Bear Birthday Cakes

SonnyHens GF loves pandas so with her birthday fast approaching I researched making her a panda cake.  I am not very artistic or imaginative  - so if I can see what some else has done then that's a great help -  really don't know what I would have done before Pinterest or Google - I get many ideas from the web. 

 

My cake recipe is my reliable Vicky sponge with added milk but only a splash.  As the cake was going to be 4 layers I used 10 eggs, 500g butter, caster sugar, 170g plain flour and 500g SR flour, 2 teaspoons of vanilla paste and about 6-8 table spoons of milk

Seedless raspberry jam and vanilla butter cream in between each layer and a crumb coat of buttercream on the outside

 

 

Then the white fondant, black for the Panda face and a pink bow

 

 

 

Panda chocolate cupcakes were decorated with fondant. 

 

 

 

She had a lovely day and the cake when down well 

 

A week later a request for another bear cake - this time in chocolate - thank goodness for the wonders of the web.  20cms Vicky sponge with cupcake ears and nose, raspberry jam and vanilla buttercream filling.  Covered with chocolate and vanilla buttercream - note to self: don't use melted chocolate chips for chocolate buttercream, as mine didn't melt properly and little bits of chocolate kept blocking the piping nozzle. 

 

 

 

 

and then 'fur' thank goodness for a grass piping nozzle.  A little black chocolate buttercream for the eyes, nose and mouth. 

 

 

What have you made recently?

 

MummyHen X

Wedding Anniversary

A perfect day with my DaddyHen.

MummyHen X

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all dads everywhere.  Sadly, my father is no longer with us but the memories are so special.

Open Sesame

This is what I saw

I sorted, counted, totted up and 

1p	443	£   4.43
2p	319	£   6.38
5p	280	£  14.00
10p	166	£  16.60
20p	126	£  25.20
50p	22	£  11.00
£1	25	£  25.00
£2	156	£ 312.00
£5	90	£ 450.00
£10	4	£  40.00
		£904.61

Actually I am a tad disappointed as I was hoping for four figures – in the last few weeks I have not spent money to have the change to add to the tin, or to receive a £2 coin or £5 note.

The money will be taken to the bank, changed into notes put it back into the tin, the tin will be resealed and we will start collecting again until beginning of December next year. Need some inspiration have a look over here.

Must go as I have cakes that are in need of a marzipan blanket.

* Open Sesame

MummyHen X

Two busy weeks

Spent five days in Holland week before last; planning for 2014; it came as no surprise that some of the projects that had been planned won’t start as the business made a huge loss and some that started during past few months will stop.  It’s a disappointment but that happens with innovation; if the business isn’t making money then we are one of the first in the firing line for cuts.

On a lighter note; I had no trouble taking this Christmas cake with me on the plane – I was glad when I got the office with it;  It was a little cumbersome carrying it around. It went down really well - not a glitter ball was left.

My flight on the Monday was delayed due to technical issues which very sadly meant I didn't get to the Rijksmuseum and then even more annoying its not open late; all the museums close at 5pm every day.  I was hopeful that on the Thursday they would be open till 8pm and we could get to see some lovely artwork – I am sure there will be a next time.

This last week was spent catching up – stupid hours have been worked but hopefully that’s it now for this year – no time for any me time.

Today, DaddyHen and I went to Borough Market at London Bridge; it was packed, we think its lost its charm - its way too touristy

Some delicious looking food - we resisted.  The only things we bought were a ham hock, some mushrooms and a pawpaw.  My mum and I used to have pawpaw for breakfast when we lived in Africa - yum yum with lime juice and a sprinkling of sugar. 

We didn't spend long - ahhh why do people just stop dead in front of you for no reason. Too many people for out liking - back on the train to Kent.

Tomorrow is the opening of my sealed tin – can’t wait…

MummyHen X

Gifts, awards and cakes

Busy busy at work – but then as we near year end there is always heaps to do.  I received a lovely box of expensive chocolates – to be honest I would have preferred something else I’m not really a chocy person; don’t get me wrong I really enjoy a chocolate desert but not into eating chocolates – boy I sound ungrateful – I’m not; they have been put in the Christmas box and I’m sure we will all enjoy them at Christmas, That was on Tuesday then on Friday I received a recognition award – formal company recognition award from one of the General Managers – Dinner for Two.  I’m really pleased.  I do work hard (DH says too hard), I get paid well so receiving this is lovely.

Question is now where do we go – no value has been mentioned - I need to ask as I don’t want to be extravagant but on the other hand don’t want to spend £50 and for them to say ah you could have spent £100.  I was told to choose a ‘nice’ restaurant – what does that mean?!

A colleague knows that I always make Christmas cakes and recommended Nigel Slaters Christmas cake – not tried that one before – it came out looking really good; I had trouble getting ground almonds; perhaps there's a shortage both Mr T and Mr S had none, DH ground some for me - I had whole almonds in the cupboard.

I will be away in Holland all this coming week – and I decided to take a Christmas Cake with me 

it sounded like a good idea at the time but carrying a cake in hand luggage – umm maybe not such a great idea; I did check with the airline and the airport and both said it was ok.

MummyHen X

We will remember

We will remember all the fallen of all wars – bygone and recent

We particularly remember Alfred William Dewberry killed at the battle of Battle of Arras 10^th April 1917 aged 34.

Alfred and his wife Georgina and baby Alfred taken in Jersey in 1908.

MummyHen X