‘I don’t mind some seed cake, if you have any.’ ‘Lots!’ Bilbo found himself answering to his own surprise; and he found himself scuttling off, too, ... to a pantry to fetch two beautiful round seed-cakes which he had baked that afternoon for his … [Read more...]
A progression of rhubarb
Our colder than usual March here in East Anglia was good for primroses and daffodils, but the rhubarb on my village allotment used it as an excuse to tarry in hibernation. Where I would normally be harvesting the first stalks by now, I turn in … [Read more...]
Mushrooms make a meal
I've always loved that early part of Lord of the Rings when the hobbits are still in the Shire, walking and singing their way past familiar places before things get scary. The transition is that tense scene when they cross Farmer Maggot's fields to … [Read more...]
Afternoon tea of a faun
Since living in England these many years, I have come to appreciate the ritual of afternoon tea, be it a simple cup of "the vital Oolong" (to quote Bertie Wooster), an indulgent cream tea at a pretty spot on holiday, or the overpriced … [Read more...]