GOOD INTENTIONS

It’s hard to believe that it is the Year 2011 and we have almost reached the end of January!  As I glance at my new cupcake-themed wall calendar, I remind myself of my top New Year’s Resolution…to treasure each moment.

 

My New Year began with a bang – fireworks, family, friends and food!  We attended a New Year’s Eve Party at a friend’s place in Drummoyne, where we had an amazing view of the Sydney Harbour Fireworks.  This photo doesn’t do it justice, but it gives you an idea of where we were situated in relation to the Harbour…..
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A TEAM EFFORT

This week was such an exciting one, being one of my favourite times of the year and all! Each year we like to visit the beautiful Queen Victoria Building (QVB) in Sydney to gaze in wonder at the huge Christmas tree. It was getting closer and closer to Christmas and we still hadn’t gone, so the day before Christmas Eve, battling the crowds, we ventured in on the train.

My additional motive for such a venture was that I wanted to go to a book signing at Dymocks in George Street that day…my cupcake hero, Paris Cutler, was launching her new book, “Planet Cake Cupcakes”! So I dragged my kids and some other family members along with me.

We got off at Town Hall Station and walked through the QVB to get to Dymocks, but happened to stumble upon an enticing chocolate shop, called “Bon Bon”. We just had to stop and it was chocolates all round…I tried the coconut rough, which was to die for!!

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HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS

I must apologise and confess that the only cupcake I am able to write about this week is the one my daughter happily ate when we went for a cuppa to our local Gloria Jeans.  Admittedly, it looked quite cute and she thoroughly enjoyed it…..
I don’t like making, or should I say, “baking” up excuses, but being the busy holiday season, I just haven’t had much time in the kitchen. Most of my time has been spent with family and friends, eating, shopping and wrapping.  However, my plan is to do some baking on Christmas Eve with my daughter, so will keep you posted on how that goes.

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WE’VE ALL GOT A STORY

Click on the link below to check out my story, recently published on SuperForest.org:

My story…

 

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‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY

It was my beautiful daughter’s 14th Birthday last week! 14!! Where did all those years go?? I promised I would make her any cake she chose from one of my favourite fancy cake books, “Planet Cake” by Paris Cutler. I was delighted when she chose the giant cupcake, which I thought was quite manageable. It was only when I started looking at all the steps involved more closely that I got really nervous. What seemed simple at first, was in fact rather complicated for an amateur like me….a couple of pages of instructions and lots of ingredients later, the pressure was definitely on!

I started with my daughter’s favourite, chocolate mud cake. But not just one; I had to make 3 (yes 3!!)……..

 

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OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND

“Out of sight, out of mind” is one of the saddest sayings I know.  If you’re trying to watch what you eat and you say it, that’s okay.  But when it refers to people, I think it’s sad.  I believe when you’re genuinely loved by someone, you shouldn’t have to be in their face for them to remember you.  It gives me such a buzz when somebody emails me, calls or pops around.  It shows that I’ve somehow made enough of an impression that they would think of me at that very moment, right out of the blue. 
Below is a photo of some indulgent cupcakes sent through cyber space from a cousin in Brisbane.  Obviously, when she saw those cupcakes, she instantly thought of me.  She then took the time to carefully arrange them, get her camera out, take a photo and email it to me!  It would have taken some effort on her part and I was honoured by her actions.  A simple, yet effective act of love!

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A TIME FOR EVERYTHING

 

(Free image taken from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1302433)

 

“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace”.
(The Bible, Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, NIV version)
When will death lose its sting?  One day.
When is it time to love?  At all times.
When should we give up hope?  Never.
See you once it’s a time to write again……….
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MY HERO

Last week was filled with many cupcake-related happenings.  My niece and I ventured into Paddington on one of the days, in search for shoes (not cupcakes), and I was so excited when I saw this sign in the distance:

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THE CHOICE IS YOURS

Last Friday, we had some family members coming over for dinner and I wanted to make something special for dessert.  Since I was cooking up a storm for dinner, it was tempting to choose one of my easy, tried and tested desserts, like chocolate fondue with fresh fruit and marshmallows…………

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DARE TO DREAM

Birthday celebrations are always so much fun!  I was so spoilt over the last week, with a number of special birthday get-togethers in my honour.  Although I’m sad to report that there were no cupcakes to be seen anywhere, there were certainly many other treats to make up for the absence!
A lovely lunch and cream buns at the home of one of my sisters-in-law…..
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