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Sunday 4 September 2011

What's for Pudding?

Dear readers, if you are looking for the giveaway, here it is!


Something is cooking in our little corner of the world.


There have been many sweet dreams of desserts.


Rich Fig and Almond Pudding, The Duchess's Pudding,Quince and Pear Doublecrust Pie, Lemon Posset, Icky Sticky Toffee Sponge.


I could go on.

And I will!


Did you know that Richmond Maids of Honour, which are little almond-flavoured curd tarts, were great favourites at the court of Henry VIII in Richmond Palace, particularly with Anne Boleyn?  Henry is said to have named them after her when he saw her eating them while she was maid of nonour to Catherine of Aragon, his first wife.


And that Blancmange is mentioned in some of the oldest cookery books?  Chaucer, in The Canterbury Tales, describes it as a mixutre of 'minced capon with flour, cream and sugar'. By Elizabethan times the dish had become a mixture of cream, sugar and rose water, thickened with egg yolks, the meat was by then omitted.  By the 18th century it had become a kind of jelly, stiffened with isinglass or hartshorn and flavoured with almonds and rose water.  By the early 1820s, arrowroot was being exported to Britain from the West Indies and became the thickening agent.  It was set in elaborate moulds and seasoned with cinnamon and lemon peel.

This book is fabulous.  Every recipe I have sampled has worked a dream.  If you are tempted click here .


I have called this dear nineteenth-century nightdress 'Devonshire Junket'.  Junket, which dates back to the 13th century, was a rich confection of cream which was flavoured with rose water and was eaten alongside jellies and flummeries at the end of a meal.  It is especially good with fresh strawberries.


Which is a good thing.


The nightdress may be worn with the pantalettes...


and marries beautifully with the Strawberries and Cream dress.

But to whom does it belong?


Not her, obviously!


Now dear readers, here is the catch.  These clothes are destined for a Nursery Rhyme character (who is in the making).

Can you guess which Nursery Rhyme it could be?

The name of the dress and pantalette outfit is the only clue I will give you.

 To the person who finds the Nursery Rhyme in question I shall offer another Never Not Knitting pattern shortly after my first giveaway closing date (September 11th).

I cannot wait to see your answers!


What has caught her eye?

A polkadot ladybird, of course!

These photographs were taken between heavy showers and bright spells.

I really, really wish to spill the beans here and tell you that every single photograph you have seen on this blog so far has been my dear husband's work.

I also want to express how touched I have been by the generosity of so many fellow bloggers who have kindly mentioned my giveaway on their wonderful blogs.  I owe you all a huge favour!


41 comments:

  1. I want to say the nursery rhyme, but I can't knit, and don't want to spoil it for others!! The urge to say it is overwhelming, as I'm sure I'm right!!!
    Acronym C.L.????

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  2. It certainly is getting to the time of year for warming puddings.
    Your little one looks so cute in her sunglasses. :)
    Would it be 'Mary, Mary quite contrary'??
    Vivienne x
    P.S. Lovely photos from your husband!

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  3. I cheated. Having Google so conveniently to hand is terribly tempting for one as nursery-rhyme challenged as myself.

    I too will guess Curly Locks, especially in view of your little one's curly head.

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  4. oh i'm not good at nursery rhymes-i'll guess curly locks too.
    love those knitting patterns!

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  5. Millefeuilles, I just love this post and those adorable photos of the polka dot model. Well, truth be told, I also love all the photos.

    Pretty maids all in a row.

    Delicious puddings.

    I just love the inspiration, and hope that eventually I might just get around to doing some baking of my own.

    Thank you for your visit.

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  6. Curly Locks! Although I think she had some sugar as well? They're adorable regardless!

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  7. Curly locks! there was something about sewing a fine seam, and strawberries and creme. I think my grandma and mom (both Canadian) used to recite it. All this pudding talk is making me hungry!!

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  8. For some reason I think curly locks ate peaches instead of strawberries. So.....
    how bout Little Bo Peep.
    She must have been awfully hungry after looking for all those sheep!
    xx
    julie

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  9. I am a new follower. I found the mention of you on Coco Rose Diaries. Your blog is adorable. I love the little girl,and the little clothes,and the quote from Kate Greenaway. That was great! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. I agree, it has to be Curly Locks! And your little girl is the most precious thing ever to wear polkadots!

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  11. Well I'll go for Little Miss Muffett, I'm useless at nursery rhymes though so probably wrong! The clothes are adorable :-)

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  12. "Curly Locks! curly locks! wilt thou be mine?
    Thou shall't not wash dishes, nor yet feed the swine,
    But sit on a cushion and sew a fine seam,
    And feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream!"

    Such lovely stitching in your corner of the word!

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  13. Another wonderful post and I also have that book, it is fabulous!
    You have inspired me to cook a pudding again now! I awoke to a cold and wet morn here in the Charente Maritime, so puddings are the order of the day!
    Karen @ Lavender and Lovage

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  14. Aaah! My favourite nursery rhyme! Why? Because I have hair that is curly and my sweet husband often gives me a hug with the words "Curly locks, curly locks, wilt thou be mine". He's always done it since we first met. Love the book of scrumptious puddings but would I have the will power to only eat small portions . . , I think not! Eli x

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  15. I'm going for Little Miss Muffet since junket was what she was meant to have been eating when they say curds and whey. Hope I'm right as those knitting patterns are so beautiful I will certainly have to buy my own if not!!

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  16. Such a delicious post, Stephanie! The pretty words of those old fashioned recipes are like poetry aren't they? I am guessing the character is Curly Locks?? Your husband's photos are beautiful ones...and you little daughter in her sunglasses is so adorable.
    Pudding recipes are now on my mind...might have to do some baking later today!
    Have a great week.
    Helen x

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  17. thankyou for your kind comment last week.

    How lovely these little clothes are- have to confess I have absolutely NO idea who they're for!

    Good luck with your lovely giveaway

    Have a good week
    xx

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  18. Ma belle et precieuse Stephanie,

    THAT CHILD IS SO DARLING! AND.....I love, I just absolutely LOVE PUDDINGS and especially with ROSE WATER ESSENCE!!!! OK, now for the nursery rhyme....Little Miss Moppett? (I am not sure if that is the title)

    I so love how you show us the picture of the dress and pantelettes in true scale next the the little girl....IT IS SO CUTE!!

    GOOD LUCK TO ALL!

    BISOUS, Anita

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  19. I would have thought Little Miss Muffet - with her curds and whey would have been what that adorable little outfit was for! Especially as devonshire is famed for it's dairy farming and curds and whey make cheese? x

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  20. Oh, that little girlie of yours is adorable. And that book does look luscious.

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  21. Or even Little Bo Peep, no, strawberries mean it must be Little Miss Muffet ;)

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  22. I think it's Curly Locks, and you have a little Curly Locks of your own, she's adorable. I love your beautiful outfits and the thought which must go in to the name of each design, wonderful. Old fashioned puddings, delish, especially sponges.

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  23. It sounds like a beautiful cookery book. You managed to make me enthusiastic :-). Thank you for the historic details too. I enjoyed these very much!

    Your daughter looks great on the photo's!

    Happy new week!

    Madelief x

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  24. Hello, I think you are thinking about Curly Locks. She is sewing and eating strawberries, sugar and cream in the nursery rhyme.
    Oooooh puddings. Delicious!
    Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog.
    Much love to you.
    p.s your little girl looks adorable.

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  25. Your daughter looks adorable especially with her glasses just ever so slightly askew! SO cute :)

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  26. Your daughter is precious and her face, even with her eyes hidden by sunglasses, is full of expression! I am a bit rusty on my nursery rhymes and refuse to spoil it with a Google.

    You are quite creative and talented!

    Bises,
    Genie

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  27. Curly Locks, of course - she is standing there in the photo!

    Pomona x

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  28. Ah, and now I want pudding! This looks so yummy! And your little one is so sweet! What a pretty girl!~

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  29. So good to hear from you again. Eliska is much better. She did an impromptu dance for me and her Pops, so she is back to her old self.
    A dool project sounds brill. You make the most divine clothes. Something my friend mentioned was writing stories about them and using dolls instead of illustrations. Sounds bizarre, but could kind of work.
    Maybe some characters would be good. I have sometimes thought of making some of my own fairytale characers. I have heard of some groups of doll makers working on a doll, then sending it to the next person who adds their bits to it.
    Hmm, must think.
    Your blog is great and so fascinating. I am going to stop rambling and read it! xxx

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  30. oh my, those pink sunglasses are the best... beyond adorable is all I can say

    and the photos are amazing!

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  31. Hi Stephanie,

    I adore the sweet photo of your darling daughter in the polka dots and sunglasses, so cute.
    I love all the other photos too, sweet lady bug.
    The pudding book looks great.
    My guess for the nursery rhyme is maybe, Pat a cake?
    Hope that you are having a lovely week

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  32. Oh golly every pudding seems to have started out in a meat version..even Christmas mince pies..thank heavens for a little food evolution! I have a vintage "365 Puddings" book that I love to have a flick through from time to time. Imagine that a pudding for every night of the year! I'm quite partial to setting Greek yoghurt & honey (passionfruit too) with gelatine just at the moment...in to a vintage jelly mold. The rabbit shape is my favourite. You know I don't recall Curly Locks at all isn't that strange..especially considering the strawberries & cream ; ) Much love dear one Catherine xo

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  33. I have just found your blog, what a lovely place. How very strange to read this blog post as I was reading a nursery rhyme to my little daughter today whilst round my Nan's and Curly Locks caught my eye as both her and I have curly hair - it must be that one as she ends up eating Strawberries and Cream - scrum!

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  34. What an adorable post, such sweetness in so many ways :)

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  35. The puddings look delicious! I decided not to enter your lovely giveaway as I'm certain my knitting skills are not up to those lovely patterns, but I do love those patterns! One day I hope to be able to knit so well. I adore the little clothes you are making.

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  36. Hi, thanks so much for your comment on my blog. Have never made matcha cakes but will def try them out! Your little girl looks gorgeous and the pudding book is v tempting! xxx

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  37. Yummy, that book looks so tempting, I have another of SPW's books and it is equally beautiful. What gorgeous clothes you have made, if you could super-size them I would be only too happy to put them on myself!

    Kate x

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  38. Darn it, I got here too late for the giveaway but congratulations to Vanessa who is sure to knit up something lovely. The doll's clothes are absolutely charming, as is your little one.

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  39. And I forgot to say - Curly Locks, Curly Locks!

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