tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79624658818903189282024-03-05T08:56:58.706+00:00All you need is love (and cake)Family life, all the craziness that goes with it and my very amateur love of baking.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-21469207398236470522013-06-11T15:54:00.000+01:002013-06-11T15:54:28.250+01:00I have moved....I have made the decision to go self hosted sooner rather than later, but nothing else is changing! You can now find me here
www.allyouneedisloveandcake.co.uk
I hope to see you there and please subscribe to me again, as you won't see my posts otherwise :) Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-62436440596666996132013-06-10T21:41:00.000+01:002013-06-10T23:34:24.514+01:00Baker Days Letterbox Cake ReviewWhen Baker Days contacted me and asked me if I would be interested in reviewing one of their cakes I jumped at the chance. It is Michael's birthday at the end of the week, so I thought I would get one personalised for him. My main problem was choosing a design, there were so many and something to suit every occasion, even just to let someone know you are thinking of them.
The concept isAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-28016581804981093082013-06-09T10:58:00.000+01:002013-06-09T10:58:23.242+01:00Silent Sunday - 9th June 2013Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-85210939265991588842013-06-08T10:23:00.001+01:002013-06-08T10:23:35.374+01:00Saturday is caption day!
On our visit to Elvaston Castle yesterday, something caught Sophie's eye, but what could it be?!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-730921230110086282013-06-07T15:30:00.001+01:002013-06-08T10:17:07.089+01:00Photos of Elvaston CastleWe are really lucky with where we live, 20 minutes in one direction and we are in the peak district, and 20 minutes in the other direction and we are in the centre of the city, which has some amazing parks and open spaces.
One of our very favourite places is Elvaston Castle. With beautiful scenery and plenty of wildlife it is the perfect place to spend the day. I think the photos speak for Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-66298506592300601962013-06-06T21:24:00.001+01:002013-06-06T21:24:35.397+01:00Turkey skewers with homemade flatbread and griddled cornI don't use turkey for cooking very often, its solely reserved for Christmas in our house - which is a shame really as its such a healthy meat - so when Britmums teamed up with Lean on Turkey to set the Summer Turkey Recipe Challenge, I though it was a great opportunity to get to grips with turkey and here's what I came up with.
This is the perfect summer recipe as everything (including the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-26074210437334105372013-06-05T12:31:00.000+01:002013-06-05T12:31:34.483+01:00The importance of swimming lessonsWhen I was in the hospital with Sophie the midwife gave her a bath and was amazed that she didn't once cry 'they normally don't like their first bath' I was told. Since then Sophie's love of water has grown. She loved bath time so much that when she was around 5 weeks old we enrolled her for some private swimming lessons.
I was really nervous on her first lesson, not quite sure what to expect Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-54255406294654136092013-06-03T13:37:00.001+01:002013-06-03T14:10:59.286+01:00Sophie makes flapjacksI love baking with Sophie, she gets so enthusiastic and excited, but it can get very messy, so I was thrilled when the lovely people at elinens sent me this gorgeous Sabichi Best of British apron to try out. It gave me just the excuse I needed to make one of our favourite recipes - flapjacks. Its such a simple recipe that Sophie can do most of it with assistance. I tend to have to hide them Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-45825964894108294712013-06-02T10:49:00.004+01:002013-06-09T11:18:44.959+01:00Silent Sunday - 2nd June 2013Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-42983964769768567172013-05-31T20:15:00.001+01:002013-05-31T20:40:02.928+01:00Walkers Hoops and Crosses Lunchbox CreationsWe try and spend as much time as possible outside when the weather is good, after all we have to make the most of it. This of course often means picnics. It can be quite challenging to come up with original ideas, rather than the same old sandwiches every time, which is why the Tots 100 and Walkers Lunchbox Creations competition is great.
It really got me thinking of how I can make our picnics Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-3667441474259029082013-05-29T10:44:00.001+01:002013-05-29T11:07:43.124+01:00Highfield Happy Hens, Etwall, DerbyshireYesterday we visited Highfield Happy Hens at Etwall. I have been meaning to visit for a long time now as I had heard some great things about it, and I love the way it was started.
Over 20 years ago, the owners started inviting homeless youngsters into their home. They needed something for them to do, so they started helping out a neighbour by collecting eggs. They then built their own chicken Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-72289248409648636632013-05-24T11:24:00.003+01:002013-05-24T16:20:28.890+01:00Really cheesy cheese scones.I often find shop, and even bakery, bought cheese scones are very bland. So here's my recipe for really cheesy cheese scones.
These are perfect served warm from the oven with butter. We often take them out with us on picnics too. I tend to make them in large batches and freeze them.
Ingredients
250g self raising flour
55g butter
pinch of salt
good pinch of cayenne pepper (or more to Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-69064589926227569522013-05-22T09:45:00.002+01:002013-05-22T09:45:42.521+01:00Potty training....So I think the time has come. And I have no idea what I am doing.....
Sophie knows what the potty is for, but as of yet hasn't used it, she got it out this morning saying 'doo' (poo). So off came her nappy again - she sits on the potty, then gets up and wanders off. Shes been doing this for days now. I'm not sure it has anything to do with her wanting to use the potty, more her current dislike Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-90582201317330257822013-05-21T16:39:00.001+01:002013-05-21T16:39:37.937+01:00My promise to my little girl...Dear Sophie,
The moment I saw you, I loved you unconditionally, the best times of my life have been watching you grow into the amazing little girl you are today. You make me laugh, cry, frustrate me and challenge me every single day. When I am feeling sad, you know how to cheer me up. Having you has got me through some of my darkest days, so here is my promise to you.
I will love you Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-55833893284208910802013-05-19T08:43:00.000+01:002013-05-19T08:43:03.923+01:00Silent Sunday - 19th May 2013Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-1716079074465854582013-05-17T20:12:00.002+01:002013-05-17T20:12:52.406+01:00Black forest cakeThis has to be one of my favourite cakes ever - its a very simplified take on the black forest gateaux. I use a cake recipe from Mary Berry, which makes a lovely light sponge and isn't too sickly or chocolatey, then I fill it with tinned black cherries and double cream.
You can of course vary the filling if you don't like black cherries, just use your favourite filling, the cake itself is soAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-90775790894665737002013-05-17T15:43:00.000+01:002013-05-17T16:04:13.589+01:00My first attempt at bread - Breakfast rolls.I'm branching out! So far my baking career has only extended to
cakes, muffins, scones etc, so I thought I should try something new.
Michael
bought me a copy of Paul Hollywoods How to Bake for Christmas, and up to
now I hadn't used it. I had a flick through and this recipe caught my
eye. Michael loves his cooked breakfasts, and as neither of us are good in
the morning I thought these would Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-49856319898963993272013-05-14T10:49:00.001+01:002014-01-22T11:51:21.485+00:0030 ways to save £1 (or thereabouts)
Like so many other families, since the credit crunch we have had to tighten our belts. I am always looking for new ways to save money and so are the lovely people over at Money Supermarket.
They want to find 1000 money saving tips to help us all, whether it is reducing our outgoings or saving to afford that holiday, new car or house deposit.
And to help them out here are 30 of my Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-4886401586371840172013-05-13T10:09:00.001+01:002013-05-13T10:09:53.338+01:00Leibster AwardsWow, I couldn't believe that on just my 3rd day of blogging Ciara from City To Sticks nominated me for a Liebster Award. Thank you!
My
understanding of this award is that it helps new bloggers build up
their audience and reach new people, and also helps people find new
blogs to follow - what a great idea and something I am very grateful of
so early on in my blogging journey.
So there are a Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-70553692501892203962013-05-12T00:12:00.000+01:002013-05-12T09:37:14.357+01:00Silent Sunday 12th MayAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-35523603251376472832013-05-08T10:23:00.000+01:002013-05-08T10:27:54.581+01:00Your best parenting moment?I never realised just how overwhelming being a mummy would be - I'm not the natural maternal type, but from the moment I laid eyes on my little girl I was amazed by her. For the first 2 weeks of her life we didn't even turn the TV on, we just watched her, whether she was eating, sleeping, crying... you get the picture.
Each and every day she suprises me, she does something new or funny, or runs Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-40420934144029149512013-05-07T15:11:00.002+01:002013-05-07T15:11:36.100+01:00A chocoholics dream!This was another really easy, but very effective cake I made recently. I took it to a friends house for Easter lunch and it went down very well - I was actually really shocked how simple and quick it was.
Starting off with 2 chocolate sponges (any recipe, or if you really aren't into baking you could buy them) I simply sandwiched them together with chocolate buttercream (you can also buy thisAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-61586994061771585572013-05-07T14:08:00.002+01:002013-05-07T14:08:34.383+01:00Somewhere over the rainbow....I spent a long time trying to decide on a theme for Sophie's birthday cake this year. Shes at an age where she loves everything, but there's no one particular thing that stands out for her. I would say her favourite thing right now is all things princess (or drindess as Sophie would say!) but I wanted to save that for when shes older. So, after coming across a gorgeous looking rainbow cake in a Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7962465881890318928.post-33058497958464695582013-05-07T09:23:00.000+01:002013-05-07T14:36:23.208+01:00Sophie turns 2!When you have a baby, you don't realise how true it is when people tell you how quick the time goes, but I cannot believe that on the 5th of May it was 2 years since the whirlwind that is Sophie came into our lives.
Just a few minutes old
In those 2 years our lives have changed beyond recognition. We've had sleepless nights, tears and tantrums (and thats just us!) Its been a real Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04076401352150889804noreply@blogger.com6