Mundane Mondays?

The clocks went forwards yesterday and I am still struggling to cope with that lost hour. Woke up with a start at four this morning (three according to the biological clock) and Flower was whining to go to the loo... Got up and let her out to do her usual circling before settling on a spot in the garden.

Tried desperately to get back to sleep and started to think about the orders I had to do today and I mean, I don't really want to go to Virginia Water - seems like such a long way. Still, I tried to think of all the things I could do afterwards and I felt much better.

Ordered a book published by Rose Cassarini (?) who owns the Rose Bakery in Paris via Amazon - such a good place to get those elusive DVDs and books and started to dream of cooking each and every recipe in there. Shall I do the Julie thing?

I started making potato and leek soup from Julia Child's mini recipe book which came with the DVD and thought it was an easy start. The soup was made simply with sliced leeks and chopped potatoes in water and then blitzed. I had to add a stock cube, a glass of wine, some butter and cream to make it a little full bodied. It was tasty but not what I would proudly serve. You can add watercress to make it into a vichyssoise. I would like to try the boeuf bourguignon soon and I shall be taking photos to make you guys go gaga!

Lots more paper work, endless cleaning and mindless but yummelicious cooking for the husband. When am I going to drop?

The photos of Spring are to remind me of the good times ahead!

The Networking Phenomenon

I have recently joined a networking circle for women in business in the hope of expanding my client base and found the whole exercise to be one which consumes time, effort and money! All good for the business, some would say, but it really depends on which business you are in.

However, you can always look at it as a form of marketing and a way of reaching out to people who you would probably not have the time or opportunity to do so. From image and colour consultants to photographers, PR and marketing gurus to even people who can plan your holidays - all encompassing and thought provoking.

My initial thought was whether I will be able to increase business and gain something out of it but it was a little premature to even think that.

This month, I have attended some of the talks usually presented at these meet ups and they have enlightened me on the bigger and longer-term effects of being in a network. Learning how to tweet and blog and most of all, learning how to network!

I am an artisan and I work with flowers and nature. I would love to have the time to paint and draw and even scribe thoughts on life and its intentions... I find time is constantly diminishing - more and more with everything we have to do or learn to do to get where we want to go.

Do you feel the same?