“I can’t wait to make shortbread cookies with Mom!” exclaimed Madelyn as she rummaged through the pantry. She found flour, sugar, and shortening, just as her mother, Sarah, came in from work.
“Are you excited for our shortbread cookies tomorrow?” Sarah asked.
“Yes, Mom! I can’t wait to mix everything and use the cookie cutters!” Madelyn replied eagerly.
At 5 o’clock on Friday, December 5th, Sarah prepared dinner, seasoning a salmon fillet and boiling baby potatoes and asparagus. After dinner, Madelyn helped clear the table, then said, “It was a busy day at school. I’m going to bed.”
“Goodnight, honey! I love you,” Sarah said, and Madelyn kissed her mother goodnight, drifting into a deep sleep.
Suddenly, Madelyn found herself in a strange, hilly landscape. “Hi, miss! Are you lost?” asked a young man.
“Yes, this doesn’t look like Winnipeg,” Madelyn replied.
“I’m James. You must be cold! It’s December in Scotland,” he said.
“Scotland?” Madelyn gasped.
“Yes! Come meet my mom—she’s about to make shortbread cookies in the castle behind us,” James invited.
Entering the castle, Madelyn curtsied to the queen, who smiled and said, “Call me Mary!”
Mary explained that shortbread cookies were made with butter and sugar, and asked Madelyn if she wanted to help. Eagerly, Madelyn agreed.
After kneading the dough together, they used cookie cutters shaped like Petticoat Tails to cut the cookies. Once baked and cooled, Mary invited Madelyn to enjoy the cookies. After savoring five, the queen gifted her one of the cookie cutters.
Madelyn then woke up in her bed in Winnipeg, noticing her sweater was still on from the day before. “That was strange,” she thought. The smell of pancakes drew her downstairs where Sarah said, “Go wash up for breakfast! After, we’ll make shortbread cookies!”
As they baked, Madelyn searched her pocket and pulled out the petticoat cookie cutter. Sarah looked puzzled and asked, “Where did you get that?”
“Scotland,” Madelyn replied with a smile.
Works Cited
Sarah Elvin
“A Brief History of James VI and I.” National Museums Scotland, www.nms.ac.uk/discover-catalogue/a-brief-history-of-james-vi-and-i. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
“Castles & Palaces Connected to Mary Queen of Scots.” Award Winning Small Group Tours, www.rabbies.com/en-gb/blog/guide-places-connected-mary-queen-scots. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
Poole, Ollie. “10 Facts about Scottish Shortbread You Never Knew.” Real Word, 30 Apr. 2024, www.trafalgar.com/real-word/facts-scottish-shortbread/#:~:text=Mary%20Queen%20of%20Scots%20had%20a%20serious%20shortbread%20addiction&text=Mary%20Queen%20of%20Scots’%20cravings,in%20Scotland%20%E2%80%93%20affordable%20for%20all.
“The History of Shortbread Part 1.” Walker’s Shortbread, www.walkersshortbread.com/the-history-of-shortbread-part-1/#:~:text=The%20Queen’s%20biscuit,have%20been%20extra%20fond%20of. Accessed 2 Jan. 2026.
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