Last Thursday, this little man came to visit.
His name is Ben, and he’s three years old. His mother Dan is one of my best friends in the entire universe. She and her family moved to California eight years ago, but that hasn’t been an impediment to our relationship – if anything, we’re closer now than we’ve ever been. To steal her words, I love her to the moon and back.
Benny seemed to know this instinctively – even though I hadn’t seen him since he was a baby, he marched right into our house and plonked himself on my lap. Then he helped me take the selfie above to send to his mum. We dragged out our twenty year old collection of wooden Thomas trains and constructed a track on the living room floor. He was very chuffed…
Ben was over to visit his grandparents with Patrick, but Dan had stayed at home with the older kids. Which meant she’d missed out on hot cross buns at Easter – apparently they’re almost impossible to buy in San Francisco. So I baked a batch for her and sent them home with Patrick. I made our yeasted buns and coated them in a sugar and milk glaze…
Packing the buns became an engineering exercise – they were frozen until the morning of departure, then packed in bubblewrap first for insulation, then in a reinforced cardboard box to ensure they didn’t get squashed en route.
Patrick filmed Dan’s reaction, and it made me so happy that I thought I’d share…
Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
What a delicious present, Celia! Ben looks like such a sweet boy and I bet he was absorbed by the train set for hours!
What a lovely post. Made my Sunday. Those buns look fabulous and Dan’s reaction is too!
Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing, love.
Talk about sending a box filled with joy! Dan was so excited, it was lovely to see her response.
Ben’s so cute! The hot cross buns look delicious. Dan’s reaction is priceless! What a treat!
I’d never have thought of sending buns across the pond. What a great friend you are!
Beautiful hot cross buns!!! Sue
Womenlivinglifeafter50.com
I don’t think I even like hot cross buns, but this video is so sweet.
Envoyé de mon Di-phone !
>
How wonderful that you could make them for her and even better seeing how she reacted to receiving them. She will remember that moment forever. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane “Food the international language of Love”…
Smell-memory is so powerful isn’t it and can bring back so many lovely memories. What a wonderful thing to give, Celia, and it was such fun to see her reaction. Don’t you love it when little children march right in and just get on with being a friend!
What a sweet story of friendship, Ceiia. How wonderful to hear how you maintain such a long distance, but very vital relationship. And that little guy is adorable–so is the selfie! You are beaming. :-) I took notice of Hot Cross Buns in some of the local shops last week, but they pale in comparison and weren’t anything special. Yours ARE definitely very special!
I was quite confused at the beginning Celia upon seeing your lady friend’s name as being Dan, & then her son as Ben. Why? Well I usually share your blog with my son , DAN & bake your goodies for my other son, Ben!! Hahaha! I told my son Dan ‘ hey Dan come & watch this video of Dan’.. When I pointed to who ‘Dan’ was he was shocked! Oh but what a beautiful sentimental gift you gave Celia! We actually ‘smelled’ the Hot Cross Buns with your lovely friend Dan! I’ve always wanted to know if one could post baked goods overseas & if it’s acceptable! Thanks for sharing!
Lina, these weren’t posted – her hubby took them home with him on the plane. I’m not sure how they’d survive in the post – I suspect they’d be very stale by the time that got there! How funny that you have a Dan and Ben too! :) Our Dan is, of course, Danielle.. :)
Ah ! Thanks for clarifying Celia! I don’t think I’d attempt mailing any food whatsoever! And yes we have a Ben… Dan… & Andy!
:) Happy post!
Love it love it love it xxx
Hi Celia, this proves why food gifts are the best of all :). x
That’s just awesome!!!! Thanks for sharing x
What perfect buns, Celia…and what a wonderful reaction from Dan. I agree with Kathy, food is the international language of live. I bet Dan could taste the love in those buns! :-)
Oops! Of course I meant to write language of LOVE 😊
That is very cool, what a lucky friend she is!
Isn’t that cute!! I love this post!
So sweet. :D
Hi Celia, that is a lovely gift. Your friend certainly appreciated your efforts. How cool is that?
How lovely!! Dan’s reaction put such a smile on my face – I can’t even imagine what it did for you!! And Ben is just adorable!!!!
Soul food in so many ways Ms Celia :)
That’s so good, You bring so many people so much joy. What a special person you are!
That’s a long way for your baked goodies to fly Celia. Lucky people indeed!
You’re on a blogging roll!! Love this post.
What a fantastic gift and what a great reaction! True friendship lasts and grows even across the miles :)
Still working on my gluten and dairy free hot cross buns ( really look more like muffins) however yours looked amazing!
What a lovely surprise you sent your friend Celia – very special!
Have a happy day.
:-) Mandy xo
Aw, just warms my heart, what a sweet and thoughtful gift to bring friends close when so far apart. :)
I hope you dont think that I have forgotten you, but had health issues and busy witht he grandkids, traveling…
I wish I had had some of these for Easter. I hope you and your family are well. Much love, Norma
Norma, I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been unwell. Hope you’re on the mend now! Traveling and grandkids though, sounds wonderful! xxx
You are the best friend ever! What an awesome gift to send! Even if they weren’t the freshest buns when they arrived I’m sure she absolutely loved them.
Gretchen, we baked them the day before, froze them that night, and Patrick took them home in his luggage the next day. So they were *almost* freshly baked! And yes, thank you, she loved them! :)
You’re amazing Celia. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen better hot cross buns. I wouldn’t have thought these would have made it through customs but there you go! Love the video – Dan is so thrilled it’s like she won the lottery! xx
Thanks Charlie, I was amazed they made it through as well!
Ahhh thats what I love about food! The simple joy it can bring others. You are truly a good friend Celia. Dx
those buns look fab and how wonderful to send them over.. i never would have thought of being able to do that, or get them thru Customs.
Celia, that’s such a lovely video and such a touching thing to do. How nice for both of you! It must have been so heartwarming to see her boy…and not a surprise that he instinctively knew you. His Mother talks to you once a week, he knows your voice.
That would have been my reaction too! Those look absolutely fantastic. That Ben is a cutie pie & you are marvelous to have a box of Thomas trains just waiting for favored guests. You do think of everything.
You are truly a bread angel.