tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post2385079409121465002..comments2024-03-26T11:42:04.114+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: Write … Edit … Publish … Bloghop / ISWG hop: Unmasked … Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-35457913298713832752021-02-15T10:22:47.712+00:002021-02-15T10:22:47.712+00:00Thanks Sanhita - yes hard times for so many at the...Thanks Sanhita - yes hard times for so many at the moment ... a slice of fruit cake with friends would be just wonderful! All the best - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-87275676306941897492021-02-14T04:46:47.452+00:002021-02-14T04:46:47.452+00:00Wonderful. Hard times can probably best be remembe...Wonderful. Hard times can probably best be remembered as hardened plaster cast.Sanhita Mukherjeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02343518865837305340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-69367827665258599742021-01-09T15:38:12.473+00:002021-01-09T15:38:12.473+00:00Hi Deniz - it felt like they were having a good pa...Hi Deniz - it felt like they were having a good party ... but after WW1 I guess they'd be happy to be entertained, wined and caked! - even without the icing.<br /><br />Poor Robert Graves had a bad war ... and suffered mentally ... but I just liked the concept of a masked cake ... fitted the prompt.<br /><br />All the best for the year ahead - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-9965745898293311562021-01-08T10:39:42.315+00:002021-01-08T10:39:42.315+00:00Ooh, that was a surprising twist! Hope they still ...Ooh, that was a surprising twist! Hope they still managed to have a fun masquerade!Deniz Bevanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17134553551048836979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-84646526608491148482020-12-23T09:10:31.820+00:002020-12-23T09:10:31.820+00:00Hi Laura - great to see you ... and thanks for com...Hi Laura - great to see you ... and thanks for coming by - and yes in times of shortages we can do with very little and make do - I remember after WW2 my parents really did a great deal. Just glad you enjoyed the story and I'm sure they enjoyed themselves! Take care - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-92012123742591354682020-12-22T16:04:01.414+00:002020-12-22T16:04:01.414+00:00Sometimes you're forced to do the best with wh...Sometimes you're forced to do the best with what you have. Hopefully they still enjoy the rest of the celebration. Great writing as always!L.G. Keltnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07624902347418621283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-37937555668619971242020-12-19T14:52:31.424+00:002020-12-19T14:52:31.424+00:00Hi Bernadette - thanks for calling in and seeing t...Hi Bernadette - thanks for calling in and seeing the unmasked cake ... bet the cake was good, even without the marzipan or icing! Lovely to know you enjoyed ... all the best - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-14822225580175456442020-12-19T09:10:40.141+00:002020-12-19T09:10:40.141+00:00Somehow I was just as disappointed as the crowd wh...Somehow I was just as disappointed as the crowd when the cake was unmasked :( It sounded SO mouth-wateringly good.Bernadettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02702896194225013297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-57811806942311000482020-12-13T14:04:06.097+00:002020-12-13T14:04:06.097+00:00@ Thanks Rebecca - I'm glad the post took you ...@ Thanks Rebecca - I'm glad the post took you back to your childhood ... however much you don't crave fruitcake now ... but yes chocolate too - so good ... I try and avoid. Glad you enjoyed the tale ...<br /><br />@ Donna - great to see you ... and thanks re the uniqueness of the 'take on the prompt' ... and the fact the post took you back to your Christmases with your grandmother ...<br /><br />Exactly - we're not struggling compared to those who had to endure any war ... but the WW1 and WW2 here were awful ... <br /><br />Take care both of you ... thanks for being here - all the best - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-73917306580371506022020-12-12T20:42:38.356+00:002020-12-12T20:42:38.356+00:00This is such a unique twist on the prompt. Your de...This is such a unique twist on the prompt. Your description of the cake (as it should be, not the unmasked one) reminded me of Christmas at my grandmother's house. <br />That gathering, in all its glory, must have been so welcome after four years of war. As tough as this year has been, it's not been that!Donna Hantonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14620841692960550354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-90856328213228430272020-12-12T18:29:27.245+00:002020-12-12T18:29:27.245+00:00I have to say that these descriptions of fruit cak...I have to say that these descriptions of fruit cake make me think I should revisit my childhood shunning of such... though of course I still think that if I’m going to have sugar, it should include chocolate :D<br /><br />Nice story!Rebecca M. Douglasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07260530063164127746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-25614925085013519782020-12-08T14:36:16.020+00:002020-12-08T14:36:16.020+00:00Hi Susan - nope ... no marzipan - I have to have a...Hi Susan - nope ... no marzipan - I have to have a small fix every Christmas ... but glad you enjoyed 'the story' ... take care - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-85424316706290608042020-12-08T09:04:42.940+00:002020-12-08T09:04:42.940+00:00No marzipan? Off with his head! Amusing story than...No marzipan? Off with his head! Amusing story thank you!Susan Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12041548718544123557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-27869251823639445892020-12-07T09:12:17.312+00:002020-12-07T09:12:17.312+00:00Thanks Victoria ... just glad the photos fit the s...Thanks Victoria ... just glad the photos fit the story line. I know some people don't like dried fruit ... we have (nowadays) cake fruit mix, and often add in glace cherries (I love those!). We usually don't add in candied fruits. Back after WW1 then I'm sure they used dried and some candied fruit - but sugar was in short supply ... I'm just happy you enjoyed it - thank you ... take care - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-82114765439201582202020-12-07T00:54:33.755+00:002020-12-07T00:54:33.755+00:00A very interesting story, Hilary! The photos are, ...A very interesting story, Hilary! The photos are, once again, beautiful. You know, I never liked fruit cake. I think it's because I don't really care for the dried fruit. Or is the fruit called "candied fruit" for fruit cakes? I always enjoy your posts, Hilary. Have a beautiful holiday, my dear!Victoria Marie Leeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-45045902199792760252020-12-06T17:57:30.364+00:002020-12-06T17:57:30.364+00:00@ Marja – in my make believe – it was a wonderful ...@ Marja – in my make believe – it was a wonderful party! That’s fantastic you enjoy dressing up … it’s never been a favourite of mine … but I enjoyed writing the post. It was intended to be a rich, rich fruitcake – which I adore in tiny doses/slices/ a slither! Thank you re the write up … <br /><br />@ Lynda – I’d never heard of the wedding cake secrets before – hidden under plastic covers … but obviously something that goes on. The Japanese one would leave us English participants a little disgruntled … still tradition is tradition – but your acquaintance puts it well!<br /><br />@ Rosey – it was fun to read … and so useful for this prompt post. It’s only the homemade ones that are the best – I think … and has to be full of fruit without much cake!<br /><br />Thanks to the three of you … we’re getting ever closer to that Christmas time of cheer and cake … stay safe, take care and all the best - Hilary<br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-76581924957136381622020-12-06T13:04:09.521+00:002020-12-06T13:04:09.521+00:00Oh my gosh about the cake!!! They're pretty, b...Oh my gosh about the cake!!! They're pretty, but I think I'd rather just skip it entirely. ;) Here to wish you a wonderful day!mail4roseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17850985344834209198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-14940981257539810772020-12-06T05:54:55.533+00:002020-12-06T05:54:55.533+00:00An acquaintance of mine told us about having a pla...An acquaintance of mine told us about having a plastic wedding cake when he got married in the 1970s in Japan. He said there was only a small wedge that was actual cake, and the rest was decorated plastic tiers. Apparently, it wasn't really tradition over there. The photos of it were pretty, but he said looks we're about all it had going for it. Lynda Dietzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15442214431341019380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-24716233270110927582020-12-06T04:08:54.646+00:002020-12-06T04:08:54.646+00:00Sounds like a great party. I love dressing ups and...Sounds like a great party. I love dressing ups and masks. Makes me think of Carnaval lol. The food might not have been excellent but when food is scarce it tastes even better. Love nuts and fruit. The fruitcake looks a bit like the Christmas cake here of which I am not a big fan. A bit heavy. Very well written btwMarjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17458942200244031009noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-14917605360412892822020-12-05T10:08:17.358+00:002020-12-05T10:08:17.358+00:00@ Nila - thank you ... it was something I spotted ...@ Nila - thank you ... it was something I spotted when I was glancing through an article and being me - it resonated ... so here I could bring it into the story.<br />Thank you re the flash ... gungy fruitcake, meeting up - all things we'd love to have at the moment. Life back in WW1 must have been terrible - but humans have a way of being positive with laughter and smiles ... and sadly, despite all the horrors, life for those living goes on. Thanks for your thoughts ... <br /><br />@ Inger - many thanks ... you're right in times of trouble people do step up becoming creative and innovative. Thankfully I just had to dredge my memory bank re the Robert Graves' cake and unmask it as a story here ... <br /><br />@ Jo-Anne - that's great you learnt something ... <br /><br />@ Debby - thank you ... it was fun to think about ... certainly food for thought - whether for writing further is another distinctly not very prominent thought!<br /><br />Thanks so much to you all - always delighted to see you and for you commenting ... take care in the build up to Christmas ... and all the best - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-39334297045945038042020-12-05T02:44:50.110+00:002020-12-05T02:44:50.110+00:00Clever and entertaining Hilary. You have the makin...Clever and entertaining Hilary. You have the makings here for an interesting tale! Food for thought. Hugs xxD.G. Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04292901895982357952noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-23374128771046140812020-12-04T22:49:57.788+00:002020-12-04T22:49:57.788+00:00well I learnt something whhich his good so thank y...well I learnt something whhich his good so thank yoou Jo-Anne's Ramblingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11418152399382818709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-85069308715187113992020-12-04T15:27:13.324+00:002020-12-04T15:27:13.324+00:00In times of trouble people step up and become crea...In times of trouble people step up and become creative and innovative. And it's such fun to come here and learn about things. Thank you for taking the time to do the research and share the information you gained with your readers. Love it!Ingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02924736131382149056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-5555635495718131252020-12-04T15:11:51.225+00:002020-12-04T15:11:51.225+00:00I always learn something new over here! Had no ide...I always learn something new over here! Had no idea about Robert Grave's cake having a plaster cast. <br /><br />Your flash was marvellous - great build up and descriptions, made me want a slice of that fruit cake myself! Life wasn't easy a 100 years ago, was it? I always think that every time someone says 'good, old days'...a lot of those days weren't all that good, really.<br /><br />Season's greetings to you and all the very best for 2021!Nilanjana Bosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08656370320322301943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-18082757415488879282020-12-04T09:39:49.117+00:002020-12-04T09:39:49.117+00:00@ Diane - yes ... it was a good afternoon tea post...@ Diane - yes ... it was a good afternoon tea post WW1<br /><br />@ Toi - thank you ... yes I thought the tie in was so appropriate for what we're going through at the moment - not nearly as bad though. I wouldn't have thought of the story - but for the Robert Graves' tale of his wedding cake. A rich fruit cake is something I love - but haven't cooked one for years ... I enjoy others though!<br /><br />@ Holly - thank you ... excellent you noted the PS.<br /><br />Thanks everyone - lovely seeing you all - take care - HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.com