I thought she was a very friendly and nice lady for giving me money for my birthday, when I didn't even know her. I was turning 6 years old and this is my only memory of my Great Grandmother, Agnes Scott.
We had travelled to Adelaide for the Scott Family Reunion in 1973. Agnes Scott was 87 years old.
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| I am standing next to my Great Grandmother, Agnes Scott (seated). It was the first and only time that I met her but you can tell that I am comfortable with her. She must have given me the 20 cents before this photo was taken! |
After my Great Grandfather died in 1943 as a result of a hit and run accident, my Great Grandmother, Agnes Scott, operated a Tea House on Waterfall Gully Road, Burnside, South Australia.
The following is a page of biscuit recipes from her cook book.
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| Click to enlarge |
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| Waterfall Gully Road, Burnside Great Grandmother Agnes Scott operated a Tea House from her home |
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| source: www.google.com I believe that this is the same house in more recent times. |
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Hi. Love the biscuit recipes, especially the one with ginger and nuts. Not easy to convert but easy enough to adapt. I inherited an old lefse recipe from northern Norway (not w/potato, which was popular in south). These are recipes to treasure! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI still have scales that are in pounds and ounces as I have so many recipes passed down through the generations.
DeleteI am afraid that I am not sure what a lefse recipe is? Not a term that I have heard before.
That house sure looks like the same one. The trees have sure grown tall and the fence is a nice addition. But I'll bet her biscuits are near as good as your great grandmother's!
ReplyDeleteNancy
The house today looks gorgeous. I have written to the residents to see if I can obtain any further information about the house and the floor plan. I hope that they write back.
DeleteWhat a sweet story, and your picture as a child with your great grandmother is very precious.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather died in 1965. If he had been alive then it would have been four generations together.
DeleteBrief as it was that memory is something on which your research can build a story, and it looks like you have lots of sepian images to build that story. Thanks for sharing your memories and images.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that Agnes did not talk about her family or past. I have found through my research that she was brought up by her grandparents and had a half brother that none of her family can remember that she ever mentioned. A blog for another time.
DeleteIsn't it funny how msny of these old people had family secrets they didn't want to share. My mother was very close lipped about some things and on my husband's side there were a lot of things that were not talked about.
DeleteWhat a lovely story. I must look out for that house when I next go down to Burnside. My son was a chef at the Waterfall Gully restaurant - but I don't think they ever served biscuits like that.
ReplyDeleteWe shall have to get over for a visit. It looks like a lovely area.
DeleteMy wife has her mother's handwritten cook book just like the one you show. It's recipes have stood the test of time. We still have biscuits made to her instructions including oatmeal ones. Like your Great Grandmother's they are always appreciated by member of the local gym.
ReplyDeleteYou can't beat the old recipes. My favourite desserts are from the old family recipes.
DeleteHow sad to lose a husband in that tragic way. I'm glad she was able to make a go of her tea house. Her handwriting is beautiful and so easy to read. What a treasure that cookbook is, especially with your own memories of her.
ReplyDeleteIt seems that she had a tough life. She lost both her parents at a young age too.
DeleteThe writing is beautiful in the cookbook. I never heard of oat biscuits, but they sound good.
ReplyDeleteMy mother has made Anzac biscuits for years using a recipe from her mother. It is the same recipe as the above "Rolled Oat Biscuits" but uses golden syrup instead of treacle.
DeleteWhat a wonderfully evocative post, taking us from your early memories to that recipe book. I am feeling hungry just by reading those recipes now.
ReplyDeleteThank you Alan. I am very glad that I have that one memory.
DeleteHi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteHow awesome that you're recording your family history. I love your story - and how you told it - nice writing style.
Thank you for reading my about me, and for your understanding comment about the U. I appreciate you, and look forward to getting to know you better.
Tina @ Life is Good
Co-host, April 2013 A-Z Challenge Blog
@TinaLifeisGood, #atozchallenge
Thank you for dropping by Tina. I look forward to reading your A-Z posts
DeleteI have never heard of rolled oat biscuits either, but I imagine they'd be delicious along with tea.
ReplyDeleteI like how you put us right in the scene. You have made me remember similar moments of meeting some "ancient" person whose identity meant little to me at the time.
I can tell you totally relate Wendy. I wish I could send some oat biscuits to you as they are delicious!
DeleteOne brief memory and a photograph to record the occasion did put us right there. That cook book is a treasure! And so neat and clean. I bet she never used the recipes herself, but made them from memory.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kathy. Very astute of you. I also believe that the recipes were written out for another family member and have been sitting in a suitcase with family photos for years.
DeleteHow wonderful that you had a tea house in the family and I loved how you told the story of the nice old lady who gave you 20 cents (you must have been young!)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the Best Blogs voting :-)
Thank you Pauleen.
DeleteI never know why each time I find old recipe books in family papers I do not ditch them, but I have not the heart, they were such an important memo of the person's life. Yesterday my wife arrived home with a packet of Yorkshire Puddings to eat with our Easter roast. I protested...why do we spend good money when two eggs, 4oz of flour and a little milk will make a proper Yorkshire 100x better?? So I went to MY recipe books (not actually a hand written one) a 1936 Radiation Gas Oven book, and followed their recipe.....and the massive Yorkshire turned out just like Mum used to make and her mother before that !! It was voted best Yorkshire ever eaten by my family !! I also had to explain that when I was little we always had a large Yorkshire with a roast, and you were given a choice for your portion....eat with the meat and gravy....or keep in the oven and then have it with a spoon of Tate and lyle Golden Syrup for pud!
ReplyDeleteLol. When my husband buys biscuits, I always tell him that we can make better and less expensive biscuits!
DeleteI would like you to email me that recipe Nigel. I must admit that I have never had a Yorkshire Pudding!
I can't find an email button. Send me your email address to aspdin@gmail.com
DeleteIt is too bad that you didn't get to know her better; she seems like a really neat person. I'm glad that you have her recipe book. The family photo is priceless, it reminds me of The Brady Bunch.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, Sharon.
Kathy M.
I hadn't thought about the Brady Bunch but you are right. Don't you love the 70's fashion!
DeleteHandwritten recipes collected over years, beautifully neat hand writing, precious gift. Cute that you still remember the 20 cents.
ReplyDeleteI think it is wonderful that you can go past the house of your great grand mother where she lived and worked.I only knew on step grand mother she visited from another country and I don't remember that she took much notice of me.
Unfortunately, I haven't been past the house (I got the photo from google), it is in a different State. I will visit one day!
DeleteI'm catching up on blog reading on a train ride. Thanks for such A Lovely Story, Sharon.
ReplyDeleteAre you ever at home Jill?????? I want to be your assistant!
DeleteWhat a good idea to post a recipe. I think I may post one of my mother's favorites for coffee cake, even though I am now days late!
ReplyDeleteCoffee Cake - That sounds like something my husband would like. I look forward to reading it.
DeleteYes I would! I am a fan of well bread and rolls and biscuits you name it I like it, and have to limit my eating of it! Nice handwriting indeed, and great photos as well!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen. I think the old puddings and desserts are my favourites!
DeleteThe perfect spot for a Tea House! I hope there was enough passing traffic to provide an income.
ReplyDeleteI don't know. She seems to have been comfortable. A very good question. At some stage, I will obtain the Probate records.
DeleteSharon, I was fascinated by your blog, which I stumbled across while looking for some old photos of Waterfall Gully.........I actually live in this house. Would love to find out more about your great grandmother's time in Waterfall Gully. Regards. Dave
ReplyDelete