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Ashington Manor Farm (Yeovil)

After a two-night stay at The Swan Hotel in Wells , we departed for Exeter. Along the way, our first stop was Ashington Manor Farm, the home of the husband and wife garden designers Julian and Isabel Bannerman.  Roses are a specialty of the Bannerman's, but sadly, we were too early to see any. That disappointment was curtailed by touring their magnificent farmhouse, which we were invited to roam around at leisure. And Julian Bannerman, who did most all the talking, was a very entertaining man.  Gathering at the front door - We actually entered at the side of the house, right off the patio, which led to this room, where the Bannerman's greeted us. The massive table was filled with books they had written as well as magazine articles about their gardens. As we were listening to Julian's speech, I happened to notice Isabel Bannerman's book "Husbandry" on the table and immediately recognized it as a book I have at home but have not gotten to yet. At the time, I ha...
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My birthday cake

Michael always makes me a Boston Cream Pie for my birthday. It is my favorite cake (I have no idea why they call it a pie). He usually buys a boxed mix but he went all out this year and made it from scratch, using a recipe from Maida Heatter (with a little help from me). I'm going to post the recipe and photos of him making it on my baking blog. It was delicious! I also gained about 5 pounds.


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. FairegardenJanuary 27, 2012 at 12:53 PM

    Oh, be still my beating heart! I love that mix of pudding, cake and chocolate, too Phillip. Hope your birthday was grand!

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowJanuary 27, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    What a wonderful birthday gift. My mouth is watering. Happy belated birthday.

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  3. DarlaJanuary 27, 2012 at 1:18 PM

    Looks delish!! Happy Belated Birthday.

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  4. UnknownJanuary 27, 2012 at 2:37 PM

    Boston Cream Pie is a favorite, as is Maida Heatter, so I can't wait to see the recipe! I'm from there, and don't know why they call it a "pie," either! Whatever it's called, it's a beautiful thing! Happy Birthday!

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  5. Randy EmmittJanuary 27, 2012 at 2:54 PM

    Phillip,
    Never had this before. Congrads on our 29th birthday! Meg's b day is Monday. Now get out there and work off those pounds you gained!

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  6. Peggy HillJanuary 27, 2012 at 3:11 PM

    Damn! Now I have to make a trip to the bakery.

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  7. sweetbayJanuary 27, 2012 at 4:43 PM

    Man, that looks good.

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  8. Anne BoykinJanuary 27, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great day. Cake from scratch - that's love!

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  9. aquablueroseJanuary 27, 2012 at 5:56 PM

    Happy Birthday, Phillip!!

    Oh that is so Wonderful of Michael and it looks Amazing!!

    Yum!! Looking forward to seeing the photos!!

    Hope you have a Wonderful & Healthy Birthday Year!!

    gerri XXXOOO

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  10. GailJanuary 27, 2012 at 7:46 PM

    I do hope your birthday was filled with celebration and laughter. The cake looks so delicious and Phillip, I never eat cake! gail

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  11. meemsnycJanuary 27, 2012 at 7:57 PM

    Ooooooh, wow!

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  12. UnknownJanuary 27, 2012 at 10:19 PM

    Yum!

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  13. JanJanuary 28, 2012 at 9:50 AM

    Hope you had a great birthday. Boston Creme Pie is one of my favorites, too.

    Jan
    Always Growing

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  14. Ann StumpeJanuary 28, 2012 at 12:35 PM

    I knew I shouldn't have looked at your baking blog...

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  15. Dee/reddirtramblingsJanuary 28, 2012 at 3:18 PM

    Gosh, that looks good. My daughter the other day had a piece of Boston Cream Pie, and she said, "Mom, they're silly. It's a cake." She thought they made it wrong. :) ~~Dee

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  16. CarolJanuary 28, 2012 at 5:02 PM

    HBD, friend. Love Boston Creme Pie, too and since I'm always looking for something to have on Sunday afternoons after our bible study, I think I'll make one. I'll go over to your blog and snag the reciepe. Carol

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  17. LilyJanuary 29, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    Happy Birthday!! :)))

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  18. JessJanuary 29, 2012 at 9:46 AM

    Happy Bday! That cake looks awesome I must say.

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  19. RobinLJanuary 30, 2012 at 12:18 PM

    Hope you had a lovely birthday! How sweet of Michael to make it for you, especially because I get the impression that you are the one who most likes to bake! I'm sure it was delish. Will you do me a favor and make note of my new blog address? My old one was deleted due to someone else's fraud. Grrrrr!
    http://lifeinrobinsnest.blogspot.com/

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  20. MaryJanuary 31, 2012 at 7:14 PM

    Boston cream pie is my favorite. Mom usually makes one for me on my birthday. She made the hummingbird cake recipe that's in this months Southern Living for our lab. It didn't last past breakfast. Where did the name for hummingbird cake come from?

    On the gardening front, my heirloom daffodils are in bloom. Spring is close!!!

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