God's Eldest Daughter . . .

One of the things that Todd and I really love to do is to go and visit great buildings and gardens . . . cathredrals, mansions, castles . . .

We pay for a National Trust membership each year so that we can do just that. There is something very peaceful about walking about a great garden, amidst the flora and sound of bees buzzing . . . and we have visited these places all over England, each one magnificent and breathtakingly beautiful.



The homes filled with fine furnishings and magnificent artifacts . . . the architecture of each of them, grand and unusual in many cases . . . the rooms filled with stunning artwork, tapsestries and treasures . . .

But you know what impresses us the most about these fine homes, buildings and castles???



It's not all the finery that we might be priveledged to witness . . . or even the beauty of the gardens . . .



It's something so simple that many people might completely overlook it, but stunning in all of it's own glory. It's the way the sun shines through the windows, throwing it's great golden rays across the floors and walls and setting of the treasures inside in just the most wonderful way . . .



The great American poet Robert Frost described light as "God's eldest daughter" and praised it as one of the principle beauties of any great building . . . or even lesser buildings.



When I see the light shining through my humble kitchen window across my kitchen table . . . it is impossible not to think about and feel the presence of God . . .

All any man has to do, is to provide the windows for the light to shine through . . . then, He does the rest. It's simple, it's pure, it's beautiful . . .

I made us some delicious tuna patties for our dinner the other day. Simple and satisfying, they went together really quickly and they were a real treat with a tossed salad and some simple potato salad on the side. It was one of those nights when the air was too still and stifling to want to cook much of anything and these were just perfect. I made some of my homemade tartar sauce to serve on the side, but I've seen my kids eat these with just some catsup and be very happy indeed.



*Tuna Patties*
Makes 6
Printable Recipe

We just love these. They make a nice and quick supper. You can serve them with salad, or with potatoes, or (my favourite) macaroni and cheese. I like to serve my own homemade tartar sauce with them, but they also taste good with ketchup or chutney. They really are a very versatile main dish and very easy and quick to put together. I've never met anyone that didn't like them.

1 225g-jar of albacore tuna, in brine or oil, drained well and then flaked with a fork
1 1/2 cups soft bread crumbs, white or brown (your choice)
1 large egg, beaten
4 spring onions, finely chopped
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp dill weed
salt and ground black pepper to taste
dash of tabasco sauce
Oil for frying



Combine the flaked tuna, bread crumbs, spring onions, mayonnaise, dill weed, beaten egg, salt, pepper and tabasco sauce in a bowl. Mash all together well with a fork, mixing together thoroughly.

Heat a larger skillet over medium high heat. Add enough oil just to cover the bottom of the pan. Once oil is hot, shape the tuna mixture into patties with your hands, flattening them. Cook in the hot oil, until golden brown on each side. Serve hot.



If you're looking for a light supper of a different kettle of fish, then why not make yourself some of my scrummy blueberry and granola buttermilk pancakes? Hop on over to The English Kitchen to find out how!