Cakes

Corruption of a Princess!

2012-02-05T17:41:00.000Z

Today we had a fake Birthday Tea, well why not!
We had a cake!

I had an obliging Daughter!

Who got to eat cake!

As my Daughter is only used to getting the left over crumbs, this was a real treat!

Then........ Well, what can I say! All fed up with the Sweetness and Light and left alone for a few minutes.....

Turned my Pretty Princess into this, doesn't take much!

I Love A Good Fork!

2012-01-12T23:54:00.000Z

This has become my new obsession, well mini obsession! I can't truthfully see it lasting too long.

Not altogether sure about why they delight me so much, but they do.
I do have a favourite, which annoyingly is the most expensive, but I like them all for different reasons.
One is a Good old fashioned sturdy fork, with a novelty twist, another is petit and barely there to hold. Whilst I really like the twistyness to the handle and 'perfect fit' of others. The option of a little knife-ability has a real bonus too!
And lastly one of them just had to be two, as I just love it so much! It honestly makes me feel like a Princess using it!

But at the end of the day and the most importantly, lovely thing about a good fork is that it truly does make eating cake even more pleasurable!

X

Last Look At India Before I get Back to Cakey Stuff!

2011-12-08T21:57:00.001Z

Well before India becomes a distant dream I just wanted to share some of my favourite pictures from my trip - hope they're not too boring! Here goes, enjoy!

Ah Sweet Gulab!

2011-11-15T15:02:00.001Z

After 2 days surviving on meagre rations just had a flap up meal, cottage cheese with cashew gravy and cheese balls( mozzarella I presume!)with tikka masala, my eyes were bigger than my belly and I ordered too much especially when it came to the Gulab!
I didn't really need them but they are so so delicious! Kinda like treacle sponge balls!
X

Agra

2011-11-15T14:14:00.003Z

As soon as we hit the hotel, jumping in the shower ( and using the loo!!!) was my top priority, washing away the train journey was fabulous and we were ready to go again.
Spotting the glorious sun shunning away made us decided to hit the Taj Mahal asap and kinda get it out if the way!!!
It was all that I expected, big, beautiful and busy! I can now happily tick off a Wonder of the world! I am not really a sight seeing type person and after half an hour I was itching to go.
I found the walk back to the hotel more fascinating the streets were not that busy at all, all the shops sold the same Taj goodies, managed to catch sight of a couple of roof top monkeys, a camel, a really angry looking goat and of course the obligatory cows in the road.
Once back at the hotel, realisation dawned that we had not eaten properly in 2 days! We hit the roof top terrace and ordered beer!!!!!
Unfortunately we had forgotten that unlike Goa where we could enjoy alcohol tax free! The hotel didn't have a license so had to go and fetch the beer from a shop and charge us quadruple for the privilege. Where we were enjoying a pint in Goa for 50p we are now paying £2 grrrrrrrrrr!!!!
X

Elephants and Mendi

2011-11-11T19:29:00.001Z

Another amazing day! And, Another amazing hotel sadly yet again only for a pit stop!

The elephants this morning were the most awesome thing I have ever seen, nothing can quite prepare you when you are crouched down watching 3 young elephants being washed and as you turn and look up to find out you are in the way of such a huge creature!!!!!
I was mesmerised, took lots of pictures, unfortunately can only upload ones from my phone, but as soon as I am home will post a few of my favourites.

The onward journey from the elephants was long but comfy and interesting, saw so many fabulous sights that you would not normally see, I have lodged them all safely away for future reference!

Finally we reached our destination, Dinesh's house- the groom- his family and extended family and friends were lovely and welcoming, before long I was getting Mendi on my arms, such a lovely feeling as it is made from a leaf that has natural cooling properties.
2 hours later and I could finally rinse the Henna off! I am sure Mendi was invented with the sole aim to be that women are unable to do anything for 2 hours, you can't move your arms at all in case it cracks off!

Had a lovely meal, served on a banana leaf! Think I could get used to eating with my fingers! It's strangely a lot harder than you think, but is a great diet tool as I got full very quickly!

Not looking forward to getting back to normal food, I am already armed with a recipe or 2 and am loving my spicy vegetarian food choices at the moment, will defiantly be on the look out for some good recipe books!

X

Automobiles

2011-11-11T01:02:00.001Z

I am not sure anymore how many planes we have caught so far but today we have an epic car journey, my brother was quite keen on doing Planes, Trains and Automobiles!
We have about 300 miles to cover heading inland. Our first stop off will be to feed the Elephants this morning at about 8 am, then off to Kochin Fort to, according to our driver, buy handicrafts, antiques and chinese fishing nets!!!!!

Not sure when I will next get Internet access as we have the wedding to go to tomorrow and Sunday morning, then, The Train!!!!!!! Really apprehensive about this now, but hey ho!

X

Another day in paradise?

2011-11-11T00:46:00.001Z

Finally getting to grips, well a little bit, with the haggling- David is really good at it, although I just think he is being stingy, whenever he isn't looking I slip them another 50 rupees!

Stayed away from the beach today as did not want to get too burnt! Went to a famous market in anjuna but after seeing 4 or 5 stalls though they got a bit repetitive! Also after living close to Glastonbury for the past year didn't Like the influx of hippies, for goodness sakes, wearing a G-string in your 60's is never going to be a good look!!!!!!!!
However much I am loving this 'once in a life time' trip I so so so wish the Hubby and kiddlywinks were here to emjoy it with me! But maybe next year?!?
Tried to upload phots but
My brothers iPad, apparently won't let me!!!!!! Grrr! And had some good shots of hippy on beach in G-string as well !!!!!! Never mind!

Off on another hop tomorrow, down to kochi for the night, before we do the automobile part of our trip! Can't wait! But really missing home, just not the cold rainy part!!!!!

X

We're here!

2011-11-06T11:50:00.001Z

Finally here! Massive shock to the system, after the first 24 hrs trying to catch up with sleep, trying desperately to get used to the heat! I have never been so hot!
Finding the haggling thing really difficult as well but after having a stern talking to from the husband will try my hardest not to get 'ripped off'!
Walking along the road has become
Pretty scary so have resorted to using tuk tuks, which are hilarious! I have never seen driving like it! the White line down the middle of the road isn't meant to separate the road, not here anyway, it seems to be the guide line that everyone wants to follow and overtaking on a bend not a problem as long as you honk a lot! Crazy!
I am on a photo taking mission tomorrow so hopefully will share some of the sights.
X

Indian adventure day one (contd)

2011-11-05T08:47:00.002Z

Just got on the most fab plane ever...... Annnnnnnnnnd SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!

Indian Adventure Day One

2011-11-05T08:46:00.002Z

Good Morning!!! Just arrived in Zurich - flew over the most beautiful tree topped hills and nearly missed the alps! The toilet situation is going down hill fast! Zurich toilets are rubbish! So so so tired, just waiting to board flight number 2...

On the other side

2011-11-04T04:43:00.001Z

I'm a happy chappy, finally got my tropical green tea, kept the teabag though for later!
X

No Pret!

2011-11-03T22:57:00.001Z

Not happy, there is only a Costa, was so looking forward to a lovely cup of tropical green tea, hopefully there is one on the other side!

Testing blog app!

2011-11-03T22:41:00.001Z

At the airport, whoo hop!

Off to India!

2011-11-02T22:23:00.000Z

Wow, I have awarded myself Blog Slacker of the year!
Well, now I am back, and after an incredibly busy summer I am hanging up my Apron for a well earned break!!!!

I know this is a Business Blog but maybe it could be slightly personal as well?

As this time tomorrow I will be well on my way to.........India! Yay for me!

As this is a once in a lifetime trip I thought I would Blog my journey.
I really don't know what to expect...... heat, possibly rain, lots of curry.....yum! Cows and Elephants and hopefully an Indian Cake or 2! I can't wait!
X

Fab Fimo!

2011-05-06T14:41:00.002+01:00

Fimo Models are a great alternative to sugar crafted models for one I always have an issue with making my sugar ones stand up! I get there eventually though but prefer to have them sat!
Sue Partridge is a local Artist who will create these for you, with the added bonus that we can liaise to ensure that the models match and fit on the cake!!!!
Contact her direct - suzanne.partridge@btinternet.com or through myself at www.cakesbysamantha.co.uk whilst ordering your cake.

Tapirs!

2011-05-01T16:15:00.003+01:00

When asked for a Tapir themed Birthday Present My first thoughts were ' What!!"
Then the ideal thing popped into my mind............ Tapir butter biscuits- perfect!
I love my edible image printer, it's a life saver!
And to top it off the recipient Loved them.

Royal Wedding Cake!

2011-04-27T22:32:00.001+01:00

Somerset Bridge Primary School held a competition to design a Royal wedding cake. As Soon as I saw Alicia's design I knew it would work perfectly as a real cake.
I had so much fun making this cake, it was nowhere near as stressful as a normal wedding cake!
I interpreted Alicia's yellow felt tip pen as being gold glitter and am hoping she likes it!
It would have been all my dreams come true to have a wedding cake made that I had designed at the age of 9!

Good to be back!

2011-04-25T21:08:00.000+01:00

After accidentally deleting my entire blog ( you would not believe how gutted I was!)
I have finally found the time to start again, so.............. here goes!

2011-04-24T16:09:00.000+01:00