Rough waters and yummy cake

It was stormy weather in the swimming pool this morning. There was much splashing and tidal wave making and people flinging themselves around in inconsiderate ways whilst doing extravagant strokes like butterfly. Not me, I hasten to add; I am a calm swimmer of the breast-stroke 'I must, I must, improve my bust' variety and try to make as little splash as possible out of consideration for my fellow pool users. But I ploughed on and only got out when a family of four appeared and the father jumped in and displaced at least 30% of the water.

Back home I had a cup of tea and a bit of a think about how much I like cake. Not only eating cake (although that is a big part of the equation) but actually making cake. On Sunday I spent a very happy morning in the kitchen listening to the radio and making marmalade, cakes and biscuits. In fact, I believe my kitchen achieved an almost zen-like quality as the mixing and mushing developed and evolved and the scents of home baking wafted and filled the house. And I got to thinking, 'I could start a business selling cakes,' or at least run a market stall at the WI or one of the many farmer markets that are springing up hither and thither. I could expand into other areas - for example, I am determined to grow a mass of basil this year and make my own pesto. I could make pies and tarts and flans. Biscuits. And more cake.

The possibility of starting a business is an idea Andy and I have been toying with recently. We've started exploring the notion of bed and breakfast. And catteries. And mobile veterinary services. Having completed my second book for children, I am filling time with odds and sods of writing (I've discovered that it's not quite the season for short stories - I know, would you believe that magazines have a season for submitting short stories??) whilst I decide on my NEXT BIG PROJECT. I have four ideas for the next novel. In fact, a couple of them have already reached the 15,000+ word count. But I'm suffering with indecision at the moment about which to pursue seriously and so my mind has drifted to other thoughts of a creative nature. Namely cake.

So I'm going to research my cake-selling idea.

On another note, you'll be pleased to know that following yesterday's receipt of a bailiff's notice addressed to the wrong people at the wrong address, I received a very apologetic phone call from the bailiff himself, who grovelled a lot and then did some more apologising and said he would be around this evening to collect the offending epistle, if that was all right with me. My goods, chattels and chickens remain intact.

And finally, I must apologise to Andy for eating the last smidgeon of his Valentine chocolate heart yesterday because I thought he didn't want it (I know, I know, a stupid thought indeed!). I feel very contrite. So I'm making him a jam sponge pudding for tea tonight. I hope this is acceptable, darling!?