Domestic goddess?

Well, although it's been a while, I'm happy to announce I can cross another task off my list! Yesterday I hosted afternoon tea for three of my best girlfriends, to show off my baking skills - and according to them, I passed the test! It's been fun feeding people - I've always loved hosting but there's something so homely about baking cakes and treats and trying new recipes out on willing volunteers (thanks guys!). I've no intention of stopping now I've ticked this one off (there's a rhubarb and ginger cake in the oven as I type...), but I have learnt quite a bit. My natural style is a bit haphazard, hence me wanting to tackle something that requires properly measuring things out and following a recipe to the letter. While I wouldn't say I've had 'disasters' as such, there have been times when they haven't turned out as I would have wanted, and knowing that the only reason that is the case is because I did something wrong has made me focus a lot harder on the process. Yesterday's menu was:

smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches
parma ham and fig sandwiches
stilton and pear sandwiches
baby cheese scones with chive butter
pear and rhubarb tarts
carrot cupcakes with maple syrup frosting
pistachio macaroons

and of course, champagne! I will confess to burning the first lot of cheese scones, but the second batch were a hit. (sorry folks, at the moment I can't seem to upload a photo, but I do have the evidence, honestly!)

This week also saw me taking the photographs at a friend's wedding. A nerve-wracking experience, but also an enjoyable one, and as long as the results turn out to be up to scratch I'll be happy. Not that I'm going to charge the bride and groom for the shots, but I'm a bit closer to getting someone to buy an image from me...

Other progress has been slow - lots of things going on in life, but no excuse really. I have signed up to a Race for Life 5k and 10k, but sadly didn't get a place in the Royal Parks half marathon, so will have to find another one to do. I've done a bit of writing but not enough, so am going to go along to the Urban Writers Retreat to make sure I put aside time without distractions to focus on that (it looks great, would recommend any budding writers out there to check it out). And the knitting has stalled entirely, as my lovely instructor has had a holiday and illness over the last few weeks. I knew it would be spring before I finished the jumper!

Next up: sunrise from London Bridge, before the sun starts rising at ridiculous-o'clock!