Cups of tea were a regular feature throughout the day — with meals, with visitors, and in the ordinary pauses in between. Around those everyday routines were many of the things Mam made, baked and grew.

From the Kitchen

Pancakes were a familiar favourite, along with scone bread, treacle bread and scone buns, made both with and without raisins. I was particularly fond of the scones, though less enthusiastic about the raisins and usually picked them out.

Even boiled eggs were adapted to suit: shells were removed and the eggs served in a cup.

When the blackberries ripened, we were sent up Barrick Hill with plastic bags to gather them. What came home was turned into jam.

Into the Garden

Mam had a great love of flowers and growing things. Lupins, pansies and dahlias made colourful displays, while Busy Lizzies brightened the house indoors.

At Port, the pink roses beside the cottage remained part of her own memory of the place. In Ballyloskey, there was also a small vegetable garden below the turf shed.

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