ANZAC – The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
Respected, admired and commemorated for their efforts in saving their nations and allowing the freedom in which we live today.
Lest we forget.
**************************
Meet John Smith. He is a 15 year old boy of the early 20th century, living by cricket and just starting to get those hormonal ticks which make him interested in Elizabeth, whose hair he used to pull when they were little.
The bugger blushes when she is around, honestly, bright as a tomato.
It has just hit mid July and he celebrated his 16th birthday with his mates, and a homemade cake from his mum on the patio of his backyard. His skin is peeling at the tip of his nose from the harsh Australian sun but in the winter, it feels too good to go back inside.
Two weeks later, his mum comes home with a stricken look on her face. Britain is at war. Therefore, Australia is at war. On August 4th 1914. John can feel bubbles of excitement in his stomach, and he rushes out the door to meet his friends, especially James. He does not notice his mum holding her stomach as if in pain. His little sister is still chewing on her bunny ear.
He thinks he is pretty muscular for a 16 year old. He practices a little swagger. He stops shaving every day, despite his stubble barely growing. Yep, Johnny-boy, you are in, he thinks cockily to himself. With that uniform and the mates, this will be over by Christmas and I shall come home a hero.
Medals. Decorated. Revered.
Not like his teacher, Mr Brookes, a ‘conscientious objector’. He just doesn’t want to fight, that white-feathered bloke, John has seen the fear in his eyes. What a coward. What an unpatriotic fool.
Johnny is waiting to enlist, James behind him, and can hear his heart thudding. What if they say I am too young. What if? Oh Johnny, the government would never say no to a voluntary recruit. If a boy of 15 can get in, why can’t you?
An officer sizes him up and down, nods, and sends him off. Teeth check, chest check, do you have any disabilities? Are you healthy?
It is 1915 now, and John has been fighting for a while. He cannot say the conditions are ideal, living in a trench where the food is harder than rock, the water must be boiled and the mud is their bed. But it is for Australia. For his country. To keep the nation safe, the government said so.
Oh John.
It is 1916 now, and John is starting to feel tired. Tired of the waterlogged boots and the unruly French winter. Tired of the constant smell of rotting bodies surrounding him and the smoke of gunfire sticking to his skin. Tired of limping since they amputated some of his gangrened toes, leaving little lumps at the end of a bloated foot. Tired of sleeping with his eyes open in the case of enemy attack.
So, so tired.
A rat the size of a cat is sniffing around his canned, sloppy beef and he does not even care. It is already off anyway. James is going over the top* tomorrow and he is an excellent shot. John is certain he will make it, even though a niggling feeling keeps telling him that has never worked. He pushes the thought away and gives James his boiled water and a hardtack biscuit to soak it in.
James is smiling shakily, his hands full of machine guns, his backpack sagging from the weight. He is in position now. All he needs is the whistle to blow. John can see him, and just before the shrill whistling begins, James looks at him with a smile. John grins back. He can do it.
2 minutes into the attack. John looks up over the parapet, his eyes scanning for soldiers running. No Man’s Land** has claimed each one, its mud soaking in their bodies, never to see the light of day again. There is silence. And John realises he is still looking for James to come running back.
It is 1918 now, and John does not even know what he is doing. Where has he been, what has he seen? It is early November now, and John is still wearing that tattered coat and still in those blistering boots, his body that of a man’s and too big for his clothes. Is he really 20? He cannot think, only react on autopilot to the bombs exploding and to the generals barking.
Any shrapnel, grazing his skin, is not even felt anymore. It is as if it is a permanent part of the air. Along with the blood and the grey. John is grim. When was the last time he smiled? He has written so many letters home but received only 3 back. Has his sister started school? Do they still have school?
The sky is murky, foreshadowing more rain, and this night, it is his job to keep watch and fix the barbed wire. He is on the front. And so there he finds himself, with the rain sluicing down his back, a gun at his front, trying to keep the barbed wire in rolls.
Pricks. Cuts. Wounds.
And that is when he hears the whistling. The enemy, whistling. And just before the bomb is dropped, he swears he sees James. Not tough, haunted James. The 15 year old baby face with more pimples than freckles. And just as he reaches for him, everything goes black.
One week later, the Armistice is signed. War is officially declared over. But the turmoil does not end. How can it when Mrs Smith is only now informed of her son’s report as a missing person? Is he dead, is he alive, why can he not be found?
There is no one to tell her that John is scattered in a million pieces, his dog tag swallowed up in the swamp. His sister was so happy when her friends told her of their uncles, their dads, their brothers’ return. She now waits by the fence daily so she can be the first to see her brother when he comes home.
After all, her mother’s telegram said ‘missing’. And to a 6 year old, missing does indeed mean, missing.
Nothing more.
*Over The Top – A technique in WW1 in which soldiers took all their belongings and ran in a line from the top of their trenches with hopes of reaching the enemy trench and capturing it after crossing No Man’s Land
**No Man’s Land – A swampy, death trap between the two trenches in which the constant bombing and fire made its land hazardous to anyone crossing it
***************************
This is not a true story, but to commemorate so many soldiers, whether they have died or gone missing (rest in peace)or lived to tell their tales, I have made ANZAC cookies as tradition expects (Part One).
I have twisted the recipe to make something more for the generations of people who deserve the world for their efforts. If Karma is real, these people should lack for nothing on returning back to the world, which took so much from them without reason.
ANZAC Apple Pie Ice Cream
Adapted From: We Are Not Martha
Ingredients:
Custard Base
- 1 ½ cups full cream milk
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 2 egg yolks
- 1 cup thickened cream
- 1 vanilla bean, horizontally split
- 1 cinnamon stick
Filling
- 3 medium apples, cored, peeled and cubed
- Lemon juice
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tbs plain flour
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tbs maple syrup – I completely forgot to add it in but trust me, if you make this, add it 🙂
- Butter, softened to room temperature
Cookie Mix In – 1 batch Anzac Cookie Recipe
Method:
- Preheat oven to 205 degrees C. Rub a generous amount of butter in a large oven safe dish
- Add in the apple slices and drizzle with lemon juice
- In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, flour, spice and maple syrup
- Sprinkle the apples with this mixture and toss to make sure they are fully coated
- Cover the tin with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the apples are soft and caramelised
- Meanwhile, combine the milk and sugar over low heat in a saucepan until bubbles come up around the edges and the milk has a slightly translucent look to it
- Whisk the egg yolks together in a separate bowl
- Once the milk has heated, pour half into the egg mixture, whisking constantly, and once it is well combined, pour back into the saucepan with the remaining milk mixture
- Put back on low heat and add in the vanilla bean + its seeds along with the cinnamon sticks and cream (I had to slum it with cinnamon from a tin and vanilla essence)
- Stir constantly until the mixture coats the back of a wooden spoon – it will take time but patience will yield a thicker and creamier ice cream in the end
- Once the custard is the desired consistency, take off heat and sieve into a large bowl, discarding the bean and the stick
- Place plastic wrap directly onto the surface to avoid a skin forming and refrigerate until cool
- Place the baked apples in a box and refrigerate until cool
- Mix both cooled custard and apples together then refrigerate for another 2 hours to ensure maximum flavour mingle
- Churn according to instructions of ice cream maker.
- After it is fully churned, stir through broken up pieces of ANZAC Cookies throughout it and freeze before spooning straight from the freezer…
Note:
- Bake the oatmeal cookies again for a little longer (5 minutes) at 180 degrees C for crunchier cookies in the ice cream
- Drizzle through with caramel for a caramel apple pie ice cream – I drizzled mine with butterscotch sauce leftover from making Sticky Date Pudding for my brother’s birthday just like last year
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this might be the most appealing batch of ice cream i’ve ever seen–it contains absolutely every delicious ingredient i would ever pick!
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Thank goodness I fell upon you blog before heading to bed! I will now dream about this delicious concoction!!! 🙂
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Nevertheless, it’s an inspiring post! U’re such a darling, Uru. Your parents must be so proud of u. That being said, sent me some of your ice-cream!!
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A gorgeous looking dessert to commemorate Anzac Day!
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Chippy, this ice cream is a MUST! I’m so making it this w/end….not for me – for my Aussie hubby, of course. 😉
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Haha I am sure he is a sweetie and will share with you 😀
Enjoy!
Cheers
CCU
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What a beautiful, lovely post. And this ice cream looks simply divine! You are wonderful as both a writer + a cook. =)
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That was such a moving story and although technically not true, I’m sure it was all too true to many. I’m glad to understand your Anzac day – we have Memorial Day in May here.
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What a touching and beautiful post, and delicious recipe to celebrate this special day! 🙂
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What a beautiful post, Uru. Thank you so much for sharing. And what a wonderful way to eat ANZAC biscuits! The icecream alone looks amazing, but with that as a mix-in? Yum!
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A beautiful, poignant and heartfelt post Uru… accompanied by a gorgeous recipe, like always. As a social worker, I work with many wise old men whose eyes tell these exact same stories; whose bodies have been tortured by the horrors of war. You’ve done them justice with this weighted story. It breaks my heart but at the same time makes me so grateful for the fact that we were born into a time of peace and plenty. Lest we forget.
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You have such a meaningful and wonderful job my friend 🙂
Cheers
CCU
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Uru, you write beautifully. Haunting, beautiful, heartbreaking. I would have loved to read more. Much as I adore the cookie you have made, I just could not move past the haunting image of that 16 year old, so full of life, losing it for literally nothing but Man’s greed.
You are a natural born story teller, with an outstanding command on the language. Think about writing. I will be the first one to buy it.
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You are too sweet my friend. Thank you very very much.
Cheers
CCU
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A lovely and absolutely heartbreaking post, CCU. Thank you for writing and sharing it. It’s a story that sadly stays current.
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What a beautiful post, Uru! The soldiers would love this ice cream, and they certainly deserve it.
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I love apple pie..and this in the form of ice cream sounds perfect! A great way to chill down on a hot day!
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Without Anzac heroes, we will never have what we have today…
Glad that you are always baking Anzac cookies to commemorate this day 😀
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Lest we forget. My dawn service was beautiful. We had a speaker who had fought on over 400 missions and survived. Such an incredible story and not one that will be forgotten. I’m popping into the kitchen to make this now!
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That is most certainly inspiring my friend. Wow.
Cheers
CCU
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Truly beautiful post, and what a great recipe to celebrate Anzac day!!! Hugs, Terra
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such a beautiful post Uru! and a lovely and delicious way to celebrate
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You are wise beyond your years Uru!!
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What an amazing tribute you’ve written. Thank you so much for sharing…that and this lovely ice cream.
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Wow! What a touching post. Your cookies look delicious!
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First time I heard of Anzac day was lat year, here on your blog! A lovely, lovely post, CCU!
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Love the story, so touching. And awesome cookies!
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What a wonderful tribute, in words and in food. 🙂
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I guess this is contains tons of energy, no wonder why this is made in army corps…..
great philosophy too…
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What a great post. You really are a gifted story-teller.
Thank you for this recipe too. The Hubs will love this.
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Oh my, Anzac biscuits have never looks so good to me before! That ice cream is a knock-out grand finale to any meal.
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Such a powerful post, Uru! I got chills reading your story. While it may be fiction, I’m sure it matches quite closely to the experience of many soldiers and their families. And this amazing apple pie anzac ice cream is a wonderful, indulgent homage to them all (girl, this is ridiculously good).
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what a meaningful post and dish
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a marvelous treat for a group of folks who deserve to be honored in every way!
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Your writing skills are at their peak in this one. Although your story was fiction, it’s sad that only the names and places have been changed in real life too many times. We all deserve this lovely treat, thank you for sharing it.
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Touching story. Deserves a good treat after!
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Did you write that story all by yourself… it’s so beautiful.. haunting and sad. You certainly captured the good/bad and the ugly of the war. What turmoil these young men (boys really) faced. You are a very talented writer my friend! You are also a very talented dessert maker. You mesmerized me with your story… then you made me happy again with your sweet dessert. 🙂
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Yes I did, and I am very glad you understood all about it my friend – may they all be safe.
Cheers
CCU
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Excellent story and a fine tribute.
That last photo is drool-inducing!
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Fabulous story CCU! This icecream looks very special too. Hope you are having a great weekend.
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Very touching story, so nice that you dedicated a post for ANZAC day. Love the recipe… that ice cream looks amazing!
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What a touching intro before getting to the fabulous ice-cream. I can’t say no to apples and these have been merged so well into the creamy ice-cream.
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What a heart-wrenching story, CCU. You’re a fine storyteller and a wonderful cook/creator.
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Wonderful story and so well written, thanks for the reminder that we owe so much. GG
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Such a nice story and a beautiful dessert to compliment it. Thank you for sharing, friend!
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What a lovely story….thank you for sharing that!
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I remember not even knowing of Anzac day before coming to your blog. I think that picture is the perfect cookie 🙂
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Loved your sweet story…a wonderful tribute! And a gorgeous dessert!
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Sad story! I hate war! Yum, that ice cream looks amazing, Uru.
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Such a sad yet sweet tribute Uru
War is horrible and the loss and sorrow it cases for so many people is meaningless
It is really kind of you to do a tribute and a special recipe for all those lost in war
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All this looks so good. I remember you blogging about Anzac day last year, which is how I came to know about it. Very nice post and what a delicious tribute.
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Lovely story CCU.
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Super post and a great tribute. Happy ANZAC Day! And thanks for whipping up such a special treat to celebrate – and to help us remember.
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I guess your ANZAC day is like our memorial day or veteran’s day…so sad but yet so honorable at the same time! Love these cookies!
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Thank you for sharing such a poignant story and for honoring your soldiers. This ice cream and cookies would make anyone feel appreciated. Looks delectable!
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A really delightful recipe. Who wouldn’t enjoy this! But it was the story that really grabbed me! I think you might look into publishing it in a newspaper so an even wider audience could enjoy it! Switch the country representing this young soldier’s patriotism and substitute any number of countries or states at war, and the story universally holds as true. How many mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers around the world never really understood the fate of their loved ones at war. ANZAC Day is a very special commemoration. I have been truly touched by the way you’ve shared and made the day memorable. Well done, CCU.
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I wish I was that good my friend but I am glad you enjoyed it and understood my message 🙂
Cheers
CCU
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This looks amazing- I bet your family loves the dishes you make 🙂
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A lovely tribute, my friend.
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A very nice post and heartfelt tribute!
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You are a good storyteller, it was really touchy.
the apple pie ice cream looks good, however I liked your cookies the best.
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And very well written and poignant post Uru!
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A great tribute to some brave men. Wonderful tribute with the ice cream! Cookies, apples and ice cream…yum.
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lovely story! it was so touching!
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Wow, Uru what a tale! You’re a wonderful storyteller. When I studied abroad in Australia, we celebrated ANZAC day and learned all about what a special holiday it is. Thanks for bringing me back! I just love your country 🙂
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You have truly outdone yourself This is an amazing dessert. Very fitting for the occasion!
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Hi Uru, a very poignant story and reflection. In fact as I’m reading this I’m sitting here with a batch that I made only ester day too. A very fitting tribute to the diggers and their families. I like to think of my baking time as a little remembrance to the war & troops too!
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Wonderful ANZAC Day tribute post!
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A lovely dessert and a lovely tribute. Thank you for sharing this story.
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Such a moving story, Uru, and a perfect tribute to ANZAC Day.
I wanted to bake Anzac biscuits for my work mates (yep, ended up coming to work on Anzac morning because we were so busy!) but haha, never got around to doing it. Maybe next year!
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You’ve accompanied a very moving story with a delicious sweet treat. Thank you.
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What a story, beautifly written.
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It’s like every time I go to your blog, I learn about a new day to commemorate/celebrate/observe. What a beautiful story.
And also a beautiful ice cream! I’m getting hungry looking at it!
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Having a son in the Army this sure hit home and brought a tear to my eye also! What a nice tribute to make the Anzec cookies 🙂
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He is in your nation’s heart my friend, I know it. What a brave son 🙂
Cheers
CCU
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What a wonderful story … what a talent you have with the words. Let us never forget all those that gave their life and those that still lose their life … in somebodies else war today. Now I know what ANZAC stands for. It’s like our Memorial Day. The ice cream … I will do – like everything in it.
Thanks again for a beautiful and respectful post.
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A great tribute to those that put their lives on the line to protect civilians. Hugs 🙂
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Great post! And a delicious sundae, too!
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So moving – brilliantly written and beautifully portrayed.
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This was such a great and moving post. I enjoyed readong this and seing that divine cookie. I wish i could eat that right now 🙂
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What a great story and great post!! YUM to the cookies and ice cream!
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That was a really lovely story Uru! As for the dessert- smashing! It’s so hot here in Mumbai and the picture of the ice cream makes me want some right now!
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What a beautiful story, my friend…and a perfect dessert to punctuate such a special time =)
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The ice cream looks terrific with those perfect cookies!
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Great post and the apple pie ice cream looks wonderful!
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Hi Uru,
You are such a good story teller. Great post!
I love this ice cream. Looks fabulous!
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What a beautiful story, so sad. Both the story and cookies is certainly a fitting tribute to those who stand on the line to protect and serve. The apple pie ice cream is amazing!!!
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What a neat story! I had no idea about this holiday… but I’d love to help you celebrate with this dessert. 😉
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What a lovely post…and the ice cream looks fabulous!
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OMG that was such a sad tale!!! Such a beautiful tribute and the cookies look like perfection.
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wonderful tribute! Lest we forget.
yesss anzac biscuits!! and such a delicious combo!!! 🙂 yum yum yum!
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Wonderful post. Lest we forget.
This ice cream sounds fabulous!
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Touching story and wonderful recipe!
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Uru,
You have such a heartfelt way of telling stories. Your Apple Pie Ice Cream and cookies is a fitting tribute to ANZAC Day.
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Holy cow CCU! Now that’s a lovely ice cream. It’s finally spring here in Toronto so I’m going to bookmark this for a warmer day.
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beautiful recipe and post! wonderful and a great tribute to the ANZACs xx
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What a beautiful way of telling the story, Uru. And what a delicious memorial!
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You´re such a storyteller Uru. Such a heartfelt post. And gorgeous ice cream with those biscuits I yet have to make for the first time!
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A lovely tribute, my friend.
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A beautiful story and a tasty looking dish!
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Brought a tear to the eyes Beautiful & heart-felt One must surely look after them in Heaven
Manjul Agarwal
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Glad you enjoyed it daddy, I certainly hope so.
Love
Uru
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