Birthday Cake

I made a cake for my husbands birthday, he was pleased with it and so was I. It was really easy to make the most time consuming part was colouring the fondant. There is a fairly new book out called Party Cakes for Kiwi Kids by Annette Hislop and Linda Ross the design came from this and I just adapted it to suit, making the figures adult instead of kids............its a really good book and inexpensive for those starting out in cake decorating.......

Diabetic

Found out I was diabetic about a month ago in slightly dramatic fashion, ended up in Hospital am now on insulin etc, so until I get my head around it there will be no more goodies produced by me, all I have made in a month is a banana cake for the family I have just lost the desire to bake as I can't enjoy it. I know I could still produce stuff but its not the same. I've lost 10kgs so thats the plus!!!!, when I get back into this blog they style of it will probably change.........untill then.................Jan

Cake Decorating Classes

In my absence I have been going to cake decorating classes, have completed the introductory classes now on the advanced. Really enjoying it. Last night we made a cartoon horse/donkey whatever you think it looks like!!! Its supposed to have a rider but have not done that yet, personally don't think it needs it.

Our instructor Shirley from BJ's Cake Decor is great, so encouraging she never puts any ones efforts down, there is always a way to fix or change what we have made. I have made roses, a novelty cake, attempted gerberas and daises (total disaster) learnt to cover a cake in fondant and so many other things, really enjoying it. Next week we do a bride and groom so that should be interesting.

I'm Backkkkkkkkkkkkkk !!!

Well sorry for the delay in posting, I can't believe its been 5 months, but that does not mean that I've been idle, I've been into some Jam's and chutneys and sauce, I've made feijoa, Quince and Crabapple jelly, the= Quince jelly is just the most divine colour and flavour. I made scones and took then to work the other day with the Quince jelly and it went down very well even if the scones were left in the oven for too long......Nurses have a habit of eating anything. I've also done, tomato and pear relish (very very yummy). Feijoa chutney, plum sauce, tomato soup and spaghetti which I have frozen, I'm in the process of stewing and freezing Apples that I have been given.

I grew mega amounts of Tomatoes this year and some were huge I think the biggest was 640 grams!!!!

I have a very confused garden at the moment My Stella cherry tree has just flowered, Globe Artichokes are ready, and my Tamarillo has just set fruit so I will have to cut them off I think as it will be too cold for them to fully mature.

I will try to be more regular with this blog I have been taking photos over the past 5 months of what OI have been up to so I have lots to blog about

The Garden Produces & Best Biscuits I've Ever made!!!

Well my garden is in full production, we have been eating beans, peas, courgettes, lettuce and radishes, although I have to say that the peas have yet to actually make it to the pot as we have been eating them fresh. I can see I am going to have to be creative with courgettes!! Two courgette plants is ample for a family of 4 adults. My Cherry tree looks amazing with its beautiful red cherries. I've had to wrap it up like Fort Knox with chicken wire to keep the birds away, don't know what I'll do when it grows at the moment its just a baby and easy to cover.

Last night I made "Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies" from issue 42 of Donna hay magazine. I have to say they were fantastic, the best chocolate cookies I have ever made. They could easily be made without the candy cane but it just adds that something special for the festive season. I have yet to do my Christmas shopping having only bought one gift so far. I am now on holiday until after Christmas so no panic I'll get it done (probably get to the shops and everything I envisaged buying will be gone) Problem is I have no clue as to what to buy anyone..................I feel prezzie cards may be the way to go.

JO SEAGAR YET AGAIN

I made the Pina Colada cake in the weekend from Jo Segar's new book The Cook School recipes. I'm not having much luck with my baking lately, I had some of my friends visiting and they loved it the husband of one even calling the next day for the recipe. But I have to say that neither my husband or myself liked it. Its basically a pineapple cake with cream cheese frosting, it has no eggs, butter or oil in the cake. It uses 2 tins crushed pineapple for the wet ingredient and has coconut as well.................but I have to say the frosting was divine had coconut essence in and toasted coconut on the top. Its a very dense cake I think that's maybe what we did not like about it. We love pineapple just not that cake..................well better luck next time.

Jo Seagar-The Cook School Recipes

Yesterday I made Carrot Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting, from Jo Seagar's new book. Very easy to make and look impressive but I can't say that I really liked them. I do love peanut butter but I don't think it really went with the carrot cupcakes. The family loved them but I was disappointed. It really wasn't a fantastic cupcake recipe either not enough flavour, will be interested in what others think if they have made them.

As you can see from the photo's I was very generous with the frosting, but it made to much there is enough for another batch. I will make them again to use the rest of the frosting which I am going to try and freeze, and because the family liked them.