The Best Laid Plans......

Happy Birthday Baby

 

The Birthday Hat

(can you spot the overflowing knitting basket?)

 

I cannot believe how quickly the past year has flown by. It only seems like two minutes ago that I was bringing my lovely little bundle of cuddly, snugly, joy home and here we are celebrating his first birthday!

Baby B is fast becoming Little B.

After a somewhat frantic week at work preparing for a big inspection, for which we are given a measly

24 hours notice, (all went well with that thankfully) I knuckled down to some serious cake baking and decorating for Baby B's birthday. We had asked a few family members over for Sunday Tea, and I was so looking forward to celebrating his birthday with loved ones, and watching his little face when everybody sang Happy Birthday to him - this did not go quite according to plan!

His cake was great fun to do and my first attempt at a two tier creation!

Baby B loves Thomas the Tank Engine and so the obvious choice for a theme had to be Thomas inspired. After a bit of 'googling' I found a few ideas and the creative juices began to flow.

Although, I did ask myself, standing finishing things off at a quarter to midnight on Saturday, 

"why didn't I just buy a cake?".

 

I am so pleased I didn't - the satisfaction of being able to say I made his very first birthday cake was such a reward for all my hard work (and sleep deprivation), and I think he liked it, even if he can't speak just yet!

And here it is

Tah-dah!!!!

It was a basic vanilla sponge, sandwiched together with home-made strawberry jam and butter icing.

Covered in coloured fondant icing and decorated with various coloured fondant shapes.

I really enjoyed watching how the whole decoration came together and felt such a rush when I 'unveiled' the completed cake to Mr B. I think he was suitably impressed (a man of few words I have to say).

The day of the Baby B's birthday started off pretty much as all Sunday mornings do - swimming lesson for Miss B, and then a dash back to open cards and presents.

However, Little man seemed a bit out of sorts and after a few things happening that just didn't feel right, a trip to A&E beckoned.

We bundled everyone up and into the car, and made a few quick telephone calls to cancel his party. I have to say the staff at A&E were amazing. We were seen quickly and after several hours of observation,  which involved close inspection of the contents of  Baby B's nappies (what a lovely job these emergency medicine doctors have) it was concluded that he was suffering with colitis and a viral infection - poor Baby B.

But at least it was nothing too serious. After breathing a HUGE sigh of relief we headed home and proceeded to light the single candle on top of the birthday cake and sing a heart felt rendition of Happy Birthday to You, which made everyone cheer up.

 

Miss B seemed to think it was her birthday too as she 'helped' open all of the cards and presents, and blow out the candle, three times!

All told, I can say Sunday was not quite the day I had hoped for, but certainly a day we shall not forget!

Hope you enjoy your day!

Many Hands Make Light Work.....

The Sweetest Little Scones

  

September has come around and everything seems to be settling back into a comfortable and reassuring routine.

 ♥

Miss B is nicely ensconced in her Reception class, and seems to be loving it. I can admit I dreaded the first day of term. It was not, however, worrying about how she would cope or whether she would eat her school dinners, but how I felt about the whole experience of having to let my precious little girl go out into the world!

How selfish I hear you say - and yes I admit it was, but my only defence is that I miss her. I miss her company during my days when I'm at home; I miss her noisy chatter whilst playing with her toys and their imaginary games; I miss watching her playing with her little brother as I peep through the crack in the door at them both; I miss baking with her before we had to get ready for Nursery; I miss curling up on the settee together and watching Curious George before lunch; I miss laughing with her about her curious questions and observations about everyday life;
but most of all I miss our spontaneous kisses and cuddles and secrets any Mother & Daughter is lucky enough to share.

We know that we have to let our children 'go' but none the less, when the time comes it can be so bittersweet. To see them grow in both confidence and ability, and feel so proud when they achieve these milestones, but the realisation that our babies must start to make their way in the world can be tinged with such sadness too. We must slowly peel back some of the 'cotton wool' that we have kept them so tightly wrapped in for these first few years of their life, and as a mother or father, quietly weep for the loss of our babies, but enjoy  and cherish the blossoming young person that emerges before us.

So this post is dedicated to all the mothers (and fathers) and children that are privileged to share such special times together - treasure these memories.

Miss B and I enjoyed making these lovely little scones in the last week of the summer holidays. They are so simple and easy to make, and delicious with a little raspberry jam and cream - clotted of course!

You will need :

500g plain flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp salt
125g unsalted cold butter, cubed. If you are using salted butter reduce the salt to half a teaspoon
25g caster sugar
1 egg, beaten
275ml buttermilk

1. Pre heat the oven to 200c/180c fan.

2. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda, cream of tartar and salt into a large mixing bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

( Little hands working hard)

3. Add the sugar and give it a good mix.

4. Keep a little of the beaten egg aside (you will use this to wash the scones before baking) and mix the remaining egg with the buttermilk. Add this to the flour mix and stir briefly to combine into a moist dough.

5. Lightly flour your work surface and knead the dough lightly to combine. Press out or roll the dough to approx 2cm thickness. I sometimes press out a little thicker which makes the scones bigger.

6. Using a cutter of your choice, cut out the scones and place on a lined baking tray. I tend to use a smaller cutter which produces a dainty little scone.

7. Add a little buttermilk to the remaining egg you kept from earlier, mix, and brush the scones with this egg wash before placing in the oven for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown on the top.

I often think these taste better the next day but will keep in an air tight container for a good 3-4 days.

Now for the best bit - pop the kettle on, make a nice cuppa, sit back and relax with your scone, jam and cream.

Enjoy your day

x