Also, some Dennis (inevitably), the TV show that everyone's talking about, an exciting white t-shirt update, plus a cautionary tale about why you shouldn't use drive-thrus
With you 100% on the hot cross buns - I just love the plain ones. In fact I love them so much that I have to restrict myself to eating them only at Easter otherwise I'd start looking like one, it was a sad day for me when they started selling them year-round.
Sophia, as you are British you might not know that there was a similar case against McDonald's in the US decades ago, where a woman's genitals were very badly burned, requiring multiple skin grafts, etc. People made fun of the case for years, not realizing McDonald's had been warned before to lower the temp of their coffee, and had never done it. I vaguely recall a documentary on the issue, explaining the case, the damage, tort reform and why so many people (deliberately and not) misunderstood the case.
No no I did read about that and it sounded awful but she was awarded $3m I think. And even accounting for inflation from then, $50m now seems a lot. As I said, I don't want to make light of the injuries! I'm just interested in how these sums are worked out really.
I was similarly stunned by the hot cross bun varieties in my supermarket this week. I’m in NZ so I’m pleased it’s not just us gone bananas. We also have white chocolate and raspberry brioche, cinnamon jam donut, and rocky road. Have also seen Cheese and onion hot cross buns elsewhere. Shudder.
Just brilliant. I feel so seen!!! I only ever buy ‘normal hot cross buns’ and it’s not close enough to Easter for that malarkey yet. And don’t get me started on drive thru coffee places 😂. In fact I could go a step further with takeaway beverages full stop. But I won’t. Great read. Loved the Dennis picture.
Entertaining, thanks Sophia. I was blown away by Adolescence, too. Yes, I hope its young star rides the waves of attention unscathed. I was reminded of David (Dai) Bradley's astonishing performance in Ken Loach's 1969 film, Kes, when he was 15 and cast as an unknown schoolboy. He's still identified with that film, though he's had many other roles since.
Brilliant Sophia, as always. Two points: An un-mucked about with hot cross bun is the Lords work. Slather it with acres of butter and proper, proper strawberry jam (the one with pips and squelchy strawbs in it) and then one will soon realise that hot cross buns should be kept in their original form. Totally agree with your point about Adolence (note I can't spell it). It was an extraordinary watch, I was so invested I had to research the making of it on You Tube which took another couple of hours of interviews and behind the scenes, how it was filmed etc. Fascinating. Owen Cooper is a rare find, but putting him under ridiculous pressure to be a constant performing monkey is not what any child should be put through. We have seen the destruction of child stars throughout our lives - from Drew Barrymore in ET, Macauly Culkin in Home Alone, Daniel Radcliffe and his Harry Potter crew (all turned out a little odd and not as successful), even child stars on Eastenders - have all met their demons in one way or another. We all know that a star spangled debut will always be their best work, and I hope that Owen Coopers parents aren't bedazzled by the bright lights and subsequent dosh of fame and be sure to keep all their feet firmly on the ground.
So with you on Hot X buns which have got progressively sillier over the years. (I was going to say every Easter but the HCB season now seems to extend from Christmas onwards. All is not lost however. Silly flavours in cheese were a thing about 10 years ago and you don't see much of them now. Unless the flavouring is shavings of truffle which is OK with me.
The best hot crossed buns ever are available at Christophers on Half Moon Lane in Herne Hill. They’re so popular they started making them available all year round as “not crossed buns”.
Okay, so, hard agree on commercially made silly flavoured hot cross buns. I hear you. If I see another salted caramel hot cross bun/Christmas pudding/yule log/mince pie/panettone/etc etc, well...
However, I have to say, that when homemade, I'm definitely open to alternative (NOT SALTED CARAMEL - what do I have against SC? I don't know, I just can't take anymore, it's been years now, enough) flavours. Since getting a dog raisins give me palpitations. He's a golden retriever and likes to eat him own poo so raisins are like manna from heaven. In short, hot cross buns stress me out.
So, I present to you, my white chocolate and cranberry hot cross buns: https://shorturl.at/Io5TZ . They're very nice and I don't even like white chocolate. I'm aware baking hot cross buns isn't on everyone's to do list, but hey, you can take the girl out the Bake Off tent, but you can't take the Bake Off out of the girl (or something like that).
As for Adolescence - watched it, literally on the edge of my seat biting my nails and trying to work out where any cuts might be. Now rewatching with one of my teenage sons. I can't not re-watch it with him. Interestingly his response has been exactly the same, sitting on the edge of the sofa transfixed. I think it should be added to PHSE lessons in school but worry starting a petition might make me an honorary DM reader.
Brilliant newsletter as usual. Always happy to see you in my inbox!
I was wondering how many people might watch with their teenagers. So interested as to how accurate the school/emoji stuff is but presumably...quite on the nose?! And as it's YOU, I will allow this hot cross bun recipe and maybe give it a go. I made crumpets on the weekend so am quite into my baking. Also, thank you for being lovely!
So we’ve now watched the whole thing together, my 14 year old and I and his verdict is that the episode in the school is EXACTLY like his school, especially the fighting and the disruption in class. And now I am reassessing me life choices at bringing 3 boys into this pit of vipers. I don’t remember school being such a war zone. Rose tinted glasses?
And I have never made crumpets! I need to. Thanks for inspiring me.
Actually, forgot to mention - they came in a pack of four? Heathens! Hot Cross Buns should ALWAYS either be available individually in quality bakers,or in packs of a half dozen.
This ❤️❤️❤️ thanks for brightening up my mornings
With you 100% on the hot cross buns - I just love the plain ones. In fact I love them so much that I have to restrict myself to eating them only at Easter otherwise I'd start looking like one, it was a sad day for me when they started selling them year-round.
Oh, I hear you!
I totally agree - hot cross buns, keep it simple S****d! dear Dennis, he must be a canine authority on beauty products by now - own column on subject?
as always pithy and to the point but above all splendid writing and very very funny
Thank you lovely Annie xxxx
Sophia, as you are British you might not know that there was a similar case against McDonald's in the US decades ago, where a woman's genitals were very badly burned, requiring multiple skin grafts, etc. People made fun of the case for years, not realizing McDonald's had been warned before to lower the temp of their coffee, and had never done it. I vaguely recall a documentary on the issue, explaining the case, the damage, tort reform and why so many people (deliberately and not) misunderstood the case.
No no I did read about that and it sounded awful but she was awarded $3m I think. And even accounting for inflation from then, $50m now seems a lot. As I said, I don't want to make light of the injuries! I'm just interested in how these sums are worked out really.
Obviously female genitalia are worth less than male genitalia.
Let’s be honest here, women don’t seem to send fanny pix. Unless it was to a GP during the plague years.
Remember Bobitt made a career of being Bobitted
I was similarly stunned by the hot cross bun varieties in my supermarket this week. I’m in NZ so I’m pleased it’s not just us gone bananas. We also have white chocolate and raspberry brioche, cinnamon jam donut, and rocky road. Have also seen Cheese and onion hot cross buns elsewhere. Shudder.
I think you guys, Aus and the UK seem to be the worst. For some reason...
Just brilliant. I feel so seen!!! I only ever buy ‘normal hot cross buns’ and it’s not close enough to Easter for that malarkey yet. And don’t get me started on drive thru coffee places 😂. In fact I could go a step further with takeaway beverages full stop. But I won’t. Great read. Loved the Dennis picture.
Here we have drive-thru liquor stores now, which I've always thought seemed dangerously off-message.
Yes...
Entertaining, thanks Sophia. I was blown away by Adolescence, too. Yes, I hope its young star rides the waves of attention unscathed. I was reminded of David (Dai) Bradley's astonishing performance in Ken Loach's 1969 film, Kes, when he was 15 and cast as an unknown schoolboy. He's still identified with that film, though he's had many other roles since.
Ah that makes me feel guilty I've still never seen it. So will correct that asap!
What a fabulous read. Thank you, Sophia.
Brilliant Sophia, as always. Two points: An un-mucked about with hot cross bun is the Lords work. Slather it with acres of butter and proper, proper strawberry jam (the one with pips and squelchy strawbs in it) and then one will soon realise that hot cross buns should be kept in their original form. Totally agree with your point about Adolence (note I can't spell it). It was an extraordinary watch, I was so invested I had to research the making of it on You Tube which took another couple of hours of interviews and behind the scenes, how it was filmed etc. Fascinating. Owen Cooper is a rare find, but putting him under ridiculous pressure to be a constant performing monkey is not what any child should be put through. We have seen the destruction of child stars throughout our lives - from Drew Barrymore in ET, Macauly Culkin in Home Alone, Daniel Radcliffe and his Harry Potter crew (all turned out a little odd and not as successful), even child stars on Eastenders - have all met their demons in one way or another. We all know that a star spangled debut will always be their best work, and I hope that Owen Coopers parents aren't bedazzled by the bright lights and subsequent dosh of fame and be sure to keep all their feet firmly on the ground.
Quite agree. I went down various Adolescence rabbit holes yesterday. Just fascinating the whole thing.
Strawberry jam on a hot cross bun 😱😱. Nooooo……..
So with you on Hot X buns which have got progressively sillier over the years. (I was going to say every Easter but the HCB season now seems to extend from Christmas onwards. All is not lost however. Silly flavours in cheese were a thing about 10 years ago and you don't see much of them now. Unless the flavouring is shavings of truffle which is OK with me.
Quite surprised we haven't had a truffled bun yet?!
The best hot crossed buns ever are available at Christophers on Half Moon Lane in Herne Hill. They’re so popular they started making them available all year round as “not crossed buns”.
OOH and that's quite close to me, thank you.
They’re inevitably onto hot crossed buns now, what with Easter being close!
The Happy Easter frolicks of the Bunnytone!
Okay, so, hard agree on commercially made silly flavoured hot cross buns. I hear you. If I see another salted caramel hot cross bun/Christmas pudding/yule log/mince pie/panettone/etc etc, well...
However, I have to say, that when homemade, I'm definitely open to alternative (NOT SALTED CARAMEL - what do I have against SC? I don't know, I just can't take anymore, it's been years now, enough) flavours. Since getting a dog raisins give me palpitations. He's a golden retriever and likes to eat him own poo so raisins are like manna from heaven. In short, hot cross buns stress me out.
So, I present to you, my white chocolate and cranberry hot cross buns: https://shorturl.at/Io5TZ . They're very nice and I don't even like white chocolate. I'm aware baking hot cross buns isn't on everyone's to do list, but hey, you can take the girl out the Bake Off tent, but you can't take the Bake Off out of the girl (or something like that).
As for Adolescence - watched it, literally on the edge of my seat biting my nails and trying to work out where any cuts might be. Now rewatching with one of my teenage sons. I can't not re-watch it with him. Interestingly his response has been exactly the same, sitting on the edge of the sofa transfixed. I think it should be added to PHSE lessons in school but worry starting a petition might make me an honorary DM reader.
Brilliant newsletter as usual. Always happy to see you in my inbox!
I was wondering how many people might watch with their teenagers. So interested as to how accurate the school/emoji stuff is but presumably...quite on the nose?! And as it's YOU, I will allow this hot cross bun recipe and maybe give it a go. I made crumpets on the weekend so am quite into my baking. Also, thank you for being lovely!
So we’ve now watched the whole thing together, my 14 year old and I and his verdict is that the episode in the school is EXACTLY like his school, especially the fighting and the disruption in class. And now I am reassessing me life choices at bringing 3 boys into this pit of vipers. I don’t remember school being such a war zone. Rose tinted glasses?
And I have never made crumpets! I need to. Thanks for inspiring me.
Saw some Extremely Cheesy Hot Cross Buns in M&S this afternoon 😫
Yes I think they've called them all 'Extremely' something no? Quite annoying.
Their product naming team (that can’t be a real department can it?) needs a good editor.
Actually, forgot to mention - they came in a pack of four? Heathens! Hot Cross Buns should ALWAYS either be available individually in quality bakers,or in packs of a half dozen.
Sorry, I don't make the rules, but there it is.