The Last of the Sunday Buns

It was like a winters day on Sunday; the skies were grey, the wind had a sharp icy bite, the weather is fluctuating between warm and freezing cold, the warm days get our hopes up that summer is nearly here while the harsh cold winds make us feel like the weather is laughing at us, or teasing us,

HAHA laughs mother nature, not yet, bare toes and sun hats, not yet!

We wrapped up and braved the cold and headed out for a walk in the neighbouring fields. We can now walk up to 5km from our home, but we only managed about 1 km there and back. We collected sticks, picked daisies and buttercups, said moo to the cows and watched birds flying overhead and searching the ground for food.

It was almost 5 pm when we arrived home, it was an evening for the fire, but we only light that when the baby goes to bed. We decided to make some buns, also known as fairycakes. I learned to make buns when I was quite young maybe about 12 years old, and I have been making them on and off over the years. My mother taught me, like her mother before her, it is a lovely family tradition, and I am sure most households in Ireland have their version of the recipe.

It is hard to beat the smell of melted butter and the soulful satisfaction of beating sugar and butter together until it forms a creamy texture. And of course, when the eggs, flour and remaining ingredients are folded in, everyone wants to clean the spoon and bowl.

We used to argue over who would get a taste, although you never really needed much as it was so rich.

Abigail now helps add the bun cases to the tray; she loves helping and sorting. It is her new favourite thing. We mark a bun with the letter A for Abigail, once the buns are out of the oven she knows which one is especially for her. My Mam used to also do this for us, and oh if someone came in and swiped a bun that was marked for you, there were many tears at the kitchen table!

The making of buns can be an engaging experience for the whole family, even watching the bake and cool down is a treat! This Sunday Bun making was like a farewell party to buns, a last hurrah to them in our house for a while because we just signed up to the Bodycoach (Joe Wicks) 90 plan and I was pretty sure that butter and sugar were not on the 90-day plan.

The 90-day plan arrived in my inbox a few days later; buns are replaced with sugar-free banana muffins, amongst other things! I was so excited to be starting this plan. I have heard so many people saying you don’t need to transform yourself during this time, but for me having a focus such an exercise and a new meal plan are what I need. It is an extensive plan, which takes a lot of effort; it is well thought out, provides an abundance of recipes, exercises and snacks to guide you through the 90 days.

At the first chance I got, I ran out to the shops to buy some ingredients and to quote Joe Wicks - “Prep like a Boss”. Leo Sayer’s You make me feel like dancing was on Classic Hits and I was in great spirits. By the time I reached the checkout, unpacked and repacked the trolley, I was fit for bed. I don’t know if you have ever tried a plan like this, but I tend to overbuy, get over-excited and burn myself out before I even start. I recovered from this momentary fatigue and looked forward to the first training session that night.

The first session was challenging, but we had so many laughs, Jock thought it was a game and ran under our arms on every push-up count, he was in his element. I pulled a mat out to do sit-ups, and when I turned to sit down, he had already made himself comfortable, so I resigned to the wooden floor. I don’t intend on documenting the 90 days, but due to the sheer intensity and effort, it is taking I am sure it will come up from time to time over the next 90 days.

Week 1 down, we are feeling the rewards, sleeping well, eating well, more aches than the week before and looking forward to the weeks ahead.

I guess if you are going to work from Hawaii, you have to be beach ready!

Stay safe,

Kind regards,

Working from Hawaii