For those of us whose mothers are no longer here, Mother’s Day is slightly mournful. The old rituals of making homemade cards, tying bunches of mismatched wild flowers and carrying breakfast upstairs on wobbly trays have gone. It becomes a day of absence, rather than joyful presence.
But let’s make today a celebration anyway. Relive the wonderful memories – the moments when you and your mum laughed uncontrollably at something that wasn’t even funny, the day she watched you win at sports day, the day she consoled you when you came last. Because Mother’s Day is Mother’s Day whether your mum is here or not.
It seems to me that the perfect thing to eat on Mother’s Day is afternoon tea – the meal that mothers never make for themselves.
So this afternoon I’m going to eat homemade scones with clotted cream and blackcurrant jam and raise a cup of tea to my mum and to all mothers everywhere.
Buttermilk Scones
This recipe is based on one in British Baking by Peyton and Byrne
Makes 8 scones
240g self raising flour
50g caster sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
Pinch of salt
60g cold butter
175ml buttermilk
Beaten egg for brushing
Preheat the oven to 170 degrees C and line a tin with baking paper.
Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into a mixing bowl. Add the cold butter, cut into small cubes. I use an electric stand mixer to rub it in, but you can use your fingers if you prefer. Add the buttermilk and mix until it just forms a dough. Form into a ball and rest in the fridge for ten minutes or so. Roll out until 2.5 to 3 cm thick and with a 5cm cutter make 8 scones. Brush them with a little beaten egg. Cook for 25 minutes and then allow them to cool completely in the tin before you remove them.
And as a little postscript…. my children have just brought me breakfast in bed, homemade cards and a bunch of mismatched wild flowers. So it turns out that life really does go on…
Another delicious blog (but no recipe – I suppose one can find out how to make scones in any cookbook). I wonder if the very alert-looking cat got one? It would have to be a tinned salmon I expect. Wonderful photos as ever.
Glad you like it Jakey. I didn't include the recipe at first because I thought everyone might have a favourite scone recipe already. But since you raised it, I've added the recipe to the post after all.Charlie
Your Mum had good taste – blackberry is my favourite. Lovely tabby and he (?she) looks great with the Muscari. I hope it was more sweet than bittersweet in the end
Thanks oxslip. And yes, it was definitely more sweet than bittersweet. My cat loves eating flowers so her next move after I took the picture was to lunge for a great mouthful of muscari!
Oops I meant blackcurrant – though I like blackberry too, the sharpness of currants is really good. Funny cat, it knows you like the flowers. Mine woke me up pushing things one by one off the bedside table onto the floor today, they aren't stupid.
Lovely blog post – made me go all "aaaah", which was nice because shortly beforehand I'd been lecturing my son (fingerwagging and everything) about talking down to me. I needed a little bit of "aaah", so thankyou. 🙂
Beautiful photos! 🙂 Sounds like a wonderful day! I may make some of your lovely scones for a weekend afternoon tea in the garden! xxxx
Hi Jenny Thanks so much for dropping by and I'm very glad the post made you go 'aaaah'. Charlie
Hi girls who like to gorgeI hope you enjoy your afternoon tea in the garden – let me know how it goes. And thanks so much for visiting Eggs on the Roof..Charlie
And I meant to say thank you for becoming a follower girls who like to gorge – it's very much appreciated.
Hello from someone who hopes to come to Food Blogger Connect. I love your blog. Beautiful photographs – JX
Hi JThank you very much – how kind. Do try to come to Food Blogger Connect. It's a huge amount of fun. Charlie
Hello Charlie, these occasions can be bittersweet indeed. For all sorts of reasons – including loss. But I loved your idea of afternoon tea. In fact, that is what I wanted to do on Mother's Day. We went to Tate Britain, looked at some beautiful paintings and had tea and scones in the lovely restaurant. Perfect! Hope to see you again soon. x
Hi Pascale It sounds as though you had a Mother's Day to remember. Did you see the Watercolour exhibitions? I loved it too. See you soon x