First gift of 2010

Hand sewn by my favourite Kiwi mother on the sunny farm in NZ. This lovely tea cosy was delivered by snail mail and brought a big smile to my face. It is even lined with cupcake imprinted fabric! I love it and so will my teapot!! Thank you Momma Hale xx

Obamitas

Wars continues to be waged, and ten percent unemployment persists, but at least we can console ourselves with the thought of Obamitas, the artisanal chocolate cookies out of Spain that feature the likeness of President Barack Obama.

Cute cookies -go Obama-rama! The website is soo cute too! Thanks to Diana for spotting this and sending it to me.

Busy Bee

Many apologies bloggies, there has been a lack of posts due to me being a being a busy, busy worker bee - although I would like to feel like the Queen bee (doesn't the queen sits there and have everyone fluttering around her, trying to mate with her?)

There has been a lot of baking, caking and PRing so not lots of time to write down the musings of food and life. I will return shortly, I just need to catch up on sleep and get some free time sorted to write some interesting and engaging posts for your lovely eyes!

Back soon........xxx

Compromise

"A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece". 
Ludwig Erhard

Cake 

"If the people have no bread, let them eat cake." Marie Antoinette

The funniest David Letterman cupcake video!

I love David Letterman - he looks like Mr. Diab and love his antics on his show. Watch him driving the crazy-ish Cupcake Car around his set. Hilarious! And I love this new food site I found, check out Eat Me Daily.

Watch David here:
http://www.eatmedaily.com/2009/12/david-letterman-drives-the-25000-cupcake-car-attempts-to-destroy-christmas-tree-video/?so=f-s

My sister's (well her nanny's) potluck creation

Feedback from this week's cake club deliveries

"Your brownies are very rich and moist - some of the best brownies I've had.

The biscotti are just right. Everyone at work was envious."

Phew! Looking forward to this week's boxes going out. 

Toothpick art

 After you make your next frothy cappuccino or any milky drink, dip your toothpick into the coffee bit and then use the dark liquid on the toothpick as a pen to draw a smiley face or design on the froth. My Fairy Godmother made us these lovely cappuccinos. While doing our Christmas visit little JJ decided he didn't want to wear a shirt so wandered around her house topless (how classy) and PM was playing various tunes on the piano (with no training he did quite well!). The fabulous Nicholas was a great host and we had a lovely afternoon with the best friends and sisters. Thanks Fairy Godmother and Nicholas for the friendship, love and for feeding us more biscuits!

 

Pasta making with the kiddies

It is as easy as 1-2-3 and then you have a yummy fresh lunch!

Boil pasta only for a few minutes, add some fresh petit pois a little bit of butter or olive oil and voila! Of course, you need a pasta maker and a strong arm. But if a 6 year old can turn the pasta machine crank, so can you.

Pasta recipe
200g Flour (00 Type)
2 eggs
1tbsp Olive Oil
Make a little volcano with the flour and add the eggs to the crater. Mix all together into a moist dough, let sit in the fridge covered in cellophane for a half hour or so. Roll out in your pasta maker (going down each number until you are on the finest setting) or by hand (like my Nonna used to) and then boil as per usual.