Author: Breeze Richardson

In December we saw our largest crowd yet, with Tiegan, Riona and Gus being joined by Iggy, Jackson, Adrian, and his friend Owen. Perhaps it was in great anticipation of Contessa’s lesson: we were headed into the kitchen to make teacakes!

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Watch the photo slideshow to see the children in action as they worked together to bake these treats. Throughout the experience we talked about baking, the necessary ingredients, measurements and favorite things.

When I asked Contessa afterwards what she might have to share about the experience, she wrote: “I loved being with the children and felt so warm and happy inside as they seemed to be loving my being with them too. I glowed as they followed me upstairs for the end of Worship and were gathered around me near the fireplace. I can’t remember being happier in my life!”

As the “Meeting Meeting Friends” series continues, I do feel its beginning to start something special. Bruce (who was our guest in November) joined us as a helping Friend for the December lesson and the children were noticeably familiar with him. I liked it. I do think this experiment in deepening community is working. (And so to Friends of 57th Street Meeting: I am looking for Spring guests, so please get in touch if you are interested in getting to know the Meeting children a bit better!)

Lastly, …drumroll, please… here is the recipe we used for Old Fashioned Teacakes. If you’re led, be with us in spirit and bake up a batch – preferably with a good friend!

3 cups of white flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 1/2 cup of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
4 sticks of butter (softened)
1 egg
1/2 cup of buttermilk
~ ~ ~ ~

Cream together softened butter, powdered sugar, egg, buttermilk, and vanilla.
Sift together flour, soda, salt, and nutmeg.

Roll dough out on a floured board; with a teaspoon scoop up a bit of dough and roll into a ball; place onto cookie sheet about an inch or so apart.  You probably will need to keep the palms of your hands well floured.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes until lightly brown.  Let cool before removing.

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Happy holidays.

“Meeting 57th Street Friends” is a special project at 57th Street Meeting (Chicago) that took place Oct 2010 – March 2011 where non-parent adult Friends visit with the Meeting children each month to share their reflections on Quaker life & identity today by exploring something they hold dear. A childhood memory, a story, a life lesson or a life passion – by sharing our experiences across the generations we are living in community.  Learning from each other about our lives is a way to move towards better understanding and our testimony to peace.