A White Lie
May 15, 2009 | From the kitchen of Rose
I had to do it! While it's true that I started my trip in Paris (where I am writing from right now as I wait for departure to the US) I spent the last week in Devon England visiting Kate Coldrick (and family) of 'kate flour.' http://amerrierworld@wordpress.com
It was so hard keeping this a secret for all these months but we wanted to surprise fellow UK bloggers Melinda and Jeanette and it was the only way. Each drove to Devon from several hours away thinking they were meeting Kate for the first time and got the added bonus of me! It was so exciting I can't remember the exact words but it went something like a chorus of "it looks like Rose....It IS Rose...it CAN'T be..it IS! And their poor husbands were totally mystified as to what was going on. One quickly disappeared into a nearby store to buy me a welcome souvenir--a tote bag with the beloved Aga range logo! It was a magical time during which we, of course, talked non-stop. The husbands disappeared for a while but came back at the end and added delightfully to the conversationI
I can't believe we pulled it off. Kate and I were so worred that one or the other might cancel thinking they could reschedule easily for another time. Jeanette said she hasn't been so surprised since finding out a week before delivery that she was giving birth to twins many years ago! (One of which--her daughter Ann--accompanied her to lunch.)
Of course both Kate and I will be posting about our two week adventure from Paris, a chateau in Normandy, a ferry across the English channel (on which we were somewhat seasick but one of her daughters was doing perfect cartwheels on the roiling deck) and then Devon. There were many fabulous meals and lots of baking comparing American cake flour to kate flour. By the way, the UK bread flour for no knead bread is terrific. It seems to have a little of the bran left in as there are tiny speckles.
A perfect trip and now happy to be returning to Elliott, the final proofing of the book, my new yellow baby rice cooker (stay tuned for the ultimate brown rice recipe), and my newish Mac.
Love,
Rose
P.S. bean posting 2 tomorrow!
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Jeannette
05/24/2009 02:27 PM
Lucky You!!!
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Rose Levy Beranbaum
05/24/2009 12:35 PM
i guess after 49 years you can get away with comments like that jeanette! i think it's spelled alda. maybe a bit of walter matthiew thrown in (i'm sure i've misspelled that one)
elliott looks like a miniature shawn connery!
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Jeannette
05/24/2009 12:31 PM
Tom is still looking for a picture of Alan Allder (sp) since you mentioned he looked like him!! I've told him he's (Tom, that is)not that good looking, not in my opinion anyway! LOL!
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Rose Levy Beranbaum
05/24/2009 12:04 PM
between the forums and kate's merrier world blog i've posted so many responses i fear being repetitious but in case you missed it i just must repeat what a joyful reunion so long planned. it didn't occur to either of us what a shock it could have been. so glad neither of you passed out! tom and ian were so considerate leaving you to enjoy your ladies' lunch and then returning to join in on the conversation. i don't think any of us will ever forget it.
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Julie
05/15/2009 11:40 PM
What a great story! Melinda and Jeanette, you must have been star-struck.
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Patrincia
05/15/2009 09:57 PM
Oh my goodness... what a treat indeed!!!!!!! Rose, you just keep on giving!
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Tammy
05/15/2009 06:20 PM
LOL. Bravo Rose and Kate! What a wonderful treat! I would have loved to see Melinda's and Jeannette's faces when they realized it was you. You guys are awesome!
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Jeannette
05/15/2009 12:27 PM
I can only echo everything that Melinda says, what a wonderful surprise for us both and a most enjoyable afternoon! On the 4 hour drive back to N.Wales I couldn't stop smiling, I felt so happy! Tom, my husband, says he just wished he could have taken a picture of my face when I realized who was walking towards us at our meeting place. I don't know how Kate managed to keep the secret, she's my friend for life now, but she is a lovely person anyway so I would still like her,LOL! I hope you get back to Elliott safe and sound, I'm sure you'll have a lovely welcome. XX
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Melinda
05/15/2009 11:24 AM
Rose, Thank you for such a fabulous time. I had no idea and was absolutely over whelmed and as I have said several times...SO EXCITED! It was such a privilege and I do feel extremely honoured to have been included on your trip to England to visit Kate.
I wish all your fans could be so lucky (but you would be really dead exhausted) to sit and talk cake and bread with you. You were as wonderful as I ever could imagined and proved a worthy hero in person!
My husband said 'oh, she is such a nice lady, I can see why you like her' I hope he knows he was talking to the real cake queen and had a very special audience with her!
Cheers for now. Thanks again for such a dream come true day. x
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BIG BEAN EPIPHANY
PBS 103: Chocolate Pies and Tortes