Tea and Shortbread on a Late Autumn Afternoon

Hello, Dear Friends - Autumn is moving along

and the days are getting shorter and shorter,
 here in the north-woods of Washington State. 

Won't you join me for a walk in the golden forest,
 then come inside for a hot cup of tea,
with some home-made shortbread? 

The foothills have a new dusting of snow, 

but there is still some fall color among the 

evergreen fir, cedar and hemlock. 

We've had fierce winds the last few days, 

which has blown the leaves off lesser trees, 

but our native maple and black cottonwood

are just coming into their prime. 

A sturdy raincoat and warm scarf are in order - 

this beautiful hand-knit was a gift from 

my dear, talented friend, Pat, who blogs at Lily, My Cat. 

It's so soft and warm.

Temperatures are dropping into the 40's now. 

The ground is a tapestry of color. 

Nature's beauty. 

The sun hangs low, even at high noon. 

Vine maple illuminates the gloom of the forest.

A late afternoon sunbeam as we step inside. 

xoxo

Let's make some shortbread! 

My pretty spatula is a gift from my sweet Sis-in-law <3 

Here's the easy recipe:

Lemon-Vanilla Shortbread

Preheat oven to 325 degrees 

Lightly spray an 8-inch shortbread pan 

with nonstick cooking spray. 

(or an 8-inch round cake pan)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup salted butter, softened

1/2 cup confectioners' sugar

1/2 tsp lemon extract

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose flour

pinch of salt 

In a large mixing bowl, 

cream the butter and sugar together. 

Add remaining ingredients and mix until 

soft dough forms. 

Pat dough into prepared pan. 

Bake @ 325 degrees for 35 minutes. 

Remove from pan after cooling for 10 minutes. 

Cut and enjoy! 

These are so buttery, light and delicious! 

These beautiful Johnson Bros., 'Friendly Village'
plates were once my dear Mother-in-law's,

just sent to me all the way from New Hampshire,
 from my sweet Sis-in-law for my birthday. 

We lost my dear MIL last December. 

These will be so treasured. 

A covered bridge scene. 

When I was a child, my family vacationed 

at 'Butler's Cabin' - a log cabin in the 

White mountains of New Hampshire.
(I grew up in Massachusetts)

Mr. Butler was my Father's friend and boss. 

The cabin was located at the base of Black mountain, 

in Jackson, N.H. and we had to travel 

over a covered bridge to get there. 

Those lovely days were the best memories of my childhood.

I had this little dish already :)

I've used my 'new' vintage Kate Greenaway tablecloth 

that I just found at Virginia Retro - etsy

I had seen this tablecloth on Pam's blog
 (Virginia Retro) months ago, 

when she featured it in one of her wonderful table-scapes,

and I promptly fell in love with it. 

When she opened her Etsy shop recently, 

there it was for sale and I couldn't believe my good fortune! 

Kate Greenaway was a wonderful children's book

illustrator in the late 1800's and I have a few of 

her lovely books reprinted in the 60's and 70's. 

Lemon tea and shortbread. 

xoxo

Some lovely pages from 'The Language of Flowers'.

Time to clean up <3

Ramblin' Man will be so happy tonight!
Shortbread is a favorite!

xoxo

Thank you for joining me, Dear Friends!

If you are interested in buying one of these
beautiful shortbread molds, you can find
many examples for sale, Here.

xoxo

Wishing you a lovely week!