A Late Afternoon Tea

It was a busy day today

Which started late

due to a late bedtime

because of a dinner party!

But I was able to savor both tea

and the mail this afternoon

Alas, not at half past three

but more like half past four!

In the breakfast room

with my treasures

a pot of tea and a nosh!

The mail was a treasure trove which included the newest Bon Appetit

and Fed Ex followed close behind with my latest Amazon order!

Laura Child's Sweet Tea Revenge

I've got all of them, adore them and every March am always eager for the next "installment"

Gina Stipo ecco la cucina

 Just coming back from Italy, I decided I needed a new Italian cookbook.   I adore Marcella Hazen but was looking for a book that would let me recreate the foods that we dined on while in Italy.     

I've bookmarked several recipes to try over the next several weeks!

And

the latest Bon Appetit

I dogeared a couple of recipes -- the buttermilk brined chicken and the lemon chicken orzo soup

Bon Appetit never disappoints.

The nosh was some shortbread that I made this morning while waiting for the oatmeal to cook.

Friend Susan sent me the recipe this morning after she told me about this marvelous shortbread yesterday.

And I just had to try it!!!

With my late start to the day

And my breakfast that was really Brunch

(but can one call oatmeal Brunch?)

and my afternoon tea was lunch

it was good to be able to sit awhile

and slowly look through the lovely books

And read from cover to cover Bon Appetit

And have a cup or two of tea

before the "ding" of the dryer snapped me back into reality

That the last load was done and needed to be folded.

Sigh!

With the time change
And my later than usual tea time
I loved the sun and the shadows for this afternoon tea!

The shortbread are simple, go together quickly and bake slowly so you can do other chores while they slowly bake to perfection in the oven.     Even though Susan doesn't call them "Susan's Oatmeal Shortbread", they shall forever be known at Linderhof as such . . . and to anyone who gets the recipe from me as well!

SUSAN'S OATMEAL SHORTBREAD

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 c. brown sugar

3/4 cup rolled oatmeal

1 cup butter

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, with a pastry blender or fingers, cut or rub ingredients together -- will be crumbly.    Press firmly into greased jelly roll pan.

Bake in slow oven -- 300 degrees -- 40 to 45 minutes or until deep golden brown.    While still hot, cut into small squares (use pizza cutter).   Cool in pan on rack.    Makes about 4 dozen.

It's Tuesday and I'm joining Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday.