Sweet Violets!

It's a matter of fact that everyone associated with our group is not young, slim, trim and thin! We're individuals and we're all ages, shapes and sizes, and we delight in our uniqueness. From size 6 through to size 30! That gives you a fair idea of our differences. And that's good because we have a great respect for each other and can talk about all manner of things, without any undue feelings of treading on each other's feet or feelings! We all share an enjoyment in things of mutual pleasure, including food.

During a short break yesterday afternoon,we got talking about old-fashioned recipes. Not that we all potter around in the kitchen when we go home of an evening after hard days work on the keyboard, but most of us enjoy eating or drinking special meals and treats served up by those who do. Yes, we meet and mingle after hours too!

Autumn mentioned recipes containing flowers and this created a lot of interest with the younger members of the team who expressed surprise as they didn't know that flowers could be eaten or be ingredients in drinks and other confectionery as well as beauty preparations. There's a lot of trading of information going on among us. We all have a lot to learn from each other and enjoy doing so.

One of Autumn's favourite drinks is Violet Lemonade. Here's her recipe, passed down through her mother from her grandmother, and no doubt passed down to her from other women in the family.

Violet Lemonade

1 cup violets sugar to taste
juice of 6 lemons crushed ice and fresh violet flowers, to garnish
1-1/4 pints mineral water (750 mls)

Place violets in a china bowl, with lemon juice and put in the refrigerator overnight. Juice will become pink. Strain off the violets and add juice to jug of chilled sparkling mineral water. Add sugar (or more lemon juice) to taste, stir through crushed ice. Before serving, add a few violets on top.

As soon as lemonade was mentioned, Dawn suggested we begin a habit of making some simple old-fashioned recipes up to share with our morning/afternoon tea breaks. When Autumn was mentioning the name of the Violet Lemonade, Dawn raised her eyebrows and laughingly said she'd bring in some Lemonade Scones for tomorrow's treat.

Will let you know how these go down!!!