Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Air Raid Wardens

The Keeper of the Biscuit Tin, the first story in Welsh Cakes: Book of Short Stories, makes reference to Air Raid Wardens who were a very important part of Britain's defense in WW2. After dark they would patrol the streets and make sure there were no chinks in the blackouts. Our windows had to have tightly sealed blinds after dark so that no light showed through to attract enemy planes. If light did show through, the air raid warden would knowck on the door and make sure you corrected it.

Monday, August 24, 2009

South Wales

In South Wales, where I was born, Welsh Cakes were known as South Wales cakes. In many homes they were made any time there was a large family gathering or for any special occasion.
At the time of WW2, when the first of the short stories in Welsh Cakes took place, there wasn't much baking because of war rationing.
The title of the first story is, "Keeper of the Biscuit Tin", and there is a paragraph in that story that says, "Gwen and her grandmother were given the honor of being keepers of the biscuit tin. The biscuits were baked with butter and sugar saved out of the family rations for just such an occasion as this, and kept hidden from Gwen's sweet-toothed father who would eat cake for breakfast if he could get it."
Stay tuned for more background on the stories.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Welsh Cakes

Well, here I am starting my blog for my new book. I am waiting for my newly published book to arrive. The title is Welsh Cakes. It is a book of short stories. No! It's not a recipe book though there is one recipe to be found within its covers. Yes, you've guessed it--it's a recipe for Welsh cakes.
I'll be writing more over the next few days and hope to have good news about my book's arrival soon, what it's all about, and how you can get hold of a copy.