“If you
haven’t the strength to impose your own terms upon life, then you must accept
the terms it offers you.”
(T S Eliot)
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` © Yamini Ali
MacLean
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Menoloud - Shout Out and Stand Up
I came back to Dunoon on Wednesday. The originally planned one week in Edinburgh turned into two, as often happens. Was able to be of further use to the father - like the baking lessons. Then there was the calendar production. Some technical stuff too. It's getting closer to where daily assistance is really required - but he's holding on to that independence with grit.
When I got back, there was the obligatory pile of post behind the front door. Surprisingly, most of it was genuine, needs-attention (and money) stuff, with only a couple of junk items.
Most impawtant of all, though, was this.............
A button to replace the one which was sadly lost when out and about one day. I love my Greta button and shall wear it proudly. THANK YOU ANGEL GRETA AND FURMILY!!!
The timing was pawfect for me to post this today, because it is also one of the days this month when our televisions will be shouting out loud about fund-raising for cancer research.
Stand Up to Cancer is a global effort, but the UK version is running this very day!
Long-term readers will know that my mother successfully came through breast cancer and had 12 wonderful years before another, highly-aggressive, gut-based form did for her. She had the most amazing support and care at our local hospice, one of the Marie Curie charity, and it is that particular establishment which I choose to support monthly. (See the Bits'n'Badges page for my regulars.)
Whichever of the many cancer-related charities is close to your heart, shout out loud and strong on its behalf!!!
When I got back, there was the obligatory pile of post behind the front door. Surprisingly, most of it was genuine, needs-attention (and money) stuff, with only a couple of junk items.
Most impawtant of all, though, was this.............
A button to replace the one which was sadly lost when out and about one day. I love my Greta button and shall wear it proudly. THANK YOU ANGEL GRETA AND FURMILY!!!
The timing was pawfect for me to post this today, because it is also one of the days this month when our televisions will be shouting out loud about fund-raising for cancer research.
Stand Up to Cancer is a global effort, but the UK version is running this very day!
Long-term readers will know that my mother successfully came through breast cancer and had 12 wonderful years before another, highly-aggressive, gut-based form did for her. She had the most amazing support and care at our local hospice, one of the Marie Curie charity, and it is that particular establishment which I choose to support monthly. (See the Bits'n'Badges page for my regulars.)
Whichever of the many cancer-related charities is close to your heart, shout out loud and strong on its behalf!!!
Menoguddling - a wee bit o' muckin' aboot
The father has a fondness for the sweet stuff. Cakes, buns, biscuits... none are safe from Mr Mac. On my first weekend over in Edinburgh, I made an old family favourite for brekky, 'banana fritters'. They are just a simple, slightly thicker pancake mix with chopped bananas in. he gobbled them down and then had me nearly falling from the chair when he asked for the recipe. When I said they could be made savoury too - and then proved it with a batch of fresh corn fritters - he thought it was something he could have a go at. On the next shopping trip I bought a new light-weight pan and spatula and some extra eggs et cetera.
Mixing the batter proved a bit of a challenge for him, and the cooking even more so, let's face it, flipping pancakes is not all that easy even with full flex in our wrists. He did not a bad job though and they were perfectly edible, if a little oddly shaped.
The next fall-off-chair moment came when he asked what the recipe was for rock cakes. Cue the 'let's just do it' practice!
Get the scales out father. Get the flour out and pour 8oz father.
Now get the sugar and pour 4oz father.
Same for butter and then 2oz sultanas.
Rub the butter into the flour and sugar. If too stiff, can add 2-4 tablespoons of milk. Aim is a stiff, sticky, mouldable dough. Mix in the dried fruit.
Make 10-12 mounds of dough on a baking tray lined with oven paper, allowing a good amount of space for spread, place in pre-heated oven, 160'C/320'F for fan-assisted or 180/360 if not, for about 20 minutes. They should be well-browned and just yielding to the touch. Switch off oven and allow to 'dry' for 5 mins; remove to cooling tray.
What you may notice here is this is not a conventional oven. It is one of those combi-microwave things which has a convection option. The old microwave finally stopped functioning after 20+ years of constant use and this is the replacement. It is a speaking instructor - originally bought for the The Maestro and barely used. She would be pleased to think her granda was baking in it! Whether he'll bother to do this without me supervising has yet to be proven, but I think he enjoyed himself.
Certainly enjoyed the results. There's been a second batch made since this one. &*>
Mixing the batter proved a bit of a challenge for him, and the cooking even more so, let's face it, flipping pancakes is not all that easy even with full flex in our wrists. He did not a bad job though and they were perfectly edible, if a little oddly shaped.
The next fall-off-chair moment came when he asked what the recipe was for rock cakes. Cue the 'let's just do it' practice!
Now get the sugar and pour 4oz father.
Same for butter and then 2oz sultanas.
Rub the butter into the flour and sugar. If too stiff, can add 2-4 tablespoons of milk. Aim is a stiff, sticky, mouldable dough. Mix in the dried fruit.
Make 10-12 mounds of dough on a baking tray lined with oven paper, allowing a good amount of space for spread, place in pre-heated oven, 160'C/320'F for fan-assisted or 180/360 if not, for about 20 minutes. They should be well-browned and just yielding to the touch. Switch off oven and allow to 'dry' for 5 mins; remove to cooling tray.
What you may notice here is this is not a conventional oven. It is one of those combi-microwave things which has a convection option. The old microwave finally stopped functioning after 20+ years of constant use and this is the replacement. It is a speaking instructor - originally bought for the The Maestro and barely used. She would be pleased to think her granda was baking in it! Whether he'll bother to do this without me supervising has yet to be proven, but I think he enjoyed himself.
Certainly enjoyed the results. There's been a second batch made since this one. &*>
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