Because of the Platinum Jubilee celebrating Queen Elizabeth's 70-year reign, I wanted to make a dessert that gave a nod in that direction. I ended up making something very simple, but quite delicious - a Chocolate Biscuit Cake. It's said to be one of the Queen's favourites.
Julia Child said, "The dinner hour is a sacred, happy time when everybody should be together and relaxed." This was certainly the case on Saturday night. Laughter, good conversation, delicious food and drink, all combined for a most convivial evening.
On Sunday afternoon the family met to celebrate two birthdays. Sadie is now 10 and Iris is three. The two of them are so lovely together. In the above photo, Sadie is explaining about the card she made for Iris.
This poor-quality photo captures the delight of the two little girls wearing their tutus and fairy wings. Iris is using a water gun (a gift from cousins) while she runs. Their exuberance made everyone laugh.
There's a party beginning in the garden, too. While I've been watching the buds on the Boscobel and Gertrude Jekyll roses, Winchester Cathedral surged ahead and provided the first bloom. She's a beauty, but a bit fragile so I baby her a little more.
Here's another view of Winchester Cathedral this morning. We have bright blue skies that are so welcome. Clouds, cooler temperatures, and more rain than normal are forecast for the remainder of June, so we'll enjoy every bit of sunshine we can!
Are there any parties happening inside or outside at your place? Do share.
We don’t have any parties as the covid is coming back again and we will have to wear mask again.
ReplyDeleteThe girls are cute with what you sewed for them.
I have watched the queen ‘s jubilee in London.
Your cake looks very good!
Happy Birthdays! They look very happy.
ReplyDeleteThe Winchester Cathedral rose is stunning.
Windy day here. No celebrations until the 4th of July.
Happy Birthday to the two charming girls!
ReplyDeleteAll so luverly!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOff shortly to the airport for the trip home - a little nervous due to the CDC rules for the journey back - just don't want to be stuck over there in quarantine!
The 'littles' are gorgeous and loving their tutus I'm sure.
Take care dear Lorrie. Hi to Tim.
Mary & Bob xx
Such happiness.
ReplyDeleteJoy
Your dinner with friends sounds like a very nice way to entertain. What a great idea to make one of the Queen's favorites for the occasion. It looks pretty and yummy.
ReplyDeleteHow fun it must be to see your granddaughters interact with one another.
As for parties here, we were invited next door on Sunday for a neighbor get together. Unfortunately Brett came down with Covid that very day. Our grandson's birthday is Friday which was supposed to be the next party. That too has been cancelled. Hard to believe we are still dealing with this.
Your roses are gorgeous.
Chocolate biscuit cake has long been a family favourite, it is delcious especially if you dont think about the calories!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful roses.
I've always wanted to try the Chocolate Biscuit Cake. A local tea company actually created a special Platinum Jubilee blend, Royal Chocolate Biscuit Cake black tea. I know you're shocked that I didn't buy it (trying to be good. LOL).
ReplyDeleteHappy Belated Birthday to your granddaughters. How is Iris 3 already?!?
I haven't entertained anyone but our kids. We just don't have any friends here. I guess we are happy hermits.
ReplyDeleteSweet Glee! Dinner with friends is wonderful and I like the idea of splitting up the courses. I'm heading to Southern California so there will be lots of gatherings. Nothing on schedule for our country bungalow yet.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to make the Chocolate Biscuit Cake. I have read that the Queen likes to take one when travelling, which sounds sensible to me. It looks absolutely scrumptious. It must be a treat to have several granddaughters, and they are adorable in their fairy wings and tutus. Having just acquired a tiny little granddaughter for the first time, I look forward to such fun in the future. I have never heard of the Winchester Cathedral rose, as far as I recall, but it is really pretty and delicate. We did go to Winchester and visit the Cathedral once - I wonder if the rose was there??
ReplyDeleteThis past weekend we gathered with family and good food to lay Tim's mom's remains to rest next to his dad. The entire weekend was spent with his siblings and it was good. I know you understand how rare it is for us to all be together, as Tim's brother and sister in law are missionaries. The weekend was a gift.
ReplyDeleteYour grands faces say it all! Perfect gift!
A lovely post. Grandchildren are the joy of life. I never realized how much fun they would be. Mine are now all teenagers except for Lily is 9 or 10--I've lost track. I have to admire your David Austins, too. Gertrude is the only one of five that I planted a few years back. I loved the creamy white of Winchester Cathedral. It's on the north side of the house and I waiting to see if blooms this year or has returned to its wild roots. Your desert looks decently delicious and I'm sure that your guests' enjoyed every bite.
ReplyDeleteNo parties here right now but I loved seeing yours. Dessert looks wonderful The Queen obviously has excellent taste and I hope her personal baker is as good as you are! .... Your grand-girls are so sweet together -- and both are at special ages (numbers that bring memories of that year from several generations in my case!). ... I'm happy you got some blue skies and sunshine. I'm hoping to see beautiful roses when we get home to Oregon.
ReplyDeleteHello, Lorrie. Your dessert looks scrumptious. It looks worthy to be served to the Queen.
ReplyDeleteYour little ones are so sweet and it looks as though a good time was had by all. Oh, how I envy your gorgeous white rose. It is truly a beauty. We have trouble with white flowers here due to the humidity. They will often mildew.
Wishing you a lovely week!
Such a lovely post, the girls look so happy.
ReplyDeleteWe had some enjoyable celebrations for The Queens Platinum Jubilee over the weekend.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
All the best Jan
PS Beautiful roses.
Happy birthday to the girls and thank you for the beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteWe're celebrating a friend's birthday tomorrow, first we're out and about in an old part of town with a guided tour and then there's a garden party... and everyone brings something homemade... I... wholemeal rye bread and tomato butter :-)))
Your roses are gorgeous. Hug Viola
We have had quite a few family gatherings lately, including our annual "Grand Summer Sleepover" and some grands staying overnight while the rest of their family traveled to activities. Coming up: a summer party for our ESL students, an ice cream party for Ron's siblings and spouses, and a Father's Day gathering. Summer is a busy time!
ReplyDeleteI love both of the photos with your granddaughters! You captures such special moments in those!
Thanks for the welcome home. I enjoyed watching the pageantry on TV. I had friends who actually went back in the 80s. Your dinner with friends sounded like great fun. We are going to get together with a couple soon. We plan to take them out to dinner as a thank you for watching our mail while we were away. - Margy
ReplyDeleteHappy fun on Jubilee Weekend...
ReplyDeleteGentle hugs
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Lorrie - we are hosting a dinner party next weekend, and it is all new neighbors. We have "met" them passing on the street, but we are looking forward to getting to know them properly. Your rose is elegant - how I wish I could sink my nose into it! Love the pic of the kids - a great reminder to keep joy in our life always!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun birthday celebrations for those two cutie pies, Lorrie! Your biscuit looked so tasty.
ReplyDeleteI just love how older cousins show such patience and care for their younger ones and how the younger ones look up to the older ones! Precious.
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