Category Archives: Birthdays

Hummingbird cupcake recipe

 
hummingbird15 
 
Today is the first day of Summer here in the sunny land Down Under. Our family loves swimming in the local lake and waterhole near our home. Fresh , crisp salads become regular features at our meal table and our zesty homemade Kombucha refreshes the heat weary. The long days are filled with sunshine and laughter, playing and fun as the children have oh so many more hours to frolic outside in the summer sunshine.
 

Read More

Taekwondo Legend

Ok, I am going to brag.  Just warning you.
 
My  younger son graded for his black belt in Taekwondo last weekend, and boy was he awesome!!  (Told you!)  He was incredible. A real power ball. The whole day was heightened with emotion as he and another young girl sweated it out with sparring, routines, board breaking and heartfelt speeches. It was one of those days in life as a parent when you store away the memories forever.
 
We were so proud.
 

Read More

Cake Bling

 
 
 
Well…that was intense!
 
This past month has consolidated my long held oppinion that our big life is just plain crazy!  I hardly know where to start. I spent two weeks in bed sick as a dog….not a nice way to get a break!! Thankfully my angel mother came to the rescue and stopped the family ship from sinking. She is a whizz around our home. All of the washing gets done, folded AND put away….no mean feat when I have about three loads a day. She defrosted our freezer, cleaned out my disastrous Tupperware drawer, washed all of the bed sheets AND blankets….feed our brood, cleaned up, washed up, played cards with the kids every night and had our home ship shape in no time! She is very efficient.
I wish I was more like her.
 

Read More

Chunky chocolate peanut butter cake

 
 
This rustic cake appeals to the Bohemian in all of us.  It’s rough, rugged appearance disguises a delicious, moist Chocolate pumpkin cake slapped together with crunchy peanut butter frosting.
 I used my  favourite
which transferred well into three 6 inch round cake tins. I made a little extra frosting so I could lavish it wildly all over the outside of the cake, before pouring dark chocolate ganache over the top.
Way too much fun for one cake! 
 

Read More

Naked cake love.

 
 
 Hello everyone. I’m back.
 
I have been away on a lovely little trip, while dear hubby took our son skiing. I thought it was time to bundle my girls up, drive over the mountain and visit  grandparents. How wonderful to be spoilt with hugs, warm fires, delicious home cooked meals and lavished with  all of the love and nurture that only your parents can give ……ahhh. It was a time of refreshment and relaxation. Just what every Mama needs now and then. I was even able to sleep in!!! What a concept….sigh…
 
 

Read More

HI Hat cupcakes

These come pretty close to the ultimate comfort food. These are Hi Hat cupcakes. The cupcake itself has a chocolate peppermint biscuit in the base, plus a square of delicious peppermint cream chocolate hidden inside for good measure. The top is made up of meringue frosting and generously coated with dark peppermint chocolate……what’s not to love?!

Read More

1940’s Australian bush tea party

 

One of our daughter’s friends was turning 16 and wanted a 1940’s style tea party in a wooded grove on their family farm. It was so delightful planning this party as we are very close friends with the family and I was graciously given free reign over the styling and baking!

Read More

Pink milk & cookies

It has been quite a year this year! Not only have we said farewell to our oldest son as he ventures out of the nest to embrace his future, but our darling youngest baby has just turned two! Not a big deal to a lot of people I guess, but when you have been pregnant and birthing babies for almost twenty years, this is a milestone indeed! Not  so much having a two year old, but having a two year old and not being pregnant with the next one!!!! This is  a first for Mama Bear.

Read More