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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Childhood memories~

Whilst waiting to decorate my little cottage for Christmas and promising to bring you many photos, I have been reminiscing about my childhood~
My fondest memories are of my junior school years spent at Sacred Heart Convent in East London....
I loved the nuns, they were my absolute world....I was always mystified of their whereabouts, how they dressed, their preciseness and their baking and sewing skills of all things!

This is also where my love for classical music and dance developed....I took piano and violin lessons at the school with dear old Sister Elizabeth! (Anything but dear..I might add....I have a vivid memory of been slapped over the knuckles if I hadn't practised my scales )....but, on the whole....they were good memories.....
The fondest being of....en route from the school building to the music block, I had to walk past the abbey kitchen...the sweet smells that came wafting from that kitchen is probably what brought about my love for cooking and baking...not that I'm that good at it...but I do LOVE being in that part of my home.
Those nuns were truely spoilt from the end products of that kitchen....and I can still smell those biscuits they used to bake at least twice a week!! Simple butter biscuits that were very moreish!!
Here is my interpretation of them.....using the Linzer cookie recipe....however, not adorned as so many of my fellow bloggers do!
Plain and simple...but Oh.....so delicious......




The recipe~
11/4 cups softened unsalted butter
2/3 cups of sugar
2 cups sifted flour
13/4 cups ground almond
a pinch of cinnamon
5 tbsp apricot jam should you wish to sandwich together.
Dusting of icing sugar

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Beat in half the flour at a time....almonds and cinnamon next.
Continue to beat until dough becomes slightly stiff.
Shape in a ball and refigerate for a half hour.
On a lightly floured board, roll out until1/8 inch thick.
Cut out shapes.
Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake at 180deg C for approx 10 to 15 minutes.
Cool and sandwich together some and dust with confectioner's sugar.











Happy Thanksgiving to all my American bloggers and friends......
for you....I am thankful!

See you soon
Shel




I am joining Rose Chintz Cottage for tea and

13 comments:

  1. The recipe looks delicious, but your teaset even more so! What lovely memories of Christmases past. Nice to meet you...my first visit!
    Ruth

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  2. What a BEAUTIFUL post~
    I love your memories.. my mom got her knuckles hit also w/ a ruler in piano lessons..Loved the wording..nothing dear:)

    The sheet music..

    cinnamon in the cookies.

    the tea set..

    Both our girls took piano also..
    I dance like Elaine on Seinfeld..and don't play the piano..

    You know..I think roses are your signature~

    xx

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  3. Hello Shel,
    What a lovely and tempting tea! You have some wonderful memories and thank you for sharing them with us.
    Your goodies look fabulous and you have taken such wonderful photos. My favourite of course, is your tea set! Oh my, that little birdie teapot, teacup, creamer, and platter just made my heart go pitter patter. I do love anything with a birdie on it. Thank you so much for sharing this delightful tea with us today and have a Happy Thanksgiving with your family.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  4. This was just beautiful to read and to see. The photos are wonderful, the recipe sounds delicious and it was fun reading about your memories.

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  5. Thank you all, I love this teaset too....
    it's another memory of my late dad and I on our last trip together to East London ....we stopped for breakfast and I bought it at a quaint shop in the village...xx

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  6. What a lovely post Shel...those cookies look delicious and so are your memories...
    L~xo

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  7. Hi Shel. Your post is so yummy I want to eat it of the screen! Beautifully written and gorgeous pics as usual. Kamers Vol Geskenke is for a couple of days at the End of Nov and I did not exhibit but wrote a post on a fellow blogger La Broncanteuse who did exhibit. After that it moved to JHB for a few days. You will have to make a date for next Nov to visit!

    Hugs

    Veronica

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  8. I will dear friend...and then we can meet in "person" at Cassis...for their heavenly cake!
    Looking forward to it!
    Shel xx

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  9. Those cookies look delicious. And your photos are beautiful!

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  10. How pretty this is. Love your soft photos. I would love to grab one of those cookies.

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  11. I love the tiny peak at your Catholic schoolgirl experience. My Junior Highschool was across the street from the parochial school in my hometown. It was alway a source of great mystery to me. Thank you for the Linzer cookie recipe. I'll give it a try. Cherry Kay

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  12. Hi Shel...thank you for leaving such a sweet comment on my blog. I enjoyed taking a peek at yours. Your cookies look so.so.beautiful! I am happily following YOU from Portland Oregon! Have a blessed week!

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