Just want to boast about my bake-fest, really...

[Islay]

I've had such a nice day baking things. I made:

1) Blackberry jam (6 jars) - all from foraged berries, some with windfall apples too, recipe not at all revolutionary, but on blog (in signature)
2) Rhubarb and ginger jam (3 jars) - thanks for all the recipe suggestions to everyone who helped with my last thread! Had to alter recipe slightly due to lack of ingredients, it's on my blog if anyone wants it
3) Shortbread/oatmeal/vanilla biscuits (Rachel Allen Bake book, really recommend it)
4) Honey spices biscuits (also Rachel's)
5) 1 big loaf white bread
6) 6 wholemeal rolls
7) Gluten free bread for boyfriend's colleague who is gluten intolerant and not a very competent cook
8) Butternut squash soup (donated squash)

I started out baking bread, then figured I may as well use the oven while it was on, and then use the hob once I'd made soup.

I am generally feeling a bit domestic! Considering this time last year I was baking my first loaf while bored on maternity leave, I'm quite proud of my forays into self sufficiency!

[fruitcake]

fab stuff - I know how you feel - had a bake day yesty - gingerbread, banana loaf, rhubarb muffins and banana/walnut muffins = full freezer - they joined last weeks soup and fishing fest in there....

It's such a great feeling

Wotcha going to make next - your jam sounds delish! (can't find a better stuffing my face smiley, this one'll have to do)

[Millymollymandy]

Ooh well done, how do you manage to do so many things in one day? It would take me half a day just to make one lot of jam! Oh well as my hubbie says I can't fart and chew gum.

I'm making chutney today - probably that and dinner will be about as much as I do do all day!!!

[eccentric_emma]

Boast away Islay! You definitely deserve to be proud!! I'm so impressed. Haven't done a bake in for aaaaages so I feel a batch of ginger cookies are on the cards soon.

[Milims]

Oh well as my hubbie says I can't fart and chew gum.

I tried that once and completely lost my sense of direction and hit the wall!

Well done Islay - isn't it a fab feeling to know that you've made all that stuff and that it's going to be well appreciated. Keep up the good work

[Islay]

Thank you! There are few things quite as satisfying as making stuff to eat (although if I was making more from stuff I'd grown myself I think I'd be even more proud).

I did have an irritatingly smug smile this morning as I settled down to a slice of homemade toast with homemade butter and homemade jam on it. OK, so the butter doesn't save me any money at all, but it's like magic, watching butter appear from cream.

I was probably cooking for 6 hours, on and off, but had people round to keep me company and the time passed quickly. I am supremely inefficient normally, but I seem to be getting the hang of baking (considering my talents pretty much extended to putting bread in the toaster 18 months ago, I'm quite pleased with that).

Now how can I occupy the baby so I can do more today? Since he's just 'rearranged' the ironing, I think I might not get much done...