tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post6970841537342536497..comments2024-03-28T20:37:29.571+00:00Comments on The English Kitchen: Date & Raisin SquaresMarie Raynerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00407913432222377267noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-84607635650851134932020-12-20T16:55:25.281+00:002020-12-20T16:55:25.281+00:00Thank you so much Hannah! You made my day! Merry C...Thank you so much Hannah! You made my day! Merry Christmas! xoxoMarie Raynerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00407913432222377267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-85496333026672178882020-12-20T00:55:02.878+00:002020-12-20T00:55:02.878+00:00I love the idea of The English Kitchen and Beyond!...I love the idea of The English Kitchen and Beyond! It is what it is...and you have worked hard for it. We appreciate all of it!! And treasure it! Hannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11580720417702614811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-77078090813509392992020-12-17T23:22:23.292+00:002020-12-17T23:22:23.292+00:00These look just delicious. I love oatey things. An...These look just delicious. I love oatey things. And as for an 8 a.m. visitor,I wouldn't go to the door -- and I sure wouldn't have let them stay all day. "It's so good to see you, but this just isn't a good time. Why don't you call next time?" <br /><br />How about "The English Kitchen and Beyond" -- A Culinary Journey through Countries I have Called Home." Because you had decades of the UK -- you are no charlatan! Then you could combine Canadian recipes with British -- and who knows? Maybe others. You've worked hard on the book -- I hope it doesn't need to be shelved. I don't know how much of your book is recipes and how much is stories, but maybe it needs to be set aside for a bit while things are so raw and then edited. Maybe edited a lot -- some of the most personal parts taken out, more on the recipes, less on the stories. Is there anyone you can turn the manuscript over to for some input, someone you trust to be able to give you a good assessment pr suggestions on how to revise? <br /><br />You can do this, Marie. Your recipes are strong, your writing is delightful. Don't let the past take that away from you, too. You've already lost a lot; don't lose this one, too. Biggest hugs.Jeaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17482528482559445943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-67311634857809488782020-12-17T22:37:43.671+00:002020-12-17T22:37:43.671+00:00Hi Marie,
I once had a neighbour turn up on at my ...Hi Marie,<br />I once had a neighbour turn up on at my door at 6.30am after dropping her husband at the station, she stayed a couple of hours. I just didn't know how to get rid of her. After that we put a peep hole in the door and I didn't answer the door until at least 10.00am. I also lived in a small cul-de-sac and every morning after the mum's drop their kids at school, they would congregate on someone's front lawn and drink coffee for most of the day, they would pop home for more coffee and feed their children that weren't at school, needless to say I didn't venture out my front door. Love date and raisins so this recipe is one that I will be making soon.Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06368843022724291253noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-61534048150066439432020-12-17T15:59:16.959+00:002020-12-17T15:59:16.959+00:00I'd not be happy if someone arrived on my door...I'd not be happy if someone arrived on my doorstep at that hour and stayed all day either. I don't mind an occasional surprise visit and will often then invite them to stay for a meal, but they have to be really good friends (or family - the kids sometimes drop in, knowing they will get fed here!) But like you, I like visitors on my own terms and that is not anti social at all.<br /><br />These sound really delicious - I love dates anyway. My mother also made date squares at Christmas, so it must be an international thing :)<br /><br />I doubt any of your readers will see you as a charlatan. That's your insecurity talking to you and you should never listen to that voice as I can tell you that she doesn't know what she's talking about. You spent two decades in England and did an advanced cookery course, worked as a chef and have a vast wealth of tips and experience with food. You aren't pretending to be British, just passing on your perspective on English food. Your blog has always featured food from around the globe - it's as multicultural as the UK! You have an honest voice, and every right to express yourself.<br /><br />The book is a hard one. I'd still be inclined to let it be printed, maybe with some editing of anything too personal that no longer applies. But I can also understand that it could stir up a lot of emotions that you don't want to deal with at the moment. But you wrote it in the UK, so it is again very much a snapshot of your English Kitchen. But only you know how you feel about it - everyone will understand no matter what you decide.Mariehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04088355577823930786noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-62997149455195050112020-12-17T15:28:31.389+00:002020-12-17T15:28:31.389+00:00I hope you will be able to find a way to still pub...I hope you will be able to find a way to still publish your book...maybe it has not completed before now, as this situation was coming...and at least if you make some changes in ways, you can do it in a way you feel comfortable with it!! The huge job in dealing with the havoc wrought in our lives by these awful people, is a tough task...how do we still have goodness and meaning, and not allow them to take it all away? We are always in that situation here, because the pedo has access to the kids yet. That may always be the case for all we know, unless something happens to help people in this situation as our family is still...which in our country would mean a lot of changes to the law, etc. and that likely may not come...at least not quickly. Meanwhile, we must be successful in having good lives!!<br />Elizabeth xoxoElizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07529409389057290042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-49527851635963810172020-12-17T14:25:50.624+00:002020-12-17T14:25:50.624+00:00Thanks for your input Julia, and Elaine for that m...Thanks for your input Julia, and Elaine for that matter! The recipes and crafts are still very good and I am proud of my writing. XoxoMarie Raynerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00407913432222377267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-37927785569503874292020-12-17T14:24:25.121+00:002020-12-17T14:24:25.121+00:00I like to entertain, but on my own terms. I guess ...I like to entertain, but on my own terms. I guess I am just funny that way. You are lucky if you still have your mother! XoxoMarie Raynerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00407913432222377267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-23790982227013429822020-12-17T14:22:34.849+00:002020-12-17T14:22:34.849+00:00What a treasure that handwritten recipe must be. M...What a treasure that handwritten recipe must be. Mom had a letter she had wanted to give my from her mother in which she spoke of me and how much I meant to her. I have no idea what happened to it. Such a loss. I hope you are able to get everything done today that you want to get done! We are expecting snow. Hoping to do the filling for the meat pies today. We shall see. XoxoMarie Raynerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00407913432222377267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-15033713054732624602020-12-17T13:00:27.705+00:002020-12-17T13:00:27.705+00:00Like Elaine said, perhaps a cautionary tale. Keep ...Like Elaine said, perhaps a cautionary tale. Keep the bulk of the book as is and add an introduction about that part. If you don't want to write such an introduction, maybe someone else could. It seems a shame to lose all the work you have done and the recipes would be still good.<br /><br />But *you* have to decide what you can bear to do. Best wishes as you adjust to your changing circumstances.<br /><br />JuliaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-41191060757255639122020-12-17T12:38:54.871+00:002020-12-17T12:38:54.871+00:00You're not alone in wanting company when you w...You're not alone in wanting company when you want them and not otherwise. I'm the same way, I don't like uninvited guests or surprises. I'm not a real entertaining sort, especially if it is formal. Now, if we're having someone over for snacks or pizza, that's different. Sorry about your new book. These bars look absolutely scrummy! My mom would like them, she loves raisins. The cups are very pretty! Much love - Raquel XORaquelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05926021350441597268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-24829646095801391662020-12-17T11:02:14.164+00:002020-12-17T11:02:14.164+00:00Thsnks sis! You know more about these things than...Thsnks sis! You know more about these things than I do! xoxo Marie Raynerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00407913432222377267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-27090387986222236212020-12-17T10:34:14.650+00:002020-12-17T10:34:14.650+00:00This china pattern is called Pink Hope, and it'...This china pattern is called Pink Hope, and it's made by Wedgwood. Mom may have gotten them in soap, but I believe it was bought as a set. xocindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07822532607760198861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100882347408067241.post-23920243562337601372020-12-17T09:35:10.012+00:002020-12-17T09:35:10.012+00:00Morning, Marie. No, you aren't wrong about wa...Morning, Marie. No, you aren't wrong about wanting to have visitors on your terms. An 8:00 am visit that lasts all day is thoughtless or a cry for help. Your date and raison squares look delicious. My mom used to make date-filled cookies. I still have her recipe in her hand-writing. And she made date squares, too. Our lockdown here in Toronto is supposed to be over on Monday but now they are talking about even strictor measures. We are going out today for our fresh veggies, milk, eggs and flowers plus we need one more string of LED Christmas tree lights. I'm hoping Canadian Tire will still have some. Then, that's it till after Christmas. Hard to know what to do sbout your new book waiting to be published. I can understand you not having the heart to rewrite it. But remember, it wasn't your lie! Perhaps it could serve as a cautionary tale? Hope I can get another couple of hours of sleep before I have to face the day. Take gentle care. Love and hugs, ElaineElaine in Torontohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02019377474247631541noreply@blogger.com