I Never Thought That I Would Be Having A Picnic Again...

Its been not years but decades. But I think I have been fired up to do this more...be it in a park or the seaside. I can work between using a cool bag, a rucksack and/or a shopping trolley. The rucksack is enough when in a town/city area. Besides, you can pop into a café or a shop easily but the rest will work if in an open space. The only thing I cannot really take with me is a seat to sit on and have to hope there are plenty of public benches or walls to sit on.

It looks as though there is some exciting news on the horizon for my friend Gingerbread Mam but it really involves a lot of hard work and there is no guarantee of success. You build a reputation but are as good as your last event. And you need people to come to events. I know there are so many lovely recipes and ideas to be exploited and only imagination gets in the way.

Actually, knowing Liz has ignited my own interest again, I want to try new things whether I buy or make my own. One thing you know when buying from a personal business like this is you get quality and something special, a little more unique, you know it is good because who would attempt to sell food if you did not enjoy cooking and have confidence in what you are offering. I am happy that though I only have to prepare meals for myself I feel the same. I would have no qualms if I had company and they were eating what I am doing. I know what is going into what I make.

I know the value of presentation. Much of the enjoyment in food is how it looks.

I feel confident of doing both simple or complicated recipes and one course or a whole menu. I can plan it all myself or cheat and still do something enjoyable.  I may be likely to serve it on a plate but I could if I had loads of appropriate serving dishes allow guests to serve themselves. There was a time when cooking meals for Mum where I took ordinary bowls containing seperate ingredients and to keep them warm put a small plate over the top. I do tend to think that less is more and it is better to come back for more rather than loading a plate sky high.

Portion Sizes This is quite interesting and worth sticking with as when you first read the portions seem so small but see how they look when put on a plate altogether.