A First Class Recipe

A First Class Recipe

Listen to the Chicken, I mean Chef. 

Mouth-watering pancakes are famous worldwide. I know my family finds them irresistible. They are also so easy to cook, even if you burn everything. The ingredients can be found in any cook’s cupboard. Some have been there for years, so this would be a good time for you to use the flour. Just watch out for mould. Having said that, if you do find the flour is years old, you can find new ingredients in the local supermarket or village. They are crying out to sell their flour and eggs. But usually, they are on tap in your cupboards. They do not really need a special visit to the supermarket or local shop.

This delicious food recipe originated in prehistoric societies worldwide.

The preparation and cooking utensils are easy to obtain and use without any mind-boggling fuss that raises the heartbeat and sends the pulses racing. We don’t want to get doctors and surgeons involved if we can help it.

As I said, all you have to do is retrieve the ingredients that are usually hiding in your kitchen cupboard. Then you can easily access a pan and a grid or just switch on your oven.

A pinafore might be a good idea because of the flour. And, if you have today’s fashion of waist-length hair, you can just put your hair up in an elastic band. But, of course, if you are male, then you can just brush it back; having said that, I have seen quite a few males with shoulder length and longer hair. And why not? They look lovely with their beards as well. So, it is up to you. I mean, it’s nature’s way of keeping us warm. Not me; I’m female, but I do have hair but not a beard, or hair on my chest. Thank goodness.

 But apart from these little tips, it is so easy to produce a pancake. No fuss or bother. The joy of this recipe is that all you need is flour, eggs, milk, and your favourite cooking oil. I use olive oil unless it is rancid, then I do throw it out. You don’t want to poison your family even though you may have been rowing. Olive oil does damage the taste somewhat. But the joy of this recipe is they can be made just from flour, sugar, oil, and fruits. I think that is a repetition, but better to be safe than sorry. It’s just like leaving the pancake in the oven while you take the dog for a five-mile walk. Easily done, though you should warn the Fire Service. But leaving it in the oven for some time does have its advantages; the dog is healthy with the extra exercise. So really, it is something to think about.

But, I am getting away from the subject. The shape of the pancake is usually round unless you like cutting out patterns in the batter, which is almost impossible; if it is runny and only becomes solid after cooking. I find it is off-putting as I have yet been unable to cut patterns in a runny batter. But of course, once the batter is cooked, you will have more joy with cutting patterns in it. It won’t run away, you see.

The pancake can also have differences. Some are fluffy or thin and flat. Again, not much choice, but even then, fluffy ones are flat. They are all a quarter of an inch in depth. To help out here, I have never seen a runny batter with holes cut in it.

Oh, and one more thing, it is exciting to know you can have a potato pancake. I think the French call them pancakes or crepes.

But now, for the really exciting tip, you can choose chocolate or cheese. If you have a special taste, you can put the chocolate and the cheese together in just one pancake!! And wait for it; you can then cover the cheese and the chocolate in strawberry jam. As you can imagine, the pancake can be cooked in so many ways with so many ingredients. I even know one friend who uses seaweed and then coats that delicious ingredient in red jelly. Scrumptious.

Happy eating!


I do hope you enjoyed this post, and that it induced crazy snorting laughter … or at least a glimmer of a smile. Feel free to check out my many other blog posts on WordPress as well as my large collection of novels on Amazon. My books cover a number of genres, such as Regency Romance, Science Fiction, Crime Horror, and fantasy. I am sure you will find something you like. Please click on the link below to visit my US Amazon author page (or search for other regions).

Doggy interview with author Mimi Barbour.

Doggy interview with author Mimi Barbour.

Please enjoy this video interview with author Mimi Barbour – our two dogs, Lucy and Charli do the ‘talking’. Light-hearted and informative, the interview provides a cheerful insight into an author’s life.

If you want to find out more about Mimi Barbour’s work, or subscribe to her newsletter, and most definitely purchase her superb novels, then please use the following links:


Watch Captain Pug

Watch Captain Pug

Watch my Captain Pug video! On the 23rd of March, 2021, The Golden Legacy will be released on Amazon Kindle, though is already available for pre-order. A romance box-set, based upon the premise of the lure of cursed pirate treasure. It can be used for good or evil, but expect consequences. As far as I am aware, there are no pugs involved in this excellent collection of books, but do expect a really good read.

Music: Jackson Parodi – Barrett’s Privateers

You can pre-order The Golden Legacy at Amazon using the following links:

The Canine Fostering Bridge

How do you cope with the loss of a loved canine pal? Should you just get another dog and carry on? Perhaps fostering provides a bridge to your next four legged family member.


When we lost Lily, our beloved ‘blond bombshell’ golden retriever, my husband and I were not sure about having another dog. Changed personal circumstances and our obvious grieving meant that for the first time we wondered whether we could cope with another canine companion. Our hearts said yes but we had serious doubts.

Lily as a puppy


A simple walk in the local park on a crisp Spring morning changed everything. I got to talking with a woman about her dog – a large happy retriever who immediately rolled on it’s back for the obligatory belly rubs. To my surprise, the lady told me that she was not the owner, and that she was fostering the dog whilst it’s real owner was in hospital for a few weeks.


Soon after the fortuitous encounter in the park, we fostered two adorable characters from ‘The Cinnamon Trust‘, an organisation that specialises in helping elderly, infirm, and terminally ill dog owners manage their canine companions. The process was easy but thorough, and the organisation were always on hand to answer any queries. Digger, an overweight Chihuahua, and Suzie, a Chorkie or Chihuahua Yorkie cross, were our new doggy friends.

Digger and Suzie inseparable as always
Katy Walters with Suzie and Digger


The two dogs were inseparable and were quite the team. Despite their small size compared to our previous dogs, the two really kept us on our toes. Domineering Digger ruled the roost and the two pals would fight like demons and then quickly make up with some loving licks.

As the months passed, we realised that we were ready for another dog of our own. When it came to bid a sad farewell to Digger and Suzie, as their infirm owner decided she could once again cope with her beloved pets’ return, we acted straight away.

If you are interested in fostering in the UK then please use this link:

The Cinnamon Trust


And, now we have Lucy, our lovable though extremely active Sprocker Spaniel. We are so pleased we tried fostering. If we had not, we may never have considered owning another dog. I recommend that anyone facing a similar dilemma as ourselves consider fostering as an option.

Lucy relaxing on the sofa

Please visit my website, where you will find information about all of my books plus a gallery of my paintings and photos. Love, Katy.

Katy’s Website

Lily and the Viszlas

Lily and the Viszlas

Remembering my canine pals. A warm, lighthearted look at dearly departed pets and their quirky habits. Whilst these memories often bring on a tear or two, I still smile at their fun-loving antics.

Before Lucy, my lovely though lively Sprocker Spaniel, my husband and I were blessed with a succession of other dogs – each with their own distinct personality. Here are some random snippets of our time with these wonderful family members.


Jim – Victor of Jimbolia – a male Hungarian Viszla

Jim – Victor of Jimbolia

Jim was our first encounter with the Viszla breed. As a side note, the breeder’s children nicknamed the pup Jimbud because of his little Buddha belly. Very independently minded with a rather crafty edge, Jim would, despite his many walks, find ways to sneak out of our house and take himself on an adventure around the town.

Taking nearby footpaths and alleyways, the wily dog kept a sharp eye out for our car as we searched for him. Sometimes we would catch a glimpse of an orange head peering around a far corner. As you would expect, he had always vanished by the time we got there.

At one time, Jim invaded the pitch at a local football match – an important fixture for the home team. Play was halted as the fearless Viszla chased both the ball and various players.

We were never surprised upon receiving a call from the local police station, where Jim became a well known felon visitor. Sheepishly we collected our errant family member, always promising to be more vigilant in future.

Most of the time, Jim would get bored and wait for us in his favourite park. He always stood, semi hidden, in some shrubs at the edge of the green, and silently submitted to being put back on the leash. As we drove back home he usually just fell asleep on the back seat.


Beth – Bethany of Bethesden – a female Hungarian Viszla

Beth – Bethany of Bethesden with Christian

After Jim sadly passed away, Beth, our second Viszla, presented us with a very different personality. Loving and motherly, Beth never took herself away on adventures, but instead kept an eye on our family. She was far more of a guard dog than Jim and would always growl through the letterbox when a stranger came to our front door.

Despite her protective motherly ways, Beth never gave up being a lapdog. We all, especially my husband, endured the pain of a large bony dog clambering up and awkwardly settling herself across our laps. She would lie there, cutting of the circulation in your legs, for as long as you could endure it.

Strangely, Beth also loved the same park as Jim, and spookily liked to play around the shrubs where Jim used to hide. After many joyful years, both Viszlas’ ashes were scattered here. My husband and I still sometimes visit the park and like to think that our beloved pets are still there, waiting for us.


Lily – the Blond Bombshell or the Disco Diva – a female Golden Retriever

Lily – the Blond Bombshell with Katy Walters

A cross between a force of nature and a ditzy Hollywood blond, Lily, the golden retriever really kept us on our toes – or our backs if we lost our balance. Extremely friendly and always happy, she would almost bowl you over as she excitedly raced over to greet you at the front door.

More than any of our previous dogs, Lily would meet and greet anyone who passed by as we walked along the promenade. Her happy go lucky nature was infectious and she demanded and always enjoyed a lot of attention. Perhaps her favourite place was the beach, where she would splash through the surf and launch herself into any large puddles she could find. In fact, she got so mucky that we often returned home to a battle in the shower.

Lily … our not so golden retriever

Lily spent many hours watching me write my latest greatest novels. I like to think she she was impressed by my ‘stream of consciousness’ writing style as I rapidly typed away, but it was probably the dog treats I kept in the drawer below.

Like her predecessors, Lily found her way into my stories. In the novel ‘The Wounded Therapist’ – part of the Doctors In Love 2 boxed set – Lily has a prominent role and even has a love interest of her own. Now that Lily has also gone, that particular book holds a special place in my heart.


So, now we have Lucy. Whilst I type away on my PC keyboard, she sits close by on the sofa. Sometimes she ignores me, but there are many times where I get the uncanny feeling that she is taking a real interest in my work. … and I’m sure the two of us have many surprising moments and adventures both real and written ahead of us.

Lucy – the feisty Sprocker Spaniel

I hope you liked these brief glimpses of my canine pals. However, I am often asked whether I might get a cat instead. Well, we’ve had cats before and, knowing their dark ways, I’m sure it would find a way to delete my precious files while I go to the loo.

Please visit my website, where you can find information on my many books and a few slideshow galleries of my artwork. Love, Katy

Katy’s Website

Canine Collaborator

Slumping back in my chair, after spending an age editing the structure of an awkward sentence, I am almost ready to engage in writer vs monitor pugilism. Instead, I take a breath and reach over to stroke my dog’s head. Lucy, my attentive Sprocker Spaniel, looks up from her vantage point on the sofa – her sofa – and happily receives the attention.

“Little help?” I ask.

Lucy tilts her head in a quizzical manner, her shaggy ears flopping to the side. For a moment, we gaze at one another, staring deep into each other’s eyes, as if telepathically comparing notes. With a smile, I return to my keyboard and tentatively edit the sentence. Not quite there, but a good start.

“Thank you, Lucy”, I say, briskly stroking her head. She does not reply, not even a nod … because of course, she is a dog.


Do you have a canine collaborator, or some other pet that helps you with your writing?

Love,
Katy

Katy Walters Website