The Healing Power of Baking
My mother was an excellent cook and she always baked on Saturdays. Although our 1960’s kitchen was small and lacking in modern style worktops, the twin tub washing machine cover, the flap of the 60’s dresser and the top of the fridge were transformed into baking tables.
Mum taught my three younger sisters and I to cook and bake, and every Saturday the kitchen tops would overflow with Coffee and Walnut Cake, Scones, Pancakes, Apple pie…
Sadly, Mum died aged just 42, on 15 February 1970, three weeks shy of my fifteenth birthday. My sisters were aged 13 and 11 – the youngest being twins.
She had left our home on Valentine’s night on a stretcher. Her last words to us children were, “I’ll see you all tomorrow.”
Although overwhelmed by grief, we continued to bake every Saturday; I found it incredibly therapeutic.
I still bake on Saturdays in her memory.
One of my regular recipes is Old Fashioned Treacle Scone.
Ingredients
500g plain flour
3 tsp baking powder
2 large eggs
250g natural yogurt or buttermilk
200g black treacle (similar to molasses)
1 tsp powdered ginger
1 tsp powdered cloves
1 tsp powdered cinnamon
4 tablespoons soya or almond milk or cows milk.
Method
- Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl
- Add beaten eggs
- Place treacle and milk in a saucepan on a low heat – to melt gently
- Add liquid to bowl and mix well.
It should now look like this:
- Add a handful of flour to your bowl
- Rub your hands with flour
- Gently knead your mix on a board
- Create a round, and cut a cross shape with a knife
- Place on a lightly floured baking tray.
Bake at 200 degrees for approximately 40 minutes.
Turn out onto a clean, dry tea towel and wrap the bread to preserve a soft crust.
Serve with or without butter.
Nutritional qualities of black treacle
Black treacle is very high in beneficial nutrients including:
- Iron
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Selenium
- Potassium
- Vitamin B6.
ENJOY
Brigid P. Gallagher is a retired natural medicines therapist, passionate organic gardener and author of “Watching the Daisies- Life lessons on the Importance of Slow,” a holistic memoir dedicated to the art of mindfulness and healing from a debilitating illness.
She lives in Donegal, Ireland – an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Categories: Self Healing
I’m sorry, that you lost your Mom so early in just so important age, Brigid.
I like, that you continue is her spirit with the baking at Saturdays. I have a question for you, do you mean rye flour, when you write black treachle? I can’t find a translation for this.
Your baking look very good.
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Thank you Irene. I think you might call it molasses though I am not 100% sure if they are exactly the same. 🌼
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Thank you Brigid, I do know molasses.
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What a lovely tribute to your mom, continuing what she has started.
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Thank you Arlene. I am so very thankful she taught us to cook and bake. She was a marvellous mum. 🌼
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Yes, I lovely tribute to your Mum I could smell the Treacle Scone, scrumptious. Baking is healing not only for the baker but those who eat food cooked with love are filled with very special energy. Bless you.
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Thank you. Yes I think food cooked with love is very healing. 🌼
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I’m so sorry you lost her so early in life. What a wonderful tribute to a beautiful lady. There is so much love in baking. Thank you for sharing such a delicious recipe!
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Thank you Lisa. I was blessed to have her for a mother. 🌼
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That’s great tradition and the scones look great. I will try this recipe on Saturday. Sorry that you lost your Mum so very early.
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Thank you. I made one yesterday and it is rather moreish. 😉
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What a beautiful tribute to your mom, Brigid. I would love to come and have tea and scones with you. Although today is the first time I have ever heard if treacle. They look great! 💐
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Thank you Alexis. You would be so welcome for tea and scones and cake… Treacle is similar to molasses I think. 🌼
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Brigid your mum will be busy baking all those beautiful tasty recipes again, and as she said she “Will see you all Tomorrow”. She will keep her promise to you. It is just that time as we know it is not the same time as those who have passed through that mighty gate know it.
My dear Irish mother was also a great baker and one of these fine days there will be a great feast.xx
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Thank you Catherine. Yes I hope we have a happy afternoon tea reunion some fine day.🌼
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What a wonderful tribute to your mum Brigid. xx Thank you for sharing this very yummy looking recipe too! 🙂 Happy Valentines from me and Dizzy. 🙂 xxx
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Thank you guys. Happy Valentines. Hope you have a lovely day. xxx
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Is treacle what we would call molasses I wonder? How sad to lose your mother so young. What a wonderful legacy she left when she taught you to bake. I have many happy memories of me learning to cook at my mother’s side. She baked nearly every day when I was young.
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Thank you Molly. I think molasses is the same or similar. I will add that to my post. It is such a wonderful thibg to learn to cook from our mothers. Sets us up for life 😊
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Such a bittersweet story. I am so sorry you lost your mom at such a young age, but what a beautiful legacy! God bless!
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Thank you. Yes I am so glad she passed these skills onto us all. 🌼
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So sorry to hear about your mum but wonderful to hear you carry on her baking tradition. I love baking too and agree it is very therapeutic:)
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Thank you Marje. It is lovely to bake and eating it 😉
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Yes nothing like the taste of freshly baked food. 🙂
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So sorry to hear about your mom, I lost my father when I was 13. This bread looks delicious, I love the smell of bread baking in the oven and I love to eat bread.
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Thank you Masha. It is tough losing a parent so young isn’t it. I agree the smell of bread baking is divine 🌼
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I loved my father and he also passed at a young age he was 55 and the same day he finally went to a doctor he died. It took me years to make peace with this.
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That is so sad Masha and a lot to take on board. I am glad you have made peace with it all.
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What a wonderful way to honor and remember your mom! I never thought of it before but baking is very therapeutic for me. I’ve always wanted a good scone recipe and look forward to trying yours. 🙂
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Thank you Debbie. Treacle scone is rather addictive. 😉 Enjoy.
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Brigid, how heart breaking. She was so young, and so were you. If no one is really gone until they are forgotten, sharing these recipes will ensure you mum lives on. For me there is no greater tribute than remembering someone for something uniquely them, be it a saying, a recipe or shared time together and you have elegantly combined two of those precious things. Paul X
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Thank you Paul. My mum was such an inspiration to us all. I am so thankful for all that she taught us. I like to put a little bit of her love into my cooking and baking xx
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WOW THIS LOOKS SO YUMMY
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Thank you. It is indeed very tasty. 😊
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They look delicious. Happy Valentine’s Day hugs!
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Thank you Teagan. Happy Valentines…⚘⚘⚘
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Great post. Takes me back to my teenage years baking every Sunday _ and using the top of mum’s twin tub as a work surface as well!! Anita
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Thank you Anita. Glad you had to improvise too. 😊
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I remember you losing your mother from reading your book. I remember thinking that I always thought I got a bum rap at losing mine when I was 41 but realize I was really lucky to have her as long as I did.
However, whereas, my mother was a great sewing teacher, her cooking skills were not that proficient. If fact, she would pay me an allowance in the summer if I would cook the family meals because cooking was something that I loved. So she did pass on the love of me doing something I enjoyed by putting up with all the exotic things I wanted to make. All those years ago Scones seemed very exotic to a kid in the Mid-West and I made them regularly (still have the recipe I used). Michael and I do enjoy a good scone and I will have to try this recipe.
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Yes. It is hard lising our patents no matter what age we are Terri. How brilliant to get paid to cook exotic dishes. Cooking is such great therapy 😊
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I can almost smell it cooking.
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Thank you. It does smell good 😉
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A terrible tragedy for you all to have lost your mom at such an early age, Brigid. When my mom was having chemotherapy a few years ago, the oncologist told me that they use baking as a therapy for cancer patients because it is relaxing and makes you feel so good.
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Thank you. How lovely to see baking used as a therapy Robbie. That is great. I hope your mum is doing well now. 🌼
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I was so saddened to read of the loss of your mother when you and your siblings were all t such tender ages. As children we never even think of losing our parents, for we are so very sure that they’ll live forever.
But how wonderful it is that you honour her by keeping up her tradition of a special baking day every Saturday.
These scones look incredible. I think I might just have to try this one Daisies. Black Treacle is recommended for people who are anemic – my doctor told me (I live with anemia and am continually on iron tablets), so maybe this would be an enjoyable way to help that!
Beautiful post Daisies.
Sending love, his Valentines Day ❤ ~ Cobs. xxx
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Thank you Cobs. The scone is very tasty and moreish. I hope it helps your anaemia. Happy Valentine
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Sent too quick! Valentine’s Day Cobs xx
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lol …. my fingers do that too, Daisies. I know not why, but I continually think they’re trying to tell me to shut up! lol. xxx
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😉
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Oh you made me miss your mother too! What a dear memory and tradition she left you. ..and a skill too!
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Thank you Michelle. Yes mothers are sorely missed. Today I shall visit her grave with flowers although I visit regularly.
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What a wonderful way to honor her Brigid! Good Mums are special people & I know her loss would be in your heart always…but how lovely she left you the legacy of baking…
Gentle hug my friend,
Jennifer
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Thank you Jennifer. I feel really blessed to have known her, even for such a short time. 🌼
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How sad that you lost your mum so young but what a wondeful legacy and memories she has left for you..This was how I learnt from my mum and my grandmother so lovely to have memories isn’t it? Hugs Brigid x
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Thank you Carol. I am so thankful to have learned these skills. They really do set you up for life don’t they… x 🌼
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They do indeed Brigid x
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This is absolutely precious! Thank you for sharing such a sweet and sentimental story! Baking is definitely something I go to when I am stressed and need an escape. 🙂
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Thank you Brooke. It is indeed very therapeutic and a great way to share a little love 🌼
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What a sweet way to honor your mom (sorry, didn’t mean to pun there). 🙂 I have never heard of black treacle. Might have to see if I can buy that where I live and give these a try.
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Thank you. Black treacle is similar to molasses. 🌼
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Brigid, a loving tribute to your mother and her love of baking. How touching that you continue to bake on Saturdays … and I imagine she is by your side. I’m so saddened to learn of the loss of your mother so young.
The treacle scone looks delicious and not at all like the normal scones! I’m printing this out to have a go. I never knew about treacle being so healthy and full of nutrients – just love learning something new each day!
Happy (& poignant )Baking this and every Saturday. hugs xxxx
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Thank you Annika. It is very tasty bread and good with butter or savoury toppings. Enjoy xx
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Loosing your mum so young must have been so tough. I love that you still think of her when you bake. I have a similar feeling when I bake as I always remember my Nan; especially baking treacle tart or her special mince pies. It’s wonderful to have these memories isn’t it? This recipe looks yumm. Thank you for sharing. Xxx
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It was tough but we never really thought of it as such. I think it is such a great thing for children to learn from their Mums and grandmothers. It sets you up for life. X
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It really is a great skill. My daughter loves baking so I now need to teach my son.
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Yes. Boys make great bakers too. 😊
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What a beautiful tribute to your Mom Brigid! It’s amazing how healing routines can be, isn’t it? It’s wonderful that you’ve continued to honor her memory in this way. Your scone looks and sounds delicious!
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Thank you Terri. Yes I find doing practical things very healing including housework!
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Me too. If I’m feeling out of sorts, I can start doing some sort of chores and before I know it I’m feeling better.😊
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lovely tribute to your mother, I will defo try this out please feel free to follow and browse my new blog in new to this so hope you enjoy it’s themumingtonposts.wordpress.com x
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Oh Brigid. This post made me both so happy and so sad. Happy that your mom gave you a lifetime of memories and gifts through her Saturday baking with you and your sisters, and sad that your time with her ended far too soon. I love it that you still bake on Saturdays in her honor. That’s lovely. Thanks for the recipe. ❤
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Thank you Diana. Although her time here was short her spirit lives on. I am so thankful that she taught us these skills. 🌼
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This is so sad but also so sweet! What a lovely tradition! xxx The scones are amazing!
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Thank you Lynn. Cooking and baking are both incredibly therapeutic 🌼
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Now that I am back to cooking and baking I find they are sooooo therapeutic!
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What a wonderful legacy your mother left for you Brigid. But so young! My heart did a flip when I read those words. I’m sure memories of her and her wonderful skills fill your own kitchen now. Happy baking 💜
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Thank you Miriam. Yes if she had been alive today, modern medicine would have supported her health issues. Pizza making today…
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Oh, so very true. How tines have changed.
Enjoy that pizza. Yum! 🙂
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Beautiful post Brigid– so thankful you have those sweet memories of your mother. And I agree baking is theraputic for all of us– warm the house and a way of nurturing those around us. It’s good. Thank you for the lovely heartfelt post. xox
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Thank you. I think we can fill our food and cakes with love Rhonda. It all adds to the eating experience. Happy weekend. X
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So true. xo
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I love molasses and I will definitely make this. Great post, thank you for sharing!
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Thank you. I love it too. 😊
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What a lovely post, Brigid. Happy memories of Saturday baking with your mum and sisters. I’m so sorry she passed away at such a young age, but I’m sure she’s very proud of you for carrying on the tradition of Saturday baking. Happy baking to you, and thank you for sharing that recipe.
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Thank you Hugh. I feel very blessed that she passed these skills to all of us. Yesterday was pizza day. 😊
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Oh so hard for you and your siblings to lose your lovely Mum at that age! What a heart scald for you all. How lovely to remember her on baking day and by honing your baking skills. Lovely post. 🙂
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Thank you. I had never heard the term heart scald till now. I love to bake and fill my food with love. 🌼
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Beautiful looking x
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Thank you. 😊
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What a beautiful tribute to your Mom, Brigid…it warms my heart to read that you still bake on Saturdays to keep her memory alive…my Mom makes delicious soup at least once a week and there is always a tub for me to bring home…she is still with me but a tear came to my eye as I washed her latest tub, what loving gestures our mothers bestow on us, they are priceless!
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I agree …I wasn’t sure where that was going but I was shocked and saddened by the image of the children watching their mother depart on a stretcher …
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…it breaks my heart to imagine how Brigid and her siblings felt…by sharing her story, I find myself feeling more tender towards my own parents who are still with me in their 80’s!
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Thank you. It was and remains a big loss in my life. Life can change in an instant. 🌼
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Wow. How sad to lose your mum, so young and so suddenly. And how lovely that you’ve kept up the tradition of baking.
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Thank you Cynthia. It was indeed but she sure set us up with her inspiration. 😊
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Hi Brigid, Hugs to you. I think it is a beautiful tribute to your mum and a beautiful way to kerp her in your heart, and all those fond memories of cooking with her and your sisters. I think such activities bring a family together , and those moment are precious to stay in the heart for ever. It those moments that make a family a family. I feel at least. I think your mum is wonderful for bring you all together like that at a young age. I too have always been with mum in the kitchen and still am. My Dad passed away -it will be 25 years in april. Daddy and all of us would help in the kitchen. Dad and would garden together, thats why i find it hard to garden sometimes, i randomly start crying whilst gardening .
A beautiful post and cooking is healing. I do treasure my moments with mum all of them.
Hugs to you Brigid. Be proud of yourself i sm sure your mum would be too. Love bella
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Bless you Bella. It is hard losing a beloved parent. I can see why you find gardening so difficult without your Dad. My Dad was the same – always outside planting and tending to his flowers. Always missed. I am glad you and your Mum share special times cooking together. These are precious memories. 🌼
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🤗
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Looks great! I love that you’re recapturing her spirit.. Your mum must be proud of you❤️
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Thank you Dina. I am so glad she inspired us to cook and bake. I am forever thankful.
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Beautiful tribute to your mom and such a sad story of losing her..big hugs and your AMAZING for celebrating her joys and that they have become yours too..SUNSHINE
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Thank you Kerri. We were very blessed to have her as a mom albeit for a short time. 🌼
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Beautiful..thank you for sharing her honor and the joy..I just lost my son and talking and sharing and celebrating him will always be a priority..Its BEAUTIFUL
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I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences.
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Thank you so much..I understand the sentiment to keep celebrating..they are FOREVER with us..
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It’s so sad to lose your mom at such a young age. Honoring her by carrying on the tradition she instilled in you is beautiful.
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Thank you Steph. I am forever grateful that she inspired us all to cook and bake.
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❤
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Sorry to learn of your mother’s sad demise Brigid. How wonderful you carried on the baking tradition in the spirit of your mother. ❤
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Thank you Debby. I am so grateful she taught us all how to bake and cook. It set us up for life 🌼
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It certainly does! 🙂
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How lovely to continue the Saturday baking…happy baking.
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Thank you. It is one of life’s great pleasures. 🌼
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I’m so sorry that you lost your mum so young, and expect much of the emotional burden to be strong fell on you. How lovely that you continue to bake in her memory. I love the sound of your scones!
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Thank you Ali. Yes being the oldest a lot fell on me but I took it in my stride. Baking soothes my soul…
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Yes. I know exactly what you mean. It’s a very comforting ritual.
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Goodness. I was sad, then a little relieved. Must have been dreadful, truly. Time I suspect does not heal as such but deliver a little more understanding of life and loves and people and humanity and thank goodness we have cooking and baking to help us through.
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Yes. I think it never really hit me till later in life. We just got on with things back then. Not healthy. 🌼
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Thanks for the recipes; the picture of your Mom is priceless!
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Thank you Deborah. Sadly, I have very few photographs of her. 🌼
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Yeah, I have very few of my father as well. He never wanted his picture taken! Kind of like me, though.
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