Saturday, December 31, 2011

Aunt Gloria's Old Fashioned Tea Cookies

I have fond memories of my Aunt Gloria - I consider her to be one of my Grandmothers.  She was the traditional Texan housewife who lived out in the country in the middle of cotton and maize fields.  Every single day she cooked three square meals for her family and lunch didn't consist of sandwiches, but a full hot meal with meat and potatoes.  Beyond that she also made the most amazing cookies, pies, and candy.  These Old Fashioned Tea cookies were among my favorites.  These cookies are made with a cookie press. Buy a cookie press at a garage sale, thrift store, or flea market.  Or you may even find one stored away in your Aunt's or Grandmother's cabinet!  They are delicate and crisp; perfect for dunking in tea and coffee.


There's nothing more beautiful than lovingly warn recipe cards. 

Recipe:

1 ¾ cup sugar
1 cup butter
2 eggs
3 cups flower
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla

Cream sugar and butter. Add eggs one at a time. Add remaining ingredients. Knead dough on floured board. Chill, roll out on floured board cut out with biscuit cutter. If using a cookie press, mix thoroughly and chill for at least fifteen minutes. Put dough in cookie press. Back at 325 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes.  

Cookie pressing in progress!

Baked and ready to be dunked in a cup of steaming hot coffee!  Enjoy.
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Thursday, August 11, 2011

Palm Springs Bound


This weekend I'm headed to Palm Springs with my best friends in celebration of my birthday!  (and no I won't tell how old I'm going to be)  I even have friends who are flying from San Francisco!  I've been waiting for this weekend all summer.  We rented a Mid-century Modern 3 bedroom 2 bathroom house with a pool! Seeing how it's going to be a high of 106 degrees in the desert the pool is beyond key.


Some of our weekend activities will include (in no particular order):


1.  Margarita Control Board's First Annual Margarita Cook-off  (each of us are bringing our own unique margarita recipe)
2.  Bathing poolside
3.  Our fabulous pool
4.  Magnificent views
5.  Mid-Century Modern
6.  Hiking in Mt. San Jacinto State Park. We're taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tram to the top...and it's even historic!  Evidently there's a 30 degree differential between the valley floor and the top of the mountain.  A cool 73 degrees.


I'm off to infuse my special tequila for the weekend!  And no I can't tell what my recipe is yet!


xoxo
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Friday, July 22, 2011

Champagne Flights


The amenities Western Airlines included in 1956: reserved seats, gourmet dining, vintage champagne, and orchids for the ladies.  Oh what happened to these days?
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Sunday, July 10, 2011

House Tour_In the Canyon:Mid-Century Modern_Santa Monica_10.23.10

I absolutely adore house tours - especially those of the historic nature.  Why?  I enjoy being a voyeur - tours are an intimate look into another person's life. Some historic houses definitely pose a lifestyle challanges, so it's interesting how owners adapt and confront design issues.  I toured four open houses during the Santa Monica Mid-Century Modern tour and here are my top three favorites:
Byron Pumphrey House, 615 Kingman Avenue, Santa Monica (Harwell Hamilton Harris, 1939)

Byron Pumphrey House

Byron Pumphrey House

John Entenza House (I), 475 Mesa Road, Santa Monica (Harwell Hamilton Harris, 1937)

John Entenza House (I)

Eames House, Case Study House #8, 203 Chautauqua Boulevard, Santa Monica (Charles and Ray Eames, 1949)

Eames House

Eames House


Eames House
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Now Men Woo With Steaks!

Is this the next cupcake fad - candy in the shape of meat?  
Los Angeles Times, November 7, 1928, p.A5.
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