I had just about the most perfect Sunday I can imagine. I began the day snuggled up on the sofa with a fleece blanket and Katie Fforde’s Living Dangerously (not my favourite of her books but still very enjoyable), went outside to prune roses and pull out some sad, straggly heather bushes (which were surprisingly heavy), and, after a quick grocery shop, kicked into high gear in the kitchen. Soup was made, goulash was prepared, and, most excitingly, cake was baked. I’ve been wanting to make a Dundee cake since last November and it was just as delicious I had imagined it would be. I love fruit cakes. Any other kind of cake or baked good I can usually resist, but not fruit cakes. Theoretically, this cake can be stored for years. I’m fairly confident this one is not going to see out the week, given the enthusiastic response it’s had.
I also rewatched Midnight in Paris with my father, who was seeing it for the first time. I’d forgotten how much I loved Hemingway’s scenes – too perfect! It is such a charming movie but, like any Woody Allen movie, has those painfully embarrassing moments that make it excruciating for the overly sympathetic viewer to watch. Does that happen to you? When I’m watching a movie at home and I know a character is about to do something ridiculous, I sometimes have to walk out of the room until that scene is past (sadly, I do not have this option in the theatre). Otherwise I spend all my time squirming in my chair, my eyes screwed tight and my face an unbecoming beetroot-colour, praying for the awkwardness to pass quickly. My father shares this trait so it makes him the perfect movie-watching companion. Strangely enough, I never react this way when I’m embarrassed – my reaction is always more extreme when witnessing the embarrassment of others. It does make Woody Allen movies difficult to watch!
I hope to get back on track with my reviews soon but I’ve been having too much fun reading in the evenings to want to put down my book and write. Usually, I have a very precise schedule I follow to ensure that a few reviews are written every week, blocking off several hours after dinner to work on the next day’s post. Last week, it went completely off the rails. Why would I want to write about a book when I could read one? A fine attitude for a book blogger to have! I am, however, finally caught up on all the books I wanted to review for January, which feels like a major victory. I’m going to savour that feeling while I try to figure out how to attack the books from February – War and Peace is proving far more intimidating to review than it was to read!
The Captive Reader 
Oh, oh, oh, oh – I should never have looked at that Dundee cake just before heading up to bead. I’ll surely be dreaming of sugarplums or some such thing and just hope I don’t awake and raid the cabinets. It sounds like a most wonderful weekend, Claire.
Sorry to tempt you right before bed, Penny!
I’ve never had Dundee cake before – though I met someone yesterday who is from Dundee – are those almonds on the top?
I’ve had Midnight in Paris for weeks now. I was thinking I’d watch it tonight, and then a friend came to play scrabble instead – which was just as nice. I do know what you mean about embarrassment – I tend to mute the TV until it’s over!
They are indeed almonds, a little wonkily laid out but still looking quite lovely (I think).
I hope you get a chance to watch Midnight in Paris soon and that, embarassing scenes aside, you enjoy it as much as I have!
If a scene in a movie makes me weepy I start to sneeze, talk about highly embarrassing! Theatre patrons are immersed in a dramatic scene, clutching tissues while their faces are covered in rivers of tears and there I am stifling sneezes.
I love cake of any sort but fruitcakes are the best with a cup of tea in my book. Well done, you!
I can just picture it, Darlene! I remember seeing Titanic in theatres when it came out. The entire theatre was crying and then someone got the hiccups, which pushed my friend into a fit of the giggles. It was a confusing array of sounds there for a bit!
Tea is, of course, the mandatory accompaniment for the cake! An absolutely delicious combination.
I tried to see Midnight in Paris but it was sold out, and then completely forgot about it – I must seek out the DVD. Cheaper than going to the cinema anyway.
DVD is definitely cheaper and a film like this doesn’t really suffer being seen on a small screen as opposed to large. I do hope you get a chance to see it!
‘Why would I want to write about a book when I could read one? ‘ – oh, I feel this way all the time — especially when my time is limited. Perfectly understandable. And speaking of perfect – lovely cake!
I seem to go in cycles, the extremes being wanting only to read or only to blog. I’m coming out of the reading only phase right now but very slowly!
What a cozy (and delicious!) weekend 🙂 Enjoy the cake and the books – there’s no better combination 😉
Thanks, Lucy! I have to agree – cake and books are the perfect combo!
glad Midnight in Paris won a Oscar….lovely film
I admit, I had to google to find out what it had won for but I heartily agree that it is a lovely film!
HOW did you ever make that cake! That is one of the most beautiful cakes I have ever seen in all my life. It’s so elegant and well-made.
Jenny, your enthusiastic response has made my day! I was so worried about placing the almonds and messing up the appearance but I think it turned out very nice indeed!
Ooh, I’m looking forward to your review of War & Peace! I’m still slogging through Anna Karenina, but getting close to the end now.
(Re: embarrassing scenes: what do you do when watching or reading the Box Hill scene in Emma? 😉 I was just watching the miniseries again yesterday and cringing as always and yet laughing, because it’s still a small, ordinary moment compared to the bigger events most stories are about and yet Austen makes us care about it so much. I was also noticing just how sensitive JLM is as Mr. Knightley. It seems hard for him to correct Emma, yet he does because he cares for her greater good and for what’s right. Awww.)
Do not expect anything particularly exhaustive for War and Peace! I do not have the energy to do anything thorough for it. I think whatever I end up writing will be more about my impressions of a handful of characters rather than the novel as a whole. Still, I loved it and hopefully whatever I come up with will show that at least! I have never made it all the way through Anna Karenina, which is actually why it took me so long to get to War and Peace. Being frustrated with Anna made me think I disliked Tolstoy and so I avoided his work. But, really, I just dislike Anna and love Tolstoy!
I turn bright red every time I read the Box Hill scene and yet that scene and Emma’s shame is what cemented Emma as my favourite Austen!
I loved Hemingway in Midnight in Paris. His musings about rhino hunting and good/bad writing had me in stitches! I also loved Michael Sheen’s pretentious-academic character. I know a few of those myself.
Michael Sheen’s ‘pedantic’ intellectual is perfect! But not quite so perfect as Hemingway 🙂 I laughed so hard at his scenes that I had tears.
Your cake looks delicious!
Hemingway was my favourite depiction in the movie too. So compelling and charismatic!
I am not sure that I realised that the pretentious academic was Michael Sheen. The man is a chameleon!