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Dreamflower's Mathoms III  by Dreamflower 5 Review(s)
KathyGReviewed Chapter: 11 on 10/18/2014
You ought to have them baking chocolate fudge next! =) (Of course, chocolate would first have to be available in Middle-earth, including the Shire.)


Author Reply: I've not made up my mind about chocolate in M-e yet! But I am sure hobbits would love it.

VirtuellaReviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/26/2013
Nothing better than baking on a rainy day! This sounds very yummy indeed - I'm a great fan of cinnamon...

Author Reply: You are absolutely right! I'm sure that was Esme's thinking as well.

So am I, especially cinnamon and fruits like apples or pears.

AndreaReviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/25/2013
What a nice idea of Esme and a good compensation for the bad weather outside.

I found it very interesting that Sara has his own apron. I know some men who would never ever wear an apron, let alone bake!

Hobbits are quite different in that respect. And that's what I like :-)

Author Reply: Yes! A baking day is considered quite a treat by hobbits young and old.

Well, when JRRT tells us hobbits learn to cook before they learn their letters, he makes no differentiation between male and female. We know Sam was a good cook, and both Bilbo and Frodo must have cooked for themselves for years! And when Merry and Pippin lived on their own at Crickhollow, they must have done their share of cooking as well. I'm sure there are times when Sara decides it's his turn to cook; cooking is considered fun in the Shire!

demeter dReviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/25/2013
What a warm, lovely picture of a warm, loving day. I enjoyed the description of the arrangement of Brandy Hall. It feels very real. Miss Dahlia is interesting. Even with all of her "Master Merry"-ing, she behaves much like a loving older sister might. I am sure she must have been Esmerelda's valued partner in caring for the two lads. One image gave me a bit of a pang. When watching an eager Merry with his hands on Frodo's slicing pears, I remembered my mental images of a come-of-age Merry fighting desperately beside Pippin at Amon Hen, and trying to protect Eowyn on the Pellenor. Patience, child, one day you will learn to wield a very large knife, indeed.

Author Reply: Thank you dear! I truly wanted to show a "warm, loving day", and to show how young hobbits are taught to cook. Miss Dahlia is a nursemaid. She's a working hobbit lass, and shows proper deference, but she also is looking after the children, so she has a certain amount of authority over them. Esmeralda trusted her very much to see to the lads when she was busy with her duties as Mistress.

Yes, Merry will indeed learn to wield a very large knife!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 11 on 9/24/2013
What a wonderful manner to celebrate Merry's reading! And the story sounds as lovely as the tart. Will have to try it!

Author Reply: When they gave us the fall recipe booklet to hand out to customers this year I just *knew* I needed to try that one! It really is delicious. Especially with vanilla bean ice cream on top!

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