Easy Colonial Recipe

Hello Friends,

Most of us like new recipes, but this one is certainly not a new one. When I was writing the biography about Kate Moore Barry, I found this simple recipe for shortbread cookies. I have made them, and they are delicious. They are good with a cup of tea or coffee in the afternoon, and a delicious aroma invades your home while they are baking. I have taken them with me on some author visits, and the reviews have been favorable. Is it not amazing that a recipe from over 200 years ago can still be enjoyed by us today? I hope you might find time to bake a few for you and your family, and I believe they won't stay around long.

Shortbread Cookies

1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup flour
Blend all the ingredients, and bake until golden brown in a moderate oven.

There are a few hints that will make this easier. The butter needs to be softened. Even though the batter can be blended with a wooden spoon, a mixer makes it quicker. I combined the sugar and butter and then slowly added the flour. Using an ungreased cookie sheet, I dropped a teaspoon of batter and baked them in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. Knowing our ovens are different, you might want to watch the first batch. This recipe only made about 24 small cookies.

Aren't we glad we can use the gauges of our ovens to determine the temperature and don't have to see if the hairs on our arms are singed by the heat!?!

Happy Baking! :)

Musgrove Mill Celebration on August 20, 2011

Hello Friends,

Yesterday John and I joined with many others from Georgia, North Carolina, and our own state of South Carolina to celebrate the Whig victory over the British partisan forces at Musgrove Mill. On August 18, 1780, the British were defeated in a battle that only lasted about an hour.

Individuals from various D.A.R., S.A.R., and C.A.R. chapters began arriving around 9:00 with their wreaths of remembrance. Two pictures are still in my mind's eye today; one is of the men, women, and children standing to sing our national anthem. While most were dressed in modern clothes, others were attired in colonial costumes. This visual game me pause as to how we are honoring and remembering those who came before us to settle this great country of ours; because of them, we are here.

Later in the program, the Musgrove Mill Militia carefully loaded and shot their rifles, but in the midst of their line was one reenactor dressed as a member of the British Legion. There was no mistaking his green jacket amidst the men wearing their hunting coats and every day colonial clothes. This would never have happened during the American Revolution, but it reminded me of some words of George Washington that he wrote in a letter to James Madison in 1788. Our first President said, "Liberty, when it begins to take root, is a plant of rapid growth." Our country is a product of the sowing of the seeds of Liberty.
 

 Robert Hall, a descendent of Elsie Bratton, knows all about his lineage and told me some stories about the Bratton family after the Revolutionary War. There is no doubt that he knows his family's history and has continued to tell its story through reenactments.


 Two sisters of the reenactors of the Musgrove Mill Militia & Co. safely spent the night on Friday. There were no distubances to their sleep, but they did say that several pairs of eyes greeted them. (You might want to check out this militia group's Facebook site.)

 During the eighteenth century, hot weather was ignored when their was work to do. This blacksmith and his helper never stopped during the day, but explained the process to all who stopped by.

 This is a picture of Tony Zeiss, the author of Backcountry Fury. Dressed in early nineteenth century clothes, he was visiting on the porch with Bob Swager. Tony shared an entertaining and informative monologue of the life of Thomas Young, one of the young men who fought at the Musgrove Mill battle and the protagonist of his book.

 Here is Tony Scotti, the reenactor dressed as a member of the British Legion. Just in case you are interested, Tony's musket is a 54 caliber smooth bore. (This was the same British Legion that fought with Captain Christian Huck at the Battle of Huck's Defeat.)

 The reenactor, Fitzpatrick Williamson, was dressed as one of the Overmountain Men. He and Chris Swager, author of numerous Revolutionary War books catch up. (Chris' books are available through Sandlapper Publishing.) She is an expert on the Southern Campaign in South Carolina. 

 In the afternoon, again on the porch, we were once again entertained and informed by another author and storyteller. Randell Jones, the author of In the Footsteps of Daniel Boone, In the Footsteps of Davy Crockett, and, The Overmountain Men and the Battle of King's Mountain.

John had the opportunity to cut many silhouettes of the children visiting the site, and the typical summer humidity of our state didn't mar the day. We came away with a renewed resolve to continue telling the stories of the fearless and courageous men and women who lived and fought in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War. We were glad to be part of this day of celebration at Musgrove Mill.

Martha Washington said, "I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself. For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstance but by our disposition."
 
That was good advice then, as well as now!

August 5 Book Launch for "Fearless Martha, A Daughter of the American Revolution"

On Friday, August 5, our friends and family joined us at 7:00 for the book launch of Fearless Martha, A Daughter of the American Revolution. Children and their grandparents kindly listened to my words of introduction to the biography on the life of Martha Bratton. I read the chapter, "Fearless Martha" and answered a few questions. Thank you for your love and support; John and I appreciate your allowing us to be part of your lives!

Our great niece was there that night and wrote me a letter after she finished reading Martha's story. I would like to share a paragraph with you.

A quote I admired from this book was said by Colonel Bratton on page 61. He said, "I reckon my son opened my eyes mighty quick then. I taught my son he must always stand tall, and he reminded me that I too must stand tall. We must stand tall, brothers! We must stand tall for our families and friends. We must stand tall against the British and the Tories!"

This quote taught me to stand tall for everyone, not just for myself, but for my family and friends. I hope someday I could be as fearless as Martha."

She certainly caught the importance of what we can learn from reading about the bravery and courage of the men and women who put their lives on the line for the freedom of our country. We need to keep sharing these stories with the next generation. As Dr. J. B. O. Landrum said in his book, Colonial and Revolutionary History of Upper South Carolina, "Let us preserve our memories, our traditions, and our history, not only for our own information and pride, but for the benefit of the generations that come after us."