Happy D-Day to Me

Yesterday was a significant day.

To me it marked the beginning of something wonderful. 

People talk about moments in our lives marking the beginning or the end of a chapter.

I think this new phase in my life is more like an entirely different book.

Miss Pip and Lady Candice helped me to celebrate the day with some bubbles.

Cheers to D-Day!

xx

That's a PINSTROSITY

I have found a new way to waste time on the interwebs...

It's a funny little blog called Pinstrosity.

The general idea? Photos and stories from people who have tried to recreate something they saw on Pinterest.. which has gone terribly wrong.

pin·stros·i·ty \pin-ˈsträ-sə-tē\: a pin of great and often frightening size, force, or complexity. 

Here's a sample from the website and one of my personal favourites...

Cake Fail - Pinstrosity-Style

Pinned here

Of course, there are also stories of 'Pin Wins' - Celebrating the success of a Pinterest Project. But these are not nearly as entertaining as the Pinstrosity's.

[For a Pin Win of her very own, see Miss Jodie's Kit Kat cake here]

Over the weekend, I attempted my very own Pinterest Projects - 

How to Clean Your Microwave

Claiming to save you energy and time, this Pin told me to use vinegar as a cleaning product.

[This is not my microwave]

And the results ?

Well... it worked. It took 15 minutes on high, but my microwave looks just like new. WOOHOO!

My second weekend Pinterest Project involved Eggs, Oil and Mayo.

And I wasn't making some weird concoction for lunch.. I put it in my hair.

Apparently "Rich in proteins, vitamins and super- nurturing fatty acids, egg yolks won’t only make your hair softer, shinier and healthier but help you to grow it long as well."

I had to give it a go. Since I have been lightening my hair, I have been really conscious about it drying out and becoming brittle, so I'm willing to give it any chance to stay strong and healthy.

However, I'm not convinced... I made an absolute MESS in the bathroom and I seriously can't see any considerable changes (unlike the many people who have reviewed this treatment and claim their hair was instantly softer and shinier). I wouldn't call this a Pinstrocity.. but it was definitely not a Pin Win!

xx

And the Rabbit and the Fox Lived Happily Ever After...?

I am easily distracted.

Most of you know that; And have likely experienced me distracting you as a result. 

I can't help it. 

Sometimes my attention span is in the red. Negative 100. Zero chance of focus.

Today is one of those days.

...

In fairness, I was googling images for a proposal for work. So it's not like I go searching for weird photos (often). 

But this one had to be shared.

Masquerade Wedding - here

Seriously?

That's weird.

And I can imagine arguments in the years to come - 

"What happened to the man I married?!" she will squeal at him in a fit of rage.

To which, he may reply - "Honey, I'm a sly fox..."

xx

Choc Raspberry Cupcakes

Got my bake on over the weekend.

Choc Raspberry Cupcakes to celebrate my cousins birthday - A last minute family gathering as he works in the middle of nowhere and wasn't expected back home til Christmas.

Choc Raspberry Cupcakes

Here's How :

Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees

Melt 50g dark choc IN 120mL water in a small saucepan

Beat 2 eggs, 225g brown sugar & 100g softened butter with mixer

In separate bowl - combined 100g Self Raising Flour; 2 tbsp Cocoa; 50g Ground Almonds

Stir dry ingredients through the egg/sugar/butter mixture. 

Add melted choc/water

Stir til combined.

Half-fill cupcake liners; Place a couple frozen raspberries in the middle; Cover with more cake mix.

BAKE 

(For about 25 minutes)

Frost with your frosting of choice.

I used 150g butter; 250g icing sugar; vanilla essence & food colouring.

DELICIOUS!

xx

Celebrating Nan

Tomorrow (24 August) is my Nan's Birthday.

I say 'is' because I'm still not ready to say 'was'.

And it will always be her day.

My Eulogy and the Memorial Card from Nan's funeral.

I don't know what to expect from the day emotionally; Especially since I've been having regular "Oh, I should call Nan and talk to her about X, Y, Z" moments. 

But I know she wouldn't have wanted to see me in tears. She would have wanted cupcakes or lemon meringue pie. Looks like I will be spending some time in the kitchen this weekend.

xx

I'm a Little Tea Pot...

What gets me through the afternoon on a day that's dragged on for weeks?

A cup of Tea.

What warms me up on a cold, grey day?

A cup of Tea

What do I look forward to climbing into bed with every night?

A cup of Tea.

Oh, the list goes on.

As far as I am concerned, a cup of tea is the answer to many questions. It gives me comfort.

Yesterday, I popped to the Tea Bar in the Central Markets and picked up some Quince Sencha Tea.

"Quince flavoured tea?" I hear you ask.

I was dubious at first too. But I encourage you to give it a go.

I could  ramble about Tea all day long.

But you know what else goes with Tea (apart from biscuits; chocolate; and scones) - 

Beautiful vessels from which to drink such delicious liquid.

This set from Cristina Re caught me eye on Pinterest recently.

Cristina Re Tea Set

Cristina has a whole page dedicated to High Tea on her website.

I am in heaven.

And I'm also coveting this little collection of  pastel cake stands. 

Pastel Cake Stands

And the shelves ? Just gorgeous!

xx

Cake Overdose

It's taken me a week to write this post, simply because I couldn't even look at cake after my overdose last Sunday.

We had a family BBQ on Sunday and I provided the sweets.

Orange & Almond Meal Cake (recipe here);

Apple Cake with Praline Glaze (recipe here);

Mocha Cheesecake; and

Scones

I may or may not have eaten a 'sample' of each... Don't judge me.

The scones were unintentional. 

But I had a friend pop in on the Saturday at lunch time, right in the midst of my baking frenzy.. So I whipped up some scones using my nan's fave recipe.

This was only the second time in my life that I've made scones.. And they weren't too bad, if I do say so myself.

The perfect afternoon treat with a cup of tea and of course some jam and cream.. mmm..

Oh.. here's the recipe for the 

M O C H A   C H E E S E C A K E 

Mix 250g almond meal, 125g melted butter and 1 tbsp sweetener (I used Natvia);

Press into a pre-lined spring form tin;

Refrigerate

Cream 500G cream cheese & 2/3 cup caster sugar;

Add 3 whole eggs (1 at a time);

Add 2 tsp coffee essence and 100g melted dark choc;

Pour into set base;

Cook on 180 for 40 minutes;

Turn off oven - Leave cake in oven for 1 hour;

Refrigerate overnight.

Dust with cocoa to serve.

EAT!

No baking for me this weekend. I need a treat free week to detox from all that sugar!

xx

Lightbulb Moment

Lightbulb moment.

[noun]

"a moment of sudden inspiration, revelation, or recognition"

- thefreedictionary.com

A flash of clarity when we least expect it. A thought or idea in a moment of brilliance.

I think we all have them from time to time.

Mine happened this morning whilst walking Miss Emmy.

It was still dark out... I was convinced someone was following me the entire time! (On the plus side - the fear probably made me walk faster!)

And then I found the perfect pin!

It's time to stop waiting.

Watch this space.

xx

In Hiding

Today I am daydreaming of finding a table under which I can seek refuge!

xx