Vanessa Kimbell’s post suggesting we take part in random acts (bakes) of kindness was compelling. She suggested we think about who deserved a spontaneous thank you, a kind word or some recognition…and that we bake an extra batch of something just for them.
I love a bit of random kindness. My mum always taught me never to arrive at someones house empty-handed and always to consider what other people would appreciate.
She also taught me how to make jam tarts.
My Mum is sadly now stricken with Alzheimer’s disease and is unable to speak or move, let alone make or give gifts. Mum was always so full of life and was always involved in different clubs and organisations and was game for anything. Now she lives in a dementia unit and is looked after full-time by a lovely team of carers.
Today I dropped them off a batch of tarts as a little thank you for looking after my Mum
Let me know if you pass it on and take part in your own random bake of kindness and take a look at some of the other lovely stories that were triggered by Vanessa’s post: here.
Tart Pastry – this makes 24+ tarts (or Mince Pies)
- 150g Plain Flour
- 100g SR Flour – you can use all Plain Flour
- 50g Icing Sugar
- 175g Fat – Mainly butter but with a little lard to shorten it
- 1 egg whisked with a dash of milk (you may not need all of it)
- Mix the flours and icing sugar then lightly rub in the butter and lard.
- Add most of the milk/egg mixture and stir with a knife until it starts to come together.
- Pull the dough into a ball and wrap in clingfilm and refrigerate for 30 minutes or so.
- Roll out so it’s slightly thicker than a pound coin.
- Cut and place pastry circles in a non-stick bun tin.
- Add a teaspoonful of jam or mincemeat, don’t overfill as the jam bubbles up.
- If you have left over pastry add shapes on top.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes at 190-200 degrees.
- Allow to cool for 2 minutes then lift them out with a butter knife and cool on a rack.
Things we make 
Grandma Wendy
September 7, 2011
Claire, that is such a lovely thing to do. Well done.
thingswemake.co.uk
September 7, 2011
Thank you! You never know, there may be tarts, or something, available on Sunday 🙂
deb
September 7, 2011
lovely post :o) x
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
September 7, 2011
Sorry to hear about your mom. The tarts, like everything you make, look extraordinary.
thingswemake.co.uk
September 7, 2011
Thanks Greg.
Mt Gravatt Environment Group
September 7, 2011
Thank you for this post.
I immediately started thinking about our neighbours who randomly give us a jar of homemade jam or a loaf of fresh homebaked bread or mow their older neighbour’s lawn … I am still thinking of more as I write this … I will have to spend half the morning forwarding your post to people and accknowledging their generosity to myself or others.
Your random bake of kindness is infectous … much better than streading the flu.
Michael Fox
thingswemake.co.uk
September 7, 2011
Lovely comment, thanks! Let me know if you pass on the baking kindness.
Vanessa Kimbell
September 7, 2011
Oh such a post. It is sad and sweet, kind and real all together.
What a lovely photo. I think that says it all.
Thank you.
Vanessa
x
Lou
September 8, 2011
Aw beautiful post. My Mum has spent her life looking after elderly people and those with Alzheimer’s and she does it with so much caring. I should really bake something for my Mum. Thanks for inspiring me.
nicola
September 8, 2011
So sorry to hear about your mum. Your post brought a tear to my eye. That was such a lovely thing to do. I made melting moments for my RBOK 🙂
Sally
September 9, 2011
We’re going through the pain of dealing with Alzheimers in our family at the moment. Thanks for this prompt to think generously.
louise
September 10, 2011
Bought a tear to my eye Claire and made me also think of my mum who never turns up empty handed, homemade jam, cake, etc. I often bake a lemon cake for friends when i have a glut as I know how much people appreciate the gesture – it also stops me eating too much cake so a double whammy!!
I ought to make and give more often so maybe I shall next week – food for thought…..
....RaeDi
September 11, 2011
Such a lovely thing to do and the tarts are beautiful ….RaeDi
Aimee White (@Food_Je_tAimee)
September 14, 2011
Beautiful post and gorgeous tarts – definitely a testament to how your mum lived and raised you. I’m sure she was as proud as the staff were grateful!
A pleasure to bake alongside you in this thoughtful initiative 🙂
Charlotte
September 16, 2011
What a lovely idea – and I have bits of pastry in the freezer and bits of jam in the fridge. My boy will be thrilled – he has long wanted to take treats to the firehouse just down the street as a thank you for all they do – thank you so much for the idea.
Kelly Schaefer
October 9, 2011
My father has had several medical issues resulting in several long stays at rehab facilities. He just got out yesterday after 5 weeks. I, too, brought in 2 dozen cake pops for the care staff as they looked after him. In fact, I am bringing another dozen in tomorrow, even though he was just released, to share with them again!
carrietxxxxx
December 6, 2012
They are delightful..cant wait to make some..touching to read about your Mum ,Happy Birthday to her …My Mum also has Altzeimers…& she’s almost the same age..its heartbreaking to see your loved ones develop this & my Dad has been doing an admirable job caring for her at home so far.Tonight I’m making Christmas cupcakes to donate for the Christams Fayre to Chestnut Court( our local residential home in Quedgeley )they have a special unit with old fashioned things(old style telephone boxes etc) as memory joggers for people with dementia.