Most people assume hot cross buns came about as a tribute to Jesus, but others claim that the Saxons ate them in honour of the goddess Eostre and that the cross symbolises the four quarters of the moon. I don’t really care where they came from, to be honest about it, I’m just glad they’re still on the go.
Cold with a steaming mug of tea, or toasted under the grill and dripping with butter. Yum. Though I could’ve cried today when I got these home and realised the baker at the supermarket had FORGOTTEN TO PUT THE RAISINS IN!!! I miss my local bakery. :(
4 comments:
Hello Roisin. Nothing to do with hot cross buns, I’m afraid. I’m not that keen – more of a muffin-and-marmalade man. I picked up one of your comments on Ruthie’s blog. Just wanted to say a couple of things.
I like your blog. It’s sparky, entertaining and very good to look at. I’m resisting the urge to become a follower in order to save you feeling obliged to send me a thank you note.
You might have seen me referring to the novel I finally got around to writing. The model for the first place the travellers go to is Lough Eske. It was also the setting for the first short story I ever had published. I had a strange experience near Lough Eske, but I never talk about it.
I went to a concert once given by the folk band Danu. No doubt you’re aware of them. The woman singer did one piece in which she was accompanied only by the bodhran. It was very powerful.
I think you might have very interesting dreams in a bed like that. Or even visitations...
If the Tuatha de Dannan really are the fairy folk, I think they must have invaded England at some time. I’m sure I have them around the back of my house. And I’m not joking. Would I...?
ps
I think that should have been 'sparkly.'
Hi JJ,
I’m glad you like the blog and thanks for your kind words. I’m sorry my incessant blabbing on about followers has put you off; I thought myself that I was using up a bit too much page space with that anyway. If you do want to follow, I promise not to shout it from the rooftops!
So, Lough Eske you say? Beautiful. I’d love to read your short story- where can I find it? I’m from up further north in the county, but I’ve friends round there and spent a couple of summers as a teenager about an hour’s drive down the road in the Gaeltacht area. When you were in Donegal I hope you managed to get to Grianan of Aileach, the Poisoned Glen and Slieve League, three of my most favourite places on earth. If not then you’ll just have to come back!
Yup, I’ve heard of Danu but never actually heard them, if you know what I mean. Maybe I have been at one of their gigs and can’t remember, who knows. There were many nights like that back at college! Judging from your stated taste in music I think you’d enjoy two groups from round these parts- Altan and The Pyros. Ok, so I’d say you’re probably familiar with Altan, but The Pyros are a little less well known. I think they might have had a bit of a career back in the 70s, but maybe that was just my dad bigging them up. Either way they play great stuff, a fusion of bluegrass and Irish trad. Google them!
I concur about the dreams in the bed, but I’ve been a bit creeped out by the idea of visitations ever since a was a wee girl. Not all fairies are friendly, you know.
My theory on the whole fairy business: While ours are remnants of the Tuatha de Dannan, the wee folk you have over there in England are the descendants of the people of Avalon. I’ve always had a notion that the two races, and their demise, were linked in someway that history has forgotten. Oh, and I believe you about your house.
Right, I just want to add one last thing- muffins and marmalade over hot cross buns? Madness!
Before I forget: I've long wanted to know how your name is pronounced. I have a bit of a thing about Irish names - Aisling is my favourite ('fare thee well me black haired diamond...')
And no, I didn't get to those places. Wanted to, just as I wanted to visit the north coast of Donegal. It's all explained in the story. Talking of which, that story was published 5 years ago, and the publisher is gone now. I'll send you the ms by e-mail if you like. That was an early, fairly unsophisticated story. A later selkie on - set in Connemara - is better. That's curently available in a small anthology from Drollerie Press, but you can have it free if you want.
I have three Altan albums (they get mentioned in the story, too) but I've never heard of the Pyros. Must look them up.
Yes, I know the little folk aren't always pleasant. I covered that in another story - the only one to have been published twice.
Nice to meet you.
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