I adore good illustrations.
My bookshelves are filled with books featuring the exquisite renderings of artists old and young, dead and alive, Russian and British. I love them all.
As a wee lass, my favorite illustrated books were from the brilliant Brambly Hedge series by Jill Barklem. I would curl up in a cozy nook holding the books close to my face so I could take in every detail of the amazing world she created. From the lush hangings on a canopied bed and adorable mice to the intricate workings of the Store Stump and finely wrought berry bushes, I was mesmerized.
I’m still in awe of her work. The attention she pays to every swoosh of fabric, fold of petal, and groove of woodwork is truly magnificent.
I could never hope to match her prowess in this area, but in homage to the years of inspiration and delight she’s given me, I thought I’d illustrate this blog post with my own humble doodles.
Throughout her books, Barklem highlights simple events in the lives of her mice: a winter ball, a young girl getting lost, a wedding. In each one she features the old-fashioned foods they loved. Everything was made from scratch using the ingredients found in the woods, meadows and fields where they lived: Chestnuts, berries, dandelions.
They roasted apples over open flame, baked lavish cakes, and brewed their own flower wine. I was enchanted by all of it, but especially by something called syllabubs. It was a strange and wonderful word to this Canadian girl, but I had absolutely no idea what it was. A cheese? Soup? Some sort of drink?
Finally last week I researched it and found it was none of the above. It is, in fact, a lovely, airy concoction of cream, some sort of alcohol, and sugar. I was surprised and delighted and last night I made my very first syllabubs.
I whipped heavy cream and agave syrup until soft peaks formed.
Zested and juiced a lemon,
measured out white wine,
and blended them into the cream, whipping it again until soft peaks returned.
Topped with a sprig of fresh mint it was a lusciously light and perky dessert, a splendid follow-up to a dinner of Lime-Walnut Crusted Flounder and Irish Mashed Potatoes.
Next time I want to make a posset. 🙂
Did any of you read Brambly Hedge? Is there a dish you were intrigued by as a child?
Lemony Syllabub
Ingredients:
1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
2-3 Tbsp agave syrup
1/4 cup chardonnay or similar white wine
Juice of one lemon
zest of one lemon
Fresh mint leaves to garnish
Directions:
- Whip cream and agave until soft peaks form.
- Add wine, lemon juice and zest and beat until soft peaks form again.
- Spoon into glasses or small dishes, garnish with mint leaves and chill until ready to serve.
What about a grump? Or a slump? Love all of these names! The best though are the French Pets de Nonne – Nun’s Farts. Ah yes. And this syllabub looks scrumptious and a cool summer dessert. And I LOVE your drawings! Keep going, sister!
Ohhh, those are fabulous, Jamie!! You made me grin so big this morning. 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement about my drawings. 🙂 I WILL keep going!
What a charming post and lovely way to produce a syllabub. Your illustrations are delightful. Have you changed your blog layout? It looks very bright and inviting. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
I always enjoy coming over to your home each morning. It puts a smile on my face and this morning is no exception. I love your whimsical drawings and a reminder of our childhood and the Autumn Story,
Ease your whiskers, rest your paws,
Pies and Puddings fill the stores.
Sweetly dream the night away,
Till sunshine brings another day.
😀 Val
They are beautifully illustrated Krista, I like them too. Syllabub looks refreshing!
Oh my goodness! Brambly Hedge was my absolute favourite book as a child! And I still have it (well, my mum is looking after it for me).
I loved the pictures, so many details so that you could re-read it a thousand times and still pick up on new things.
Good memories, thanks for your post.
Adore the illustrations! Especially the cake 🙂
So happy you like my wed. flower posts..thanks for following..have a great day 🙂
I’m so glad you like them, Mary! 🙂 Yes! I changed my blog recently and I’m figuring everything out but love it!! 🙂
Oh Val, I LOVE that you posted the poem!!! You are such a dear kindred spirit. 🙂
Thank you so much, Elra! 🙂 Yes, the syllabub is so refreshing and light. 🙂
Ohhh, that’s so great, Lauren! 🙂 I wasn’t sure if anyone would identify with my love for this series and I’m so glad it delighted you too. 🙂
Thank you SO much, Tangerine! You are such a wonderfully creative soul that it makes me happy that you like my little drawings. 🙂
What a sweet post. And I just love “wee lass.” 🙂
Aww, thanks, Susan. 🙂
Hello, Ms. K! Holy WOW — I love that you love Brambly Hedge! I have ALL the books. They’ve been family favourites forever! The kids and I would get completely lost in the intricacy of the Store Stump illustrations. And even as a grown up, I’d fantasize about inhabiting that world. You’ve inspired me to track down my box of favourites, still packed from the move, and have a look for old time’s sake.
The pictures were always my favorite part of Brambly Hedge right along with the food desciptions! I hope to own my own set someday, =) Lovely post!
Oh Jacqueline – how you make me grin! 🙂 That’s so amazing that you have and love those books too!!! 🙂 Girl, we are true kindred spirits. 🙂
Ohhh, that’s great, Breanne! I hope you get your own set too. 🙂
Oh my goodness, we LOVED the Brambly Hedge books! I was a little too old for them, technically speaking, when we discovered them, but I still pored over those gorgeous, detailed illustrations. This is the second time this year that someone has mentioned those books on a blog. Makes me happy. 😉