Noisy Boy

It's that time of year again. When I mourn the passing of another year of Pup1's life. He's 7 today. It means another year another cake. He made his request and I duly obliged.

In case you were wondering how some of the cakes are construction (2D ones) they generally start with a colouring page and a pair of scissors.......

It's like putting together a jigsaw. A really sweet tasting one.

Details added to the body with the aid of a highly specialised tool. A cocktail stick.

It takes a lot of patience to roll out all those balls. And a good set of weighing scales (to weigh the balls, quickest way to know they will be all the same size). Sadly I am not good with patience and my mum (her house is where I usually make the cakes) has rubbish set of scales.

I hate dark coloured fondant. I should have piped the yellow details but couldn't be bothered to make a batch of royal icing just for that tiny bit. Heartily wish I had now as I think the awful finish ruins the cake. I am assured that's not so but my perfectionist streak says otherwise.

Pup1 IS a noisy boy but actually this cake is named for the character on it rather than it's recipient.
If you're scratching your head wondering who on earth it is I shall put you out of your misery.

 



Around the corner

It's there. Lurking. Autumn I mean. The days are bright and sunny at the moment but noticeably cooler. The biggest thing I've noticed is the early morning damp mist when I walk Luna early in the morning. When these pictures were taken I was walking when the sun was rising. I noticed today that is no longer the case. Slowly but surely the daylight is retreating. We're heading towards my favourite time of year.

I love Spring and Summer and all their little pleasures but my heart belongs to the cooler months of the year, when the light is more scarce, the darkness creeps early and notions in my head of cosy nights infront of the fire.

If only we had a fire. Well least not a fake electric one which I never switch on because it costs too much to run.

Sorry were you a bit worried there I was getting a little bit whimsical. I love whimsy......just sadly my life in reality is far removed from whimsy I just can't fake it. I'd love to wax lyrical about how my heart soars when looking at a bunch of flowers in a pretty vase on my mantlepiece. But I can't. It doesn't. The only thing makes my heart flip* is the sight of the ocean which is sadly a veeeeeeeery long way from here.

So bring on Autumn and Winter and all that cosiness it has to offer. I've just bought a 13.5 tog duvet that needs a proper road test.


*family and all manner of pets excluded


PS. Pics were taken with my mobile phone. I love the fact that it has a 5m mega-whatsit-thingy.

Make do and mend

Pup2 has started full time school. This means a pump bag is needed for PE kit. In the good old days I would have just gone out and bought one. However changes in home circumstances has made me stop and think. I have a sewing machine.......why not repurpose something else for the job.
An old v shaped pillowcase I had been given by a friend was perfect for the job and luckily matched some spare ribbon I had.

Now my sewing skills aren't the bees knees. I am not the sort of person who can whip up a dress in 5 minutes flat but even this took me far longer than it should have :o

 

Never mind, 'tis finished and ensconced on Pup2's peg at school and best of all it cost me nowt :)

Normality

Phew. That was a busy summer holidays. Filled with lots of love, laughter, some sunshine, lots of sand and maybe a smattering of bickering ;)

 

 

All in all it's been a wonderful time spent with the family. I am however kinda glad it's settling back into its usual rhythm. Pup2 has started school full time <cue sobs from me> but it has given me some much needed time to get stuck into all those jobs I've been putting off.

September has well and truly started, looking forward to the change in seasons. I smell a whiff of Autumn in the air.