New Year...

It seems a bit cheesy to write a post about what I'd like to try next year on New Year's Eve, but as I'm having a very quiet day, I thought now was as good a time as any.

So far, my plans are fairly modest - read more, varied books and keep a note of what they are (mostly for my benefit, as I must have read hundreds of books over the years and can only recall a few).

Another goal is to do a lot more training - I have to be a bridesmaid in a few months and I'd like to look decent on the wedding photos! I'm moving back up North in a couple of weeks, and will be living beside the international stadium, which has a running track I can use, so I'm super excited about that!

More cooking, of both the savoury and sweet varieties, and maybe be a bit more adventurous!

My final 'resolution' (I hate that word, it smacks of failure by February!) is to complete the distance-learning proofreading course I enrolled on 18 months ago...

These may develop, change or even disappear, but I'm hopeful I can be a bit more productive in 2011.

Cake!

Been baking again; this time a chocolate cake for a friend’s birthday. It’s the most extravagant cake I’ve made to date, as it is filled with chocolate butter cream, with a milk chocolate topping and Maltesers to decorate.

I licked the bowl and that was enough for me, but she requested it! The other half wants one for his birthday next week, but I think this time I’ll stick the pots straight in the sink!

The oven in our rented house is not great – it’s not big enough for two tins to sit side by side, for one thing, and I’m not entirely convinced by the temperature, but I was pleased with the results nevertheless.

I need some of those spring-form tins or whatever they’re called, as my cakes have been sticking a bit. However, I greased and lined the tin, and just to be on the safe side greased the paper as well! I only lost a tiny bit off each, so I’m delighted. I know it doesn’t make much difference, and everyone always seems impressed with the results, but I’m always overcritical.

I’m waiting for the verdict tomorrow, but if it goes down well, I think I’ll need to try something new. Perhaps I should ask for suggestions.

Cakes, No Ale

I've always liked baking cakes, but have only recently got back into it. I've been making fairy cakes, loaf-style lemon cakes and assorted flavours of Vic sponges, which have gone down very well with friends and colleagues. So, continuing with the challenging myself theme, I thought I'd have a go at decorating cakes.

Having been disappointed by the local college cancelling their cake decorating course, I resorted to Amazon and some experimenting in the kitchen...

I started off easy (or so I thought) and decorated cupcakes to look like ladybirds and bees. I bought sugarpaste from a shop in town, and crafted it accordingly (see pics).

Everyone except me was delighted with the results, but I think I'm a bit of a perfectionist! The main problems were that I used a pizza wheel (!) to shape the mouth, so perhaps if I get the right tools, next time will be better! Pretty good for a first attempt though, so I think it's back to the book for something else!

New Hobbies!

For no reason, at the age of 27 and halfway through the year, I have decided to start trying new things!

Eight weeks ago, I started running; I was persuaded by a friend and went out grudgingly, knowing that it was good for me. Surprisingly, I loved it, and a fortnight ago I ran the 5k Race for Life in 35 minutes. I was so pleased I decided to challenge myself, and signed up for a 10k run in October.

My plan now is to try different stuff that I've never considered before and have some fun trying them. I may even take suggestions!