The rain has ceased, joy of joys, I have a Friday off (work). I don't know about other gals who work most of the week, but when a day off comes my way, the to do list is long and the possibilities of how to make the best use of that precious day, abound. I make lists and then try to decide what are the most pressing items on it and off I go. So keen am I to make every second count, I even add to the list things I achieve and then cross them off!
What to do? Well today the immediate choice was obvious, attack the laundry that was threatening to overflow the washing basket. While the machine did its thing, I set up my sewing machine and mended a work mates skirt. Next I made a phone call. That done, I made myself a batch of rock cakes, so that I would have something tasty to enjoy with my morning coffee. This activity sparked off some more memories of my Mum. She has been very much in my thoughts of late. The first eighteen years of my life, spent living at home certainly left strong impressions on me.
When Mum made rock cakes it was part of a major baking spree. The old green gas oven in my mums kitchen was lit and warmed up ready to receive, fruit cake, rock cakes, fruit tarts and maybe a sponge cake, all assembled in the appropriate sequence for oven baking temperatures. One didn't light that oven for just one item, Oh no, that was considered a waste of power and money.
While writing this I am reminded of the gas and electric meters that lived under the stairs, in the hall cupboard. These hungry meters were fed regularly with shillings that my Dad brought home especially for this purpose, in his pay packet. He worked in a bank in London, so I imagine that he was able to select the denominations of notes and coins, for ease of distribution for my Mum for her housekeeping purposes. Anyway, feeding the meter was one of my jobs. The coins were inserted individually, then a lever was turned enabling the coin to be received into the meter box thus building up credit ready for later use. How archaic this now seems to me, along with a lot of other 'normal' activities whilst living in my family home, during my early years.
Back to the rock cakes. Whilst measuring out the flour, I was reminded of how I used to enjoy making patterns with the flour scoop in Mum's flour tin, this was a large,square, brown, hinged, Bisto, gravy powder tin. I was fascinated with the smoothness of the oval shapes that the scoop and spoons made in the flour and would play with it as long as Mum allowed. I probably annoyed her in her endeavour to produce so much baking in a session, but it kept me amused.
The rock cakes turned out a treat and I thoroughly enjoyed one sitting in the garden with my cuppa.
Here's a snap of the patterns in my flour and of the finished product.
I have other items on my to do list, yet I have just chosen to spend the last half an hour writing this... so the remainder will have to wait.
But wait I have a lunch date with a girl friend... I just have enough time to get ready and go....
The list will wait, won't it? It's all a question of priority!
What a lovely day off!
simply Susan
