A possible challenge...?

So I've set myself a wee challenge or two this year. One is to make as much of our own bread as possible and the other is to "try" and produce a garment a month. So, not a big stick to beat myself with, but a carrot to encourage me to have a go and there's no harm done if it doesn't always happen. 

The garment a month is on course - mainly because I'd so much hanging around time in hospital with a poorly mum. January started off with a simple knitted jumper for my brother's 50th birthday present. Mum then fell for multi-green sock wool of all things... and requested a crocheted waistcoat - February's garment.

 I'm pleased with both garments - especially as they've been appreciated during the endless cold weeks of February and March. Also pleased at how productive I feel! On the needles now, a baby cardigan and a hooky blanket to use up the stash.... And at the machine, a black linen jacket (unlined, though I'll probably regret that). I've had to stand back from work until Easter for sure and have taken on the role of full time carer for now, so am making the most of my spare time.

Bread wise, I've made white yeast, brown yeast, potato farls, soda bread and wheaten. Tonight, having nursed a sourdough starter for weeks now - it looked like a bit of a faff and what with various bouts of illness and an elder fall, I just kept feeding  it and bunged it in the fridge until I'd more time.

Had I known how easy it was, it would have been made ages ago. It's tangy and delicious. I'll play with the recipe a little - probably won't add any whole wheat next time just to see how that works out. Anyone any suggestions for flour combos to use?

Colour coordinated weekend

Things have been blue and white here over the last few days - the bride wanted the colour and pattern of the blue invites and her ivory lace dress to be reflected in the cake.  I really enjoyed making and decorating her cake and my lovely mum enjoyed helping to deliver it.

A friend's new son arrived a few days early and a blanket was called for - finished just in time and spot on for a wee boy - with Northern Ireland having had the coldest July weather in 20 years, the cosy warmth was needed!

I thoroughly enjoyed all the baking, decorating and crochet.  It was an intensely creative end to the working week and it all left me feeling relaxed- just as well as I'd an early start back to work for a Radio 4 broadcast on Sunday morning.  The service was from the Corrymeela community on Northern Ireland's beautifully, misty coastline... more grey and white than blue and white though - a very misty, damp morning.

A wee bit of hooky, new baby cuddles and being part of someone's special day - and a programme that went smoothly. Perfect.  What makes you happy?

oops.... note to self... .read the recipe.

Tried a new loaf recipe today... spelt with mixed seeds and some dried fruit.  Enjoyed it a lot, but thought I'd like it a smidgeen sweeter... then checked the recipe and realised I'd forgotten the molasses/treacle.  Oops...   get it right next time.

Thanks Mrs C - this one's a keeper!

Wedding cake

Lovely day today - had seriously good thunder and lightening storm with lots of monsoon like rain - puts me almost into a trance.  I love how it sweetens the air afterwards.

 

It's always good to have a reason to bake - and today, while not being mesmerised by the weather, I've been baking and decorating. 

 

The bride-to-be wanted a traditional rich fruit as the bottom tier of her wedding cake, above that is a madeira, then a moist, lemon layer, a chocolate layered with ganache buttercream and raspberry jam, and finally another small madeira cake. 

 

The final touch on the five tiers will be a few fresh orchids placed on top and around the tiers.  It's simple, but quite elegant.  I'm a little nervous of how well it will travel out to the reception in Fermanagh - the same place the G8 met a few weeks ago.  It's a two hour drive from here.... quite a distance to nurse the fragile royal iced piping.  I hope they drive it gently!

 

Today, I'd orders for another two cakes - a four tier wedding cake and a single tier birthday cake.  I didn't actually mean this to happen....  it's a lot of fun...maybe more so than making radio documentaries! (Though it sure doesn't pay so well.)

 

funky cake!

Update on the happy zone.....

The wedding cake was a lot of fun. Different flavoured tiers, and in keeping with the theme of gerberas for the whole wedding.

And it was a fabulous day - thanks to the new "Minnie Tinnies"!

Welcome to the happy zone.

Northern Ireland is living up to the Vivaldi thing - four seasons in one day.. or at least in one week. The only thing we haven't had this week is frost.

That's the bad news.

The good news is that I'm in a happy zone. (Can you feel the vibes from there?)

I have a wedding cake to decorate for next Wednesday and a house to refurb for a friend by the end of September - so a creative outlet and an organisational one - both make me very happy!

I love the "before and after" thing of a house - the satisfaction of emptying it, repairing then redecorating - and to a short timescale so there's no time to diddle about. This is a three story red-brick (brownstone) end of terrace in need of a lot of love.

The cake is a fun one - multi coloured and zany - so I can't wait to get started - I've all four tiers baked already - a different flavour for each one. It's going to be a busy Saturday and the finishing touches will be done on Monday so I can deliver it to the hotel on Tuesday evening and assemble it.

Roll on the weekend.