So a year ago I set myself the 2011 resolution to make a new recipe each week… I didn’t manage it. I gave it a good go however and made some rather tasty things! I actually made my own pasta sauce last night (not that it’s hard), other notable dishes were the fajitas, a quesadilla, a chocolate banana cake, and sausage casserole.
This year I haven’t really set myself a resolution. Things are pretty good for me right now; I just need to keep on track. There’s no point me setting a reading goal, I have faced the fact I’m never going to beat Denise, I only managed about 35 books last year which is pretty shocking and I don’t make enough time to read. A resolution to lose weight would be great but again that’s a work in progress, my two exercise classes a week are keeping me relatively balanced, I should really introduce more fruit and veg into my diet but I know how lazy and fussy I am. My real target is to save more money, I’d love to go on holiday with my boyfriend this year; I’m rubbish at saving but I am trying.
Baking has fallen by the wayside; it is a bit expensive and time consuming. I did make some very nice, cute reindeer cupcakes in the run up to Christmas; there may be a few baking projects during the year but no big plans.
I love my job and that seems to be going well, need to keep working hard and learning new things. I am blessed with a fabulous boss who really inspires and drives me so that helps a lot. I’m still enjoying living with Denise in our lovely little house in Southsea, I can’t wait for the Spring to get gardening and everything will look better in the sunshine. When I’m not there I am spending copious amounts of time with my Mike at his flat with his cat and tortoises, we pass the weekends and evenings on the xbox, watching episodes of our favourite shows or getting out and being social.
2012 looks like it’s shaping it up to be a great year, I hope it’s fantastic for everyone else too!
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Monday, 10 October 2011
Oops!
Wow, I sure have been slacking on the blog front, I've even been baking lately, the reading has most definitely slowed down though.
A proper update will be coming soon though I saw this amazing Sausage and Waffle House on Raising Hope last week and thought I just had to mention it, check it...
A proper update will be coming soon though I saw this amazing Sausage and Waffle House on Raising Hope last week and thought I just had to mention it, check it...
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
The Salt Cave and the Nectarine
Good Afternoon One and All
Whilst crunching on some particularly disappointing spring onions I thought I'd update my blog.
I recently made some beautiful lemon cupcakes that I was very pleased with, they seemed to go down well with the boyfriend's family so they were a winner all round. Haven't made much else recently in way of cakes or dinner mostly due to being broke and too busy!
I have some plans on the horizon though, one of which came to me whilst I was bored lying in a salt cave in a spa. Turns out it's not utterly original but seemed novel to me: an upside down nectarine cake. I do make a mean pineapple upside down cake, but thought I'd change it up a little with some nectarines as they are in season and I imagine they'd work well in syrupy goodness with sponge. I'm hoping to make it tomorrow, wish me luck!
I also have a couple of baby showers coming up this month I plan to make cupcakes for if I have time. I'm a little daunted at the prospect as my imagination is much more creative than my hands, plus one of my mother-to-be friends has a very successful baker friend who is also attending. Got to be worth a try though.
Reading wise I have also slowed down, and it's not like I was even reading something tricky as it was only a lovey-dovey Nicholas Sparks novel. My social life has picked up leaving me little time for reading or tv watching. Currently realising I need to try and find a balance.
Right, I better go trawl the etsy world for fabric for a project I'm hoping Cloudberryskies will assist me with.
Enjoy the sunshine xx
Whilst crunching on some particularly disappointing spring onions I thought I'd update my blog.
I recently made some beautiful lemon cupcakes that I was very pleased with, they seemed to go down well with the boyfriend's family so they were a winner all round. Haven't made much else recently in way of cakes or dinner mostly due to being broke and too busy!
I have some plans on the horizon though, one of which came to me whilst I was bored lying in a salt cave in a spa. Turns out it's not utterly original but seemed novel to me: an upside down nectarine cake. I do make a mean pineapple upside down cake, but thought I'd change it up a little with some nectarines as they are in season and I imagine they'd work well in syrupy goodness with sponge. I'm hoping to make it tomorrow, wish me luck!
I also have a couple of baby showers coming up this month I plan to make cupcakes for if I have time. I'm a little daunted at the prospect as my imagination is much more creative than my hands, plus one of my mother-to-be friends has a very successful baker friend who is also attending. Got to be worth a try though.
Reading wise I have also slowed down, and it's not like I was even reading something tricky as it was only a lovey-dovey Nicholas Sparks novel. My social life has picked up leaving me little time for reading or tv watching. Currently realising I need to try and find a balance.
Right, I better go trawl the etsy world for fabric for a project I'm hoping Cloudberryskies will assist me with.
Enjoy the sunshine xx
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Mini Waffle - wafflette? wafflini?...
Good Afternoon,
Quick blog.
It's a bad day for my baking, the chocolate chips sank to the bottom of my muffins! They taste ok I suppose. Need to find some inspiration for what to bake for Eurovision and Lucy's birthday. Maybe the 30 or so cookbook/baking books I own should help! I am still way to lazy, opting for easy (and cheap) recipes. I need to get more adventurous, but I'd like my dishwasher to be repaired first. Adventure equals lots of baking implements and bowls!!
Finally tried to cook something new this week, potato rosti. I was disappointed but I'm not sure if it was my cooking or maybe potato rostis don't taste exciting anyway. After my holiday I need to try cooking some new things. (Again it's not like I don't have enough recipes with books and the net).
I'm about to start reading my sixteenth book of the year. Granted most of them have been True Blood or teen novels but a couple have been more literary. The book club choice this month was One Day by David Nicholls, I enjoyed it thoroughly, as shown by the 6 days it took me to read it. Quite a record for me as I'm a slowish reader.
In a week I head off for a beach holiday in Turkey, in theory this should lead to lots of reading :)
And that is my waffle over I think.... Until next time x
Quick blog.
It's a bad day for my baking, the chocolate chips sank to the bottom of my muffins! They taste ok I suppose. Need to find some inspiration for what to bake for Eurovision and Lucy's birthday. Maybe the 30 or so cookbook/baking books I own should help! I am still way to lazy, opting for easy (and cheap) recipes. I need to get more adventurous, but I'd like my dishwasher to be repaired first. Adventure equals lots of baking implements and bowls!!
Finally tried to cook something new this week, potato rosti. I was disappointed but I'm not sure if it was my cooking or maybe potato rostis don't taste exciting anyway. After my holiday I need to try cooking some new things. (Again it's not like I don't have enough recipes with books and the net).
I'm about to start reading my sixteenth book of the year. Granted most of them have been True Blood or teen novels but a couple have been more literary. The book club choice this month was One Day by David Nicholls, I enjoyed it thoroughly, as shown by the 6 days it took me to read it. Quite a record for me as I'm a slowish reader.
In a week I head off for a beach holiday in Turkey, in theory this should lead to lots of reading :)
And that is my waffle over I think.... Until next time x
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
What's My Age Again?
Those who know me will know about my 'interesting' taste in movies, tv series and music, most would see them as incredibly girly and sad at my age (26 in less than a month) The truth is I've never seemed to grow out of being a teenager. I like to think I'm quite mature but chick flicks and high school dramas are extremely appealing to me.
I suppose my dabblings in this genre started with Buffy the Vampire Slayer when it began on the BBC. I was at secondary school, the American high school seemed a far cry from my school days with its mix of sunny days, sarcastic wit, brooding vampires and dark clubs. I bought everything I could related to the series: posters, soundtracks, novels and trading cards. I don't feel guilty about my Buffy obsession, Joss Whedon is still an absolute legend to me and many. The market for show-related merchandise is still as thriving as ever and still compels me (I still need to get my hands on a True Blood Merlotte's Bar and Grill outfit).
During my school days the other big show was Dawson's Creek though it was something I only dipped into, the soundtrack not bought only borrowed and copied from a friend. Movies like Clueless and She's All That offered me ideals of transformation from ugly, lonely geek into a cool, pretty popular girl. These themes still show up time after time in movies and tv shows like Ugly Betty.
Knowing what a weirdo I am, Denise recently passed onto me 'My So Called Life', a nineties high school drama that I had missed. Starring Claire Danes, and 30 Seconds To Mars rockstars Jared and Shannon Leto. I was captivated by the characters and their relationships and then shocked to find only one series was ever made.
Glee gives me a weekly fix of high school musical fun, and True Blood provides my adult vampire fantasy fix with lots of men to oggle. Combining the two, a boxset was lent to me by a friend, something that I hadn't managed to catch on tv and I was a bit hesitant about checking out... The Vampire Diaries however, has me hooked. A disappointment to some that I love it so much, I expected it to be very teeny and tacky and perhaps it is in places, but there are elements like the vampire's thrall that lead me to like it. Along with a character called Katherine and two very hot men, one brooding, one cheeky, I was doomed to like it. I am highly anticipating series 2 when it is released.
I'm not sure I'm ever going to grow out of my fasincation for high-school dramas and attraction to Darcy-esque men. Maybe I just need to find myself a good man, though sometimes I feel I'd rather have a good predictable book or boxset to enjoy. One day I might possibly be able to share my collections with a teen of my own guilt-free. Well there we have it, I've confessed, I'm a 14 year-old in a 25 year-old's body.
Tonight I look forward to kicking back and watching The Vampire Diaries all over again for the second time in a couple of weeks. Before reading the lastest Wicked Lovely book whilst listening to the Twilight Soundtrack, wearing my Sunnydale High School t-shirt. ;)
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Coming Soon....
Two months without a blog post, I'm soo lazy!
And this post is really just cheating.
NEW BLOG COMING SOON!
Possible subjects include:
And this post is really just cheating.
NEW BLOG COMING SOON!
Possible subjects include:
- John Cusack
- My new year's resolution failure
- Sunshine
- Mother's Day/Come Dine With Me recipe ideas
- Something you choose for me to write about?!!
Comments would be appreciated.
Squiggles and Skittles,
Kat.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
A quiet desperation building higher
Good afternoon one and all.
The baking seems to getting worse!
I made some of Nigella's everyday brownies which were far too gooey, not sure if this was my own doing through a difference in sugar or just a weird issue. There was also some awful icing this weekend when attempting to create Being Human inspired cupcakes. The bloody buttercream centres worked great but the wolf chocolate icing topping didn't work due to my bad icing and lack of edible facial features!
In other news: I'm currently reading Stephen King's 'Under the Dome' for our book group. It's my first Stephen King read and it's incredibly good. From others who've read more King apparently its a little like many of his other books all thrown into one, but as a newcomer it is extremely compelling and interesting. Only 200 pages to go (its 880 long). As much as I'm enjoying it I am keen to get on and read other things. Still keen to compete with Little Miss Bookseller who is the world's fastest reader! It's not like I even take it all in; I will have forgotten everything about this book within a month most probably. My memory is dreadful these days, maybe I need more Omega3?
One thing currently distracting me from reading is a boxset of 'My So Called Life'. This 90s American tv series passed me by and has been very kindly lent to me. It stars Claire Danes and a very young and beautiful Jared Leto. It makes me feel like a teenage girl again (not that I have changed much and am still a 14 year old at heart). It is a very moving drama revolving around the character of Angela and her struggle through high school, her home life and her love life. A precursor to Dawson's Creek, Roswell, Buffy and I suppose the OC; although My So Called Life only survived one series.
February is to be another month where I'm strapped for cash so there will be lots of time spent at home reading, though perhaps not being able to afford any extravagant baking or cooking. I'll see what I can do with what I have in order to keep that new years resolution ticking over!
Toodles.
The baking seems to getting worse!
I made some of Nigella's everyday brownies which were far too gooey, not sure if this was my own doing through a difference in sugar or just a weird issue. There was also some awful icing this weekend when attempting to create Being Human inspired cupcakes. The bloody buttercream centres worked great but the wolf chocolate icing topping didn't work due to my bad icing and lack of edible facial features!
In other news: I'm currently reading Stephen King's 'Under the Dome' for our book group. It's my first Stephen King read and it's incredibly good. From others who've read more King apparently its a little like many of his other books all thrown into one, but as a newcomer it is extremely compelling and interesting. Only 200 pages to go (its 880 long). As much as I'm enjoying it I am keen to get on and read other things. Still keen to compete with Little Miss Bookseller who is the world's fastest reader! It's not like I even take it all in; I will have forgotten everything about this book within a month most probably. My memory is dreadful these days, maybe I need more Omega3?
One thing currently distracting me from reading is a boxset of 'My So Called Life'. This 90s American tv series passed me by and has been very kindly lent to me. It stars Claire Danes and a very young and beautiful Jared Leto. It makes me feel like a teenage girl again (not that I have changed much and am still a 14 year old at heart). It is a very moving drama revolving around the character of Angela and her struggle through high school, her home life and her love life. A precursor to Dawson's Creek, Roswell, Buffy and I suppose the OC; although My So Called Life only survived one series.
February is to be another month where I'm strapped for cash so there will be lots of time spent at home reading, though perhaps not being able to afford any extravagant baking or cooking. I'll see what I can do with what I have in order to keep that new years resolution ticking over!
Toodles.
Friday, 7 January 2011
Copy Kat
Well it seems I have no initiative of my own and am a bit of a copy cat. Where my housemate leads I follow, she has written a new blog post and I realised I hadn’t written one in forever and might now have something to write about!
And so here I am (starting a sentence with and: tut tut) 6 months later with a new blog post.
My new year’s resolution has been to make one new recipe a week and its going alright so far… but it has only been one week!
I have attempted Nigella’s fajita recipe which was so simple and delicious, I will definitely be making that again. I need to try and make the salsa which goes along with it next time.
Last night I tried a web based recipe from www.bbc.co.uk/food, it was one of the Hairy Bikers’ dishes. It may sound silly but I have never made my own ragu for spaghetti Bolognese so I thought it was about time I did! It came out well, though next time I’ll add some carrots as my housemate suggests.
The next one on my list is a sweet recipe: Nigella’s sweet and salty rocky road type thing.
Let’s hope I can keep this going on a budget and that they all go as well as they have this week!
Happy New Year everyone x
And so here I am (starting a sentence with and: tut tut) 6 months later with a new blog post.
My new year’s resolution has been to make one new recipe a week and its going alright so far… but it has only been one week!
I have attempted Nigella’s fajita recipe which was so simple and delicious, I will definitely be making that again. I need to try and make the salsa which goes along with it next time.
Last night I tried a web based recipe from www.bbc.co.uk/food, it was one of the Hairy Bikers’ dishes. It may sound silly but I have never made my own ragu for spaghetti Bolognese so I thought it was about time I did! It came out well, though next time I’ll add some carrots as my housemate suggests.
The next one on my list is a sweet recipe: Nigella’s sweet and salty rocky road type thing.
Let’s hope I can keep this going on a budget and that they all go as well as they have this week!
Happy New Year everyone x
Sunday, 6 June 2010
Even When Your Hope is Gone, Move Along
Be prepared for waffle from all angles!!
I can see this blog being a blur of random information you probably aren't interested in hearing but I'm going to tell you anyway!
Firstly I'm going to start with tv shows, I'm a bit of a telly addict. I have many shows on the go, which my beloved Sky Plus records for me each week. I've just watched the last Flash Forward which was a terrific series in my opinion, however apparently there shall be no more! I was pretty happy with the way it ended I suppose, not a closed conclusion, left at a place where you can draw your own futures for the characters. I'm writing this whilst 24's most current episode is showing, perhaps I should be giving it my full attention however its just not that captivating. This series started well but I seem to have lost interest, until now ooooohhh something's happening!! The last two episodes air tonight so we'll see where that leaves our Jack.
The other shows I have on the go are: Glee which has some great episodes and songs. The Prisoner - I have one outstanding episode to watch, I've enjoyed it, not as much as the original but its still intriguing. Stargate Universe which for some reason I am still watching even though I'm not sure I like it. Lie to Me restarts this week which I am very much looking forward to, though I will miss Bones.
I'm slowly reading more books, there is no way I can contend with Little Miss Bookseller who is upto about 45 books so far this year :s I may have read 5. Just finished Stephanie Meyer's Breaking Dawn which was very disappointing and enraging. I've been debating my next book; I ought to finish two books I have already started, Assassin's Creed and The Lies of Locke Lamora. However I am rather fancying The Apple, or perhaps Black Powder War.
My reading is mostly delayed by my tv watching, sport playing, the occasional warcraft session and general laziness. Haven't done too much baking recently. Made a few simple cakes for birthdays, and some very yummy brownies. All the baking equipment will have to get packed up soon as me and my friend are supposed to me moving house if we ever find somewhere!
Keep waffling x
I can see this blog being a blur of random information you probably aren't interested in hearing but I'm going to tell you anyway!
Firstly I'm going to start with tv shows, I'm a bit of a telly addict. I have many shows on the go, which my beloved Sky Plus records for me each week. I've just watched the last Flash Forward which was a terrific series in my opinion, however apparently there shall be no more! I was pretty happy with the way it ended I suppose, not a closed conclusion, left at a place where you can draw your own futures for the characters. I'm writing this whilst 24's most current episode is showing, perhaps I should be giving it my full attention however its just not that captivating. This series started well but I seem to have lost interest, until now ooooohhh something's happening!! The last two episodes air tonight so we'll see where that leaves our Jack.
The other shows I have on the go are: Glee which has some great episodes and songs. The Prisoner - I have one outstanding episode to watch, I've enjoyed it, not as much as the original but its still intriguing. Stargate Universe which for some reason I am still watching even though I'm not sure I like it. Lie to Me restarts this week which I am very much looking forward to, though I will miss Bones.
I'm slowly reading more books, there is no way I can contend with Little Miss Bookseller who is upto about 45 books so far this year :s I may have read 5. Just finished Stephanie Meyer's Breaking Dawn which was very disappointing and enraging. I've been debating my next book; I ought to finish two books I have already started, Assassin's Creed and The Lies of Locke Lamora. However I am rather fancying The Apple, or perhaps Black Powder War.
My reading is mostly delayed by my tv watching, sport playing, the occasional warcraft session and general laziness. Haven't done too much baking recently. Made a few simple cakes for birthdays, and some very yummy brownies. All the baking equipment will have to get packed up soon as me and my friend are supposed to me moving house if we ever find somewhere!
Keep waffling x
Thursday, 1 April 2010
Our ancient heroes, they are turning to dust
Today's title is from Muse's fabulous song United States of Eurasia which I would like you to listen to if you have not, plus it also seems to fit well with the main subject of this blog... my trip to Egypt.
I'm sure most of the people who are reading this have heard me go on about my holiday quite a lot, I thought I would make you all suffer some more waffle from me about all the temples I visited :P
I would like to begin by saying I did not see the pyramids or visit Cairo; I've been asked about this a lot in the past week, but believe it or not there was plenty else to see, and it was quite a journey from upper Egypt where I was to Cairo in the North. I was on a Nile River Cruise (a rather different holiday to those who think a trip to Egypt is lazing at Sharm El Sheikh). I went with my parents and brother and I had a fantastic time; cruising was lovely I can't wait to do it again, the historical sites were phenomenal and the country beautiful.
Perhaps I should talk about the food on board ship, it was mostly tasty, varied and there was always plenty. Usually chicken or beef with rice, towards the end of the week there were potatoes and pasta dishes. Everything was very sweet, the bread rolls especially and all the cakes looked pretty enough though I didn't really sample them.
I drew a lot of attention as a young blonde woman in Egypt, leading to much embarrassment when I was pulled up 4 separate times to dance in front of the entire ship, from once in the restaurant to a belly dancing competition. Moustafa the tour leader was my most devoted admirer, though I gave him only disappointment. However I survived my trip intact and am keen to return in order to visit all that I missed in Cairo and the Red Sea. It wasn't what you would call a relaxing holiday, though fortunately not exhausting either. I never slept in past 7.30am, with the earliest start leaving at 3.30am on two mornings; once for Abu Simbel as part at of a coach convoy which took 3 hours each way and the other time for a hot air balloon trip. Both early mornings were utterly worth it, spectacular scenes in both places from the grand Rameses statues hewn into the rock at Abu Simbel (and moved in the 1960s to preserve them) and a beautiful finish to the holiday floating above Luxor in the hot air balloon.
I visited 8 temples over the 7 days along with the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Aswan High Dam, the Colossi of Memnon, a Perfume shop and a Papyrus shop. I have always been interested in Ancient Egypt since I learnt about in primary school and it rekindled a lot, although I doubt I will become the Egyotologist I always dreamed.
I would utterly recommend cruising down the Nile and can offer travel tips if anyone plans to go :)
Now i'm back and its a lot less sunny even though we're into April, hopefully the springtime will arrive soon. I've not been feeling very inspired to bake, I did make a very nice pineapple upside down cake last week and am debating making some cakes for Easter and all the upcoming birthdays.
I'm sure most of the people who are reading this have heard me go on about my holiday quite a lot, I thought I would make you all suffer some more waffle from me about all the temples I visited :P
I would like to begin by saying I did not see the pyramids or visit Cairo; I've been asked about this a lot in the past week, but believe it or not there was plenty else to see, and it was quite a journey from upper Egypt where I was to Cairo in the North. I was on a Nile River Cruise (a rather different holiday to those who think a trip to Egypt is lazing at Sharm El Sheikh). I went with my parents and brother and I had a fantastic time; cruising was lovely I can't wait to do it again, the historical sites were phenomenal and the country beautiful.
Perhaps I should talk about the food on board ship, it was mostly tasty, varied and there was always plenty. Usually chicken or beef with rice, towards the end of the week there were potatoes and pasta dishes. Everything was very sweet, the bread rolls especially and all the cakes looked pretty enough though I didn't really sample them.
I drew a lot of attention as a young blonde woman in Egypt, leading to much embarrassment when I was pulled up 4 separate times to dance in front of the entire ship, from once in the restaurant to a belly dancing competition. Moustafa the tour leader was my most devoted admirer, though I gave him only disappointment. However I survived my trip intact and am keen to return in order to visit all that I missed in Cairo and the Red Sea. It wasn't what you would call a relaxing holiday, though fortunately not exhausting either. I never slept in past 7.30am, with the earliest start leaving at 3.30am on two mornings; once for Abu Simbel as part at of a coach convoy which took 3 hours each way and the other time for a hot air balloon trip. Both early mornings were utterly worth it, spectacular scenes in both places from the grand Rameses statues hewn into the rock at Abu Simbel (and moved in the 1960s to preserve them) and a beautiful finish to the holiday floating above Luxor in the hot air balloon.
I visited 8 temples over the 7 days along with the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Aswan High Dam, the Colossi of Memnon, a Perfume shop and a Papyrus shop. I have always been interested in Ancient Egypt since I learnt about in primary school and it rekindled a lot, although I doubt I will become the Egyotologist I always dreamed.
I would utterly recommend cruising down the Nile and can offer travel tips if anyone plans to go :)
Now i'm back and its a lot less sunny even though we're into April, hopefully the springtime will arrive soon. I've not been feeling very inspired to bake, I did make a very nice pineapple upside down cake last week and am debating making some cakes for Easter and all the upcoming birthdays.
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
Defying Gravity
I don't imagine many of my blog readers are Glee followers and I'm sure you hear enough about the show in the media without me harping on about it, however in the current episode they're having a bake sale and it got me thinking I haven't made cakes in a while. Plus I got a very thoughtful silicone bakeware set today from a friend :)
I always bake less during lent as I give up chocolate which is a huge factor in most of my cakes, but next week I have a few occasions which will get me making a mess of the kitchen again. For my friend Aaron's birthday I may attempt a shuttlecock themed cake (we play badminton together) and for work friends off to an engagement party just some simple pretty cupcakes.
Then I'm taking a break whilst I jet off to Egypt for an exciting family holiday, giving me a rest before gearing up for the Easter extravaganza.
I still need to employ someone to do all the washing up, any volunteers?
I always bake less during lent as I give up chocolate which is a huge factor in most of my cakes, but next week I have a few occasions which will get me making a mess of the kitchen again. For my friend Aaron's birthday I may attempt a shuttlecock themed cake (we play badminton together) and for work friends off to an engagement party just some simple pretty cupcakes.
Then I'm taking a break whilst I jet off to Egypt for an exciting family holiday, giving me a rest before gearing up for the Easter extravaganza.
I still need to employ someone to do all the washing up, any volunteers?
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Thanks for the Memories
Its been a busy month! Lots of birthdays, which equalled lots of baking. I think I overworked myself that particular week but I think it was worth it as all concerned enjoyed their cakes.
The first project was some cupcakes for my friend Cayleigh, she is a big Nintendo fan with some awesome tattoos and therefore I thought I'd attempt some colourful toadstool cupcakes. (I may have burnt the first batch getting carried away watching 17 Again but I hid this with red buttercream)
I was pretty happy with how they came out, and looked good on my lovely stand. I took them to a bowling outing and everybody was very complimentary.
The second baking session of the week was in honour of Dan at work, he loves his fondant fancies and thus I endeavoured to replicate the sponge with buttercream blob. The roll out icing was very tricky but it came out okay. I wasn't keen on the sponge either, everyone at work was very nice about it though.
Project 3 was a simpler affair; as requested by the birthday boy's girlfriend; I made cupcakes which spelled out Happy Birthday. I opted for choca mocha ones which I have to say were mucho delicious. I've eased up on the baking since I made these, I haven't even done much cooking either as my wonderful housemate has taken over the kitchen.
My kitchen in fact probably won't experience too much more baking as we're having to move out, so we'll be making new culinary memories in a different location in a few months! The hunt is on. I've gone from being in shock, to excited, and now scared as I am afraid of not being able to afford all the fees and furniture. I love our flat, I've been quite spoilt by it really. Its beautifully furnished, cosy, cheap, in a good location.... I won't miss the mouldy bedroom and dodgy plumbing.
The moving out will be a story for another day I guess, we're only three days into looking.
Catch you later cupcakes xxx
The first project was some cupcakes for my friend Cayleigh, she is a big Nintendo fan with some awesome tattoos and therefore I thought I'd attempt some colourful toadstool cupcakes. (I may have burnt the first batch getting carried away watching 17 Again but I hid this with red buttercream)
I was pretty happy with how they came out, and looked good on my lovely stand. I took them to a bowling outing and everybody was very complimentary.
The second baking session of the week was in honour of Dan at work, he loves his fondant fancies and thus I endeavoured to replicate the sponge with buttercream blob. The roll out icing was very tricky but it came out okay. I wasn't keen on the sponge either, everyone at work was very nice about it though.
Project 3 was a simpler affair; as requested by the birthday boy's girlfriend; I made cupcakes which spelled out Happy Birthday. I opted for choca mocha ones which I have to say were mucho delicious. I've eased up on the baking since I made these, I haven't even done much cooking either as my wonderful housemate has taken over the kitchen.
My kitchen in fact probably won't experience too much more baking as we're having to move out, so we'll be making new culinary memories in a different location in a few months! The hunt is on. I've gone from being in shock, to excited, and now scared as I am afraid of not being able to afford all the fees and furniture. I love our flat, I've been quite spoilt by it really. Its beautifully furnished, cosy, cheap, in a good location.... I won't miss the mouldy bedroom and dodgy plumbing.
The moving out will be a story for another day I guess, we're only three days into looking.
Catch you later cupcakes xxx
Monday, 11 January 2010
Start a Brand New Story
So its the tricky second blog post; I had planned on sitting and thinking it through some more and having some pictures to post, however knowing me I'll just put it off forever.
I have spent the last year swinging in between becoming a baking fiend and giving up altogether. I love baking to make other people smile, for special occasions and to feel like i'm actually good at something. And yet my icing and the actual presentation are usually disastrous, the recipes not my own, and the cakes not outstanding in flavour or originality. Just when I'm verge of giving up all baking hope, I get the kitchen side clean again and feel the need to make it a mess, realising I owe someone else a cake.
Spring gets me all excited and rejuvenates my crafty energy with thoughts of cute little valentines cakes and easter goodies! And here I go again with flour and icing sugar all over the kitchen. First on the agenda for the year are two friend's birthdays at the end of the month; one with the grand ambition of a giant fondant fancy as he loves them so much. Should be a fun and simple project which I look forward to sharing with you all.
2010 looks to be a fun and promising year :)
I have spent the last year swinging in between becoming a baking fiend and giving up altogether. I love baking to make other people smile, for special occasions and to feel like i'm actually good at something. And yet my icing and the actual presentation are usually disastrous, the recipes not my own, and the cakes not outstanding in flavour or originality. Just when I'm verge of giving up all baking hope, I get the kitchen side clean again and feel the need to make it a mess, realising I owe someone else a cake.
Spring gets me all excited and rejuvenates my crafty energy with thoughts of cute little valentines cakes and easter goodies! And here I go again with flour and icing sugar all over the kitchen. First on the agenda for the year are two friend's birthdays at the end of the month; one with the grand ambition of a giant fondant fancy as he loves them so much. Should be a fun and simple project which I look forward to sharing with you all.
2010 looks to be a fun and promising year :)
Saturday, 2 January 2010
New Perspective
Well, you may arrive to read this thinking I have never blogged before but you would be wrong. This is my first flirtation with Blogger in this shiny new year of 2010; my blogging life began in 2005 during my student days on a Halo machinima website called Red vs Blue. Here I wrote journals on my life, music, movies and made a great group of online friends who I still keep in contact with on Facebook. I went through the internet stages of My Space and briefly MSN Spaces before finding a happy home in Facebook and dabbling in Twitter. Writing online journals really seems to be taking off again, so I thought I'd throw my self-centred waffle out into the world wide web and see if anyone cares to read it.
I always tended to use song lyrics for journal titles, this always gave me the most agony trying to decide on what to call it. My first thought was 'Same old brand new you' but referencing a song by A1 doesn't sound like the best example of my musical taste even though it strikes the subject I wanted. Thus I have got this far through my writing without a title, I'm hoping something will come to me by the time I reach the end (its ok there isn't long left to bear).
Most of my friends whose blogs I follow have a particular theme to what they write, from gamers to crafting geniuses, I suppose as my unhealthy habit is baking a lot of focus can be put on that topic, photos and all. My 'waffle house' eludes to both my baking and my nonsensical rambling that you will come across here. I'm certainly not an eloquent writer and I have nothing important to say, my html skills are non existant but its all good fun and I thank you for your time and patience.
I always tended to use song lyrics for journal titles, this always gave me the most agony trying to decide on what to call it. My first thought was 'Same old brand new you' but referencing a song by A1 doesn't sound like the best example of my musical taste even though it strikes the subject I wanted. Thus I have got this far through my writing without a title, I'm hoping something will come to me by the time I reach the end (its ok there isn't long left to bear).
Most of my friends whose blogs I follow have a particular theme to what they write, from gamers to crafting geniuses, I suppose as my unhealthy habit is baking a lot of focus can be put on that topic, photos and all. My 'waffle house' eludes to both my baking and my nonsensical rambling that you will come across here. I'm certainly not an eloquent writer and I have nothing important to say, my html skills are non existant but its all good fun and I thank you for your time and patience.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)