Diary weekend ending 11th February

[BumbleB]

The Anzac biscuits look good, and obviously those who attended the coffee morning agreed 

[radstockjeff]

Yes,so lots of rain was common during February in days of yore!
It is a very old saying ,from a poem by Sarah Coleridge
January brings the snow
Makes our feet and fingers glow.

February brings the rain
Fills the dykes and streams again .
March brings breezes
Hard and chill
Shakes the nodding Daffodil.


Etc.
Viktoria.

Flanders and Swann did a parody of this poem  called Song of the Weather, putting a more gloomy perspective for each month for example,

In July the sun is hot, Is it shining, no it's not;

August cold and dank and wet, brings more rain than any yet;

and so on.......................

[Viktoria]

Oh they were funny !

 Mud , mud ,glorious mud .
The honeysuckle and the bindweed  fell in love —the two plants twine in different directions so any progeny “ would not know which way to turn”
 
Viktoria.

[Viktoria]

I forgot to include a snippet from “Mud “ which always makes me laugh —-
Two hippopotami or hippopotamuses?
“ His young amorata adjusted her garter——“
I shall leave it there in the interests of public decency .

Viktoria.

[Caw1]

What lovely reminisces of days gone by!
Flanders’s & Swan were favourites of my dear father and he used to regale them to me … very poignant and quite eary… as today my father passed away 50 yrs ago.. and with all those little ditties it’s like he’s communicating with me, so thankyou Viktoria and Jeff … it’s brought a tear to my eyes. 😢

Caroline

[Viktoria]

Re Anzac biscuits ,weren’t they “ invented “ ie a new recipe ,baked to sell to raise funds for soldiers of Australia and New Zealand who were badly injured ,especially after Gallipoli?
I will be pleased to be corrected .
These  things need to be correct given the reasons !
They do look good.
I have a recipe in a little recipe book sold in aid of a local United Reformed Church .
Viktoria.

[River Tyne Lass]

Yes, your biscuits look good Jeff.  I would have thanked you for one if I had been at your chapel.
Our local libraries do free teas, coffees and biscuits on certain days as part of the 'warm spaces' initiative on account of rising energy costs.  I had a 'Nice' (rhyming with neice) biscuit there last week.  And oh my! That was so nice, excuse the pun.  I don't buy biscuits anymore on account of cholesterol issues but it is nice to have an occasional one at the library.  Some people take a handful.  I think they should have a guard standing over them.
That is interesting about what you write about the history behind the Anzac biscuits Viktoria.  I wonder if you and Jeff would share your recipe secrets for them on here?  Well, I have to ask as shy bairns get nowt.
I have got to dash now as running late for Church.
It is a grey, cold rainy day here.

[radstockjeff]

My response to Viktoria appears to have got lost in transit. When we were last down under I got hold of a book by Allison Reynolds "ANZAC Biscuits"  the power and spirit of an everyday national icon. There seems to be some doubt as to the veracity of these creations being sent in food parcels to the ANZAC troops and I think that the jury is still ,out on that one. However this book, over 150 pages sets out the story of the ANZAC biscuit in all its forms as well as the historical link with two or three Wiltshire villages bordering Salisbury Plain, including Sutton Veny. If you can get a copy it is well worth while and has some variations on the recipe theme.
rj

[radstockjeff]

Here is the reciipe which I used. I think I made it just a tad too runny so be careful with the added water.
rj