The painter and
decorator finished in the kitchen at about 4pm on Friday and the fitter
finished off the skirting boards at about 6 pm. Cutting it fine even by my standards.
Fortunately I had managed to package up some mini Christmas cakes and several packets of biscotti earlier in the week.
But Saturday turned into a baking frenzy of mincepies...
Gingerbread biscuits...
And if you will allow me to say so,,, the most amazing cranberry and clementine Bundt cake, rich with white chocolate and soaked fruit yet light and fragrant too. I may have got a little over enthusiastic with the spray-on glitter though... a little over excited too!
There was also a triple layer gingerbread and caramel cake...
As well as a gluten free almond and clementine cake. There was also some very naughty Rocky Road but that disappeared before I took a photo.
And despite all the last minute rush, everything was ready for my Tasting Day and launch of my new venture "Apricot and Fig" on Sunday afternoon.
People came all afternoon and there was a definite buzz and excitment. Lots of cake was sampled, lots of cake was bought and even more was ordered. I virtually sold out of all these jams, jellies and chutneys
By the end of the day I was exhausted but left happy feeling that I might actually make a success of this.
Meanwhile this week there has been more embroidery, lots of shifting of boxes and furniture and I'm still exhusted... but that's all a story for another time!
Don't forget to leave a comment on this post if you would like to have a chance to win a set of Cambridge Christmas cards.
Gina, earlier this evening I waa on the phone with a NYC friend who was telling me about a desert she'd made for tomorrow's Thanksgiving Day guests. It involved caramel making and pumpkin, and was much more than I could ever imagine trying.
ReplyDeleteAnd so, I did mention to her about your new venture, and how it meant your skipping across a few creative chanels. Now, both of us send you best wishes for lots of success. Your 'exhibition' day sounds like a winner!
I'm so glad that your kitchen makeover is now allowed you full creative freedom in that kitchen.
Every single photograph in this post makes me wish to taste your baking. You've got a grand assortment of seasonal treats!
xo
It all looks amazing. Well done. Wish I could have been there. I love homemade chutney. The most interesting, and nicer than it sounds, one I had recently was Banana Chutney. Made by my mum's neighbour.
ReplyDeleteHow delicious it all looks! So glad you had a successful day and that the kitchen is ready for business. Good luck.:-)
ReplyDeleteIt all looks fabulous Gina - and I bet it tastes fab too! I have absolutely no doubt that you will make a huge success of your new venture - you are dedicated, committed, hardworking and enthusiastic - and that enthusiasm is infectious so you will pass that on to your customers.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm not just saying that because you are my friend - but because it's all true! xx
So happy to hear it was such a good day for you. Wishing you all the best.
ReplyDeleteYour tasting day sounds as if it was a great success and that you are well and truly launched in your new venture. Onwards and upwards, and look out Nigella and all!
ReplyDeleteOh how I wished I lived near you! Those cakes look amazing, you are so flipping multi talented Gina xx
ReplyDeleteIt all looks amazing Gina and I'm so pleased your tasting day was a success.
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased that the tasting went well, though I knew that it would anyway.
ReplyDeleteI wish you every success in your new career! The cakes look wonderful by the way.
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ReplyDeleteThe dreaded predictive text scrambled my previous comment! The cakes look fabulous, Gina. Hope it's all a great success. I'm very hungry from just looking at the photos.
ReplyDeleteThey do indeed look fabulous. Great to hear your new venture got off to such a good start
ReplyDeleteWhoa that's a lot of yum! Well done on achieving so much which the added pressure of the kitchen.
ReplyDeleteAwe I'm so glad it all went so well for you but it's not surprising really, your cakes and bakes are amazing!
ReplyDeleteI think I might have got excited and enthusiastic over spray on glitter too. :£
V X
Oh my goodness, everything there looks amazing - I'm not surprised it sold so well. Good luck with the new venture, not that you need luck as everyone is going to flock to buy it all!!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting Gina! It all looks absolutely beautiful -- Congratulations!!!
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