Happy St George’s Day! Today is the celebration of England’s patron saint. It’s also Shakespeare’s birthday so it’s a very patriotic day. To celebrate I am making a 19th century pudding recipe, courtesy of the National Trust. This is called Rhubarb and Orange Betty. The original recipe, Brown Betty, was made with apples, breadcrumbs and [...]
Today, 25th January, is the birthday of Scots poet Robert Burns. He was born in 1759 in a small cottage near the Bridge of Doon two miles from the town of Ayr. His birthday is celebrated by people of Scots descent all over the world. Tonight in this house we’ll be eating Cock-a-Leekie soup made [...]
Today on the Word Wenches blog I am talking about some of the historical recipes we tried out to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee. From Coronation Chicken to the Queen’s Gingerbread we had a wonderful time in the kitchen and our clothes are now quite a bit tighter as a result. Drop by to share your [...]
A little while ago when I was blogging about the origins of some of the events in the London Season (part 2 of this series will follow soon) a commenter asked if the famous recipe Eton Mess was associated with the Eton School 4th June celebrations. The history of Eton Mess is very interesting and has [...]
Did you know that Marie Antoinette once wore a headdress woven with potato flowers for a ball? Never mind let them eat cake, let them wear potatoes! Today at the Word Wenches blog I am talking about the history of the potato and how the upper class Brits and French scorned it whilst the Americans [...]
Happy Monday! First up, I’d like to congratulate Quilt Lady, who has won a backlist book for commenting on my weekend blog post! Quilt Lady, please get in touch at ncornick(at)madasafish.com and let me know which book you would like! Meanwhile I’m still looking for Bobby and HJ and Jennifer L to get in touch [...]
As it’s Friday and everyone deserves a treat, I’m posting up a 16th century recipe for the most delicious Elizabethan Honey Cake. I first came across this at the National Trust house Moseley Old Hall, where it is served in the tearoom. Enjoy! Ingredients: 6oz butter or margarine, 6oz caster sugar, 60z self-raising flour, 1 [...]
Have you ever wished that your beloved would, in the ultimate romantic gesture, build you the house of your dreams? Or would that be a bit over the top? Ashdown House is a Valentine’s Day gift in bricks and mortar (or chalk, actually), a house built by the Earl of Craven for the love of a [...]
Today marks the bicentenary of the English Regency. King George III was seventy two and after many years of illness was declared insane. On 5th February, 1811 the Prince of Wales took the oaths of office as Regent and assumed charge of the government. To celebrate the bicentenary, Harlequin is running a special series of [...]
Thank you very much for all the comments on the Cute Castles post – and the recommendations of places to visit - and congratulations to Diane and Dara, whom Monty has chosen as the winners of a copy of Lord Of Scandal! I wasn’t intending to offer another blog prize quite so soon after the other [...]