Strawberry Shortcake Skillet Recipe

Dear friends, 

Here we are in the middle of lovely June! We've been cozy-snuggled in for the past few weeks of rain,  but now that the sun has decided to shine for a little bit here in Vermont, the strawberries are ready for the picking! 

This strawberry cobbler is a nice change of pace from pie, and goes together quickly in a skillet or glass pie pan. A skillet would be superior, I'm quite sure, but I didn't have one handy at the moment.

Friday was still a bit soggy and chilly outside, so I opted for tea inside by candlelight. In fact, it's been so rainy and cold I don't think I've had my tea on the porch 'officially' yet for 2013. How about you? I admit a nice rainy day with tea inside and Tasha's candles is quite nice, indeed, though, so I won't complain.

Strawberry Shortcake Skillet Cobbler
recipe adapted from Driscoll Strawberries

Filling:
 32 oz. strawberries, hulled and sliced
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 Tbsp. flour

Topping:
1 cup flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsps. baking powder
6 Tbsps. cold, unsalted butter
Sprinkle of salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk

Preheat the oven to 375 (for a skillet; 350 for glass) degrees F and butter a 10" skillet or baking dish. Mix the filling ingredients and let sit for 15 or so minutes. Meanwhile, in another bowl, mix the dry ingredients for the topping. Cut in the butter until the mixture is fairly well incorporated. Lightly mix in the egg and milk until the mixture comes together. Pour the strawberry mixture into the bottom of your prepared pan. Drop the cobbler mixture on top. Bake 30-35 minutes, or until nicely golden brown. This is best if it is left to cool for 15 or so minutes to let the juices gel. Serve warm, room temperature, or cold with plenty of whipped cream.

Enjoy! 

Natalie

Washington's Birthday

It's time for a cup of tea! Join me, and let's wish George Washington a Happy Birthday!

There seems to be a bit of confusion over this wonderful February holiday beloved by Tasha Tudor, and I admit I was confused myself. Some call it President's Day, some use the inclusive Presidents' Day, some call it Washington Day, or Washington's Birthday, but it isn't even Washington's birthday proper. Since Tasha was so interested in this historically significant day because it held not only a delicious cake, but also because her own family history is entwined, I thought we should sleuth out the truth. Here is what I learned:

~George Washington's actual birthday is February 22nd. (born: 1732; died: December 14, 1799)

~Observance of George Washington's birthday began around 1880. 

~However, back in the early 1970s, when lawmakers decided to create three-day weekends with such holidays, moving them to fall on Mondays, Washington's Birthday was moved to be celebrated on the third Monday of the month, regardless of the actual day's date. 

~The day is legally known by the federal government as "Washington's Birthday" and is not called "Presidents' Day" by the US government. Here is the note on the US Office of Personnel Management page: "This holiday is designated as "Washington’s Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law."

~There is no official day known as "Presidents' Day" although some people prefer to call the third-Monday-of-February holiday by such a name. Lincoln's birthday also falls in February. 

~Tasha Tudor tells the story of her family's connection to George Washington and the family memories of this day on page 80 of The Tasha Tudor Cookbook.

Tasha Tudor's original illustration of Washington Pie at tea, The Tasha Tudor Cookbook, page 80

So now we know a few more details, though I suppose we haven't really settled anything, because you can still choose to celebrate on the third Monday of February or on the 22nd, though Tasha preferred the 22nd. Regardless, we can focus on the delicious treat of the day: Washington Pie! If you haven't already created your cake (even though it is called a pie; much like Boston Cream Pie), you still have a few days to gather ingredients for the actual birthday on the 22nd. And should you feel inspired to decorate your tea time party like Tasha, with "fake cherries that glistened beautifully, thirteen-star flags, and such an array of sweets! Oh my!"

Happy Birthday, George Washington!
~Natalie

Sparrow Post Valentines

{Postmarked & Stamped with Sparrow ink footprints}

It is such an exciting day when the mail holds Sparrow Post valentines! Opening the mail requires a special cup of Tasha's Hot Chocolate.

What lovely Valentine news will this missive contain?

There was even mail for the dolls in tiny pink envelopes!

Today I thought I'd share a Tudor Family tradition with you: Making your very own tiny missives to send via Sparrow Post to friends, family, dolls, and critters near and far. The supplies are simple: 

Glue, colored pens, pencil, pen, straight edge & ruler, scissors, cardstock, a catalogue or magazine, Watercolors if you paint, and a good dose of imagination.

To create your envelope template, print the above photo and size appropriately. Either trace over it or create a cardboard template and trace around it onto the paper you've chosen for your envelopes.
*Template for personal use only.

Cut the cardstock into small rectangles, approximately 1 1/4" x 1". Print your envelope template on scrap paper to ensure it will fit the cards. 

Fold flap 1 in, and put a dab of glue on the corner. Fold flap 2 over to meet it, and press down until secure. 

Put a dab of glue on the corner of flap 2, and fold up flap 3 to meet it, pressing down until secure. Let dry while you write your notes and have your dolls do the same. 

Cut small squares of colored/patterned paper from your catalogue, or create small watercolors in the corners of the envelopes to create a stamp. Address the cards. You can create a small watercolor drawing on the back of the letter if you wish. Slip the letter inside the envelope, and seal with a dab of glue. 

When the glue to seal the envelope is dry, create a seal using colored pens (drawing a darker red heart on top to mimic a wax seal), or use a tiny drop of real sealing wax should you wish. 

Set your letters out for the Sparrow Post to pick up!
(If you are actually sending these in the mail, you'll need to put them in a larger envelope)

What a happy pile of mail!

Then it's time to make Tasha's marvelous Hot Chocolate recipe, from page 95 of The Tasha Tudor Cookbook.

Tasha Tudor's Hot Chocolate 

3 cups milk

2 squares Baker's unsweetened chocolate

1/4 cup sugar

few grains salt

1 cup boiling water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 pint heavy whipping cream

In a saucepan, scald the milk. Over hot water, melt the chocolate in the top of a double boiler. Stir in the sugar and salt, add the cup of boiling water very gradually, and stir until smooth. Then boil for 5 minutes. Add this mixture to the scalded milk and beat it with a whisk until foamy. Stir in the vanilla and serve in a pretty chocolate pot you have warmed with boiling water. Whip the cream and spoon a bit on top of the chocolate as you serve each cup. 

Makes six 6-ounce servings

Enjoy, and Happy Valentine's Day from myself and everyone at Tasha Tudor and Family, Inc.!

Giveaway Winner & First Day of Winter

Oh this is exciting! From the nearly 600 entries we received by comment, email, and phone, we randomly selected a number, and the winner of our antique turkey red tablecloth is: 

Deborah in California! 

This beautiful tablecloth has been sent off with loving Christmas wishes to Deborah and her family! I know they will cherish it.

Thank you ALL for participating and for your generous, inspiring comments. It was an absolute heart-warming joy to read the stories of your families, traditions, and the ways Tasha has inspired you. Thank you for sharing. I wish we had 600 tablecloths to give away to each and every one of you!

On this Winter Solstice, we offer you the best of warm Christmas cheer this year. Only a few more days, so savor each moment and take joy in the little things. 

~Natalie & Tasha Tudor and Family, Inc.

Dundee Cake and St. Nicholas Day

 Did you enjoy your St. Nicholas Day last Thursday? We sure hope so! I heard from many of you that you included Tasha's traditions of the first appearance of Dundee Cake at tea time on December 6th, one of my personal favorite traditions!

This time of year, amdist all of the hustle and bustle, it is even more important than ever to stop for a cup of tea. The Tudor family traditionally has tea around 4pm, which is just about dusk this time of year in colder climes. This means the candles shine brilliantly beautiful, illuminating faces and the glow seems to add a special ingredient to the Dundee Cake as the candied cherries glisten in the light.

Dundee Cake is a special treat for teatime during December. Tasha took time to make everything special, and the Advent season is no different. From hand-painted Advent calendars, the handmade Advent wreath, and Dundee Cake teas, December remained significant the whole month through.  

Tea and Dundee Cake are necessary companions for writing out Christmas cards, don't you think?

Come to think of it, Dundee Cake inspires many a Christmas tradition and bolsters many a dark afternoon full of knitting, sewing, and baking.

Don't forget to enter our December GIVEAWAY (click on the link to be directed to the giveaway post!)! We are giving away a real treasure: an antique Turkey Red tablecloth, a beautiful addition to any tea table. 

~Natalie

Christmas Giveaway: Turkey Red Tablecloth

Happy St. Nicholas Day to you all! We hope you'll be celebrating with your Tasha Tudor advent calendar, maybe writing out your Christmas cards, enjoying Tasha Tudor tea, and Dundee Cake! We'd love to see pictures. 

After you enjoy your tea, be sure to enter our Christmas Giveaway:

We are thrilled to announce our December giveaway: this antique turkey red tablecloth! 

Turkey Red tablecloths from the 1800s are a signature Tasha Tudor item, and they set the stage for every tea time (winter or summer) and every holiday gathering. They look especially striking with Tasha's trademark Blue Canton chinaware making a visual impact that feels so significant with the glow of candles and fireplace reflecting warm light over all.

We will be giving this beautiful antique tablecloth (sized approximately 48" x 72", though we're sure you can find a use for it even if this isn't the size of your main table) to one lucky winner. Granted, this tablecloth has its imperfections, being an original from the 1800s. It has its fair share of stories to tell. The small stains, small rips, and wax drips to help tell them. We think it is all part of the charm, and will encourage you to actually use it like Tasha used her antiques, to continue gathering the marks of holiday and year-round memories.

How to Enter: Leave a comment on THIS blog post with your email address or link to your blog (so we can contact you!). One entry per person, please, open to US and Canadian residents. We are also accepting email entries for those who don't have access to the blog (sorry, posts on Facebook or other blog posts do not count as entries). Just drop us a line saying you'd like to be entered! Deadline for entries is midnight on December 19, 2012. Winner to be randomly drawn.

Please spread the word, tell your friends, and reblog so everyone can have a chance to win this real beauty! 

To help you, we've created this button to put on your blog: 

You can grab the code on the sidebar (at right) to add it to your blog!  Good luck to you all, and we'll announce the winner here after December 19th!  ~Natalie & Tasha Tudor and Family, Inc.

Autumn Greetings

The path to Tasha Tudor's house...the field has been mown and laid to rest for the year.

We have arrived at the middle of Autumn. I've been drinking apple cider by the bucket full, admiring the foliage on bright sunny days and misty foggy days, and relishing the opportunity to wear my shawl and wellies again. I sure was layered up for our September 29th Corgi Cottage Tours. It was a cold & rainy day, but we all had a wonderful time, I do believe. 

The fall tours always require some Tasha Tudor-style layering, which I adore. This time I wore two cotton scarves (around my head and tucked around my neck) and a gray thermal with ruffle sleeves that peeked out of the heavy cotton mint & pink dress that Marjorie Tudor made (and used to wear when she was my age!). I wore my large wool scarf as a shawl, tucked into the apron made by Amy. Of course, my wellies were a must for the on and off rain, and braids make me feel youthful and happy. We had the fires going in the Rookery and at Tasha's house--a special treat.

Last week I wended my way through the Vermont hills on a misty, gray morning. The foliage was stunning in Southern Vermont, I must say. The strange weather this year had us all waiting in anticipation to see what foliage season would bring, but I think it has been a really lovely year. 

Dear Elizabeth Tudor (Ellie) celebrated her third birthday this month, where she was greeted with a vintage children's pinafore, a daisy cake, and lots of pink girly things. She is such a light in all of our lives, full of happiness, spirit, and sweetness.

Happy Birthday, dear Ellie!

I have safely arrived in Minnesota, where I will be working. It began gently snowing as my family helped me unload my belongings. What a beautiful start to a new season of life. I have already begun carving out my niche here: exploring the late-season farmer's market, enjoying local apples, and carefully rationing the pure Vermont maple syrup I brought with me!

I've been hinting at a few new projects on Twitter...we are launching our NEW shopping cart soon, as well as new Fall & Winter apron and pinafore fabrics, new Tasha Tudor-style scarves, and more.

Stay tuned, dear friends!

Take joy, 

Natalie