Source: The Telegraph 26 Sep 2013 Photo: Rex Features
It started with a cake…
Well not really. It started with a hospital appointment on 12th January 2015, when I took the afternoon off from my job as a primary school teacher to be told suddenly, and unexpectedly, that I very probably had cervical cancer. But I’ll come back to that another time.
First and foremost, I would like to introduce you to my blog: why the title, why the name, and most of all, why the blog at all.
Why ‘Baking Better’?
Source: reddit.com Image: jaylikesdominos
Good question. After attempting to do some baking as an alternative to endless Downton Abbey whilst recovering from surgery, I was suddenly struck by the similarities between my own story and Walter White from Breaking Bad.
Ways we are similar:
- teachers
- cancer
- cooking
Ways we are different:
- high school science vs. primary
- Stage 3A inoperable lung cancer vs. stage 1B operable cervical cancer
- crystal meth vs. cakes/bread/smoothies
Uncanny, right?! So after considering options such as ‘Breaking Bread’ and ‘Baking Bad’, I thought that whilst being a more tenuous pun, ‘Baking Better’ was more to the point. Where ‘Breaking Bad’ follows Walter’s cancer-driven downward spiral from science teacher to murderous, meth-cooking criminal; ‘Baking Better’ will document my recovery and journey to a ‘new normal’. Hence ‘better’ seemed more appropriate – getting better health-wise, and maybe even better at baking as a happy side effect.
Why ‘Caroline Crimson’?
Source: facemediagroup.co.uk
No, it’s not my real name – so how did I decide on it? Not, as it happens, because it sounds like some sort of Cluedo character (“it was Miss Crimson in the library with the candlestick!”), or even perhaps a burlesque dancer (or worse).
I thought that given my spookily close connections to Walter White, perhaps I too could have some sort of alliterative, colour-related pseudonym. The initials created also had significance for me (CC = Cervical Cancer).
So it only remained to Google ‘colours beginning with c’ and pick one: cyan, cerise, cornflower, chartreuse, cream, charcoal… Crimson just seemed to have the nicest ring to it.
Why write a blog at all?
Hmmm… how to answer honestly without being really boring and/or cheesy. I will go into the background in more detail in another post, but as I have mentioned, I turned to baking fairly early in my recovery in an attempt to feel useful/productive in a very contained way. Also, amassing a hoard of baked goods would encourage (force) me into asking friends and family to come over regularly and eat them – a very positive driver at a time when seeing other people sometimes seemed too much to face.
Here is what I intend ‘Baking Better’ to do:
- It will be a place to share my successes and failures (cooking lessons learnt – as a teacher I know how important it is to be very reflective at all times);
- I intend to focus on recipes that include cancer-fighting ingredients;
- As and when I can, I will write my own story: about what is happening to me; what has happened up to now; and the future as it unfolds.
And here is what I hope writing a blog will achieve:
- At the very least, documenting my cooking will give it more purpose (and me something else to focus on other than sitting and brooding);
- On a selfish level, sharing my story may help me come to terms with it myself;
- Reading my story might possibly make other people go for their smear test on time;
- Reading my story might help other people going through the same thing (as reading others’ stories has been helping me).
Well…. only time will tell!
Go straight to the latest posts here.
Caroline Crimson x
Very impressive. And good puns too. (Perhaps, in the future, good buns as well.) I look forward to reading more about your steps to recovery. This is my first-ever online response, so you have already started off something new for me.
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Thank you so much – it is my first day of my first blog so it is all new! I’m glad you like it so far. Hmmm… I may attempt something a bit less ambitious first – maybe biscuits!
Thanks for reading.
CC x
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I heard on the grapevine that it’s national pie week… You could start savoury?? And maybe cheat with some shop bought pastry, seeing as you’re still a beginner and all. Looking forward to seeing the progression! xxx
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Great idea! Will need to think about it as I know pie filling can take a while to cook… It’s on the list though!
Thanks for reading.
CCx
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‘I’ve been thinking’…….I always knew you were a good writer. I’m now looking forward to reading about your road to recovery and sometime soon tasting the baking!!!!
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Well – every cloud and all that!! I will need to improve my skills before subjecting you to it, but I will keep practising!!
Thanks for reading,
CC x
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Love the Heisenberg/Batternberg pun 🙂 Really enjoyed reading your blog and will look forward to the next one somewhat hungrily, as I am rather partial to sweet stuff at the moment and I am a terrible baker. Good to see you managed to get a comment on ‘reflection’ in there – I know you are an expert on reflecting reflectively on your reflections 🙂 Please invite me round to eat cake. I am a good guest and never leave crumbs. xxx
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On reflection, I think reflecting on the baking is making reflecting on everything else a little easier… In which case this is a big success regardless! You absolutely must have some cake, especially if you don’t leave crumbs – can’t stand crummy visitors 😉
Thanks for reading,
CC x
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What an excellent blog. Clever and inspiring! Keep it up.
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Thank you so much! I’m thrilled you have enjoyed it so far – lots more where that came from!
CC x
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If only I could reply with a pun as witty as yours! Very inspiring yet you also made me giggle…I think you’ll be able to achieve 04 in no time at all xx
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Hooray! I hope so! Thanks so much for your comment, I’m over the moon that you have enjoyed reading it so far. Now I just need to keep going!!
CC x
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Oh my dear CC. I am so proud of you and so inspired by you. I will be supporting you and following your journey every step of the way.
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Thank you! Your support is wonderful and much appreciated. I’m just so happy that writing down my story, which is kind of selfish in a therapy sort of way, could be inspiring to others. At least some good will have come of all of this!
Thanks for reading,
CC x
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Feels like an inappropriate time to LOL, but loved reading this. Really inspirational and a great read. I was shocked to find out this morning, so sending lots and lots and lots of love and positive energy to you xxxxxxxx
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It is the MOST appropriate time to LOL! Good!! Thank you for the love and positivity – all gratefully received xxx
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There’s only 1 thing I love more than puns, and that’s cake. Knead-less to say, I can’t wait to read more…
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You’re in the club. Welcome!
Thanks for reading – really pleased you like it xx
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Witty and inspiring in equal measure. Loved reading it, can’t wait for the next installment! Sending so much love xxxx
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Thanks so much, glad you approve! I think you will especially like the next one in fact… x
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A beautifully written blog that is clearly straight from the heart. I look forward to reading more.x
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That’s really kind, thank you! I’m delighted that you like it so far – hopefully I can keep it up! x
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What a wonderful blog. Thinking of you and wishing you all the very best of luck for both the getting better and the baking… Not that you will ‘knead’ it (weak). X x x
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Welcome to the pun club! Thanks for reading and also for your best wishes x
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When life gives you lemons…. Make a lemon drizzle….
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I love this blog already CC. It’s so uplifting – AND filled with the promise of buns! Can’t wait to see what you make. RBird’s suggestion of a pie might be my fav 😉 xxx
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Yes!! I will need to have a go at pies – waiting until I’m feeling a bit stronger to give it a really good go 🙂
Thanks for reading (and loving!)
CC x
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You don’t knead me to butter you up and tell you how good a cook you are. I’ll jus-roll out another recipe suggestion… I’ve become very partial to baklava on my travels. i hope i still get an invite when back as you know I’m a crimbly eater. Inspirational stuff Crimson x
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Oh very good sir! I will add baklava to the list. Hope it doesn’t leave me in a sticky situation… X
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Dear CCCC (Creative Clever Caroline Crimson),
You never cease to amaze me! Your blog is so wonderful and upbeat yet sensitive and informative too.
If you ever have any surplus goods (which I very much doubt as your baking produce looks and I am sure tastes divine), please send me a text and I will be over in the quickest of flashes!
Sending you oodles of love. xxx
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Oh, thanks love! That’s really sweet of you. I’m really pleased that you’ve enjoyed reading the blog, and I would be honoured for you to try some of my produce – I love a commission!
Big hugs, CC(CC!) xx
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Dear CC, (Captain Colon, to me!) Is there no end to your talent? Brilliant Blog. Love it. Hope you are managing to produce a good lunge on serving your delights!
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Yes!! Hadn’t even occurred to me! I have been CC for far longer than I’d thought… Thanks for reading and loving – I will have to work back to my former lunging standards xx
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I’d love to squeeze your buns…
*rubbing his thighs*
C
xx
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Got sent you blog page the other day from Claire C. Well done and nice to see and feel you being so positive, wil be following your blog now, take care x
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Thanks Rebecca, that’s really kind of you 🙂
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Caro, what an inspiring blog. Wishing you well. X
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You are so cool! Just wanted to say HI (and hi to the other half) and let you know I’ve been following your blog. It’s very witty, you’ve got a way with words!! Best wishes
Nathan Baker (radiotherapy, the skinny guy)
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