Musings of a Designer on Jewelry, Crochet, Crochet Patterns, Knitting, Running a Crafty Business, Movie Costumes, Books, Art, Design, Steampunk & the Geek Girl Life

Monday, August 13, 2007

It's a Half Done Party!

Some projects are progressing and need celebrating around here! First, after more than a year of blogger's standard two column blog, I have finally upgraded to a new three column format. With lots more room, and a header I can finally add a banner too (yeah!), expect lots of tinkering in the weeks to come leading to a new, richer blog!And, it's a half-done party for getting our patio half way finished! After some engineering setbacks, we are done with all the steps and have just the upper terrace to go. Let's have our party on this fabulous Moroccan terrace, complete with traditional mint tea and almond cookies!

Moroccan Mint Tea

2 tsp Chinese gunpowder tea (a Chinese green tea)
14 springs fresh mint (for boiling)
6 springs fresh mint (for decoration)
1/2 c sugar
6 cups boiling water

Fill teapot with all the above, stir, cover, and steep about 5 minutes. Place 1 spring of mint in each tea glass, pour hot tea over the mint, and serve.



One change here.... substituting lavender cookies for almond cookies, since I was supposed to post this back when we went to the lavender farm! This one is from All Recipes.

Lavender Cookies
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2/3 cup white sugar
1/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh lavender
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in the lavender, mint and lemon zest. Combine the flour, cornstarch and salt; mix into the batter until well blended. Divide dough into two balls, wrap in plastic wrap and flatten to about 1inch thick. Refrigerate until firm, about 1hour. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters. Cookie stamps will work well on these too. Place on cookie sheets. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, just until cookies begin to brown at the edges. Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheets then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

*This makes a shortbread like cookie. Great with a strong cup of your favorite tea!*


Back to the garden to finish that patio! If you are wondering where the fabulous Moroccan pictures and tea recipe came from, they are out of stunning book on Moroccan style and cooking called New Moroccan Style. If you get a chance to look through it, do! It's a visual and culinary treat!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Your blog looks lovely and has led me to one of your links that has become one of my favorites: Speckled-Egg. I'm still new to blogging - can't imagine three columns...can't even manage my own blog. :)
Alexandra
http://silverbellcottage.blogspot.com

Renee said...

Love the new layout, and those cookies I am so going to have to try that recipe, it sounds just divine!

jk said...

Those lavender cookies look devine! I've always wanted to try making them. I think I'll try your recipe, although I'll have to buy the lavendar, as I no longer have lavendar plants at my new house ~ need to plant some!

Jen said...

Oh, the new look is beautiful! So pretty... :D

Those cookies sound great, but my lavender isn't big enough to harvest yet. lol

carlene federer said...

thanx for stopping by my blog! I love yours, great eye candy & lots of fun!

Susan Tuttle said...

Your blog looks great!!! I didn't mean to discourage you from the 3 column format--yours looks just fine in my Firefox and Safari browsers. You can always check in with folks to see how it looks on their end.

Thanks so much for posting the recipe for those cookies--I'm so excited to try that!!

Susan

Anonymous said...

I love the new look of your blog! Very elegant looking and a good reason to celebrate. Party on, girlfriend!

FrenchGardenHouse said...

I am so glad I found your blog, it is beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing your tea and Lavender Cookies...they look delicious.

Wishing you a lovely, creative week!
Lidy

tricia stirling said...

mmm. lavender cookies. i will definately have to make some of those. your blog is so pretty! congrats on the new format!

Mary Timme said...

You and Cynthia both have the new one! I didn't even know you could do a 3 column blog. Maybe, Someday, I should take time to read? Ah, I think that might be good.

Anonymous said...

Mmm, that spread looks and sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing your recipes. The new blog format is also coming along nicely.

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Isn't it nice to have a banner? And you site looks good.

Gracie said...

Oh my that looks yum! I should try it. Thanks for the recipe.

Also your blog layout is looking great! Can't wait to see what else you add and change.

And thanks again for the lovely email =0)

Gracie

Anonymous said...

Oh Hallelujah! Thanks so much for posting the Moroccan Mint tea recipe. I LOVE that stuff!! Have you ever been to Marrakesh in Portland?? Excellent!

Unknown said...

i will definately have to try these