Lemony Goodness!!!

I needed to occupy myself with something. A new project, something to keep me busy. So the hubs threw me a challenge a few weeks back. Think Julie & Julia but on a smaller scale. So he gave me 6 months. The deal - 30 recipes (they didn't have to be my own original recipes) and to write this all down as if I'm creating a recipe book. I was pretty game. My baking has taken a little hiatus lately and I wanted to get back at it. What's more, the kitchen now boost a spanking new electric oven - none of all that convention cum microwave nonsense! We can finally fit 4 muffin trays into the oven!

So to kick-off my little project, we got down to working on a lemon loaf. Taken from this gorgeous recipe book " Baked" present to me by my dear Aunt Veron. The recipes in this book are great. The best brownie I've baked was from here. The marble bundt cake didn't fail either. Its in the little details that make the recipes in this book work so well. The ingredients are a little fussier where it's not just all-purpose flour but a mixture of cake & all-purpose flour. The techniques are precise where you're called specifically to fold not with a whisk but a spatula.

Today's lemon loaf was a huge success. The kitchen smelled so good all afternoon, the Dad couldn't resist a slice even though we just finished dinner.

So stay tune as I work on this recipe collection of mine. Next week, we're attempting kaya - a local egg & coconut custard jam. Ambitious I say, but I've a greedy husband to feed.

Moving on ... but not forgetting

I thought I would be over it by now. But when I found myself still tearing every now and then, I realised that I will probably never get over it and that I don't have to. It will forever be a chapter in our lives and part of our story, nothing to be ashamed of, nothing to run away from. Yes we move on, yes we'll try again, but doesn't mean we have to forget ...

A POEM OF COMFORT

I thought of you and closed my eyes

and prayed to God today.

I asked what makes a mother

and I know I heard him say...

"A mother has a baby."

This we know is true.

But can you be a mother

when your baby's not with you?

"Yes, you can,"

He said with confidence in His voice.

"I give many women babies.

When they leave is not their choice.

Some I send for a lifetime,

and others for a day.

Some I send to fill your womb

but there's no need to stay."

"I just don't understand this, God.

I want my baby here."

He took a breath and cleared His throat

and then I saw a tear.

"I wish that I could show you

what your child is doing today.

If you could see your child smile

with other children and say,

'We go to earth to learn our lessons

of love and life and fear.

My Mommy loved me oh, so much

I got to come straight here.

I feel so lucky to have a Mom

who had so much love for me.

I learned my lesson very quickly.

My Mommy set me free.

I miss my Mommy oh, so much

but I visit her each day.

When she goes to sleep,

on her pillow is where I lay.

I stroke her hair and kiss her cheek

and whisper in her ear,

"Mommy, don't be sad today.

I'm your baby and I'm here."

So, you see, my dear sweet one,

your child is okay.

Your baby is here in my home and

this is where she'll stay.

She'll wait for you with me

until your lesson is through.

And on the day that you come home,

She'll be at the gates for you.

So, now you see what makes a mother.

It's the feeling in your heart.

It's the love you had so much of

right from the very start.

Though some on earth may not see

you're a mother with a child.

They'll be up here with me one day

and know you've always been one."