Assessing March

March is one of those months that I truly cannot stand. Over the years I have turned into an autumn-winter sort of person, and March marks that half of the year that is far from my favourite. This year Easter was so early that it spoilt not just March, with its springy feel when it still feels like winter, but April as well; what on earth have I got to look forward to now, since April has no Bank Holidays, no planned holidays and now not even Easter? Which makes the case for St George's Day even more relevant. But again, I digress. March was a bit of a trauma, since I returned from New York to a very, very, very busy office where brainstorming sessions quickly turned into blamestorming ones. It is difficult to keep one's focus when all we talk about falls under the 'things we could have done better' heading. While I find that learning from past mistakes is always valuable, I think that identifying these mistakes is only philosophically valuable. 'Steph, what would you have done differently?'. When I hear this question I always feel like replying: 'Nothing, because if I had known then what I know now, I would have been an idiot to take the path I originally took'. So of course 'what would you have done differently?' is a stupid question, not unlike, 'would you have driven over the deep black hole if you had known it was
there?'. The point is, I did NOT know there was a deep black hole. Would I want a free gift? Why, is there a type of gift that is not free? The only lesson I learnt over the past few years in the corpo-world is that a creative person should strive to leave it as soon as possible. The harder one leaves it, the more difficult and muddled situations become. I feel like I am slowly easing myself out of it for sure, but I bet that tomorrow I will have another meeting going over the same old hot air. But hope springs eternal, no? Who knows what exciting developments April will bring now that my proposal is in the post...

Easter Simnel Cake

Happy Easter! I am taking some deserved time off this weekend, and even though I am working at my book proposal, most of my time is being filled up by reading, cooking and finally eating, after that dreadful bout of wisdom toothache. I prepared a chocolate Simnel cake which, by its very nature, is not a Simnel cake at all. Its only claim to Simnel-ness are the twelve balls that stud it, except these are Maltesers and not marzipan. The recipe is Nigella's Chocolate Cloud Cake, even though I changed the topping. Mine is whipping cream and dark chocolate.

Lots of Pain and Little Wisdom

Today is not a good day. One of my wisdom teeth has decided to rear its head at the side of my face. Even under the best possible diet circumstances I am no Johnny Depp; you decidedly cannot cut ice with my cheekbones, but neither am I a helium balloon. Except today. And so I rushed to my dentist and I am now packed full with antibios and painkillers until it subsides and we decide what to do with it. Still... this may be the silver lining that will kick start my diet.

Victoria's Birthday

My dog Victoria turned six today. I took her to Tatton Park for some quality time together and we had a fantastic day. Tatton Park is one of my favourite places in the world and this is one of my favourite pics ever. My girl coming up the hill, happy and carefree, without a worry in the world. I wish I were her sometimes, except when she tries to eat her own poo.

Spring Is Coming

So much for Spring...