That Was The Week That Was

You know how some weeks seem a bit slow and others pack in soooo much that you really don't know how it actually all fitted? Well this has been one of those weeks...
I have baked (nothing new there I hear you shout)...
 140 shortbread foxes.
 1 Very large chocolate cake.
 1 Coconut cake that had better get out of here before I eat it. It smells too good.
 120 mini cup cakes in silver and purple (Birthday cake).

 6 Christmas Puddings wrapped and ready to go.
 6 small Christmas cakes also ready for dispatch.

I have shopped and bought 1 suit and 1 pair of trousers that not only fit D. (not easy when he's got a 28 inch waist and 34 inch legs and is VERY fussy).

I have been thrilled and excited about the same D getting an interview at Cambridge and about me passing my first practical exam, only 3 left to go now.

The painter has arrived.
The rug is chosen and ordered.
The chair is sitting in the shop ready for delivery.

The fire guard and companion set are sitting beside me as I write and the basket is on it's way.

Took this picture and just couldn't resist... choices choices....

have a good week..xx

A Few random Thoughts

Well... what a week this has been! My first bake for the local cafe bar. Now just keeping my fingers crossed that it was all ok... No complaints so far though so things looking up. Hummingbird Cupcakes like the one on the right (further down the bloggy bit) and a Brooklyn Blackout cake Very Chocolatey but with a few tweaks of the recipe very yummy as well. Thank you to Rachel for letting me know about books and mistakes.

A brilliant bonfire, fireworks and food with friends last weekend. I suppose it seems like a long time ago but here are one or two of the pictures taken during the evening......

The colours inside the fire were glorious...

The evening was a bit misty but I was determined to get a picture of the moon. So with LOTS of help from a professional this is what I came up with....

Of course having crossed the border there was a dram or two to be had (unluckily for me I was driving so had to miss this bit) and so some of the pictures became a little ... well ... different... How about "Fire through Fire Water"....

No bonfire night would be complete without a few toffee apples... The sticks are a bit odd because I had one of those I'm sure I have sticks somewhere moments... and didn't so improvised with clothes pegs of all things...

And lastly a huge sigh of relief as I found out today that I had passed at least one part of the dreaded physics exam... Yippee!
Hope all is well with you... back soon

Like it or Lump it Goes Live!

This has been in the pipeline for a wee while now. Lots of slithering, thinking and backtracking. BUT today has been take the plunge day, see how it goes and bite the bullet!

I have been asked to bake for one of the local coffee shops. It is a big step. So far all I have done is potter about and bake for friends and family but this is a whole new ball game.

Environmental health
Hygiene courses.... yes I know.. I'm a nurse and know when to wash my hands and that it's better to keep the cat out of the baking. I am supposed to know not to sneeze into the food and not to just scrape off the mould but now it has to be all official!

The tax man ... keeping the books will all be a challenge in itself. No more .... well it'll be about £20... no no I have to work it all out and look at profit margins and still being friends with people I do business with and having a good time as well....

I am very excited! And my first proper order isn't even due until next week. Now what kind of cupcakes will it be this time? ...

... And as for Cake of the Week well that is a whole world waiting to be explored....

Thought you might like to see the sea coming over the harbour wall at Wick in Caithness last week when I was up visiting with my mum. a stark contrast to the wind turbine picture (above) that was taken the very next day... The croft cottage in the last picture was  the house that was lived in by the crofter and family as well as the animals in many cases at the beginning of the last century..

I will be back soon to let you know about my first proper baking advent. (hopefully I will remember the pictures too).