How did this transpire? I am trying to think, as I may have possibly been under the influence of too much red wine and may not remember the events clearly.
My sidekick and I had been dining on a fabulous Sunday roast at the table of Mum-in-Law, Dad-in-Law and Lovely Neighbour Lady From Down the Lane. After I had been guffawing very embarassingly to their comments about the meat of the local butcher and how well hung it was (and they were serious! How was it that I was the only one that found this funny??!!), the conversation drifted to other matters. And thank God for that. I could hardly contain myself.
Lovely Neighbour Lady From Down the Lane is an amazing little baker. She is about, oh, maybe somewhere in her 70's. She had been talking about her time working as a cook in a huge estate, working as a Land Girl during the war and other fascinating stories about her life. It was the cooking and the baking of many scones that began an idea that has turned into something tangible and also quite edible. Mum-in-Law had the idea of creating a local cookbook using the recipes of people from the surrounding communities of Lucker, Adderstone and Warenford in Northumberland.
After several months of collecting recipes, researching printers and costs, the book has finally been completed. Last week I had the privilege of looking through the final draft. I was asked to create the artwork for the front and back covers. The project was easy enough for me as all they needed were two drawings: One of the war memorial and the other an old fashioned sign post pointing the way to the three towns. I am happy to report that they are quite pleased with my drawings and I cannot wait to see them on the book.
Proceeds of this delightful little book are going to raise money for the local Hall.
Ah. Small town living. There is something rather charming about it.
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