2005 - The Oxfordshire Hillbillies

On Sunday (Dec. 4), I was all set to make Moravian Spice Cookies (or at least the dough). I started measuring out the ingredients when I realized I didn't have enough ginger — the recipe calls for 1 tablespoon. So, even though I had vowed not to go out that day (because we've had such a busy week), Charlie and I got bundled up and ventured out to Waitrose for the ginger. I must've used it up making all those batches of Pumpkin Bread. Which reminds me, I thought I had only one loaf left, but I found the other four in another freezer drawer! Yummy!

Hedgehog Cookies are actually Choc-
Oat-Chip Cookies in a Mrs. Tiggy Winkle
cookie jar.

We get to Waitrose, and Charlie and I are looking at all the spices. He's excited to help and he's clutching a jar of nutmeg in one hand and a jar of ginger in the other. Then he says loudly in his Kentucky accent, "I need these to make Hedgehog Cookies!" (That's what I get for encouraging him to call them that!) Upon hearing this strange proclamation, a man shopping nearby, turned to look questioningly at us. Without skipping a beat, I said just as loudly and just as twangy, "And Granny's bringin' the Possum Soup!" I laughed all the way out the door!

When we got back home, I added the ginger to the dry ingredients. Then I measured out the brown sugar and added my one and only jar of mole-asses (more hillbilly food!), then added the shortening and butter that I had melted before we left for the store. As soon as I did it, I knew I'd messed up! I added 1 cup of each but it was supposed to be only 1/2 cup each! Ruined just like that. And I couldn't just double it because you can't get molasses easily over here (not to mention, it would yield about 1 million cookies). So, I covered and saved the dry ingredients, pitched out the mess in the mixing bowl, and gave up for the day. Sigh! I think it's time for a cup of tea and one of Charlie's Hedgehog Cookies (which are actually Choc-Oat-Chip Cookies!).