A new start – and delicious homemade shortbread
It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Those of you who kindly stop by here regularly will have noticed I’ve been a bit quiet for a time. It’s been an eventful and difficult couple of months, I’ll say more in a moment. But first – a bit belatedly – heartfelt wishes for a glorious and peaceful 2011 to all. The new year brings a fresh start for us, and this year I feel that especially. So here we are, I’ve taken stock, and I’m so looking forward to this coming year - and feeling very thankful too. I’m starting my new year by sending out a lot of thank you messages. And what better way is there to say thank you than with some delicious homemade shortbread biscuits.
So where have I been? Well I’ll just say, in a nutshell, that I had a bit of a sudden health issue and as a result I had to have major surgery just before Christmas. All went well and all is well now, and that’s one (big) reason I’m truly thankful.
But it’s extraordinary how much that’s wonderful and positive can emerge from challenging events. I’ve been delighted and honoured by the kindness and friendship of people around me. When I came home from hospital, friends and neighbours in our village showered us with help and good wishes. Our cottage was absolutely brimming with cards and flowers (those pink ones above came from the two gorgeous old ladies who live next door). We were brought hot dinners and given lots of help with childcare. I felt so touched by all these kindnesses. We moved to this village from Barbados about five years ago and at first it wasn’t easy to settle. Over time we naturally made friends – however the experiences of the past several weeks made me really see how lovely this place is, this little village full of kind and caring people. Now I’m well on the mend, it’s time for me to send out some thanks for all those favours. It’s time to start baking.
I found this cute little biscuit stamper in my Christmas stocking and this is an excellent opportunity to try it out. I love it, and so does our little boy. We haven’t quite mastered perfectly stamped biscuits yet, but that’s what homemade is all about isn’t it?
While the biscuits cool down, we have the chance to take a walk in the crisp winter sunshine. It has been a lovely winter so far, lots of snow and frost. I’m a warm weather girl really, but even so I love the beauty of winter. The shapes of the bare trees, the muted colours and far reaching views. Then back home, into the warmth, and it’s time for a cup of tea and to start on those thank you cards.
As I haven’t been able to cook much for the past few weeks, my husband has had to get cooking. (Another thing to be thankful for?!) As the head cook of the house, I’ve been teaching him a bit as he goes along. It’s been quite good fun actually, so we’re going to keep up the cookery lessons! More about that next time.
In the meantime, drop me a comment if you like. I would love to hear from you. And if you would like to connect on Twitter, I always tweet on there with blog updates and other things in between. Thanks for visiting!
Pascale x
