Book club and mojito cupcakes

Well yesterday was a long day for this mama. After a visit with my OB and hoping I would hear that I would be delivering early, she told me she thinks I will go on time or late. I'm not in a rush for this baby to arrive, however, late wasn't something I wanted to hear, especially on the muggy walk home.

Next, it was time to ice all of my cupcakes. This month, I hosted our mama and babies book club and decided to try a fun recipe a friend had passed on for mojito cupcakes. I was afraid someone may not be happy there was one shot of rum in there for the kids, so I also made the popular Magnolia cupcakes from Mama H and Miss L's sendoff for the kids.

Of course it ended up raining through book club and attendance was low, but Mama V, Mama L and another mama were able to brave the elements. It was very exciting to have Mama H and Miss L on skype throughout as well. Lots of cupcakes and a little discussion about the book "The Women". The kids seemed to have a great time and left with a sugar high- so I think it was successful. Any of you mamas out of the area- we'd love to see you and your babes on skype- even if you didn't read the book!

Since I had so many cupcakes left, I brought them to my restaurant group that was meeting last night as all of the evil mamas claimed sugar coma and wouldn't take the many extras home. The mojito cupcakes had some mixed reviews from the mamas, my restaurant group liked them a bit more. They are different- with distinct flavors of lime and mint. I recommend chopping the mint very finely and using less than a recommended handful of mint. The Magnolia cupcakes were a hit- especially with Master A- who probably ate 6 or 7 minis by the time the day was over (thankfully- only the equivalent of about 2 cupcakes). Mama LS found this great recipe and it will make you swear off any other vanilla buttercream icings. You just need lots of confectioner's sugar and a big non-city grocery store that sells self rising flour. Food Emporium does sell it in NYC. The recipe makes much more icing than you could ever need- I suggest using 4-5 cups of confectioner's sugar at most.

Here's the links for the cupcake recipes:
http://visualrecipes.com/recipe-details/recipe_id/479/Mojito-Cupcakes/

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/saras-secrets/magnolias-vanilla-cupcake-recipe/index.html

Happy Baking!

Book review: Lowboy by John Wray

Source: Amazon

Normally if I read a book review I don't read the book. They tend to spoil the plot for me. I prefer to start a book with only a vague idea of what the book is about. Lowboy was different. I read the review in the New Yorker and was intrigued. The after reading the NYMag's review I knew I had to read it.

I can't really add much to the fabulous reviews out there but to say that there is a subtle twist towards the end that it brilliant. The book is simply written and gripping. Apparently Wray wrote the whole book on the subway! I was a touch confused about the ending and had to reread the last couple of pages a few times but after reading this review I now understand.

Highly recommend it for your next book club - it's an easy page turner!

Book review: Supernanny by Jo Frost

Source: Amazon

While I'm waiting for Mama H to post me my New Yorkers, I'm desperate for reading material. I've even swiped Mr M's hard reading The Forgotten Man as I await my mags.

I was visiting a friend, M, last week to meet her new little baby (and raid her bookshelf). He was just one week old and does nothing but sleep - remember those days? She also has a perfectly angelic little three year old. He is a dream child. He won't eat anything but never fusses and is so respectful. I asked her how she's disciplined him over the years and she didn't really say anything specific. She said that her husband did most of it. I didn't buy it considering M's a preschool teacher by training and is a fulltime mum who has never had anyone but close family care for him.

Picking the Supernanny book off the shelf M said it was great and she really agreed with the book. We went on to discuss how sad it is to see mothers sleep train 8 week old babies and the whole Gina Ford movement in the UK of babies trained into routines from birth like little robots. I followed more of a Dr Sears approach for Master R and believe in most of Sear's attachment parenting philosophy. M said I would probably enjoy Supernanny in that case so I took it home for a read.

Most of you would know Jo Frost from her TV show both in the UK and US called Supernanny. The few times I've watched it I've been moved to tears at the sheer frustration of the parents and wonderment that such beautiful babies can turn into horrendous monsters hitting and screaming at their parents. Unfortunately I've seen it happen with a friend's little boy. As a result Mr M and I are determined not to let that happen to Master R and we're probably a little on the firm side with him. Loving of course, but firm.

Jo Frost sums up her philosophy with ten rules:

1. Praise and rewards
2. Consistency
3. Routine
4. Boundaries
5. Discipline
6. Warnings
7. Explanations
8. Restraint
9. Responsibility
10. Relaxation

These rules are then adapted to the different issues at each stage in a child's life such as feeding, sleeping, dressing, bedtime etc.

The book is set out in a very reader friendly manner and is a quick read. She has a no nonsense approach that I agree with and is all about common sense. Most of the book is more relevant to older children and she does say she doesn't recommend most of her methods until they're 2-3 years old. I really like how Frost admits that she's never had any children of her own or even any formal qualifications but she has been in hundreds of homes and looked after hundreds of children and that it does make her an expert in the field. I can appreciate that and don't believe you need to have children of your own to spot trouble or an alphabet of letters after your name.

A good read and probably a good reference to have sitting on the shelf in case your angel's halo slips as he/she gets a little older and starts showing defiance. But let's hope that doesn't happen!