I go to the supermarket as seldom as possible at the best of times… and the run-up to Christmas does not constitute the best of times by any stretch of the imagination. Head down, I charged to the pharmacy aisle with as little looking around as possible.
And then I saw them. Mince pies.
Oh dear.
I don’t tend to eat a lot of sweet stuff, but mince pies are a weakness.
And a dilemma.
Obviously, pastry is bad enough. Add that particular confection of fruits in the centre and they should probably not be allowed within my vision. Definitely not within my reach.
Somehow a pack of four managed to follow me to the checkout.
I love mince pies. I bake the best good mince pies… or I used to when I had a house full of boys. I could bake two dozen every day and have nothing but crumbs before they were cold. Living with just the small dog, I don’t bake any more except for special occasions. I couldn’t justify baking a dozen just for me… especially as I would only eat them.
On the other hand, there is a tradition that says you should eat mince pies for good fortune through December. That for every one you eat you will have happiness and luck for … now …was it a day, a week or a month? I could use some good fortune… and a fairy godmother if one is looking for work too. And herein lies the dilemma.
While I am a firm believer in asking the universe, then allowing things to happen, I am also aware we need to do our part too. So if I want good fortune for the next twelve months, I obviously need to eat enough mince pies.
I’m liking the logic of this.
But how many do I need to eat?
If the ratio of tradition is one mince pie for one month good fortune, I have no problem. If it is a weekly ratio, then 52 between here and Christmas seems a little much. Even I would struggle with eating over a dozen a day…
On the other hand, life can’t all be sweetness and light… there have to be darker days against which the light can shine… so maybe the dozen a day isn’t necessary…
Meanwhile, I could have sworn there was a pack of four, freshly baked mince pies around here somewhere…
Well, what’s left of them…
Hmmm… If a mince pie (or three) is consumed, leaving no trace of its presence, did it ever exist in the first place and can you called a hog for eating it?
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Not if you eat them standing up.
LikeLiked by 4 people
Ah… never thought about that. I can do that 😉
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hopefully next time you go shopping some more mince pies follow you to the checkout 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll have made a few dozen myself by then 😉
LikeLiked by 3 people
that’s the spirit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you deserve a treat now and then. And if no one sees you eating them, then they don’t count.
LikeLiked by 2 people
A woman aftr my own heart 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
Haha! Absolutely. I can find an excuse for eating anytime.
LikeLike
😀 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
🤗😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. I use that excuse for many things, chocolate included.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! No excuse needed for chocolates
LikeLike
Never 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
You should be a teacher and teach ratios using mince pies. When I introduced fractions to my third graders, I used Hershey’s milk chocolate candy bars. They are divided into tiny rectangles. I gave the kids a choice between 1/16 or 1/4 of a bar. Seeing the bigger number, most opted for 1/16. 😎 After that day, I think they had a better understanding of fractions. When food is on the line, you learn to pay attention.
LikeLiked by 5 people
That is a GREAT idea!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I seem to remember my maths teacherdoing something very similar, Pete 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Actually, I think the official “no calorie” eating method is to eat it over the sink while standing. Also, if you eat cheesecake still frozen, it doesn’t count. I do think 52 mince pies is probably out of reach, but do your best. I will root for all the good luck you can consume!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure I could manange a dozen or so… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
My hubby likes mince tarts so he has been stocking up. He should have a very lucky 2021. Maybe he should have eaten more in 2019!! (not that we have had it that bad this year) Enjoy those mince tarts. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tell him to eat a few for me 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will, although he doesn’t need much encouragement. 🌲💗
LikeLike
Ha 😀
LikeLike
I didn’t know that tradition! Glad I’ve eaten a few 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
So far this Christmas I have made two dozen mince pies, which vanished almost immediately! Today I will make another two dozen, hoping some linger long enough for Christmas day.
Doing our bit for a better 2021 for everyone, I think!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never heard a better reason (not excuse. Reason) for eating as many mince pies as we can.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think we all need to indulge… but I’ll help anyone who doesn’t care for them 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds good to me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors.
LikeLike
Thanks for the reblog, ladies. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Mince Pies & Little Things… | Anita Dawes & Jaye Marie ~ Authors
Thanks for sharing , Jaye 🙂
LikeLike
It always puzzles me as to why we can only get mince pies and mincemeat at Christmas. I’ve searched for mincemeat at other times of the year to no avail.
It’s odd, because Hot Cross Buns are available all year, and they are as traditionally seasonal as mince pies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Our local bakery doesn’t sell hot cross buns at this time of the year. However, you can clearly see them in the shop and the window display. Apparently, they’re called Winter Spiced Buns at this time of the year. 🙄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah… that’s a neat one 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can often get it on Amazon, at a premium price, but I’m rather glad it re,aims seasonal.
LikeLike
I wasn’t aware of that tradition but why chance it? If you enjoy mince pies, indulge. It’s the holidays, and it’s 2020.
LikeLike
I shall, Sharon 🙂
LikeLike
No, not at all, Sue. I’ve never heard of the tradition that eating mince pies brings you good fortune, but I like it very much. More so because I managed to find some mini mince pies. Now, do they count? If they do, do I have to eat double the amount to get one month/days/weeks worth of good fortune, or does one mini mince pie equal a whole one when it comes to the tradition? Dilemmas, dilemmas! I think I’ll put the kettle on, make a pot of tea, open a box of mince pies and give it some more thought.
LikeLike
I think you should eat double to be on the safe side, Hugh 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Its the season to give into these cravings I believe. A certain way to amass good fortune! (K)
LikeLike
I intend to do so…as soon as I have baked some more. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never been fond of mince pies (I know – I’m sorry!) but I do believe the rule is to eat as many as you like 😉 xx
LikeLike
No worries, I’ll eat yours, Ess 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very funny. Another of my blogging buddies, Oddment, has been claiming her hand sometimes takes sweet things to eat without her noticing.
LikeLike
I am sure that is true 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ll be sharing our mince pies, so come on over! 🙂
LikeLike
Oh, I wouldif I could 🙂
LikeLike
You’re so dang funny Sue! I love reading your posts. Hug Ani for me. Have a great Christmas. Sending hugs
Jean
LikeLike
Hugs, Jean 😀 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not if you eat them with a diet Coke. That negates the calories. I love mince pies, too, but don’t make the mince – I get it from Fortnum and Mason (cheat). .
LikeLike
Ach… no coke for me. A nice glass of mead, perhaps 🙂
LikeLike
I’d never heard the good fortune thing about mince pies! Did you just make it up? I don’t find it difficult to resist mince pies – haven’t had one yet. I’d never say no to Christmas cake with a nice slice of cheese, though.
LikeLike
I did not … it is traditional… but I would have done if it wasn’t.
The cake and the cheese are both hard to resist at the moment…
LikeLike
Never heard this tradition, but I like it and hope to get some mince pies to put it into practice.
We are terrible, and I’d buy 2 dozen (4 packs of 6) for Christmas. If ever there were two stupid words in the English Language, For Christmas is a close contender. Sadly mince pies rarely saw the end of the weekend, let alone Christmas, so of course it meant getting some more….. again….. and again. We must have got through about 5 dozen between us in December. At the moment we are on our fourth box. Happy days Sue. ❤ ❤ ❤
LikeLike
When the lads were home and their freinds always round… and with seven of us at home at pne point that soon becomes a horde… I’d bake two or three dozen a day from scrtach through December… never any left by bedtime.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can imagine!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad you enjoyed your mince pies 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
I’m baking more tomorrow 🙂
LikeLike
Love the photos of frost…
LikeLike
Thank you, frost is always so pretty.
LikeLike
I say eat as many as you can fit in during the time you have left, and that way maybe you’ll get more good fortune than bad next year. 😉
LikeLike
You may have a point, Tori 😉
LikeLike
“there is a tradition that says you should eat mince pies for good fortune through December. That for every one you eat you will have happiness and luck for … now …was it a day, a week or a month? I love that logic…I could be your fairy godmother and you could pay me in mince pies! 💜💜
LikeLike
Except I don’t really want to part with any 😉
LikeLike
Okay I will bring my own! And I might even share 💜
LikeLike
Put me to shame…. 😉
LikeLike
I can be gracious when I try 🎄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, I, too, relish a good mince pie. Ommmmmm ….
As for asking vs receiving, this always helped me: the gods meet us halfway. Then again, how is it we may determine our half?
Go on, eat the pies! ❤
LikeLike
Wisely said….on both counts, Bela 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha!! ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lol Sue. Good for you. If they are lucky and magical, you should have bought a bunch and froze them. Hope you’re all filled up with luck now. xx
LikeLike
I can always bake more 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
You go girl! xx
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Christmas is a time to indulge oneself, go for it! 😀
LikeLike
I shall 🙂 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Now I don’t feel quite so bad about eating a whole slab of butter fudge yesterday…it was yummy though 🙂 xx Merry Christmas and may more mince pies follow you to the till x
LikeLike
Fudge…it is almost criminal not to eat it…. 😉
Merry Christmas, Carol. There will be a dozen or so feesh ones in the overn shortly 😉 xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely… Sue…Enjoy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
We shall dedicate the ones we eat, that Mrs Widds already baked, to your good health. 😀
LikeLike
Those too I will gratefully accept 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLiked by 2 people
Clever thinking, Sue. I hope they were good pies. Eat away!
LikeLike
Always good pies 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s funny how some things end up in your basket, isn’t it. 😀 — Suzanne
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mince pies have a habit of following me home 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person