Baking Day


I haven't got the car today, so I've decided it's going to be a baking day.
Mary and I collected eggs from Eirlys's farm from The Marian and soon I shall be making chicken and leek pie, a meat and potato pie, banana loaves and custard tarts.
Eirlys kept me talking as did the old miner in the corner house by the garage.
He always asks me the same question
"How's your friend, keeping well?" 
" My husband is fine" I always reply

In one way baking is diversionary  tactics from the sweat fest that is moving old Trevor's collection of wood onto the field bonfire ( a job I'll have to do tomorrow), but in another way its therapy.
Baking is a sweet mindful activity.
It clears the mind of bad thoughts.

Trendy Carol (in designer jeans, bright training shoes and bright hipster jacket) was out when we returned with our eggs. I see she  has a new outdoor sofa literally smothered in cushions...I forgot to tell her it's longer than the width of our cottage.

I'll post pie photos later
Hey ho

I ran out of plain flour so had to use gluten free flour for the meat and potato pie
( which looks shite) 
I've yet to make the custard as neighbour Trevor has just caught me




39 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:29 am

    Your reply is fine, but so is the phrasing of the question about your husband. For some old timers, that they accept enough to enquire about your partner's health, and in the village you live in, is quite an advance from a couple of decades ago. Husband, partner, or as my R was once called by a plumber, your associate. It sounds like he asks the question as a stir and you reply as a stir.

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    Replies
    1. Andrew, I like that you are generous about it but judging today's situation by what happened in the past doesn't inspire anyone to improve. Nobody would say such a thing to a straight person.

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    2. Andrew, it's a replyI have used several times and I always give it kindly and proportional to the conversation .
      I never labour the point nor do I become one of the belligerent gays that need to make a point.

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    3. Well done John! Your reply and attitude are perfect.

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  2. Your cottage is going to smell amazing. Happy baking. x

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  3. I remember there was a time not that long ago when no one would even acknowledge that there was a "friend" " living there other than what these people have been used to all of their lives.
    I think that he asked is the important thing, not what label he used.

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  4. I will be curious about your meat, potato pie . . . and recipe.
    My favorite recipe of my momma’s . . .
    Her meat pie was named Pasty . . .
    I would LOVE some of her Pasty once again!

    Some things never change . . .

    “. . . the old miner in the corner house by the garage . . . always asks me the same question . . . “

    "How's your friend, keeping well?"
    " My husband is fine" I always reply . . . “

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    Replies
    1. Left over ham , cooked potato, carrot and gravy

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    2. A lovely example of WELSH humour in that brief exchange.

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  5. I make a fab chicken pie with savory crust...Looking forward to seeing yours... Do share the recipe John won't you? Hugs! deb

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    Replies
    1. Not much to share, cook chicken with mushrooms and leeks, mix with white sauce , and season!

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    2. I was going to ask for the recipe too. You make it sound too easy. Do you boil the chicken with the mushrooms and leeks and pick the meat off the bones, or do you cook boneless chicken and add the 'shrooms and leeks? Asking for a friend! LOL!

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  6. I laughed at your ongoing verbal battle of terminology with the old miner.

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    Replies
    1. It wasn't a battle , just a gentle reminder..I used to say something similar to the red faced Welsh farmer

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  7. In my mind, I AM trendy Carol. In reality I'm more Winnie. Your baking sounds delicious x

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  8. What a grand day you have planned. Me too. At it, then.

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  9. I made rock buns this morning. I feel a bit inadequate now compared to your baking.

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  10. May I suggest Flour with EXTRA gluten. Anything made with gluten free flour is probably inedible!

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    Replies
    1. It taste ok just very short, almost like shortbread

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  11. My 2 uncles were often asked if they were partners rather than brothers as they went on holidays together & on outings.Some people are so curious x

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  12. Fancy hiring out your services? My baking skills disappeared years ago.

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  13. Looks wonderful, and sounds like fun.

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  14. Good-looking pies!

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  15. A baking day always feels so productive to me, despite the fact that the results disappear at an alarming rate! I'm interested in your reply to a commenter that the gluten-free flour produces a shorter crust. I love short crust but it is usually higher calorie, so perhaps this would work well as a substitute when making savoury pies and quiche.

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  16. Your baking days and your gentle reminders are part of what makes you much read and loved in the blogosphere. Including by those of us who don't often bake and never think of a reminder at the appropriate time.

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  17. I've never been much of a baker but I can make a wonderful soup out of almost anything in the fridge. I've always wished I could make a good crusty bread to go with my leftover creations!

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  18. "The meat and potato pie looks shite" - that's not something I would ever expect Mary Berry to say. Mind you, she would never run out of plain flour.

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  19. I am inspired. I shall make a chicken pie tonight.

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  20. I love a baking morning, takes me back to my childhood memories of my maternal grandmother who used to bake her ‘ baking powder cake ‘ whenever she came to stay with us . I guess we would call it a soda bread , but whatever it was called, it didn’t last long with 3 hungry grand daughters around !

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  21. It all sounds good and I am sure the wonderful aroma crossed the Atlantic. I made Banana bread as well.

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  22. Can he not bring himself to say 'husband'? Oh well, lets hope everyone remains friends.

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  23. No homemade pie ever looks 'shite'. I love anything baked into a pastry casing. The most humble of ingredients come alive in pastry 😊

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  24. Very energetic! I have never made good pie crust. I'd love to have a class on bread making and pie crust....two things I find difficult.

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