Hi B and Chris,
I'm sorry both of you are having harder times, and hope life will send you more of the positives that give a little strength and confidence. I try to believe what I've been told, that small positives can combine to make genuinely helpful improvements. But I feel it's also important to let yourself off the pressures that are too much, and be kind to yourself- I've had a change in my ability to cope, and am trying to adjust and feel ok about that.
B, adapting to what you have and making chutney is truly brilliant, and that kind of skill to preserve fruit and use resources well has probably kept the human race going through many a hard winter. It's making me want a sandwich thinking about it, so maybe it's good that I wouldn't know where to start, cos sandwiches are my enemy.
I'm no baker! One birthday cake, maybe one other cake a year, but I know how rewarding it is when it works. If I have a failure I stand there doing the mountains of washing up involved, with the smell of burnt cake, or the sorry sight of a collapsed cake, stressed and annoyed with myself for wasting time, effort and ingredients. But Chris, if you are able and have time, give yourself the pleasure and bake a cake.
I've never tried making a lemon drizzle, I would love to know how to do that as I've had the home made version and it's so lovely- refreshing unlike most cakes. Do you have a good recipe you could send me or is it secret?
Here's a link to the recipe I used- it's a bit indulgent if it's not for an occasion though. Got half a tub of double cream in the fridge that needs chucking out, and most of bottle of rose water with no idea what to do with it.
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/ros ... ponge-cakeI hope I'm not being annoying, I'm sorry I don't know what you're both really going through, being new and wrapped up in my own situation, but I do care, and would love to understand more.
Maisi x