On Saturdays I try to make a few things that are easy to make, easy to share & easy to eat! I find this encourages me to provide something quick for friends or people I know having a hard time, to show some hospitality with the groups I’m a member of and to say yes to last minute get togethers!
One of my favourite treats to make is shortbread, it is something I struggled with for years and now seem to have down packed!
You will need:
8 oz butter
9 oz plain flour
3 oz cornflour
3 ounces caster sugar
pinch of salt
Preheat oven to 190, grease a 18 cm x 5 cm deep dish
Melt the butter in a saucepan & remove from heat
Beat in flour, cornflour, sugar and salt until it forms a soft dough
Spread into the greased tin
Cook for 15-20 minutes until golden brown
Remove from oven and sprinkle generously with caster sugar and leave to cool for 5 min, mark into fingers with a sharp knife, then leave to cool completely before transferring from tin.
Today I’ve made a batch and made a quick smoothie on the side (frozen berries I forgot I had, pineapple pieces in their juice and a large dollop of yogurt). I now have a large batch of shortbread that I will probably randomly leave on a friend’s doorstep later this week, 1 smoothie I’m enjoying now and 3 more frozen for later in the week! I should let you know, I eat my shortbread frozen – I freeze it once cooled and eat it 1 finger at a time – it is seriously delicious that way! The last 2 friends I’ve introduced to frozen shortbread have loved it!
Tomorrow I’m going to start a new series, I’m hoping some of you will join in, I’m calling it Reclaiming Simple Sabbath Sundays! When I was a child Sundays were very simple, very family oriented and stress free, they looked & felt different to every other day in the week. Now most of my friends & many of my readers who email tell me that Sundays are another day of shopping, running errands and busyness, I think we can change that, I know I need the constant reminder to stop, slow down and just be. I’d love to make one of those neat buttons/badges, anyone know how to do it?
Oh, I’m so excited to read your upcoming series! That is a wonderful idea – my mom and I were recently talking about how Sundays used to be and how special they were. Maybe we’ll reinstate the old-fashioned Sabbath day in our household.
Bella, how wonderful! Can’t wit to see how you do!
Thinking about it, we’ve been trying to simplify our Sundays for some time now. We generally do everything at a slower pace. Start off with a cup of tea in bed. Maybe visit my mother in law who generously cooks the whole family Sunday lunch very often. Otherwise potter around our house and cook a special meal of some sort for just us. I can’t remember the last time we went shopping for more than a pint of milk or a loaf of bread. I certainly have no idea how long it has been since we went into town on a Sunday (it’s rare enough the rest of the time!).
I’d be up for joining in this. As to the button, I’m not sure. I made one a while ago using a photo, but I couldn’t honestly tell you how I managed it! I’d have to be there!
Jennie, that sounds lovely!!
I’m trying very hard to ignore that shortbread recipe!
Actually, when I was growing up in a very low income household, shortbread used to be one of the ‘emergency’ recipes – ie something to fill stomachs when cupboards were almost empty – along with rice pudding! I still love them both today!
Sarah, my mum has many memories of using rice pudding on the hungry days too! Are you still ignoring the recipe? Well done you!!
I’m trying to! I’ve not had a lot of success on the diet TBH but I’m trying to tell myself that a little lost over a long period is better than nothing!
you could buy a badge making kit (possibly a smaller pack size!)
or
have someone make you one
Or you could make a fabric one from felt and a safety pin – felt is easy to work with, doesn’t fray, and can be glued rather than sewn.
Sorry Sarah, I meant an internet button i.e. you click on it and are brought to this series!
ohh and image
i can make one of them for you if you want? if so just send me an email with what you want 
I’ve recently become really interested in having a sabbath day for myself. I tend to work every day, but I think I need a day off to rest for the upcoming week. So, basically, I’d love to join in on this.
Jenn I used to work every day too! Now I know I can’t. Please do join in!
Haha, frozen shortbread – I have to try that!
Can’t wait for your new series.
It is very yummy!!
ooh! yummy
i love baking as gifts – will definately be trying this (and frozen shortbread is a new one on me but sounds nom!)
will be interested to read your thoughts on sabbaths and rest-days. i am realising the wisdom/necessity in it. would also love to join in with it
This is perfect! I have been thinking about this exact thing-how to go about reclaiming the sabbath, and I truly believe that is something many christians are not observing. My pastor recently preached about keeping the sabbath and I was thrilled. I have a vision of having a simple day of church and a sunday meal with friends or family. It has been hard to get there, even though it seems so simplistic…so I am up for this!
I think you are right Michelle. I know many Christians who leave Church to go and shop, run errands etc. I’m going to do a Bible study on it!
Check the button on my blog for templat mamma. She has posted a little tutorial not long ago for button making. Cherrie
Thanks Cherrie!
I have a group of friends who meet each week and talk over our lives and faith. We all seemed to come to the same conclusion about the same time -we needed a day of rest!
The group is great in keeping us accountable for our promises -the ones we make to ourselves.
At first we all struggled with the busyness of Saturday -needing to do the household chores so we could take Sunday off. Was it worth it?
Yes!
When we were disciplined, we loved it.
When we gave up on our plan for a day off, we struggled the whole week.
We found more time for ourselves and creativity and our families.
I would encourage everyone to have a go at this and we are certainly keeping up our plans for a day of rest each week.
Sounds wonderful earth mother. I too think it is worth it, I’d rather work 2x as hard Saturday and be rested on Sunday! Sounds like a great group!
I agree. Growing up Sundays definitely felt different than other days.
I can’t seem to make myself do many things on Sunday. I usually stay at home more often than not.
Sounds great Jessica!
Oh yeah are you talking about a blog button? You could try to make it yourself or have one of your online friends ( like me ) attempt!
Or I have a friend who does awesome designs and I’m sure she’d love to do it for you. Maybe would charge you 5.00 US? She’s in Australia at http://www.greentangerinedesigns.com
Yes a blog button!! If you want to I’d be thrilled if you tried to make one for me! Otherwise I’m thrilled to find out about your friend!
I think this is a wonderful idea! I have a booklet here about keeping Sunday’s peaceful and simple. Doing things during the week to prepare for Sunday like baking/cooking meals ahead so preparation is with ease, laying clothes out the night before, planning activities at home for yourself or your family, making time for “quiet” and renewing yourself for the week. I’m looking forward to your series. Oh and the shortbread, one of my favourites too! Blessings, Heather
That sounds like a great idea Heather, to prepare for Sunday!
It sure is yummy!
Cornflour – is this ground cornmeal or is it corn starch? I’ve never seen the word before (I’m originally from the US).
Rebekka Yes I think Sarah is right it is what you call corn startch not to be confused with cornmeal which is different entirely!
Rebekka – cornflour in the UK is i THINK what you call corn starch – the white powdery stuff you can use to thicken sauces etc.
Thanks Sarah, you are always so helpful!
I love shortbread, haven’t made it for a while, it’s too hot to bake over here at the moment.
Gill in Canada
Oh Gill that made me laugh, because it is not too hot here to bake!! lol