Wednesday 21 September 2011

Be-Ro Bastardos

I've been a bit moody this week I suppose. A bit glum. A bit 'Victor Meldrew'. In fact a bit of a grumpy old bastard.

What I usually do to pull out of this kind of nose-dive (finances permitting - which they are not) is treat myself to something utterley frivolous and pointless. This time I've decided to lift my spirirts and extricate myself from the dog-house again by baking something tasty. A tasty treat.      (I don't need any more useless items of shit clogging up the already bulging closets).

Just add water...
I inherited my Nana's old Be-Ro cookery book from my Mum some time back. It's a pamphlet really, but is full of the most useful and simple cookery recipes you can find. No fancy ingredients involved. No need to travel on the back of a yak for 1200 miles to find them. No obscure herbs usually only to be found in a Chinese herbalists pants. No. Just honest to goodness things like lard (!!!) and sugar. (I replace the lard and butter with marg you'll be pleased to learn - coronary averted).

Dum dee dee, dee dum...
My Be-Ro book is encrusted with decades of dried-on fruit bits, fat stains, dusted with flour and glistening sugar and is in a generally 'well used' condition. In fact it's so covered in various cookery ingredients, it would probably be a reasonably tasty and nutritious meal in itself.

Anyway, I made some cherry scones...

...and a some jammy coconut madeleines.

Nurse!!!
Now I'm more at ease. I feel better for that.

If a little stodged. Fat bastardos.


PS. I went for the results yesterday. The tumour was benign! Relief all round here.  
Relieved fat bastardos...

28 comments:

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

I identify hugely with baking as therapy. That is my indoor way of making myself feel good when walking and gardening are precluded by bad weather. Also sometimes bake just because I want to eat. If you like baking try the Mary Berry baking book - classic!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

That's fantastic about the tumor!

Those look divine. Although next time I vote you try one of my concoctions ;-)

Chris said...

Elizabeth - I try to avoid baking when I want to eat as I want to eat constantly. I would literally be a sphere...

Lisa - You're on! Something with fewer calories please.

John Going Gently said...

I think you have anti climatic cancer blues
my advice ( for what it's worth)

get pissed

get angry

prod tom stephenson a little

cry and watch trash tv


good news mate thank goodness eh?

hugs
johnx

Melodie said...

A good indulgence every now and then never hurt anyone! So very glad your A-O.K.!

Tom Stephenson said...

I thought I had cheered you up yesterday without the need for carboydrates, sugar and lard, but anyway - keep prodding! That's really good news, Chris.

Chris said...

John - yes the relief is a bit melancholy. Strange isn't it.

Melodie - I'm gonna indulge my ass off!

Tom - A T.S. rant always brightens my day. More of a tickle than a prod. Hope your current glum situation resolves itself too!

Janet said...

Mis -read the bit about the Be-ro book being encrusted with "fat" stains thought it read " bat" stains -had to go back and re-read it twice !! need glasses.
Great news-follows John`s advice- that is-if you can lever yourself off the sofa after eating all those yummy goodies xx

Chris said...

Janet - I swat the bats with a Jamie Oliver cook book as it's much thicker!

Jacqui said...

I love my inherited Bero-book, though mine seems to be a bit older, judging from the 1950s style illustrations. Don't ditch the butter and lard - stay away from the trans fats please.
I am so glad you are ok - sorry I seemed to miss all this - sending hugs and healing. xxx

John Going Gently said...

chris...
the nurses will tell you, your emotions post surgery are normal and to be honest always sort of expected by those that have seen it all before.

the psychi is a delicate soul sometimes
x

Samantha said...

I went through a weird depression thing after my galactogram was clean this spring..my fabulous surgeon even warned me I might! Still confused the hell out of me.
THANK GOD everything is ok! Dancing a happy dance for you!

And now craving scones. Damn you.

Rebecca said...

What a relief... So glad to hear the good test results! Sounds like you're in a slump... You should have covered your scones in chocolate syrup :)

e.m.b. said...

Such good news on your results!!! That definitely needed some celebratory baking, and scones are where it's at!!!

Chris said...

Jacqui - Lard just seems so FAT! I can't bring myself to use it although my Mum and Nana both do/did and the baking was marvelous.

John - I guess people just psych themselves up to hear the worst - me included. Now it's a case of 'now what?' Resisting the temptation to 'bungie-jump'.

Sam - Glad your galactogram went ok. Had to look that one up (thought it was something out of Star Trek). All the scones have been stolen before I could get my gnashers around them!

Becks - I'm clutching my heart just thinking about that.

Erin - They sure are!

I must point out here that the NHS, nurses, doctors, staff etc. were absolutely fabulous and amazing throughout.

It's one of the saddest things imaginable that the Tories are intent on destroying it...

936000 said...

Mad busy at work here plus I have a project I am working on....... ;)
but wanted to pop in and say YAY!!
When I finish my project, I will email you on why you are "down" after receiving good news.
Yours aye,
meggs.xx

Crow said...

Great news indeed. I think you need to go back to fishing. Rivers are wonderful for a good mental/spiritual and some times physical cleansing.

I was thinking of baking oatmeal cookies today. Now I just HAVE too!

Molly said...

Chris you never fail to make me laugh even if you are a bit down in the dumps. Brilliant news health wise, so pleased (relieved) for you. I like your buns they look delectable.

Chris said...

Meggs - Aye up! Please do...

Crow - Always physical cleansing with me as I fall in so often.

Molly - You haven't seen my buns!

Anonymous said...

I'm SO relieved it was benign Chris! The ups and downs I experienced with the hubster's scare were so similar...thinking it was the worst case, finding out it was the best case, then feeling bruised, battered, and generally run down afterwards.

Thanks so much for your insights btw. I know what you mean about the pressure from outside and how, while well intended, it just makes everything harder. That's why I didn't discuss it with many people or talk about it on the blog until I felt clearer about what was going on. I needed to know how I felt before I had to start taking care of how everyone else felt, too.

Your situation was more advanced than mine and absolutely, if I had a lump, I'd opt for surgery to remove it, too! In a weirdly unfortunate way, IF there's anything going on in my breast at all in the first place, it's at a vastly earlier stage. Which makes it more difficult to identify, almost impossible to tell if it's truly dangerous or not, easier to over-diagnose, much easier to over-treat, and far likelier to cause the kind of unnecessary harm (both psychologically and physically) that's stirring up the wider controversy around mammograms. There's so much room for error which makes it a lot harder to figure out a healthy course of action.

BTW, just so you don't worry, I've already had a mammogram. They now want me to come back in for more scans and ultrasounds "just to make sure" which is why I'm balking. There are a number of elements in play that make this case very high risk for a false positive result. I'm not being stubborn just to be stubborn. I just don't think it's in my best interest to risk a serious depressive episode when the odds are against a bad outcome to begin with.

Congratulations on the good news again, Chris! Take care of yourself...it sounds like you've taken quite a beating with all the stress. Eat sugar. Fish. Rest. Recover. And also...I'm very curious to know what kinds of serious changes the whole thing is catalyzing? Hmmmm...

Dia

Cro Magnon said...

You must be ecstatic; what a weight off your mind.

I only bake when it's cold, as I always use our wood fired oven. But love it, especially bread making.

Very best wishes. Cro.

Jim said...

Great news Chris! Yes indeed!
Now those scones look like they should be eaten very quickly not to mention those other thingies! Deep breath in, deep breath out.......
Jim

Jim said...

Oh, I could mention that 'Lahey' and the 'boys' was filmed right across the salt marsh from us in an old abandoned trailer park. We aren't all like that.....honestly, you must believe me!

Chris said...

Dia - worry vs depression? It's a hard call and a very personal one. Hope you're ok...

Cro - If I only baked when it was cold I be baking all the time. Wood fired oven? Heaven...

Jim - they were eaten quickly, so much so I can't do the top botton on my jeans...

... Yeah right. 'Jimbo Lahey' lolx

Anonymous said...

Wandered over here from your bee blog. Sorry you've been going through the big C scare -- YEAH, it's benign. Your baking looks delish.

fromsophiesview said...

Jim's middle name is Lahey....lol
Now I must gets me some scones immediately!

Little Blue Mouse said...

That is good news Chris!

Dustin's Fly Box said...

Those look soooo tasty! Great blog, you got a new follower!