Pumpkin Cupcakes - Yum!!

This morning has been fairly productive :) I've done some housework, tidied my desk a bit, done the ironing and two loads of washing. Best of all though are the Pumpkin Cupcakes I made - a double batch because I promised so many people some the next time I made them. If you were one of those people, cupcakes should be coming your way ;0)

PUMPKIN CUPCAKES

120g plain flour

140g castor sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

40g butter (at room temperature)

120ml milk

2 eggs

200g tinned pumpkin puree

Preheat oven to 170C, 325F, Gas 5

Put the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and butter in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use a handheld electric whisk) and beat on slow speed until you get a sandy consistency and everything is combined. Gradually pour in half the milk and beat until well mixed.

Add the eggs to the mix and beat well (scrape any unmixed ingredients from the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula). Add the remaining milk and mix well. Stir in the pumpkin puree by hand until evenly dispersed.

Spoon the mixture into the paper cases (I use muffin cases and a muffin tin) until 2/3 full and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until light golden and the sponge bounces ack when touched. Leave the cupcakes to cool slightly in the tra before turning out onto a wire cooling rack to cool completely.

When cupcakes are cold, spoon Cream Cheese Frosting on top and finish with a light sprinkling of cinnamon.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

300g icing sugar, sifted

50g butter, at room temperature

125g cream cheese, cold

Beat the icing sugar and butter together in a freestanding electric mixer with a paddle attachment (or use handheld electric whisk) on medium-slow speed until the mixture comes together and is well mixed. Add the cream cheese in one go and beat until it is completely incorporated. Turn the mixer up to medium-high speed and continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy. Don't overbeat as it can quickly become runny.

Recipe from "The Hummingbird Bakery cookbook"

I'd certainly recommend you try these :)

xx

My desk ....

Is it any wonder I'm not achieving much at the moment!!! There's no room to put anything! So, I'm posting this photo to shame myself into tidying up and making some room! I have quilts to make and I need some space ;o). Let's hope by this time tomorrow it looks better. I wish I was a tidy person!!

xx

Rememberance Sunday

Please take the time to remember all who serve or have served in the Forces. We thank them for all they do and have done for all of us. Thank you.

xx

Mini photoshoot with Theresa and Alyssa

Today I got to have my very first newborn photoshoot - something I've wanted to do for a while. I'd like to thank Theresa for letting me use Alyssa as a guinea pig as she knew there was no guarantee that the shoot would yield any decent photos ;o). I'm posting some of my favourites below and you can let me know what you think.

I will also post some of the black and white conversions here

Have a good weekend

xx

Today

Today, in Shimelle's Blogging for Scrapbookers class, she talks about how writing about everyday things on your blog is ok. Thank goodness for that, as that's all I tend to do anyway ;o) So, let's talk about today! First up was coffee at Nero's with the Thursday morning coffee ladies. We don't meet every Thursday, but try to get together once a fortnight. Leaving home with the ironing done; the diswasher unpacked; dirty dishes loaded and the house fairly tidy, makes the coffee taste even better! A quick stop at the fruit and veg stall, in the walkway back to the carpark, and then on to visit my SIL with a project to show her.

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My afternoon was spent working on some sewing projects and reading a few blogs. Claire had the day off and decided to make some Choc Chip Cookies. Fortunately, this time, she did make the effort to tidy up most of the mess in the kitchen afterwards :o). The cookies are always delicious and will be enjoyed with my evening cup of Rooibos/Redbush tea. Thanks Claire.

Now having finished doing a quick hoover, to pick up the shards from the glass that was knocked over as DH got ready to go out this evening, and having completed this blog post, I am ready to sit down with said cup of tea and put my feet up for a while. I think the next batch of fabric cutting might just have to wait until tomorrow. Have a good evening. xx

Helping out

Today I spent time with Theresa and the children while she continues to recover from her infection. I spent a lot of time with Tyler and had forgotten how much 2 year olds like your attention ;o). He was really good and was even happy to come to the park with me. The little park is only a short walk from Will and Theresa's house, so we wrapped up and set off. I'd been told about how much Tyler loves going on the Fireman's Pole and he was happy to show me. He's really confident, holds on and swings over to the pole, then slides down. I'm sure my children were older before they attempted this.

Back for more!

Tyler had taken his spade with him and spent ages playing his own games; digging up the bark and piling it on things before wiping it back to the ground again.

There were also a few good puddles for him to jump in :o) and it wasn't long before his trousers were soaked.

The rubbish truck also had a turn going through the puddles

And sticks always come in handy for stirring!

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When we got back to the house, the midwife was with Theresa and weighing Alyssa. Minnie (the kitten) was shut in the kitchen for the duration but was happy to come out again once the midwife had left.

Tyler and Minnie

Finally, a photo of Alyssa. She is a little star; is feeding well and sleeps in her carrycot for decent periods at a time. Long may it last :o) (I love the way she lies with her little hands up near her face).

xx

A hospital visit and doggy jail ;o)

This afternoon I got news that Theresa is back in hospital. She has developed an infection and they need to keep her in to give her IV antibiotics and monitor her. As she is feeding Alyssa herself, Alyssa is at the hospital as well. This evening I went down to visit Theresa. She is still in a considerable amount of pain and her stomach is very tender. I had cuddles with Alyssa while we were chatting and changed her nappy before I left - it felt like a long time since I'd last changed a nappy ;o). I'm hoping Theresa has a good nights sleep tonight and we'll find out in the morning whether she will be kept in another night or allowed to come home. I didn't think Theresa would want her photo taken but Alyssa was happy to oblige. . . These last two photos make me smile! I was cooking dinner before going to the hospital and Cloud was fairly vocal in letting me know she wasn't happy about being in doggy jail. I grabbed my camera to take a photo but wanted to be down at her level, so lay on the floor to take the first one. She watched me - wondering what on earth I was doing - and then lay down too!! So funny!

You'll be happy to know she has since been released from jail ;o) xx

Update: Theresa improved overnight, her temperature is down and she has now been put on to oral antibiotics and is back home. Glad things were sorted out quickly and hope you're soon back to full health Theresa xx