Old Style Lent

theamazinggem

i had decided to give up gambling for lent (not that i do a lot, maybe a fiver a month, and yes i've done the demotivator and no i'm not addicted). but now i'm thinking i'll give up something else as well. i did chocolate last year, and really struggled, but was pleased with myself. i don't want to do that or alcohol this year as my birthday's in a week and i'm pretty sure i'd break and then feel horrible about it.

i like the ideas about taking something up, and the positivity of it, and i may do, but for me (and i'm not massively religious, i go to church for weddings and funerals and that's about it) it is a lot about testing yourself.

so i'm not sure what to add. i've already virtually given up caffeine as i don't sleep well and something like bread would probably do more harm than good as i'm just starting out on the OS thing.

any suggestions?

Sola

Howabout some charity work or offering to take an elderly neighbour shopping?

orchid-96

We were discussing this yesterday and I said 'I think I will give up alcohol for lent' my ds (5) said, yes I am going to give up alcohol and sweets :eek: ...last year he started with sweets, then when he fancied some, changed it to chocolate, then again after that sweets so he could have chocolate again.....don't think he has quite got it...

I think its a great idea to do this, but I think the best way is to do say just one thing, as too many things just ends up being too hard...good luck all with whatever you are giving up.....

theamazinggem

yknow what i don't think i have any elderly neighbours. all young families where i live. which is odd. and not the point of course, but i just thought about it.

i'll think about it. i might give up going to T express in my lunch breaks, now THAT would be a tough one!

will try and think of something charity to do, might start by clearing a bit more of my bookshelf...

Justamum

thriftlady wrote: »

Yep, Mothering Sunday is also known as Refreshment sunday and you are allowed all the Sundays in lent off, I'm not going to take days off though.

I had to bite my tongue in Thornton's the other day (I was just looking:whistle: )when the assistant told me that as well as Easter being early this year (it is) it was 'really close to mother's day this year'. Mothering Sunday is always the same Sunday in lent (middle one I think) so Easter is always the same distance from it.

Yes DD&D I am giving up buying cookery books:D

Gosh!!! I can't believe that in all my (almost) 45 years I've never worked that one out or heard it before. It just shows, the people on this forum are a mine of information!

Penelope_Penguin

Can someone tell me about Simnel Cake, please We love the Christmas dried fruit food (we've eaten 3 Christmas puddings, most of a huge cake and 100 mince pies :eek: this last season ) and so would like a Lenten fruit cake. I have a recipe, but would be pleased to cook a different one if anyone has a killer recipe :A

Does the cake need maturing in the same way as a Christmas one? If not, when should I be looking to make it?

TIA, Penny. x

noonesperfect

I seem to remember my Mother telling me that simnel cake was made by young girls (usually in service) to take to their own Mothers on Mothering Sunday.
Other than it has a layer of marzipan in the middle of the cake as well as on top I'm not sure how much it differs from Christmas cake, though I don't believe you would put any alcohol during the making or "feed" it as you would a Christmas cake.
Also a simnel cake has 13(?) small balls of marzipan (Apostles) round the outer edge of the cake and the top is brushed with egg white and browned under the grill.
HTH

Lily-Lu

frogga wrote: »

I'm givin up Chocolate :eek: !

I've never given up anything, but will join in this year and give up the same:eek:
It won't be easy, as I'm a chocoholic. Rarely go 2 days without a bar:o

Good luck everyone:D

Churchmouse

A traditional simnel cake doesn't need *maturing* like a Christmas cake.

It only needs 11 marzipan balls on the top since Judas hanged himself for his betrayal, and is not depicted on the cake. ( personally, I've always had a lot of time for Judas, and really sympathise with him)

PenPen, any rich fruit cake recipe will do, just put a rolled layer of marzipan in the middle. When checking if the cake is cooked, try to avoid the marzipan layer:rotfl: :rotfl: Arrange 11 balls of marzipan on top and grill quickly for a bit of colour. Bob's your uncle:D Don't forget to bring a slice to our meet:D

This was the traditional cake taken by servant girls on their *Sunday off* during Easter to go to their *Mother Church* hence, Mothering Sunday:D

Here endeth the Lesson:rotfl:

Penelope_Penguin

Churchmouse wrote: »

PenPen, any rich fruit cake recipe will do, just put a rolled layer of marzipan in the middle.

Thanks CM and NOP. Churchie - please elaborate on how I get a layer of marzipan into the middle of uncooked cake Or is it obvious and too early in the morning for me

Penny. x