I hope this missive finds you well. In my corner, beyond the Shire borders, the sun has been hiding. Clouds cover all, keeping the sky gray and the air feels heavy with water. It sounds unhappy but, it is perfect weather for walking my dog, Daisy, so I do not mind. It is normally quite hot here, so the flowers and trees are happy too.
I have been busy preparing for the Spring celebrations we will soon be hosting here. It is a ritual amongst the Big Folk but, in living among them, I too have come to appreciate the time to enjoy the greening of the world. It is not like Lithe back home, of course. But my Big Folk neighbor taught me a wonderful egg recipe her family uses only for the occasion, and I happily use the excuse to indulge. Plus, they decorate with rabbits and chicks and it gives the public squares and gardens a jolly look. They lack the taste of our people but still manage to make their homes and communities look fresh and green.
My work to make my life amongst the Big Folk as akin as possible to my life amongst the Shire Folk continues. I often struggle to find needed things, like food or paper or clothes, of the same quality as Shire work. Big Folk don’t seem to care very much for handwork or the skills of a craftsman. Craftsmen and Craftswomen do exist here, but they are rare and struggle to keep their businesses going. Working with one’s hands is never easy be they hobbit or man hands but, I think it is especially hard for the Big Folk artisans. Hobbits know the value of the maker, the grower, and the teacher. Alas, the Big Folk seem to have forgotten it. It is though, such a joy when I do find a lovingly handmade item here, that I refuse to relent and buy items of machine make. And that would be so easy to do as machines and their products are everywhere here amongst the Big Folk. I think some have never held a hand-built mug or stood on hand-woven rug. It makes me a little sad. Still, I will not give up thus, I will keep you updated. I know you were worried by my leaving the West Farthing but I need to be here in Mithlond. My gaffer and gammer are getting on in years and they need my help.
Thanks for reading this, dear friend. I will write again soon. Keep me abreast of the news in the Farthings. I have included the mentioned egg recipe below.
6 large eggs
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
pinch of ground white pepper
salt and freshly ground black pepper to suit your tongue
Place eggs in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Cover and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from hot water, cool, peel and chop.
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour until smooth. Gradually mix in milk so that no lumps form and stir constantly until mixture comes to a boil.
Stir white pepper, salt, black pepper, and chopped eggs into the sauce; stir until eggs are heated through.
Serve on toast or biscuits or even asparagus. Enjoy Spring's Greening!
