NaNoWriMo Day 22

Over two years ago I began researching the Holmyard family from Elizabeth Town in Tasmania, a journey that has taken me to England, Ireland, Scotland and to the south, north and north west of Tasmania. I have followed troops to Gallipoli and France in First World War and Tobruk, Europe and New Guinea in the second. I have encountered the courageous and the cowardly, harridans and heroes and the ordinary folk who make the fabric of family. Twenty-two days I began transcribing my notes into something readable, giving myself the month of NaNoWriMo to complete the first draft. At times I doubted myself, but I never doubted the substance or integrity of the story and I'm excited to be just eight days away from my goal.

A taste of today

Examiner  Wednesday 10 March 1937

A PAGE FOR TASMANIAN COOKS

PRIZE AWARDED FOR A

DATE SANDWICH

CAKE RECIPE

This week the prize of 5/- has been awarded for Mildura date cake sandwich, the recipe for which was sent in by MRS. A. HOLMYARD, Church Street, DELORAINE.

WINNING RECIPE

Mildura Date Sandwich.

¼ lb. butter, 1 ¾ cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, ¼ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ½ nutmeg grated; all rubbed in flour till it resembles breadcrumbs; 1 cup brown sugar. 2 eggs (well beaten), and half cup sweet milk, 1 cup dates (cut fine). Add all to flour and beat for three minutes, bake for 18 to 24 minutes in sandwich tins in moderate oven.

Filling

One cup sliced dates, ¼ cup sugar, juice of half lemon and juice of one orange, 2 tablespoons hot water. Boil over gentle heat till thick; spread between cake when cold.

Icing

One dessert spoon butter, 1 dessert spoon boiling water, ¼ teaspoon vanilla, and enough rolled icing sugar to thicken enough to spread. Decorate top with dates and walnuts.