Ch... Ch... Changes!

How do you feel about change... do you embrace it or shy away? I'd say that most often I like change, I enjoy trying new things and relish new experiences but in reality that probably only applies to the little things in life, the low risk stuff. I'll always try new dishes in restaurants (unlike my lovely husband who always chooses the same food... so much so, I could probably pick what he would order from almost any menu!), I like to visit new places on holiday and I'm alway willing to try new experiences. But the big changes in life, the ones that take a leap of faith... I'm not so brave then! 

Sometimes changes happen due to circumstances and breaking my ankle has certainly imposed changes on my routine and lifestyle over the past  few weeks. I thought the enforced rest period and general slowing down would mean a lot more time for reading, blog writing, and getting my website sorted out... none of which has really happened because I've not had the energy. I've not even looked at my website, I seem to be blogging less than ever and although I'm reading, it's no more than usual... and that is because everything else takes twice as long as usual! By the time I've got up, showered, dressed, tackled the stairs and had my breakfast I'm half way through the morning!

But I have enjoyed the books I've read over the past few weeks. I finished A God in Ruins which I absolutely loved and have added the companion book Life after Life to my wish list. It cover the events in the life of Teddy, a would be poet, RAF fighter, son, brother, husband, father and grandfather, told with much humour. It does contain some fairly traumatic scenes from his life as a fighter pilot but it was one of those books I didn't want to put down but didn't want to finish either.

Kind friends have also lent me books recently and I have read The Year of Living Danishly, which is a light hearted and enjoyable read about the experiences of an English couple living in Denmark for a year and their quest for a happier life. I read The Dressmaker, which is a dark, gothic tale of revenge set in rural Australia. I found the character observation hilarious as it is full of weird and wonderful individuals and their engaging lives .And lastly I have just finished A Perfectly Good Man which I literally couldn't put down. It is the story of Barnaby, a parish priest in Cornwall and it draws the various different threads of his life together as the story unfolds. I found it an incredibly moving story.

But I am pleased to say I am healing well, feeling less tired and gradually getting back to my normal self. This week I even ventured into London for a day (not alone, I might add). I attended a Kitchen Table Talent event called Build Your Business organised by Country Living Magazine. It was an excellent day, well organised with good speakers (Sophie Conran, Julie Dodsworth, Emma Bridgewater), opportunities for networking, workshops to help with branding and business plans, plus a really good lunch too! I came home buzzing with ideas for my baking business. Making the change of direction from textiles to incorporate my love of baking definitely was one of those "leap of faith" changes in my life and if I'm honest I have wobbled a few times over whether it has been the right thing to do. But this week I have received news* that has confirmed this is a good change in my life. I'm going to be intensly irritating and say I can't share that news just yet... but I will in due course.

And so I continue to bake with a passion, even if it does mean operating at half speed! Orders continue to come in and this week I've made a "naked" sponge, which has been one of my favourite cakes to date

And this blue birthday cake which might be one of my least favourites. I'm pretty confident it will taste good but I just struggle with blue food! On the plus side, it does match my range of aprons and tea cosies which will remain part of the Apricot and Fig brand.

So currently I'm feeling excited about the changes that are in store... not to mention the prospect of this bionic boot coming off next week!

* I seem to have given the impression that I have some really exciting news which is not the case. The news is not good but it has confirmed for me that starting the new business was the right thing to do and that is what makes me excited for the future! And now that sounds even more cloak and dagger than before!