I’m sure there are many reasons why I will never be skinny, genetics, body type etc but this is definitely right up there.  Pear and Almond Cake.  Oh yeah.

Huwyl and I were watching an old episode of River Cottage last week and we decided that this pear cake had to happen.  We picked out the pears when shopping and today, after doing our school, we whipped up this little number.  It is moist, sweet, light, firm and delicious.  Worth waiting for the 50 minutes it takes to cook in the oven.

Now I’m sure there are women who could bake a cake like this and then watch everyone else eat it without concern.  They could lean their slender botties against their immaculate kitchen counter and smile in a loving and womanly way as their family scarfed down their hard work.  They might even reach for a piece of fruit and head out for an evening run.

I am not that woman.  I love the stuff I cook which is pretty much why I cook it.  I realise that this means I will never be a delicate willow, a teeny flower of sinewy limbs who can slip into any outfit the glamourous stores can offer.  But I will be full of cake and pretty happy about it.  See I’m more of a ‘pull up an old steel fence then head home for mince and dumplings with a side order of roast veg thank you very much’ kind of gal.  Actually I am literally that gal as that is what I did yesterday.

Don’t get me wrong, I think that being slender must be lovely.  I have many slender friends (in fact I’m probably the most ample chick I know) some by genetics, some by insane amounts of exercise, some by being just plain sensible.  I always seem to err on the side of ‘full figured’.  Don’t get me wrong I don’t require specially made clothes or anything but there are always a few extra pounds hanging around.  Sometimes it bothers me, sometimes it doesn’t.  Luckily I have a chap who likes me just as I am and enjoys making me delicious roast dinners followed by a big snog.  A lot of the time I’m more interested in whether or not I can lift a bag of compost/child/large dog/livestock into my car without my arms snapping off.

If a fairy could wave a wand and make me lose a few pounds tomorrow I’d be quite happy but if it means giving up on the things that make life just that bit richer and, well, tastier then no thanks.  I think I’ll make my cake and eat it too.