Oh, it's Easter you say?

One of the problems with all this isolating is we’re losing track of what day it is, well I certainly am. There’s usually an obvious difference between the working week and the weekend, at least in our household. Weekend usually means no alarm clock, time with friends on Saturday and baking and cooking on Sunday before our weekly visit to my in-laws. We haven’t seen them for 4 weeks mostly due to the fact that trying to explain how to video call is more painful than a James Blunt concert.

So, this week, Easter crept up on me with all the stealth of Donald Trump stalking an inappropriate metaphor and so it was no surprise that I found myself sitting in Lidl car park on Good Friday morning wondering why I was very much alone. I suspect that due to the unprecedented situation we find ourselves in, that my immediate thoughts were not that surprising, “Oh shit, now we’re in trouble! Why didn’t I sew those courgette seeds when I had the chance? The vegetable patch is in a right mess. But I don’t want to be vegan. How can I live without cheese?” Sounds quite rational to me! Obviously, I had forgotten that in Germany, where I do my shopping, everything closes for Easter.

It’s just not on my radar, it never has been. As a child it was only ever about what order I was to eat the chocolate eggs I had been given by various relatives. Now it’s about producing lovely festive cakes, however, this year, it’s different.

So, like a lot of us, I’m experimenting with my baking. I’ve decided to make Hot Cross Buns but with chocolate and orange rather than the traditional dried fruit. I have been forced into this merely because I forgot to buy some more fruit at the supermarket (yes I did manage to get my weekly shop because this morning, Lidl were open and I joined the rest of my latex-gloved, paranoid comrades in a awkward dance down the aisles). I was so anxious about whether they would have flour this week, which they did, that I forgot about everything else.

Anyway, my dough is warming in the Instant Pot, I’m listening to James Taylor on my headphones, my husband is sitting in the garden and the goats are playing in the sunshine. All is well…..erm, well not quite. It came to my attention that the yeast I have used for the buns is out of date, so you may be witness to a baking balls-up but we shall see. I shall join my hubby for a bit and come back shortly and check on proceedings……

Well, it certainly hasn’t risen as much as I would like but it’s not a complete disaster. I’ve divided the dough and they’re now gonna sit for another hour. Whilst that is going on, I’m gonna Skype with some pals and put my feet up….back soon.

How lovely to catch up with my friends! I find it very weird not to be hugging them though. I'm a natural hugger. I like to hug. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but I have managed to bring some 'non-huggers' round to my way of thinking. That's because I'm very comfortable. I have comfortable landing areas.

Anyway, my buns are out of the oven (yeah,yeah). They're not as light as I would like (note to self: buy some yeast next week.....if they have any, of course) Hubby has tried them and he's happy, so job done!

The recipe is from Mary Berry https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/mary_berrys_hot_cross_65003 However you choose to spend this Easter weekend, I hope you have a wonderful relaxing time, see you soon x