Bread and Stuff

After a nice stable first few months of ‘26, I’ve fallen back into the internet again. This is why I haven’t written for a while. It was a rocky re-entry and I got rlly sidetracked.

I’m researching directions my business could go, and hospitality trends etc, but this has mainly resulted in me watching as many clips of SNL UK as I can find, and deciding I want to employ a Gen Z colleague for vibes and also secret anthropological research.

I asked ChatGPT what my options are and it told me that I have a strong and distinctive profile, which sounds like a diplomatic assessment of an old cheese, or an overwhelming cologne. I’ve closed the 203 tabs on my phone’s safari, and am going to write to you instead to see if I can find clarity and direction.

I am troubled by my distractibility at the moment.

I watched The Devil Wears Prada 2 at the weekend and my main take-home was, I wish I had to look nice at work.

I looked at the Race Across the World application form and saw that Steve and I would have to take 8 weeks off between September and December, and that’s a lot to ask of a babysitter.

I’ve been looking round premises to move my business out of my home. This is a massive step for me, which is why I am watching so many SNL clips and trying not to think too hard about it, whilst also needing to think very hard about it.

I am troubled by supermarkets calling yoghurt ‘protein yoghurt’ like it’s a new invention.

I’ve been looking at the way so many products are marketed, and how much we seem to need to be told that something has life-changing health benefits. In seven years I’ve never extolled the health benefits of the bread I make. You’re sensible people, you know what sourdough is.

Steve said I’m the Ron Swanson of the sourdough world. Ron is the emotionally economical team manager in Parks and Recreation, who has zero time for unnecessary jibber jabber. Ron’s favourite shop is Food and Stuff. It’s where he buys all of his food. And most of his stuff.

Ron buying some stuff

Bradbourne Bakery is the Bread and Stuff of my neighbourhood. You can buy bread, and I’ll email you some stuff. I’ll never talk about protein or claim to cure your menopause.

I am baking 50% more loaves per week than I was a year ago, and have some really enthusiastic new customers (including Gregory, who I still haven’t met but I will mention a third time because he buys my bread from the butcher twice a week and travels a long way to get it). I also still bake for my first ever customers who I love with all my heart.

The bakery has outgrown the house. I don’t think I’ve outgrown the bakery - the idea of stopping makes me feel really too sad, besides where would I buy my bread! - but something is going to change. I keep thinking, ah something will happen, and then remembering that it’s me who has to make it happen.

Exciting and confusing, and possibly needs some Gen Z energy, and definitely needs something Strong and Distinctive. I’ll start with a mug of Yorkshire tea and take it from there.