St David's Day

Here it is, March 1st and we have a Snow Day! It snowed overnight and this morning it is so beautiful. 

Flag of St. David

Today is St. David's Day,  commemorated by the wearing of daffodils or leeks. Both plants are traditionally regarded as national emblems. St David (Dewi Sant was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century. He spread the word of Christianity across Wales

Leek and Daffodill

The most famous story about Saint David tells how he was preaching to a huge crowd and the ground is said to have risen up, so that he was standing on a hill and everyone had a better chance of hearing him.

I have included a recipe or Welsh Cakes from Stephanie Jaworski's wonderful website called Joy of Baking. Lovely for tea or breakfast.

Welsh Cakes:

2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour

1/3 cup (65 grams) granulated white sugar

2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground mace

1/2 cup (113 grams) cold unsalted butter

1/3 cup (50 grams) currants or raisins

1/4 cup (40 grams) chopped Mixed Peel (candied citrus peel)

1 large egg, lightly beaten

2 - 4 tablespoons milk

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and mace. Cut the butter into small pieces and blend into the flour mixture with a pastry blender or two knives. The mixture should look like coarse crumbs. Stir in the currants and mixed peel.  Add the beaten egg and enough milk to form a light dough.

  Knead the dough gently on a lightly floured surface and roll to a thickness of 1/4 inch (5 mm). Cut into rounds using a 2 1/2 inch (6 cm) cookie cutter.

Lightly butter a griddle, heavy frying pan or electric frying pan and heat to medium hot. Cook the welsh cakes for about 5 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown, but still soft in the middle. Immediately after baking, sprinkle with granulated white sugar. Serve warm or at room temperature. 

Welsh cakes can also be eaten buttered or split in half and spread with jam.

Makes about 20 - 2 1/2 inch cakes.

Note:  Welsh Cakes can also be baked in a 350 degree F (177 degree C) oven. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for about 7 - 9 minutes on each side or until set and very lightly browned yet still soft inside (they won't get as brown as when you cook them on a griddle).  They can also be cooked on a baking stone in the oven.  Heat the stone in a 350 degree F (177 degree C) oven and then bake the Welsh Cakes on the stone, turning after about 4 - 5 minutes, or until lightly browned. 

Read more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/WelshCakes.html#ixzz1FMLwBVKY

Leapin' Lizzards!

What do the composer Gioacchino Rossini and 4-time All Star Al Rosen, have in common? They're just two of many who were born on February 29!

"Leap Day" is February 29, which is an extra (intercalary) day added during a Leap Year, making the year 366 days long – and not 365 days, like a normal year. Nearly every 4 years is a Leap Year in our modern Gregorian Calendar.

Ever since Leap Years were first introduced over 2000 years ago with the transition from the Roman Calendar to the Julian Calendar in 45 BC, Leap Day has been associated with age-old Leap Day traditions and folklore. For example:

According to an old Irish legend, or possibly history, St Bridget struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men – and not just the other way around – every 4 years. This is believed to have been introduced to balance the traditional roles of men and women in a similar way to how Leap Day balances the calendar. In Scotland, it used to be considered unlucky for someone to be born on Leap Day, just like Friday 13th is considered an unlucky day by many. In Greece it’s said to be unlucky for couples to marry during a Leap Year, and especially on Leap Day.

According to the Guinness Book of Records, the only verified example of a family producing three consecutive generations born on February 29 is that of the Keogh family. Peter Anthony was born in Ireland on February 29, 1940, while his son Peter Eric was born on the Leap Day in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1964. His daughter, Bethany Wealth, was, in turn, born in the UK on February 29, 1996.

If today is your birthday, well then, Happy Birthday!

Birthday Tea

My daughter, Peggy, surprised me with a nice tea for my birthday. She baked the loveliest scones with cream and red raspberries. There were open faced sandwiches - both cucumber and watercress with French butter. A little cheesecake made with Splenda for me, and fruit tarts for the girls. It was so sweet of her to make all that, and Polly to buy the tarts and cheesecake.

Shrove Tuesday

Back in the day, when I was a little girl and the Episcopal church was still a traditional Christian church, we always had a Shrove Tuesday pancake supper at church. This evening, I will make whole wheat pancakes for supper. I have some fresh blueberries that will be a delicious topping.
Here is a fine website from Woodlands Junior school in Kent, England which tell the history and traditions of the day.

Smocking

A friend in California is expecting her first grandchild. She was going through her son's baby things and came across a little romper that I had made for him. She posted it on Facebook. I had forgotten I had made it. It was a surprise to see it again after all this time.
When my second daughter was born, I began smocking dresses for her. I loved doing it. I found it quite relaxing and rewarding. I smocked her dresses, nightgowns, robes, bonnets, little pouches to match her dresses. I smocked rompers and pinafores, I even smocked the ring-barer's suit for our #1 daughter's wedding.

Here is the picture of the little baby romper I made 30 year ago.

This is Max, son of a friend of the bride. He was the little ring-bearer, at our daughter's wedding. The little ecru smocked shirt buttons on the green velvet shorts. He was so cute. He was persuaded to preform with a bribe of M&M's which were his very favorite treat.

Max

The bride and groom 1989

 Max and the bide share a moment

This is serious business. Max and daughter #2

His job was done and so was he! Which way to the M&M's

Here comes the bride

Father and mother of the Groom, and me and my husband

Saying goodby

the last goodby

Don't forget to sign up for the Jubilee teacup at Antiques and Teacups