HYACINTHS FOR THE SOUL

Monday, April 20, 2020

Blackberry Cobbler ~ 2020 Quarantine

Blackberry Cobbler

In the midst of 2020 Quarantine life,

I find myself in the kitchen baking most days.

We are in the routine of shopping frequently as my foodie Chef

considers trips to the grocery entertainment.

Now with online shopping for curbside or delivery, we find we

often end up with extra amounts of food on hand, thus the baking!

I recently made Ree Drummond's Blackberry Cobbler

with an abundance of blackberries we had from

curbside grocery orders.

The recipe made enough to fill a loaf pan and individual ramekins.

We like mostly berries, so I filled the pans with a

small amount of batter, and then added lots of berries.

Blackberry Cobbler recipe found here.

Spring here in Austin, is one of the most
pleasant times of the year.
My morning begins with hot tea or
coffee and a bite to eat.

I fix a tray and take it out to the terrace

where I can enjoy the spring greens of the garden

and the sound of birds singing to each other.

At times I like a hint of brown sugar to sweeten my tea,

and I add a touch of fresh cream to the cobbler.

I've made plenty and would

love to have you join me.

I'm happy to share!

By the way, The Chef seems to like that his wife has returned to baking.
Stay safe and stay healthy, and do a little baking!

Joining

Love Your Creativity @ Life and Linda You're the Star @ Electric Red Barn

Happiness is Homemade @ Bluesky at Home Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House Celebrate Your Story @ Celebrate and Decorate Keep in Touch @ Let's Add Sprinkles Tuesday Turnaround @ Bluesky Kitchen
Over the Moon @ Marilyn's Treats Party in Your PJs @ Apple Street Cottage

All About Home @ Common Ground Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop @ Electric Red Barn
Share Your Style @ French Ethereal Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

Monday, April 6, 2020

National Tartan Day

Tartan Tea Party

Celebrating

~ National Tartan Day ~ April 6 ~

Bluebonnet Tartan

Like others across the globe, many Texans will no doubt celebrate National Tartan Day on April 6, 2020. The official State Tartan, Texas Bluebonnet Tartan, was designed by June Prescott McRoberts in 1986 and adopted by the state of Texas in 1989. You can read more details about the Texas Bluebonnet Tartan here.

My Grandparents

My grandfather, born in Helmsley, England, came to this country as a young man of 28 in 1884. He lived to be 78, but died before I was born. I've not traced our family history, but I suspect that there is Scottish ancestry in some branch of our family tree. Regardless, I've long been mad about tartan. It's not just for Christmas, you know! So join me as I honor all Americans of Scottish descent and celebrate Tartan Day.

I have a fresh pot of a special blend
of Scottish tea steeping.

And I've pulled out one of my favorite little treasures from MacKenzie-Childs in the Maclachlan pattern and filled it with Scottish shortbread from Campbells.

The lid of this sweet box features a thistle, which like tartan, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Scotland. The thistle can be found in the Royal Arms of Scotland.

Campbells is internationally famous and according to the Campbells' website, is Scotland's oldest bakery. You can visit their site here.

We have a selection of shortbread
from Campbells' Gold Kilt tin.

I've gathered some of my
tartan pieces to celebrate the day.

Tartan paper maché
balls gathered in a footed dish.

An empty Walkers' tartan tin filled with spring flowers. Walkers is another company known for Scottish Shortbread. You can find them here.

This vertical tin is perfect as a vase, and it

features a charming little Scottish lass with her dog.

Entitled "Which Hand Will You Take?",

this tin was filled with chocolate chip shortbread.

Fortunately, I don't need reading glasses, but I couldn't resist this pair of vintage specks in their own tartanware case.

The case is in the McDuff pattern. TARTANWARE by Princess Ira Von Furstenberg is a great little book full of photographs of tartan covered objects that were produced as souvenirs from Scotland in the early to mid 19th century. Many of the objects are from the Princess' personal collection. Published in 1996, this book is now difficult to find.

You might want to settle in with a cup of tea, a few shortbread cookies, and enjoy my copy.

You can see the Gold Kilt
tin here on the tray.

The kilt is the distinctive traditional dress of the highland Scottish male. As this attire does not have the convenience of pockets, a sporran, (leather pouch) is worn to carry valuables.