Continued…..
As a child, I was fortunate enough to have had the additional influence of two fellow bakers. My mam, and my beloved Kerry Nana. Together, they had some serious baking skills hidden up both of their sleeves. But that’s not all they possessed. As thinking back on those times, I have the fondest of memories. The fun and laughter that would ensue in our kitchen once the flour, butter and eggs appeared on the worktop. It was always the best of craic. I couldn’t wait to see what they would concoct together. From rhubarb tarts, to yummy scones, to Nana’s famous bread, the baking bug inevitably began to trickle its way down through the generations.
Of course, I was always involved. Being only eye level to the kitchen counter at the time, a chair would be pulled over for me to stand on. And there I was, in the middle, watching them both, listening intently. I loved nothing more than rolling up the sleeves of my school uniform and getting stuck in. I was always delegated to doing all the fun stuff. Nana would ask me to rub the butter into the flour using my fingers. Getting my hands all sticky and gooey was so much fun, as I was always taught never to play with food...but this kind of mess was acceptable! Next they would have me in charge of cracking the eggs while trying my best not to let any of the broken shell fall in. And the best bit, well, mam would let me use the electric whisk (all by myself I’ll have you know 😊).
So over time, and after multiple bake a longs together, my confidence and interest in baking naturally began to grow. It was because of the love and encouragement both my mam and my Kerry Nana showed me, that I learned how fun baking could be.
Baking was something to be cherished, a time to be shared with family, friends, and the ones we love.
And this, is how the Happy Spatula came to be………. xxx
