yoyos and gingerloaf

I made yoyos. and gingerbread loaf. But you don't get to see pictures of the loaf. It wasn't so attractive looking. The taste however, boy oh boy, the taste, was wonderful!! Oh, the joy it brings to bake a sweet treat, to lick the bowl afterwards, and to smell the comforting smell of sweet, hot cookies wafting through the house. It brings a sense of comfort.

It takes me back to the beautiful memories of arriving home from a treacherous bike ride from a dreary day at school, on those icey winter days. Often feeling somewhat frustrated, I'd make the turn into the infamous 'Brown' household on Sawyers Arms Rd. The sight would bring joy to me like nothing else. I'd glide through the opening of the friendly holly hedge in the driveway to see smoke drifting out of the chimney into a dull grey sky. The old house seemed to smile at me every time I came through that gate. It'd tell me, 'you're home now, put a smile back on your face.' I'd quickly park my bike outside the door, trying to ignore Dad's voice in my head saying 'if you keep leaving your bike there it's going to get stolen, why don't you put it in the garage?' My wind blown hair and numb fingers always ready to be welcomed in to the calm behind the door. I'd scuttle up the concrete steps, open the door, slunk my bag onto the floor with a thud, and that's when it'd hit me, the sweet aroma of my dear Mother's simply fantastic baking. I'd click open the french doors into the kitchen, and be hit by a beautiful warmth from the old woodfire. Looking at the bench, i'd see, Mum had been on a rather hefty baking mission! There would be bowls waiting to be licked clean and fresh baking waiting to be savoured. My eyes always welcomed the sight of a hot caramel slice still sitting in its tin cooling on the bench, or mufffins on the go in the oven, and a popular 'no bake' muesli slice setting in the fridge. It wasn't out of the ordinary for Mum to bake that much in one go, i can assure you, an unusual occurence in the 'Brown' household - this was not. What could be better after a dreary old day at school and a somewhat chilling bike ride home? Not a lot i say. Not a lot.

Oh the memories. I am thankful for such a blessed upbringing. What a privilege! Sometimes it's the little things in life. A cosy, friendly home. A loving family. Sometimes its just, yoyos and gingerloaf! :)