Friday, January 25, 2013

Winter/Holiday tradition

As this is the only sketch I finished for the scavenger hunt I thought I'd post it.
A winter/holiday tradition in our family is mince pies. No, not those overly rich thick wedges of a 9" American pie. These are British mince pies,shallow, 2" in diameter tarts. These are mandatory at a British Christmas.
I learned to make them from my Mum. She came to the U.S.in 1948 to marry a handsome Yank, my Dad. Unable to find the special pans and cutters, her sister sent them over. They became a fav of my Dad's.Even people who don't like mincemeat like them.I have carried on the tradition as my family loves them,too. The secret is flaky pastry and about a tablespoon of Robertson's mincemeat.
My Mum and Dad are no longer with us but every year I shed a few tears as I bake these thinking of them. These are the original pans and cutters sent so many years ago. They still bake up a mean tart!

5 comments:

  1. Linda, this is a beautiful painting! I love the little inset of the finished tarts. The story is just wonderful, too! Well done!

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  2. What a great painting. I love the inset and all the detail especially on the cutters.

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  3. Your composition is wonderful and as always the color just makes everything pop...! Your story brought a tear to my eye too. It is wonderful how food and the making of it together has such a resonance for us all. I think we all have those food memories and it pays such homage to our departed ones when we engage in the making of them too.

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  4. Thanks for your kind comments,Deb.
    They say the sense of smell triggers more memories than anything.
    That must be why food memories are so strong with many of us.

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