Recipes: Scones

Scones 

Circa: 1500's

Last week at the museum we hosted our annual summer tea parties, which means beautiful table settings, delicate teacups, tea and scones!!! We are blessed to have an amazing chef that prepares these delicious pastries for us, but since I didn’t want to wait until next summer to enjoy them again, I decided to try my hand at making scones.  I was thrilled with the results! Scones can be savory or sweet, so for our tea parties we usually serve a traditional scone and a savory parmesan version. Delicious! Today I am sharing a fabulous recipe that I found that is surprisingly easy to make.

      Grab a cup of tea a scone and some jam and clotted cream and enjoy a little lesson on the origins of this traditional tea time treat! Scones originated in Scotland in the early 1500s as a quick bread,= and were originally made with oats shaped into a large round scored into four or six wedges and baked in a griddle. They were related to the ancient Welsh tradition of cooking small round yeast cakes on bakestones.  The first known print reference was from a Scottish poet in 1513.

The word scone comes from the word “skone” actually means beautiful bread. The legend is that it comes from the Stone of Scone, or the Stone of Destiny, where the Kings of Scotland were crowned.  Did you know there are even two correct pronunciations of the word scone? It can be pronounced “Skahn” (rhymes with gone) and “skoan” (rhymes with own), which has been adopted in the U.S. and Canada.

          They grew in popularity over the years and became an essential part of the fashionable ritual of taking tea in England during the 19^th century.  Today scones are quick breads similar to American biscuits and shaped into a traditional wedge form or round, square and diamond shapes. Traditional English scones may include raisins or currants but are usually served with jam, preserves, lemon curd or honey and of course clotted cream! For those that are not familiar with clotted cream don’t let the name scare you it is DELICIOUS! I would recommend enjoying your scones at breakfast or brunch, and of course at afternoon tea. I hope you enjoy this delicious scone recipe and serve them at your next tea party!

Sources

www.foodreference.com

www.thenibble.com

Living History: Summer Breeze

Summer Breeze

Circa: 1900's

      Today marks the beginning of a new series that brings history and fashion to life! When searching for fashion inspiration I often can't help but look towards the past. So many of the items we see on the catwalks of Paris and New York are influenced by styles and designs that are hundreds of years old. This summer one of my go to pieces is my long black skirt. I can dress it up for a night out or pair it with a cute tank top and sandals for a relaxed weekend getaway. 

      When I came across this beautiful and haunting photograph of a lady looking out over the water I not only fell in love with the image but it reminded me so much of what I have been wearing all summer. Granted in Houston during August the high collar shirt would have to go but overall I love the simple and timeless look! 

The Inspiration

I know the solemn monotone

Of waters calling unto me; 

I know from whence the airs have blown

That whisper of the Eternal Sea. 

                                                    John Greenleaf Whittier

          Below is my modern take on this beautiful Victorian beach look. You could create a fabulous vintage look with all of these items or choose one or two to add a touch of the past to your beach ensemble. I love the combination of a light airy white blouse paired with beautiful black skirt.  I found two perfect tops and couldn't choose... so I just included both!  With my fair complexion, a hat  and an umbrella are a must when I am spending all day at the ocean. I love the classic and timeless feel of this beautiful straw hat and gorgeous lace parasol. One of my most prized antique finds is a vintage straw hat from a turn of the century department store in downtown Paris, Texas! 
          What is an outfit without accessories?  Some of my favorite pieces of vintage jewelry are cameos.  If I am lucky enough to find them in a store or estate sale I buy them every time. They feel so regal, classic and will always be in style. Therefore, when I came across these earrings I was instantly in love!   And of course my look would not be complete without the perfect purse so I chose to go against tradition and chose a beautiful gold shell clutch for a touch of fun and whimsy! 
       I hope that this new series will inspire you to not only look to your current issue of Vogue for fashion inspiration, but also turn to your great grandmother's photographs, a fabulous vintage postcard or even a vintage magazine! Living History doesn't have to mean a costume, rather it's about bringing a touch of the past to your everyday life....and wardrobe! 

  

     

Summer Breeze by jessn012 featuring a pocket watch dome

H M shirts blouse, $20 / Jane Norman white vest, $25 / Enza Costa black maxi skirt / Nicholas Kirkwood suede shoes, $1,430 / Charlotte Olympia seashell purse / Dangle earrings / Straw hat / Yves Saint Laurent scarve / Diptyque pink perfume, $110 / Beauty product / Pocket watch dome, $165 / Amazon.com: Topwedding Cotton Lace Flower Girl Kids Parasol Wedding...