Sunday Celebrations

We had a couple of family birthdays this week so decided to celebrate them over lunch today.

We tried out a Mexican Chicken recipe in the slow cooker and served "make your own burritos"

The recipe can be found here, it was delish!

Nibbles to start......

We set up a little drinks station with the choice of Pimms or White wine sangria.

The little mason jars and stand are from Kmart. 

The stand was originally black but I sprayed it white for a fresher look.

It's always nice to set the table with pretty colours. I love the combination of navy and pink.

These placemats have been in the cupboard for years. It's so great to shop your own cupboards and find things you've forgotten about.  

I forgot to take a photo of the food! So here is a photo from Goop where the recipe site.

Kids seating at the bar.

Dessert. 2 cakes for 2 birthday girls.

I made a Rocky Road Cheesecake and a Passionfruit Sponge cake. Yum!

I love a long Sunday lunch. It is the perfect end to the week.

How was your weekend?

Birthday Cakes.

I have been given the responsibilty of providing a cake for my dad's 60th birthday on Saturday.

Due to "life" and being busy I haven't really given much thought to what I am going to make.

Since we will be driving 2 and a bit hours to get there, I think it has to be something simple and easily transportable.

I think I am leaning towards this at the moment.

(obviously 6 & 0!)As dad is a mad St George footy fan I'm thinking a red and white theme. Jaffa's maybe or raspberries?

I'm thinking chocolate cake inside and who doesn't love Smarties?

Some other favourites I like are:

Although in reality I will probably just make a couple of rectangular sponge cakes, pop them together with icing and just write Happy Birthday on top.

I will be sure to take a photo of whatever I decide on!

What is your favourite cake flavour? Chocolate, Vanilla etc?

Simone xx

all image sources can be found on my pinterest board.

Decadence!

OMG, did you ever hear of anything as decadent as a Tim Tam cake?!

I have pinned this to make one day :)

We do have a family birthday coming up, hmmm maybe I should attempt it.

Have a scrumptious Saturday!

Simone xx

image and recipe via raspberricupcakes.blogspot.com

Happy Birthday Simon!

Just sending a post out to wish Simon a Happy Birthday today!

It's going to be a quiet one this year as he is laid up in bed after his knee operation a couple of days ago.

So it will be just us and the boys and maybe his parents celebrating over dinner.

It's ok, he is being waited on hand and foot and I've made him something delicious!

Something gooey and chocolatey :)

Simone xx

image via pinterest

Something sweet.

 I am off to a BBQ today and I am taking this with me!

It's another fabulous recipe from Donna Hay.

Light and sweet will be perfect for today, I think it is going to be another hot one!

I'm off to Woolies for all the ingredients, are mango's still in season? Hmm maybe raspberries if not.......

What are you up to?

Blast from the Past

I was going through my recipe books the other day, looking for inspiration when I came across my Woman's Weekly Cake books. I love these books! I loved them as a child and I love to go through them with my sons and plan which cakes we will make for the next birthday. Although I'm not very adventurous, we tend to stick to the number cakes. Smarties and sprinkles are my friends!

Remember these?

all of these images are from the facebook fan page of the Womens Weekly Cake book.

Below are my attempts at birthday cakes.

 I cant find all my photos but I have also attempted the whale, the turtle, the echidna. My next attempt will be to work with fondant!

A higgledy,piggledy chocolate mess but very popular!

Finn's 1st bday , my first cake, awwww :)

Finn was going through a bug phase and a lolly phase!

The Harry Potter phase

Jasper's 1st cake. I had planned something else but it didnt work so I covered it with sprinkles!

Jasper's 2nd cake, he was loving animals and we had a large crowd!

One year I was feeling a little sick and Simon had to step up

Here is the result!

The saggy, collapsible train wreck! (giggle) Very sweet of him :)

So I know you would have all had a cake from these books, which one was your favourite?

Mine was the swimming pool. I never had it myself but my cousin did. I was so jealous! :)