It was a very long and tiring day yesterday.
I baked all day long. Two lots of chocolate fudge brownies. Two lots of carrot cake with lemon creamcheese frosting, a big vegetable frittata, 6 chicken and mushroom pies, a gingerbread and date loaf. I had to get more plastic containers to transport them. The orders have gone from 3 items once a fortnight to 5 items per week, so it’s looking hopeful, but on baking day it has me on my feet all day in a small kitchen, having to wash up constantly because I have no space!
I also got the AHQ quilt finished, packed and sent off, in good time to reach HMAS Toowoomba before she sails. I just love waltzing into the post office and plonking down a box they can’t charge me for! Parcels under 2kg to an AFPO are free. I have had to straighten a couple of people out about this, and managers have been called, but they know now at my local…
What I didn’t get a chance to do is work on Amistad. So today, after I sorted out all my tax return paperwork (oh yes, I got that done too!), I sat myself down in a peaceful frame of mind and just got stitching. I’m now about a third through the quilting. It’s getting easier and quicker. I have everything neatly to hand at my sewing table, I rest the hoop on the table edge to save my arms and shoulders, and I have a brilliant LED work light with a magnifying lens for when my eyes get tired. Like now…
Back to the needle.
talltalesfromchiconia 
Wow, that’s a lot of baking! Yum!
You need to move in to your new kitchen! When’s settlement?
We don’t have a date yet, but soon, I hope!
There were plenty of chocolatey bowls and spoons to lick. The Husband was well rewarded for his hard work at the sink!
Great progress! Shame the gluten free baking can’t be animal free too! Hope your exchange of contracts goes smoothly. Xx
It’s difficult enough making gf substitutes that everyone will eat without excluding all animal products as well… I’ll content myself with keeping it tasty! Thank you for the good wishes.
That’s a lovely lot of baking and cooking. I have the same problem in my miniature kitchen though when I’m doing batch cooking for the freezer.
Perhaps it’s just as well, because it certainly forces you to clear up as you go along! But I am looking forward to my larger kitchen in the new house.
You definitely need a dishwasher – and not of the human kind! Does your new kitchen have one?
I have one here, but the dratted thing just will not load and unload itself! Also, half the time I needed to use things again which I had just made dirty and the dishwasher would take too long. The Husband did a sterling job. And yes, the new house has a dishwasher!
looks like they love your food !! congratulations ! soon you’ll need staff !!
Lord, I hope not! It may mean more days spent cooking and fewer spent sewing, but that’s the price you pay for success, I suppose.
What beautiful even quilting. Chapeau. Your baking sounds good. If you want a luscious gluten-free chocolate cake, try this one: http://vivinfrance.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/seriously-sinful-chocolate-cake/
Thank you, and for the recipe. I’m always ready for a chocolate cake, but the coffee shop doesn’t currently want a GF one, they make do with my brownies, which are unbelievably rich and chocolatey.
Beautiful quilting, and I bet your house smelt yummy!
I have to admit, the mingled aromas of chocolate, ginger, cinnamon and cake were hard to deal with, closely followed by frittata and chicken & mushroom pie. My stomach was rumbling badly, but I was so busy I didn’t get round to eating much!
I think the quilting is getting better as I go along, it was a bit big and bodgy to start with.
You really need to be in the new house with the dishwasher. I would also need my orthotic slippers and a bucket of cortisone cream (for my hands that do not cope with soap) if I cooked all day. Bravo to you!
I have one already, but the door opens into my working space so loading and unloading are very disruptive when I’m on a roll. And it takes too long to run through a cycle if I’m waiting for utensils and pans for the next wave of artery busting goodness…. Orthotic footwear: tick. I made do with very good hand cream and am no more wrinkly than usual!
Sounds like the baking is working out. I can sympathise with your pain. I used to get back ache and dishwasher hands from making things for the market!
The Husband did most of the washing up, luckily. I think there was a certain amount of hanging around in the kitchen to make sure he was available for bowl and spoon licking…
Your quilting is beautiful.
Thank you! It’s very kind of you to say so – I can’t help looking at it and seeing things wrong, but I suspect I’ve been spending too much time looking at the quilts of people who specialise in absolutely exquisite hand quilting! I must learn to relax and enjoy it more…