Making Scones in Lockdown

Photo by Sonia Nadales on Unsplash

There’s a difference between a level teaspoon and a heaped teaspoon of baking powder when it comes to making scones. 

I came to the idea of making scones much later than everyone else.  I determined that I wasn’t following the crowd, but instead I’d learn to make scones because at least I’d have something to show for my time at home.

I eased myself in gently with a packet from the supermarket…the just add milk variety.  I knew how to make a well in the centre of the flour before adding the milk. I remembered to dust the table with flour before kneading the dough. I even knew to dust the baking tray before placing them in the oven. 

How did I know all this? Well when I was growing up, Monday was scone making day in our house (along with many other days). I must have watched Mammy making scones umpteen times in my life. I never wanted to help, more often frustrated with the need to watch the scones in case they burned, and therefore unable to leave the house or kitchen to do anything else. As I got older, and Mammy was no longer able to make scones, I opted for buying them instead. Of course to me it didn’t make any difference, shop bought scones were scones, despite the mild protests that they didn’t taste the same as homemade.

So, perhaps because of the first success I decided to make them from scratch. How could it not go according to plan? I was fully confident that  I had it mastered.  Having opted for plain flour, I had to add the baking powder myself, so yes, there is a difference between a level teaspoon and a heaped teaspoon.A few other practice runs- whether to add one or two spoons of sugar- were all that was needed. Mistakes were quickly forgotten about, with the swift disappearance of the fruits from the oven. So I could begin again.

Buoyed up by my-new found competence, I decided to tackle a Mary Berry chicken dish. Diligently I watched and re-watched her video, and off I went….but oh dear…it really wasn’t quite the same conclusion as the great baker herself….She had  made it look so easy! 

Of course it had nothing to do with the fabulous Mary Berry, but with my own cooking skills. There was just so much to take in, that while one part was under cooking, the other part was over cooking. What I needed was Mary Berry herself to  come into my kitchen. Wow!  She could not only talk me through it, giving me instructions, but stopping me from adding the wrong ingredient at the wrong time, or even just encourage me, that if it didn’t go right the first time, we could do it again. 

Wouldn’t that be great? 

And it made me think of what it’s like following Jesus. Sometimes I seem to be growing in my faith, other times I get discouraged, when I struggle to be the person I know I should be, that would please God. 

What I really need is God Himself to come into my world, my relationships, in fact all of my life to help me. And in reality,  this is what He has done. God the Holy Spirit is described as Helper, Comforter and One who intercedes. There is a Person to help me, instruct me, encourage me, and yes, correct me when I get things wrong.

 So when I’m struggling, I look to God to help me. Mistakes are forgiven, and encouragement provided. 

Everything is better with His help.