My new toy

In a quest to make perfectly decorated cupcakes I purchased a squeezy bag type cake icing kit. The very first time I used it the bag split and I was in the middle of making cupcakes for Master R's birthday party at nursery. I was very peeved to say the least. I kept researching and found this cake and biscuit (cookie) gun type decorator. I'd read mixed reviews on Amazon but decided to give it a try.

These mini cupcakes were the first attempt. These are bite sized cupcake wrappers and a bit of a pain to spoon all the mix into them. Problem solved - add the mixture into the gun with the largest nozzle and squeeze it in. Icing them took a bit of practise and most of these were done one handed with squirmy Master T on my hip. But the decorator is really easy to use and user friendly.

Included in the set is a set of biscuit molds. I couldn't quite get the concept of them until I actually used them. They are little metal plates with cutouts which create different shapes as you squeeze the biscuit mix through creating "press cookies". I used this recipe but I didn't put the egg white on top.

It was so much fun! The cookies are really small and thin. I overcooked the first lot as you can see in the picture. They're a bit brown for my liking. They only need 6 minutes in the oven.

They are a lovely little biscuit and very elegant looking for gifts. Next time I make them I'll halve the recipe (it yields 8 dozen! I was sick of the sight of them and so were our neighbours) and make little hearts which I'll half dip in chocolate.

Baby clothes quilt

Source: www.ticcheandbea.com

In a recent newsletter for my local mothers' group an article featured crafts that capture and preserve memories of your child. There were many good ideas, such as turning your child's artwork into a poster or notecards, but the one I liked the most was turning your favorite baby clothes into a quilt. Now Mama N and Mama G could probably make such a quilt on their own, but for the rest of us there is a website that offers a baby clothes quilt kit. It offers two levels of DIY. You can cut squares from your favorite pieces that your child wore as a baby and mail them to be sewn for you into a quilt. Or if you are feeling a little adventurous you can buy the kit with instructions on how to sew the quilt yourself.

I have started setting aside clothes as Master Q and Miss V grow out of them. Some of the hand-me-downs will be used for Miss L's quilt because they bring back such vivid memories of when Miss L was a baby. I love the thought of having a quilt for each of them that holds so many memories from their first year of life. I picture having the quilts on their beds as they grow up (until they hit those rebellious teenage years when I will box them up for safe keeping until they will appreciate them again as young responsible adults!).

I am tempted to try to make one myself. My great auntie has a sewing machine that she would like to give me. And I did notice a listing of beginner sewing classes at the end of the newsletter article which definitely caught my interest.

Royal Mail

When a package arrives at our home with the Royal Mail stamp Miss L and I are beside ourselves with glee. We know it must be a beautifully handcrafted item from Mama N. Yesterday one such package arrived!

Even Mister T was anxiously waiting to see what was inside. Since receiving the twins' handknit cardigans he refers to Mama N as a "professional knitter." All three of us sat on the sofa giddy with anticipation.

I tried to help Miss L open the package but she quickly motioned me to stop and told me very firmly, "this is MY present" with a special emphasis on the "my". As she unwrapped the tissue paper her eyes got really big as she said, "oooh, HOW nice." A lovely handsewn floral dress!!

In all of three seconds Miss L had taken off her clothes, put the dress on and started twirling around the room with a huge smile on her face. And I had a huge smile on my face. I am so touched by Mama N's kindness.

Miss L's dress is the most beautiful little girl's dress I have ever seen. It captures the whimsical and carefree summer days of childhood.

I think I know what Miss L will be wearing again tomorrow!

My laundry hell

Just a little something to make you smile. This is my laundry pile. You can't see all of it. This is about 5 loads of washing just for the past 4 days. There are 4 more loads of washing lined up to be processed. This pile lives on the dining room table until I have the time/energy to fold and put away. Quite often the clothes get folded but don't find their way to drawers. Luckily the boys' clothes live downstairs in the drawers behind this pile.

I'd love to show you the rest of my house but, as you can imagine, if I did show you I'd be sectioned under the British Mental Health Act.

Have a lovely weekend mamas and I should get to the laundry xx

Three little bunnies

Happy Easter! I wanted to give homemade Easter baskets this year to Miss L, Master Q and Miss V so I decided to knit three little bunnies for my little ones. I took the bunny egg cosy pattern that Mama N recently knit and first adjusted it to make a stuffed bunny for Miss L.

Then I thought it would be fun to make bunny rattles for Miss V and Master Q.


All three bunnies were quick to knit. Each one took two days. It took me one day to knit up all the pieces and a second day to do the finishing work.

Yesterday Miss L and I colored eggs we bought at the farmer's market and baked butter cookies in the shape of bunnies and eggs. After Miss L's swim class first thing this morning we will have an Easter egg hunt around the house. Then my parents and great auntie will arrive for Easter brunch. I came up with a menu using all our farm-fresh vegetables and fruit from our CSA. I am serving an artisanal ham along with roasted local asparagus topped with pecorino and mashed local potatoes. And of course, deviled eggs made from our Easter eggs. My parents are bringing a cake which we will top with local strawberries.

I can't wait for Miss L to find her Easter basket when she wakes up!