Cake school

Seven hours of cake decorating... this was my tax return present to myself this year.

I got up at the crack of dawn, not a small feat as I've had the man flu this week (like the normal flu but so, so much worse... you know how much sicker men get when they get colds, right? That was me). Anyway, I took my cold and flu tablets, jumped in Wendy, drove to Sydney and spent seven long hours slicing, brushing with syrup, ganaching, reganaching, and ganaching once again. Then chiselling my cake into a perfect three layer cylinder. Then a bit more ganache. Then the icing! Then applying the icing and smoothing and polishing! Then colouring! Then applying the decorations! And icing the board! But it was just so much fun. And lo! The exploding stars cake!

We hosted the last station of a moveable tapas party on the same night, so it was perfect! Lots of people, lots of music, lots of dancing, and serious chocolate cake...

Grace in small things #3

1. Family!
2. Old and wonderful friends!
3. Sunshine!
4. Weddings!
5. My night shifts are finally over!!!

The young ones

Had a wonderful weekend of family and joy! Went back to my hometown, met my newest neice, and went to the wedding of my cousin, whom I've known all my life. Saw family I haven't seen (and have sorely missed) for 5 years!

Highlights:
1/ Dinner and precious catch-ups with one of my dearest friends
2/ Lunch with my Dad
3/ Meeting little tiny Ayva, 15 days old (I know! Why the 'Y'? Seriously!)
4/ Seeing my cousin's bride step out of her stretch Hummer (Seriously!)
5/ Watching my Uncle Sam play guitar and sing their bridal waltz, 'The Young Ones', by Cliff Richard. Never thought that Cliff could make me cry! Pure family magic. Wonderful moments.
6/ Time with my Mum!
7/ My wonderful partner sharing it all.

Joy!

And, to top it all off... my run of nights has ended! I am no longer a creature of the darkness! Bring on the sunshine!

And, the Christmas tree... this week we're going to find one, our very first Christmas tree! That will hopefully make the whole house smell like pine needles and delight.

Grace in small things #2

1. Christmas shopping
2. Sunshine
3. Menus to plan
4. Strawberries to plant
5. Making lists, checking them twice!
6. The new Sharon Jones album

After the rain

Strolling with my wonderful old buddy this past weekend in rainy Melbourne, we came upon a gorgeous rose-strewn garden:

Grace in small things #1

1. Chicago in February!
2. Christmas is coming! let the festivities begin
3. My best friend is coming to visit this weekend
4. Cups of tea on a cold wet day
5. My fabulous new cook book, Stephanie Alexander's Kitchen Garden Companion

New day

It's raining outside but it's going to be a great day. I'm so grateful for such a satisfying job... even though there's a lot of paperwork and a fair amount of hassle getting things done... and an absolutely INORDINATE amount of faxing! Who knew?!

I was sick yesterday and spent the afternoon on the couch, alternately sleeping and eating chicken soup, and watching Grey's Anatomy. Sick is so much better with good soup and bad TV. But today I am great!

It's going to be a good day.