Arrr me hearties!

At this time of year I always feel like I have something in common with Marie Antoinette, who historically made the statement: 'Let them eat cake!' My three kidlets have their birthdays in relatively quick succession of each other, and it feels like I am permanently strapped to the oven with greaseproof paper and cake batter! This past weekend it was my youngest's turn. Our little Roo turned three (phew...finally we've stepped out of the terrible two zone!), and we celebrated with a little pirate tea party. So, as I've not been doing much other than play baker/party planner, I thought I'd share some pictures with you of our munchkin's birthday bash!

The birthday boy...with bed hair!

'Reading' my birthday cards...

Ooh! Presents!

Party time! Guest of honour...Captain Hook of course!

Aboard the Black Pearl...

Pirate cookie ship! Big brother's Playmobil ship came in handy to set the scene filled with yummy cookies.

Cupcakes for the high seas!



Every pirate needs his five-a-day to guard against scurvy!

The Loot...
Bon Maman jam jars come in handy once again. This time filled with sweets.

The birthday cake! This one was a lot of fun to make. Thank you Pinterest for inspiring me to try this one!

And so the birthday celebrations come to an end for 2012...well, those that involve LOTS of icing and imagination! I have a feeling Hubby's won't be as much work! Not that I mind...it's all just a lot of fun anyway! If you've had a recent birthday, or one to be had soon, 'Happy Birthday'! Here's to many more!

Blessings, Tania♥



A Vintage Affair

Well, it feels like I have walked in circles in a dense wood, and have finally found may way home! That's what it feels like when I can't sit down with pen and paper to write...well, pen and paper don't have limitations,  unlike computers and the big wide web that is the internet! At first I had a damaged computer screen (don't ask!), and once that was repaired, horrible little gremlins interfered with our internet provision and I was unable to blog yet again! So, as you can imagine, I have A LOT to tell you! But, today will be a post about a vintage affair...a do...a party!

Time is a funny old thing! Sometimes it's draggged out and you wish the seconds, minutes and hours away. Like when you're counting down to something lovely that is going to happen. And then there are times when it seems you've blinked, and ten years have gone by quicker than you can say 'fiddlesticks'! Our little sweetheart is ten...double digits! Where has the last ten years gone?

Before I get all mushy (oops...too late!) and lost down memory lane, I'll share some pictures of the celebrations with you. I took many, and I'm bound to share bucket loads with you, so in advance: Sorry! I just can't help myself!

A Vintage Tea Party...

In my mind ten is an important birthday. After all, it's a decade! So, it deserves a little soiree! And so preparations were off to a start..

Giant tissue pompom takes centre stage...

Flowers and jam...

Sweets in jars...

Lollipops in vintage tin...

Personalised drinks jar...

Roses and Baby's Breath...

Party favours...Pearls and Love Hearts ♥

The birthday girl requested a game of 'Pass the Parcel', so a special surprise was wrapped up in layers of brown parcel paper. Each layer had a little sweet treat and snap card tucked inside. (I made sure that everyone won a little card and treat to keep it fair!)

The girls could then match their snap cards to a little present in the lucky dip suitcase.

All ready...

Let's get this party started!

There was laughing...

And dancing!

And cake of course!

It was my first attempt at making sugar roses...and bows! I know it's no 'Ace of Cakes' masterpeice, but I was pleased with my creation!

At least the birthday girl liked it! ♥

Happy birthday our little munchkin!
Until next time my lovely blog friends! Hopefully next time will come a little sooner than the last!

Blessings, Tania ♥

Sweet, sweet Saturday!

Oh, I do love waking up on a Saturday morning! No rushing to be at the school gate...no last minute frantic searches for school jumpers and hollering at the children to hurry up and clean their teeth...Just leisurely cups of coffee and cuddles with the children under the duvet! We've had a lovely day of just that! And I love the spontaneity that Saturdays bring, you know, deciding at the drop of a hat to pop in to one's favourite little shops for a spot of browsing, or a last minute cuppa with friends. Or, as the case was this evening after 'meandering round the streets of Pinterest', deciding to give that very tempting Nutella cookie recipe a bash! A friend had not long re-pinned this recipe, and I was in the car on my way to the grocery store to pick up a jar of Nutella. It requires no effort at all, and is a sure winner!

Now, the recipe includes sugar, but I left out the sugar as advised on Pinterest. All you need is a cup of Nutella, a cup of all-purpose flour (yes, plain flour!) and one whole egg. That's it! Mix it all together, really well, roll into balls, squeeze flat with a glass, and bake! (180C/350F for 7-8 minutes).
Voila!

There is only one thing left to say...The diet has been abandoned, and normal service will resume tomorrow! ...or on Monday...

If you feel a little peckish or need a quick chocolaty fix, this simple recipe is one to try. You won't be disappointed! ...well, the only disappointment might be not making a double batch!

Happy weekend!
Tania ♥