Mint Sauce?

So it's lambing season. Back in the Midlands this would have involved peeking over hedges at the lambs as we whizzed past in the car. Imagine my sheer joy at ewes and their newly born offspring being in a field close by and being able to get semi up close and personal.

Excuse me while seek medical assistance from overdosing on cuteness......

Oh Deeeeeeer

I grew up in the 'burbs, 8 miles out from Birmingham. So very much a townie in location but always yearned to be a proper country bumpkin in my heart. Sadly we are not quite living in the sticks but having access to a little bit of the best of both worlds for now.
So imagine my delight at seeing these lovely ladies a few weeks after we moved last year. They roam around the farmers fields close to our house (not trespassing bridle path ;)).

 

This was very early one Sunday morning. Just me, Luna and my camera in early Spring sunshine. It was, to me, magical. Urban foxes and the usual wildlife I am used to but not such graceful beasts as this.

 



Having heard Luna crashing about in the undergrowth mooching for half rotted rabbits to nibble on (yes this pooch is not squeamish) they quickly took off, to the other edge of the field to stand and wait for our next move.

I remember as a young teenager taking the p*ss out of my parents for enthusing about "the view", wildlife, the colours of leaves on trees and I realise that I have become just like them. And actually when it comes to encounters like this I am OK with that.

Long time.....

.....no see. Its been 14 months since my last post. What a 14 months it's been. We packed up our troubles and relocated to Wiltshire. Have been in this stunning county now for over 5 months and boy oh boy do I love living here :)
The mammoth task of redecorating the entire house, redesigning front and back gardens is looming infront of me so I ask myself why not try and shoe horn in a bit of blogging too. Because clearly my life isn't busy enough already.
Actually I have missed being creative. Writing posts. Taking pictures. Hubby bought me a lovely DSLR camera for Christmas and it's a crime not to use it. Not suggesting I am actually good at any of those things but it made me happy. So here I am. Back in the saddle again.

The eagle eyed among you may have noticed I've changed the name of the blog. I'm flighty like that. It may change again, who knows. I shall keep you guessing.....

Anyway back to business.
Cake. I like cake. Generally I like the unfussy kind but I decided to make myself a pre birthday "birthday cake". Huh? I hear you cry. I originally planned this cake to be my actual birthday cake. But the Pups are planning a surprise for me which I believe involves them decorating a cake for me. So rather than rain on their parade I thought I'd make this cake anyway but before the main event.

I have always had designs on making something like this.

(Courtesy of Betty Crocker site)

 

However I don't have a small enough tin to cook the layers. My usual tins would revolve in layers too thin and too dry. And I couldn't really be bothered with the faff of mixing orange and purple. So I decided to make a marble cake instead.

Its nothing special. Just a plain old Victoria sponge. But I decided to liven it up a bit.

Subtle no?

Feel like I am back in nursery playing with poster paints :)

As you can see smoothing icing isn't one of my talents......

 

Its like an RTA of colours. Garish. Bright. Bold. Slightly disturbing to have food this colour. But I love it. Not something I would eat every week but for those moments when you want to feast your eyes as much as your belly I think it does a pretty good job :)

I am teetering on the edge of being another year older and supposedly another year wiser. However my baking resembles a 3 year old's day at the paints. I should let loose my inner child more often :)