Candied Pears

14/07/201815/09/2019

Hello lovely ones. How’s things? Thankfully life settled down for us this past week. Our dear young people have gone home and with two of our girls away at camp, we downsized for a few days, enjoying a well earned rest. Not for long though, as I am hosting a tea party for 34 ladies next weekend in a local country hall. It will be a delightfully vintage affair and I can’t wait to show you a few pieces I have been working on, particularly a hand sewn backdrop made from embroidered linen, vintage tablecloths and doilies.

Chasing Winter {Part 3}

07/07/201815/09/2019

Good morning Lovelies. Boy! What a week. It certainly has been huge and to be honest, I am doing well to get this post done. You may have seen on my Instagram stories that I helped a friend with her daughter’s wedding last weekend. It was the cutest ‘Brambly Hedge’ country wedding and I was honoured to be a part of the styling, set up and desserts. Keep an eye out for photos.

Chasing Winter {Part 2}

23/06/201815/09/2019

As dawn breaks I hasten down the stairs, out into the crisp new morning. I am eager to relive my college days when I would go jogging through the chilly streets of Armidale in the early hours, relishing time alone and the break from busy dorm life. Well, thirty years and nine children later I’m not exactly running out the door, (although perhaps I should be), but with no less enthusiasm I grab my camera and two willing daughters, determined to show them the wonders of winter as I remember it.

Chasing Winter {Part 1}

16/06/201815/09/2019

I grab my camera and race out the door, trying not to let impatience surface as I usher the children into the chilly street. The glow of perfect afternoon light is fading fast along with any hope of taking photos in this beautiful country town before the sun sets.

RECIPE || Chocolate Raspberry Cupcakes {and reflections on grief}

09/06/201815/09/2019

Hello friends.

This week we remembered our son’s 16th birthday. Our baby boy, Noah, died when he was only 11 days old earth side and he now lives in Heaven, not with us.

Australiana Wedding Cake

02/06/201815/09/2019

Hey there! How’s life? Thanks for dropping into my happy place this morning. It is always such a joy to meet you here. This year I have set new goals for Mama Bear’s Kitchen, to stretch and challenge my creative self and further develop my unique style. I’m studying up on food photography, researching admired artists and baking up a storm in the kitchen trying out new cake recipes. Sticky date whisky toffee cupcakes anyone? Or perhaps vanilla musk?

RECIPE || Apricot & Almond muffins

26/05/201815/09/2019

Happy Saturday my friends! How was your week? I was in a little bit of baking heaven this week as I made a wedding cake and 70 cupcakes for a dear friend whose son is getting married today. I enjoyed getting into the groove of juggling a bench full of black forest cupcakes while giving spelling tests and listening to poetry recital from the girls. Talk about multitasking! Miss Daisy chopped chocolate for my ganache, Miss Charlotte made lemon curd and I showed Miss Mary how to make caramel. We are all in this together.

RECIPE || Lavender & Earl Grey Cupcakes

12/05/201815/09/2019

Good Morning friends. It’s Mother’s Day tomorrow and I have the perfect cupcakes to spoil your lovely Mum with. A light vanilla cupcake made with lavender infused milk and French earl Grey tea. Just pour your Mum a nice hot cup of tea and serve her one of these sweeties and she will love you forever.

Oh that’s right, she already does.

A Spring tea party in Autumn

28/04/201815/09/2019

Good morning Lovelies. Isn’t it wonderful that Autumn has finally poked his chilly head up after a long and tiresome Summer (sorry, I know most of you love hot weather, but not me!) He has taken his time this year and most days are still quite warm, but I am relishing the fact that my flannie jammies and slippers are finally out of the cupboard at last.

RECIPE || Anzac Biscuits

24/04/201815/09/2019

Anzac Day is a day of remembrance on the Australian calendar. April 25th marks the anniversary of the pre dawn landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey during World War One. Sadly, the campaign was a failure with horrendous loss of life on both sides. It was here, however, on this treacherous battlefield, where the spirit of the Aussie Digger was born. Tales of endurance, camaraderie, self sacrifice, courage, humour and mateship emerged among the soldiers, creating a strong national identity back home in our fledgling country.