Posted on by Angela Jelf

The Baking Blunder

Daily writing prompt
Write about your most epic baking or cooking fail.
View all responses
There was once an unfortunate baker
Who forgot to put flour in her cake-er
"What a mess!" came her cries,
When that cake did not rise,
"Oh this cake is a big old mistake-ah!

True story. I was about twelve years old. I was making a sponge sandwich.

I creamed the butter and sugar. I added the eggs and the vanilla extract.

Then I went into some kind of daydream and…. somehow forgot to add the flour!

I carefully spooned the mixture into the cake tins, and popped them into the oven.

I set the timer. Twenty minutes later…

Why were the cakes still gloopy? Why were they not turning a lovely golden brown?

Where was that delicious sponge smell?

Where had I gone wrong?

Where was my brain?

Then….a slow, dawning moment.

Ohhhhh dear!

Posted on by Angela Jelf

Woodland Walk

The wildness of the wood,
It always does me good.
The dappled light,
The green,
The gold that slips between,
The fresh and earthy smell,
The feeling all is well.

A calmness in my mind,
As aching limbs unwind,
Enveloped in the green,
No chores, no crowds, no screen.
A pause within my day,
A chance to think and pray.

Away from city rush,
A place that whispers: 'hush!'
A cool and calming breeze,
A rustle in the trees,
A place to stroll and talk
This wondrous woodland walk.

Posted on by Angela Jelf · 2 Comments

Words For The Weary

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy-laden and I will give your rest – Matt 11:28

I picked up my pen, 
But the words wouldn't come,
My mind in a tangle, 
My brain feeling numb.
I tried and I tried 
To keep doing my best,
But the weight of my trials 
Crushed the hope in my chest.
And grief stripped my song,
To a desolate cry,
My worship a whisper,
My prayers just a sigh.
Each step that I took
Weighed with worrisome boulders,
Until two big strong arms,
Placed me up on His shoulders.

And He bandaged my wounds
And He called me His daughter,
And He led me through meadows,
To quiet streams of water.

I said: "Lord I've failed You,
I've not done enough!'
And He sang to me softly,
And hushed me with love.

Then He answered: 'Be still
There is no need to hurry,
Just rest in my goodness,
Don't fret and don't worry.'

Those who wait on the Lord,
Will find new strength to run,
They'll rise up like eagles,
With their wings in the sun,
'Just lean into me,
Lay Your head on my chest,
Cast your burdens upon Me,
And I'll give you my rest'.

Posted on by Angela Jelf · 4 Comments

Garden Song

An hour of toil in the garden,
Is always time well spent,
Tugging out those stubborn old weeds,
Which year upon year won't relent.

An hour spent tending the garden,
Is never wasted time,
Lungs full of wonderful, fresh Spring air,
Hands caked in dirt and grime.

It's hard to feel glum in the garden,
Birds chirping high in the trees,
Potting up Pansies so cheery and bright,
Hair tugged about on the breeze.
Cutting the deadwood and turning the earth,
Allowing the sun to get through,
Seems to clear my cluttered mind,
And lifts my spirits too.

Thank you Lord for my garden,
Humble and small though it be,
It's a place where so often I've felt You near,
And Your joy surrounding me.

Once You knelt down in a garden,
And in terrible anguish You cried,
Thy will, not mine be done, Oh Lord!
Abandoned.  Betrayed.  Denied.

One Sunday morn in a garden,
The Son of God rose from the grave,
Bringing salvation and mercy and grace,
To the ones He came to save.