The lambs are all settled in, the barns are calm, and for the first time in weeks, there’s a moment to breathe. So, what’s next? Well, it’s that time of year—the time to wrap up the farm books.
I’ve been holed up in the office the last few days, arguing with various software programs, trying to get all the numbers to line up. It’s a stressful and somewhat mundane task, but like so many things on the farm, it just has to get done. While I struggled along yesterday, bouncing between tech support calls and spreadsheets, I could hear Anne rustling around in the kitchen.
She had the day off from school bus driving thanks to an ice storm, and she was brewing up some kind of magic in there. Our roots go back to Scotland many generations ago, and I have to say, ever since we started selling lamb, we’ve felt more connected than ever to our UK heritage. So, what was Anne up to? Well, she had decided it was the perfect day to try making Welsh cakes for the first time.
I could smell the activity from my office and poked my head out, only to be told to calm down—the dough needed to rest in the fridge for a while. A few hours later, I heard her rummaging around, asking where we kept the cast iron frying pan we use for camping. And then, the smell hit me—warm, buttery, slightly spiced. Before I knew it, a cup of tea in her mom’s finest china and a freshly cooked Welsh cake landed on my desk.
I took one bite and thought, this is what life is about—new experiences, little discoveries, simple joys. It was a wonderful treat, somewhere between a pancake and a scone. Anne had been researching them for weeks and had even made a special trip to A Taste of Britain store to pick up caster sugar, just to get them right.
It’s funny how the smallest things can make your day. Between all the stress of farm work, bookkeeping, and winter storms, it’s these little moments that remind me to slow down and enjoy life. And I love that I get to share them with all of you.
Farmer Rod
The Unexpected Treat That Made My Week
