Christmas Baking.

Hello everyone,

Had a busy weekend. Christmas is crazy time of year. Baking, knitting and just living between Christmas parties. Mr.C wanted cupcakes for his work, so being a lovely housewife delivered. 18 cupcake double chocolate with chocolate buttercream icing. Then not to leave anyone out I made gluten free cupcake as well. Red Velvet mix with royal icing topped with sliver balls.

The berries where made by rolling three little balls, then using little scissors made a cross. Giving them character, and not to look like rolled red fondant. Then using flower & leaves mixer on the berries to make them have a shinny look to standout a little more.

Yes I know they aren't "holly" shaped leaves, but are rose leaves. But I was running on 3 hours of sleep and they look fine. The leaves where made from green fondant, cut out by a rose leave shape cutter, then pressed into a veiner. Once the leaves where all cut out and shaped, I then painted them with a little of the same green watered down. To make the veins standout more, and to give a retro finish.

The Gluten Free minis where iced using Pure Icing sugar mixed with egg whites only and vanilla essence. I love using this icing. TIP: using eye whites instead of water, gives the end result a silk look. And it is always good to flavor the icing as it tastes a little odd by itself.

On another note...
I was reading through my grandmothers recipe trying to find her traditional English Trifle Recipe. No Luck, :( 

But I did find a Christmas cake from my great grandmother from Warracknabeal Victoria. What a find. Look at the lovely handwriting. Along with the cake, I found Grandma's ANZAC biscuits, wedding fruit cake and pav recipe. And not to mention the secret self base quiche.


Rachel    

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Knitting for Christmas

Hello everyone,
I have been knitting like crazy! I think it is the nesting coming out in me. I have about three projects going at the same time. Mr.C. is going crazy with all the wool around the house. A tidy up is all its needs. I have 2 baby jumpers on the go. One a wrap jacket with buttons on the side. Using Nanny P sewing stills to sew on the buttons, as I can't sew anything. And the other jumper/pullover is colourful pattern good for both a girl or a boy.

But what about Christmas...ahh presents.

So I have decided to knit my family KK a scarf. Yes, a funny thing to be thinking about when it is a hot Australian summer at 37 C. I thought I have all this beautiful wool, that cost me a pretty penny. And I always love getting homemade gifts and giving them. So hopefully they will like it.

The pattern is from http://monika-freepatterns.blogspot.com.au/2006/09/his-scarf-cashmere-one.html 

I was knitting away last night just following the pattern as you do and then out of nowhere this lovely weave pattern appeared. A easy to follow pattern just remember to remember which row you are up to as this weave effect looks terrible if the squares aren't the same size. Just a tip. 

Anyway must go, knitting to be done before Christmas. By the way Merry Christmas.

♥♥ Rachel

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