Popping out to Jessie's was always destined to be something special - being transported to another world where women were content with home and hearth - loving their husband and family. Slow, careful, detailed stitching of quality cloth to create beautiful, understated domestic art - pieces that can tell a tale or two of morning and afternoon teas shared with family and friends. Old school baking, gorgeous worn, old plates, tea and a natter punctuated with little 'gems' like - 'Och, it was just a kit that you bought and ironed on the transfer and stitched to the lines' when I complemented her on her lovely handiwork and 'Well it (the loaf) is supposed to have chopped walnuts in it too but George can't eat them at the moment so I leave them out' as I was writing out the recipe.
A thumb through her lovely 30yr old recipe book - a minefield of tried and true, handwritten recipes. One in particular I recall was 'Apple Sponge' - she said it was her Mum's recipe that she used to make for pudding for the Doctor's children that she looked after when she was single. Now that was some long time ago because she and George have already celebrated their Diamond Wedding Anniversary which is 60 years of marriage!!! She told me that the whole of the wedding party was present to share in their celebrations! Woh- that's pretty amazing! Jessie isn't only an accomplished 'domestic goddess' she was a representative netball player in her time and is still very perky and actively about her business!
We saw beautiful needlework stitched by her mother - lovely white pillowcases with her 'maiden name' initials and the most delicate of crochet edging! Oh the amazing historical family treasures people have stashed in their cupboards! My friend was certainly pleased to learn from her Mum, Jessie about the story behind this exquisite piece of work!
We saw her slice the loaf that had been cooked in a tin lined with a butter paper - she declared that the recipe didn't 'work' if she didn't use the butter paper - that recipe and her fruit cake recipe - both must have the butter paper!The loaf was delicious - Jessie gave me the recipe - you may like it too -
Weetbix Loaf
4 crushed weetbix
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup sugar
2 oz butter
1 cup sultanas
1 tsp mixed spice
(remember you can add walnuts too if your husband can tolerate them!)
Over these ingredients pour 1 cup boiling water. Stand for 5 minutes. Mix then add 1 already beaten egg, 1 cup flour and 1 tsp baking powder. Cook 30 - 40 minutes at 180 deg C.
Jessie tells me she never checks it at 30 minutes she just leaves it in the oven for the full 40 minutes then takes it out smartly!
On a recent garage saleing mission, some poor old eldery person was being shipped off to a retirement home and their children were selling up all there things. I was contemplating (while gleefully fossicing in their junk for treasure) the whole irony of how most of peoples things eventually end up as discarded junk. I often see needlework cloths and doily's like in your photo, that someone has painstakingly spent hours doing, being sold for a gold coin donation. Makes me think about how I can place so much value on having things, when what really counts in life are those treasures that last forever. Mel Scott
ReplyDeleteTrue Mel, I think what I enjoyed the most about this wee visit was the fact that the darling couple are still living in their own home and using all their lovely things to give hospitality and bless us with their presence, their wisdom and encouragement!
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