Skip to main content

Featured

Southeast Portland Mini-Tour

A recent HPSO Mini-Tour included four gardens in the Southeast Portland area.  First, Christine Weaver's garden with winding pathways was full of perennials, vines, carnivorous plants and cacti - Next up is Jeanne DeBenedetti Keyes' naturalistic, waterwise garden with a collection of native plants. The back garden is a lush, Chinese-influenced, walled garden - The third garden was Renee Moog's enchanting and whimsical 1/3 acre garden with beautiful plantings enhanced with garden art, including glass bottle walls and floors, and a fantastic water feature - And finally, the Happy Valley garden of Jennifer Buss emphasizes four-season interest, low-maintenance plantings, and some bonsai specimens (unfortunately my phone battery was depleted and I didn't get many photos) -  (Visited August 17, 2025) Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Mexican Wedding Cookies


Slowly getting back in the kitchen and decided to go the easy route for a quick recipe. Michael loves these. Some call it "Mexican Cake" or "Tea Cookies". They have a shortbread type texture and very addictive. The recipe comes from an old Home Economics Teacher's cookbook that both our mothers used.  

Mexican Wedding Cookies
(adapted from "Favorite Recipes of Alabama Vocational Home Economics Teachers") 
(Makes about 3 dozen)

1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cream butter and sugar.
Add flour gradually, mixing well.
Add the nuts and vanilla.
Shape the dough into small balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 15-18 minutes at 350.
Roll the cookies in powdered sugar before they cool.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. Something sweet right now would taste good.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ugh - makes me wish I was not currently without an oven.

    ReplyDelete
  3. How many does it make? I might have to double the recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  4. If I ever come see you in the Pacific NW, will you make some for me? Wedding cookies have always been one of my favorites. Thanks for the recipe!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment