This recipe for Cucumber Tea Sandwiches did not come from this book–I had found it in Better Homes & Gardens Magazine last year and wanted to try it. However, there is a Tea Shop in Mitford…

Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon

“This Mitford story presented itself to me, quite unexpectedly, and asked to be told. I hope readers will find it a consoling refuge from the holiday frenzy.–Jan Karon

The Book

I have read several of Jan Karon’s books in the Mitford Series--a collection of books about a small town Episcopal Priest in the fictional town of Mitford. There is just something about small town fiction that really reaches my soul. Maybe I want that same experience in my little town–“where everybody knows your name.” Did any Cheers fans just sing that?

And even though this story is taking place around the holidays, why not share it in April, right?

Full disclosure: since the libary is closed I resorted to finding a book that I had already read and was still on a bookshelf somewhere in my house. It’s still COVID19 season around here, so you have to be creative. Not going to give a long description of the book because I am still trying to finish it, amid the adventures of a 2 1/2 year-old granddaughter and a 15 month-old grandson who are constantly amusing me. Not to mention helping one potty train and changing stinky boy diapers, but totally enjoying that little family that is living with us right now.

Also a partial kitchen remodel–as we speak there is white subway tile backsplash being installed and it looks ah-mazing already, and the grout isn’t even on. Other than a few touch-ups at the toe moulding from changing out flooring, the project will be done when the backsplash is complete. So excited for a brighter, more current look in my kitchen. More fun to cook in! And gather in.

But I digress. It’s Fall in Mitford and Father Tim is embarking on a new adventure in preparation for Christmas–restoring an old Creche that is reminiscent of his boyhood days. Lots of memories tied up with the one that was destroyed in a flooded basement some time back.

That’s just one of the stories, and if you’re a Mitford fan you know all about the town and the people and all the drama and sweetness of it all.

And the Tea Shop? Well, Father Tim and his breakfast buddies normally meet up at the local diner, but Percy’s wife warned the waitress not to serve him his usual grits, eggs, bacon and biscuit, because of his health. And that waitress isn’t giving an inch so Percy says he’s taking his business elsewhere. But a Tea Shop? Really? But the boys try it out to support their buddy. Read it to find out how that worked out–pink curtains and all.

What I like most about these Mitford stories is that they are so clean and they teach good principles. Amazing how someone can still write good stories without a zombie apocalypse in sight.

Cucumber Tea Sandwiches

Like I mentioned before, this is a recipe I cut out of a magazine and wanted to try because, well, cucumbers. And fresh basil. For a little different taste, you could try a Mediterranean blend of seasoning.

The original recipe used a whole piece of bread for each sandwich, but when I think of tea sandwiches, I think small.

Note: I used this Peppercorn Seasoning. It’s great tasting and you don’t need to deal with grinding your whole peppercorns.