17.9.10

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.

15 comments:

The fabric of my life said...

What a wonderful friend to have Gretel. Those cakes look so scrumptious!!

Tonia said...

Have just rediscovered my appetite!

Gerry Snape said...

Oh Gretel! would that I lived nearer to the cake baker.Alas it's not to be...I must simply dream and hope for a slice to maybe appear by post one day. One can only dream !!!! You know that I love your blogs.

jfidz said...

Good friends are never far away. Sounds like you had a great time catching up.

Sweet Birdy Love said...

Hey Gretel, what a wonderful day you had. You taunt us with photos of delicious goodies!
Nice to be able to pick up where you left off as if it were yesterday and I can tell it was a special visitor when the Cerney Pyramid makes an appearance!

You know it's the part about going for a wander in the woods, that really makes me a teeny, tiny bit dare I say jealous. I imagine they are full of wonderful things to see, draw,photograph and are green and cool and a little bit mysterious.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Claire X

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Fab cakes! I would love to gather mushrooms, bought book last year, went out with newly qualified doctor who terrified me with tales of someone bought into casualty who died from mushroom eating. Spoilsport. Must try again with some girding of loins, and close scrutiny of book.

Lyn said...

what a lovely day you both had!
its always nice to catch up with old friends.
love
Lyn
xxx

Anji* said...

I already saw the cakes on your friend's blog - they look absolutely delicious!

What a lovely way to catch up with an old friend.

I love mushroom spotting too, the other day my sister sent me a photo of some amazing ENORMOUS bright red toadstools she saw on her way home from work!

Frances said...

How grand to get caught up with an old friend ... and an old friend who bakes wonderfully makes the reunion triple golden.

I am going to have to do some investigation into just what is a lemon drizzle cake. From the picture, I think it might be similar to a cake I learned to bake in my early years.

Great also to see it's mushroom time. I still remember your post last fall about the near loss of that treasured mushroom knife.

Best wishes. xo

Libby said...

Cakes never live long in my house, which is why I rarely bake :o( but they always taste so much better when made by someone else lol!!!

auntpearl said...

Hello my friend. Wanted to stop by and see how you are doing. Sounds like you had a lovely time with your friend. She sure knows how to start the day off with bringing such goodies.
Sending you big hugs,

Anonymous said...

I could help you eat the lemon drizzle cake - one of my favourites!! Lovely photos of mushrooms - but I'll stick to taking photos of them, as I don't know enough to risk eating them!!

Janet Metzger, Artist said...

You have to love reuniting with old friends... especially the ones who come bearing cakes! Sounds like a lovely time was had by all and I really love the mushroom photos.

Janet xox

PS...now i'm hungry for cheese!

Yarrow said...

Oh wow! Small World (Hi Gerry).

What amazingly gorgeous cupcakes. I so love cupcakes. That's my guilty sin and I just don't care.x

Chrissie said...

What joy - an old friend, cake and a walk in the woods. Lucky girl!