Saturday, 30 October 2021

Soul Cakes (Soulmass-Cakes)

 I made soul cakes - traditional cakes for Allhallowtide in Britain. They were given to people who come from house to house and sing during that time. Recipe in the video:


How to Bake Soul Cakes (Soulmass-cakes)? Quick and Easy Recipe - YouTube




Friday, 22 October 2021

I bought American Duchess shoes

 The shoes are comfortable but putting the buckles was quite complicated for me. I had to use a pencil, a needle and a knitting needle to make holes for the buckles. 


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4JlplLrBQwk




Cookies according to a 1786 recipe


 The recipe is very simple and the cookies are tasty! The recipe is based on a French cake so the taste is similar. 



The recipe is in the video:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C0I16AC0YTk






Tuesday, 31 August 2021

Annie from Mary King’s Close (poem)

Photograph of Mary King’s close;
Source https://www.cobbletales.com/underneath-edinburgh-old-town/


 To write this poem, inspired me the Edinburgh underground city and it’s legend:

“In the 90s, the renowned Japanese psychic, Aiko Gibo came to visit The Real Mary King’s Close while making a film about the haunted places of Britain. When it came to stepping inside a room off Allan’s Close, she could barely enter the 17th-century room for the pain and unhappiness she could feel there: ‘I cannot enter this room… it is too strong… there is a child beside me, her little hand is clutching my trouser leg. I… I just cannot go into this room… she was separated from her parents. She wants to go home and see her family… her desire haunts this place very strongly.’” 

Quote from https://www.realmarykingsclose.com/the-story-of-annies-doll/


Come closer, Annie


I woke up in my cold room, as usually, 

Though no sunbeam greeted me,

(It never does);

I came downstairs to the kitchen,

To help my mother with breakfast


But the room was empty,

No mother was there.

Was she still sleeping?

Or did she go out 

to the grocery store?


The bedroom empty,

Did my father 

get to work without breakfast?

Were are my siblings?

Little Joey not in his cradle?

Did my big sister Emma 

leave our home, too?


I feel like crying..

When will they come back?

(Never?)

No! In a moment they will be back!

I will wait for them 

with the breakfast ready!


I came back to my room

To take my dolly..

(She always cheers me up!)

There is no dolly?

Did she go out as well?


Who did take my dolly?!

It is so empty, dark

And quiet here..

There is no groceries in the cupboard 

And the evening comes…


Tuesday, 24 August 2021

Sewing an 18th century redingote