together: 2 cups sugar<br />
1 pound of butter<br />
4 eggs (room temperature)<br />
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Combine and then add to the above mixture: 5 cups white flour<br />
2 teaspoons baking soda<br />
4 teaspoon cream of tartar<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
1 teaspoon nutmeg<br />
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<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Roll</span> into a large ball. Cover with saran wrap and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">refrigerate</span> until firm to make rolling easier. Roll out 1/4 inch and cut into designs. Bake 350 degrees F. six to seven minutes.Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7424605768922420121.post-65441994458794297792008-11-29T10:24:00.000-08:002009-06-11T20:59:27.271-07:00Of Blogging and Christmas Cakes<em>Greetings Dear Readers:</em><br /><br /><em>Today I have embarked on two monumental tasks. First of all, after certainly no malice, and hardly any aforethought, I have decided to enter the world of blogging. Along with my dear friend, Silken Purse, I am entering this "brave new world" to post my thoughts, my ideas, and my flights of fancy. Who knows the heights to which we will ascend? The world is just a-flutter with possibilities!</em><br /><em>Secondly, with liquid Christmas cheer to my left and a sharp knife to my right, I am combining the various candied fruits and nuts for what I hope will become my annual Christmas cake bake. Ah yes, '<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">tis</span> the season! With Christmas just over three weeks away, and barely enough time to properly age my culinary creations, I will pop the dark cake into a slow oven tomorrow morning, after the fruit has had time to marinate in fragrant Napoleon brandy. Today I will concentrate on the light fruit cakes which don't require the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">pre</span>-soak, along with a recipe entitled "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Wexford</span> Raisin Cake" given to me by a most obliging voice student of my husband's. After tucking the cakes away to rest until the Yuletide, I will immerse myself in my annual tradition of cookie creating; Mom's Sugar Cookies, made with a hint of nutmeg, Whipped Butter Shortbread and finally, delicious Gingerbread which will this year. take the shape of snowflakes, as I was fortunate enough to procure a set of incredible snowflake cookie cutters! I would love to share with you my Mom's delicious sugar cookie recipe, and I will do so tomorrow or Monday, when I have a bit more time at my disposal. Hopefully I will also be able to post some photographs of my much-anticipated Christmas Cakes., and other <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">delicacies. I </span>do hope they turn out well! New recipes are always a bit risky. Do you have any recipes you would like to share; ones that have been tested and tried by you? </em><br /><em>Apart from baking, I enjoy entertaining, attending Christmas-themed concerts like Handel's "Messiah", and directing and performing in dramatic readings of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol". So, dear reader, what are some of your Christmas preparatory traditions? I would dearly and sincerely love to know. Whatever you do during this blessed time of year, I hope and pray that you and yours will find peace and joy in remembering Him who is the Reason for the Season.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Sincerely</em><br /><p><em></em></p><p><em>Scone Queen</em></p><br /><em></em><br /><br /><br /><em></em>Scone Queenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02554599714114122073noreply@blogger.com0