Liza du Plessis

Dear Joan

During the time that I have known you, I have learnt to bake a valuable cake, in a hot oven. Learning about baking this particular cake, has signified a momentous time and provided a fresh passage in my life. This experience will always be valued as I continue to bake many more cakes in many other ovens with less fear and trepidation because of the fabulous recipe (which is always improving) that you have shown me and the ever present, reassuring and protective oven gloves that you have always been for me. 

The recipe goes as follows: How to bake a 'cake'.

--àIngredients: self raising flour (you)

  Salt (critique)

  Water (love)

  Oil (challenges)

--à Necessity: Oven Gloves (mentor)

needed at all times, not necessarily on but always nearby

--àQuantities: as you feel fit/always changing

METHOD:Keep oven gloves nearby during this time. Tip the self-raising Flour in a bowl.Add a small pinch of salt.Gently sieve all the dry ingredients together. Blend together with personal stories and dreams. Add oil then water. Mix by hand until smooth and creamy_ this requires a vigorous action. Pour the mixture in a heart-shaped baking dish. Bubbles will form (from the shaking). Reach for gloves.  Facilitate the bubbles to subside with gentle rocking movements. Give them time. Put on oven gloves. Bake in a fiery oven.  Do not open the oven. Watch it rise.  Keep oven gloves on. Bake until golden brown. Remove from oven cautiously.  Remove oven gloves (if you wish). Whilst still warm layer with icings of passion and toppings of reflexivity sprinkled with transformation. Serve warm (with tea). Share with friends. Always try to improve your baking. Keep oven gloves nearby during this time. "

Lots and lots of <3

Liza