Friday 12 November 2010: 8/10

Although today had nothing like the spiritual qualities and novelty that yesterdayheld, it was nevertheless a good day.

Fridays is a big baking day in the Virtuousbread.com kitchen as Saturday morning is the crack of dawn run to Pimlico Fresh.  This week, in addition to some sourdough loaves and the now famous fruit bread, Jackie wanted a carrot and ginger cake with cream cheese icing and something to surprise her.  Hmm..surprise a caterer.  Well, she is Australian and they don’t have thanksgiving so I made some pastry and, using the pumpkins kindly given to me by Malcolm at Two Peasand Jill of the Real Cheese Shop, made some pumpkin tarts.  For those of you who have never made them, it really could not be easier.  The recipeI have used faithfully ever since I can remember comes from the back of the Libby’s pumpkin can.  You can use fresh pumpkin as I did (almost worth it for the seeds) but it is a drag.  Much easier to buy a can of Libbys which, in the UK is somewhat easier said than done unless it is near American Thanksgiving (which is is).  Hilariously, Jackie thought that pumpkin tarts would be savory and she got a shock when she bit into one (nearly spat it out before succumbing to their addictive flavour).  Let’s hope the Americans in Pimlico are all over them.

Once again the afternoon was spent doing admin and eating rich teas at the Eden McCallumoffices (for which thanks, as ever).  I now have a clean e mail in box, a rejuvinated website which is much more clear as regards the goalsof Virtuousbread.com and feel contented in a “my whole house is clean” kind of way.  Now, if only I can find seven people who are willing to help me (unpaid, you understand) do the eight activities (four charitableand four commercial) to which Virtuousbread.com is devoted….Failing that, my focus in the coming week is to follow up on the fantastic network that being an Unltdaward winner opens up to me.

Party tonight, brunch tomorrow, helping Nick from Rude Healthwith their stand at the BBC Good Food Show on Saturday afternoon, dinner with friends in the evening, resting and doing yoga and having beef stew (made in the Spanish way with saffron and cloves) with visitors from Canada on Sunday.  What’s not to like?

I am sailing……how was your day?  Do leave a comment, we’d like to hear from you.