What's 'Dairy Milk' again?

HELLO!

I am very happy that February 2012 has been the busiest ever month here traffic wise. This has made me realise that the more content I put up, the more everyone will come and read it. Well, that's only if I get better at writing it. I'm trying. I just don't want to post any old thing if my heart's not in it. I'll do my best though.

It's been a week since my the last bit of chocolate. Those first few days really hurt. I've had a couple of wobbly moments since. That bar of 'Bubbly' is still on a plate in the fridge. I'll give it a few more days and then I'm throwing it. I don't really remember what chocolate quite tastes like. I seem to remember it being nice. Very nice indeed. Not eating it hasn't made the pounds drop off either so surely it wasn't doing me that much harm. The belly is still there. I'm far too impatient with losing weight. And not entirely motivated to get fantastic results.   Just got to keep trying.

I will get back to doing some crafty things soon. I've come across some people who are much better at it than me and I'll feature them.

But keep coming back, it'll be worth it and don't forget to 'like' the Facebook page and share the link...I need your help

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreaming-of-a-Design/194300217282809

Thanks x

Overdose at Christmas, give it up for Lent.

So, here it is. Ash Wednesday. The start of lent. Easter seems so close but so far away. This year it's going to seem much farther, as I'm giving up something. Not just anything. I could have given up cola, chips, shopping, burgers...the list goes on. Instead I've decided to beat my addiction. The big C. Chocolate.

So that's just over 40 days and 40 nights with no
-Dairy Milk
-BUBBLY- the new Cadbury bar which has just come out and I adore it. Coping without this new love could be the hardest part
-KitKats
-M&Ms
-Buttons..

....NO CHOCOLATE!.

I've lasted a day so far and what makes it worse is that the pancake topping weren't finished off last night so I know that in the fridge are some Revels, Bubbly and Buttons. I just cannot stop thinking about them. My housemate needs to hurry up and eat them or I'm disposing of them at work!

Thankfully it wasn't too bad today as my body still feels a bit peaky and I haven't wanted to eat much full stop.

Now, when Easter comes round I want this :

You Crack Me Up™ Extra Thick Easter Egg

Because if I've gone that long without chocolate, I might just have cracked up.

So far this evening to take my mind off it, I've had a very hot shower, applied a face pack, blow dried my hair and moisturised my face (which it was extremely grateful for after 3 days of being ill). I need more distractions. GTA3 on the iPhone is becoming more and more difficult to complete, I'm losing patience. Maybe I need to start reading books again.

I'll try and post updates on how I'm doing and feeling. If you know of any therapists that can help my addiction, that'd be great. A chocolate intervention sounds good.

Thanks x

Shrove Tuesday - my favourite day of the year.

The whole idea of Shrove Tuesday is something that excites me. Using up everything you have 'leftover' and chucking into a pan to make something stodgy and fattening. Then in a modern day twist, cover it in even more sugary products. (Sweet only tonight. I'm still coming round to this insane idea of savoury pancakes - Dirty b******s.) Then sitting back and wondering why we don't eat pancakes all year round like the Americans.

I haven't had much practice at making pancakes in my lifetime. My dad always made them when I was a child. He'd shout each time a pancake was ready and it'd be a challenge to see how many we could each eat. They were good times. The key was to add a bit of lemon and stop at that. Too much and you'd be full to quickly.

I've read many a recipe for pancakes but my favourite is Queen Delia's on BBC Food. Which can be found here. It all felt very easy and it says you can make 12-14 pancakes from it. Well Delia, as much as this recipe is spot on, that amount is not. I made 3 batches and got about 4 from each batch. And they were thin!

I also tried out Domestic Sluttery's recipe for scotch pancakes. They worked out ok, a bit burnt but that's my fault. So I highly recommend trying it out.

I had a few friends round for the pancakes. They were all politely nice about the result. Must make more pancakes for practice. They make a good pre run snack.(minus the Maltesers) 

Mmmm bubbling away

 More chocolate and blurred camera skills

 Somebody wasn't too impressed tonight....

Best topping?

Autobots...transform!

I did it. I made the Optimus Prime cake. And it went down well. I must learn never to rush making sponge cake though. I made the first layer without any problems. I then realised it wasn't thick enough but that I was running out of time. I rushed through the recipe and didn't separate the eggs or alternate between the flour and adding of milk. The second layer thus took longer to cook and was much heavier.

I had a slight accident with the ready to roll icing. (Thank you to Gem for suggesting ASDAs own brand). It tore a little round the back but I 'plastered' back together. By the time we cut the cake up into pieces it wasn't noticeable so nevermind.

My first attempt at an occasion cake :

The birthday boy blowing out the candles

 The transfer didn't quite stick properly but you get the idea of what it was supposed to look like. I didn't have the time or energy to put any buttercream designs around the edge. The inside layers of buttercream could have been a little thicker and less lumpier.

All things to practice at.

I would have written this sooner, I'm currently writing it from my sick bed to try and take my mind off bug I'm battling. I had hoped I'd be much more healthier in 2012, but so far, that hasn't happened. There just aren't enough fruit and vegetables in the world.

My first occasion cake....HELP!

My little brother turns 18 on Thursday and I've volunteered to make him a cake. I've decided on a theme and bought a transfer to put on the top. I've found a new shiny cake tin at TKMaxx for it. If I do two layers it should be thick enough.

Now all I need to do is practice the making of the sponge and some decorating techniques. My icing skills are something that in all honest, I'm rubbish at. I don't have a steady hand or an eye for detail. But I am determined to make this look good.

So what can you teach me? How thick should the layer of icing be on top? I think I have to use Royal Icing, is this correct? Is there anything I should about applying the transfer? Jam or cream to bond the layers?

HELP ME!! I am now scared it's all going to go horribly wrong and I'll look like the worst sister in the world, which won't take much doing.

Pass this post round any baker that you know. This is an SOS

It hopefully will look like this

and not this...

Thank you in advance x