I am still living with stress at work as nothing has been resolved. I know some thrive on stressful environments. I find them terribly corrosive. My energy levels have plummeted, I am unfocused; lasse is the French word which comes to my mind.
So today, recognising that I was slipping again, I made myself a little list of achievable targets for the afternoon. Nothing grand. A trip to the bank to pay the taxman, a cheque for Mother’s Personal Allowance so she can get her hair and feet done, a few emails, a call to the vet surgery to make an appointment for NotCat’s vaccinations, bake a cake.
And, apart from realising that I have lost a number I need for the carpet man when I switched ‘phones. I got everything done. Plus a few more bits. Now the Slough of Despond feels a bit more Henley-upon-Thames.
One of my emails was to Alan at the marina, the man who gave me some lovely blue ropes last year. He had said his friend might do my oil change for me, so I wanted to see if that was likely. He replied this evening to say yes. Result.
My cake is a little charred on the top in places, but not enough to do serious damage. I had used the oven for roast vegetables and it was a bit too hot.
Rhubarb Cake
It’s rhubarb cake, and my latest addiction. everyone else likes it too. One of my friends reckons I could sell it for £2.75 a slice. She was very precise about the price. Unfortunately, she didn’t specify where. I’ve added four drops of vanilla essence and a pinch of lavender flowers to the basic mix and it smells scrummy.
NotCat is ineffectually chasing blackbirds; tomorrow is Friday; I am my other work on Saturday and it feeds me. Yes, I think I should just make it.
Isobel (and Cat)'s Blog 
come check out our food blog!! https://www.facebook.com/NeedleandFork
Just tell me first, do you do meat? I don’t and I don’t like looking at pictures of it! 🙂
ha yes, we do… sorry! 🙂
It’s good to make some progress.
How large a slice for £2.75? 😀
I’ve never had Rhubarb cake…I’d be more than willing to pay for a slice everyone thinks is delicious. I love new experiences. I don’t think I’ve ever had any type of Rhubarb.
Never had rhubarb? Seriously? It is season now, so grab some while you can. Try for the slender pink stalks if available. My mother used to make a delicious sponge on rhubarb pudding. I can still see it in its Prex dish in my mind’s eye.
Hi Isobel – don’t like to think of you in the Slough of Despond but v glad you have a strategy for escape to Henley 😀 The rhubarb cake looks scrummy. Can we have the recipe please or a link? 🙂
It’s somehow comforting to engage in minor “everyday” tasks, isn’t it? You account sounds fresh and healthy!
Yes. An antidote.
Haven’t had rhubarb in years and years but loved it as a child. We had a rhubarb patch in Weisbaden, Germany and the housekeeper frequently made pies….I too would enjoy seeing that recipe!
Pam (and Sam)
I think the rhubarb cake looks scrumptious. CH loves rhubarb and rhubarb pie, still a little warm with cream poured generously over the top is a top of the list favorite of his. I know he would love your rhubarb cake with buttah! Sorry work is driving you to distraction Isobel. Hope that situation improves. I am also happy you found someBODY to change the oil on das Boot. It’s Friday afternoon! You are almost to the weekend… 😀
I have to dash, but here is the recipe: http://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/rhubarb-cake/
I don’t bother with the sugar on top. I keep meaning to try it with ground almonds too.
Enjoy!
Last week, as we were leaving Mom’s house and her 10 acres after having collected items designated for me by Mom, Big Mister had apparently seen the rhubarb patch and asked if I wanted some. So, I shall now be able to put a happy spin on the rhubarb from those 10 empty acres, and I thank you deeply for that, Isobel.
Yes, the quiescence of everyday tasks can be soothing. My (fairy)godmother used to describe moments like the ones you describe as “doing a lot of nothing slowly.” Hope that the work garbage goes away!
Oh great! We can achieve an international rhubarb cake eating union. How wonderful. 🙂
I have few hopes of work. Might be time for a rethink on the income front.
love this: international rhubarb cake eating union! >:-D
yep, life is too short for troublesome situations. and unappreciative, unhappy people. keep us posted!
We could have a great emblem. 🙂
a cake emblem is something I would stand behind, under, and on! as long as there was cake!
is there a designer in the house?! >:-D
I was thinking of bunched rhubarb…
sounds good to me!