Say It With Flowers

A belated Valentine greeting from Carla Stewart! Hope that this month of sharing love has been good to you.

I couldn't resist using this popular florist's slogan as the title for this post. As if this is a modern idea. Flowers have been significant in their message since Biblical times. Jesus said, "Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin; and yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." Lilies mean beauty - glorious beauty. And as the white Madonna lily grew wild in northern Palestine, it's not by coincidence that its appearance each spring has become our traditional symbol of Easter. It's modern definition is majesty, a fitting image of the Resurrection. 

Lilies - photo courtesy of Wiki Commons

The Christmas season brings a preponderance of poinsettias. Their meaning? Be of good cheer. When I read this, I though of the angels appearing to the shepherds more than two thousand years ago with their greeting: "Behold, I bring good tidings of great joy. For unto you is born..." I'm not sure if angels carried poinsettias, but I love that today, we can still be of good cheer as we celebrate the birth of Christ.

My poinsettia this past Christmas

 

 And of course, roses are the symbol of love. Jesus was called the Rose of Sharon, symbolic of his message of love. And each color of rose has its own meaning. White: innocence. Pink: grace. Yellow: friendship or infidelity (according to which reference you use). Coral: desire. Red: love. Dark Red or Crimson: mourning. Red and white together: Unity.

Red Rose says true love 

No era was more attuned to the language of flowers than those who lived in England during Queen Victoria's rein (1837 to 1901). It was as important to people as being "well dressed." Flowers adorned almost everything - hair, clothing, jewelry, gowns, men's lapels, home decorations, including china, and stationery. The scent of a particular flower or a scented handkerchief sent it own unique message. 

Flowers played a prominent role in courtship as well. A young man could either please or displease a lady with his gift of flowers, not only the type of flowers, but also the size of the bouquet or what was in the grouping. In this chaste age, flowers could convey meanings that weren't proper to be spoken. Even the hand with which the flowers were presented had a meaning. Offering a flower with the right hand meant "yes" - the left hand "no."

With such emphasis on flowers and their meanings, dictionaries were written to explain it all, and they were particularly used by lovers. A quandary could develop if the two lovers consulted different dictionaries that might have different connotations which could give rise to the potential for a major misunderstanding! Getting accurate information could make or break a relationship.

Bouquets, also called tussie-mussies, were quite popular in the Victorian era. The small bunch of flowers were wrapped in a lace doily and tied with ribbon. Sometimes they were presented in a decorative cone. To the Victorians, the contents of a tussie-mussie could be very telling. An arrangement with forget-me-nots, for example, suggested true love, while yellow roses symbolized friendship. Lilies stood for purity, snowdrops for hope, and yew for sorrow. Lemon balm and red poppies symbolized empathy and consolation, while ivy, lavender, and myrtle stood for loyalty and devotion.  

The nose-gay bouquet, aka Tussie-Mussie - Photo courtesy of Wiki Commons

Tussie-mussies (also known as nosegays) weren't just for males to present. Women often exchanged such bouquets with their friends and loved ones, and the tradition of carrying a tussie-mussie at a wedding arose in the 1800s. Brides usually carried the ornamental bouquet in a silver or enameled cone. Antique cones sometimes sell for high sums in stores, and modern versions can also be found in home design stores, especially those which stock Victoriana.

Even today, the gift of flowers can convey a sentiment that might be hard to express. We send bouquets to the bereaved and husbands still send the message of love with long-stemmed red roses. But why not also send a cheery vase of posies that says "Congratulations!" or "I want to be your friend" or "You are special." And flowers make wonderful thank-you gifts. So the next time you want to make someone's day memorable, why not "Say it with flowers!" 

A bouquet of fresh daisies (innocence)

 Here are a couple of resources that give the meanings of flowers:
Language of Flowers
Vanessa Diffenbaugh's Flower Dictionary. In her lovely book The Language of Flowers, she ran into the same issues with different meanings as the Victorian times people did. In this dictionary, her goal was to create a usable, relevant dictionary for modern readers.

What is your favorite flower? Does it have a story behind it. I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Carla Stewart is the award-winning author of five novels. With a passion for times gone by, it is her desire to take readers back to that warm, familiar place in their hearts called “home.” Her newest release is The Hatmaker's Heart. In New York City’s Jazz Age, a naïve, but talented young hat designer must weigh the cost of success when the rekindled love with her childhood sweetheart is lost and her integrity in the cutthroat fashion world is tested.

Learn more about Carla at www.carlastewart.com 

Madeleine Cakes a la French Style

New Year's Greetings from Carla Stewart

A number of years ago, I found a recipe in Country Living Magazine for heart-shaped chocolate Madeleine cakes. It was a Valentine edition with a shopper's guide to purchase the special cast-iron mold. 

Cast Iron Heart Mold

I've long since lost the recipe although I've kept the mold and have used it periodically for brownies and cupcakes when I want the fun flair of a heart-shaped dessert. Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I thought I'd share the history of Madeleines (the original version) and a chocolate version.

Madeleine is a French form of Magdalen (Mary Magdalen, a disciple of Jesus, is mentioned in all four gospels. 

There are several versions on the origin of Madeleine cakes, but the two most popular ones hail from the 18th century and the little French town of Commercy, of the Lorraine region. 

One: Nuns in France during the 18th century frequently supported themselves (and their schools) by making and selling a particular sweet. Commercy was home to a convent dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen, but during the French Revolution, all the convents and monasteries of France were abolished, and legend has it that the nuns sold their recipe for Madeleine Cakes for a large sum of money to bakers there when their convent closed.  

Version Two: A young servant girl named Madeleine in Commercy, France, made them for Stanislas Leszcaynska, the deposed king of Poland, when he was exiled to Lorraine. He gave the delicate cakes the name Madeleines. His daughter Marie, who was married to Louis XV (1710-1774), was quite fond of them. They became wildly popular in Versailles, where they are still made today. 

So what are Madeleine cakes? 

Madeleine Cakes

They are small delicate sponge cakes with a distinctive shell-like shape derived from the special pans they are baked in. Aside from the special pan, no other special tools or ingredients are needed. 

The traditional recipe is made with vanilla or a lemon zest. I've included instructions for both the traditional and chocolate versions. 

Mold for Madeleines

  
Traditional Madeleine Cakes:

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (optional)
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar 

Preparation: Cream the butter and granulated sugar on high until it is light and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and orange zest to the butter. Turn the mixer to low speed and add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula as needed. 

Beat the mixture on medium-high for about 3 to 4 minutes, until the mixture has lightened in color and is very fluffy. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour and baking powder. Very gently fold the flour and baking powder into the egg mixture. Once the batter is smooth, cover it and transfer it to the refrigerator for 2 hours. 

Preheat the oven to 375F. Generously grease 2 standard Madeleine pans and spoon the cold batter into the molds. Bake them for 10 to 13 minutes, until they are puffed and turn golden brown. Invert the pans onto wire racks and give them a hard tap to remove the cookies from the molds. Serve them warm dusted with a bit of confectioners’ sugar for the best flavor. 

This recipe makes 12.

Chocolate Madeleines (from Epicurious) 

Ingredients: 

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
• Pinch Salt
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 12 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• Butter for buttering the pans

Preparation:

1. Sift together the flour, cocoa and the salt.
2. Place the eggs and the sugar in a large bowl or the bowl of an electric mixer and whisk until thick and lemon-colored. Fold in the flour, then melted butter.
3. Butter the Madeleine pans generously, then spoon in the batter, filling each about three fourths full. Refrigerate the filled Madeleine pans and the remaining batter for one hour.
4. Heat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
5. Bake the Madeleines just until they are firm and puffed, about 7 minutes. Turn them immediately from the molds, wipe out the molds, let cool and continue baking the Madeleines until all of the batter is used. The Madeleines are best when eaten slightly warm or at room temperature the same day they are made. 

Makes 36 Madeleines (NOTE: My larger heart-shaped molds made 18 cakes)

Chocolate Madeleines dusted with confectioner's sugar

Secrets to making the perfect Madeleine:  

• Make the dough up to three days in advance and chill it in the refrigerator.
• Heavily butter the molds and chill them so the butter hardens before the molds are filled with batter.
• Refrigerate the filled molds before baking.
• Make sure the oven is fully hot before baking the Madeleines.
• Bake for no longer than 7 minutes — the Madeleines should not quite spring back when you touch them. This ensures a moist result.

Wouldn't these be the perfect ending to your Valentine dinner? 

Are there foods you make that have an ethnic origin or story behind them? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below. Yummmm! 

Carla Stewart is the award-winning author of five novels. With a passion for times gone by, it is her desire to take readers back to that warm, familiar place in their hearts called “home.” Her newest release is The Hatmaker's Heart. In New York City’s Jazz Age, a naïve, but talented young hat designer must weigh the cost of success when the rekindled love with her childhood sweetheart is lost and her integrity in the cutthroat fashion world is tested.

Learn more about Carla at www.carlastewart.com 

FASHIONS DURING THE ROARING 1920s!

Anne Greene here:

 

In December I discussed Christmas During the Roaring 1920s. In January I discussed the Flapper In The Jazz Age. This month for  Valentine's Day, I’m homing in on Fashions During The Roaring 1920s. In March, I’ll discuss Accessories and Hairstyles During the Roaring 1920s.

 

When we think of the 1920s we tend to think of ancient history. But events that occurred after World War I still affect our lives today.

 

FASHION CHANGED AFTER WORLD WAR I. Social customs and morals relaxed in the optimism brought on by the end of the war and the booming stock market. Women entered the workforce. People ignored the prohibition on alcohol. A revolution occurred in almost every sphere of human activity. As women earned the right to vote, fashion trends became more practical. Flappers discarded the constrictive corset, an essential undergarment to make the waist thinner.

 

Undergarments transformed to conform to the ideals of a flatter chest and more boyish figure. The chemise or camisole and bloomers replaced the confining corset. Soon those shortened to panties or knickers. All-in-one lingerie grew popular.

 

The development of new fabrics and new closures in clothing affected fashion. Natural fabrics such as cotton and wool were abundant. Silk was highly desired for its luxurious qualities, but the limited supply made it expensive. Artificial silk patented in the United States became known as rayon. Rayon stockings grew popular as a substitute for silk stockings. Rayon was also used in undergarments. Before the 1920s buttons and lacing fastened clothes. Now metal hooks and eyes, zippers and snaps developed to make dressing easier and faster.

 

Improved production methods enabled manufacturers to produce clothing working families could afford. People’s fashion sense grew more sophisticated. Working-class women looked for modern dresses to transition from farm work to urban careers. Women adopted a modern look that suited their new careers as typists and telephone operators.

                                                     

 

For the first time in centuries, women's legs were seen with hemlines rising to the knee. A more masculine look became popular, including flattened breasts and hips, and short hairstyles such as the bob cut and the Marcel wave.

 

But the 1920s also loved luxury. High end designers favored expensive fabrics like silk, velvet and satin, while department stores carried less expensive variations on those designs made of new synthetic fabrics. The use of mannequins grew widespread and showed shoppers how to accessorize the new fashions. The modern fashion cycle, established in the 1920s, still dominates the industry today.

 

Clothing fashions changed with women's changing roles. Although society matrons of a certain age continued to wear conservative dresses, sportswear worn by younger women became the greatest change in post-war fashion. The tubular dresses of the teens evolved into a similar silhouette that sported shorter skirts with pleats, gathers, or slits to allow motion. The most memorable fashion trend of the Roaring '20s was the flapper look which was functional and flattened the bust line rather than accentuating it.

 

The straight-line chemise topped by the close-fitting cloche hat was the uniform of the day. Women bobbed their hair short to fit under the popular hats, a radical move in the beginning, but standard by the end of the decade. Low-waisted dresses with fullness at the hemline allowed women to literally kick up their heels in new dances like the Charleston. In 1925, shift dress with no waistline, and a hem approximately one inch below the knee emerged.

 

Proper attire for women was still enforced for morning, afternoon, and evening activities. In the early part of the decade, wealthy women still expected to change from a morning to an afternoon dress. Afternoon gowns featured long, flowing sleeves, with sashes, bows, or artificial flowers at the waist. Evening gowns, slightly longer than afternoon gowns, featured satin or velvet, and were embellished with beads, rhinestones, or fringe.

 

Clothing styles consisted of more than just the cloche and flapper. Casual clothing was introduced to the public. Women began to wear pants. Certain styles of women’s shoes were unique to this decade. Some of the breakout shoe styles included the ankle strap button shoe, the t-bar shoe, and shoes trimmed with sequins or other materials.

Men began to abandon formal wear when more and more men opted for suits with long suit jackets for special events and shorter suit jackets for casual occasions.
 

All in all the decade brought in practicality and fun. The US was young, lively, and full of expectations. Nothing was impossible.
 

Would you have enjoyed living during the 1920s? Leave a comment for a chance to win Anne’s newest book release, Marriage By Arrangement. This makes a lovely Valentine's Day gift for a loved one.

                                                        

ANNE GREENE delights in writing about wounded heroes and gutsy heroines.  

Her second novel, a Scottish historical, Masquerade Marriage, won the New England Reader Choice award, the Laurel Wreath Award, and the Heart of Excellence Award. The sequel Marriage By Arrangement released November, 2013.  A Texas Christmas Mystery also won awards. She makes her home in McKinney, Texas. Tim LaHaye led her to the Lord when she was twenty-one and Chuck Swindoll is her Pastor. View Anne’s travel pictures and art work at http://www.AnneGreeneAuthor.com. Anne’s highest hope is that her stories transport the reader to an awesome new world and touch hearts to seek a deeper spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus. Buy Anne’s books at http://www.PelicanBookGroup.com. Or at http://www.Amazon.com. Visit http://www.anneswritingupdates.blogspot.com for information on writing an award-winning novel. Talk with Anne on twitter at @TheAnneGreene. Visit Anne’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/AnneWGreeneAuthor.