Bearing cakes

Yesterday an old (and recently rediscovered) college friend came to visit- we know her as Natasha, but on the internet she is a cake baker of Excellent Repute - and gaining fast in popularity. With such a guest I was not even going to attempt my own very homely home baking, especially as she had already asked me what cakes I prefer. We hadn't seen each other for 17 years since graduating, but frankly it made no difference. And she brought with her a magnificent box containing lemon drizzle cake and six wonderful blackberry and apple cupcakes. Alas, the cupcakes are now a faint but fragrant memory. We chatted for England and after tea (and cakes) we went over to the woods where I happily took photos of dear little mushrooms. This sweet Tawny Grisette -

- and a comfy-cushiony baby Blusher.

When the Blusher grows up it will flatten it's cap and the stipe will tinge a dull pink (which you can just see in the fallen specimen in this picture). It is edible, so the books say, but it is also in the same family (and to the untrained eye looks very similar to) the poisonous Panther Cap. Although I know these are what they are and what they aren't, I would not risk it.

Later we headed home for soup and rolls, a simple meal made extra special by one of my favourite local Cerney Pyramids - a prince of cheeses into which we made good headway and a fitting end to a lovely day.

Natasha comes from a family of professional artists and her mother has recently taken up blogging - rather wonderfully as well - at The Potter's House Penketh.