Moving and the extraordinary properties of scones on the soul

I moved to a new desk today at work as I'm taking on a new role for a few months.   Now this isn't a big deal (well I keep telling myself that), although I'm generally not good with change, but I was still feeling a little bit unsettled.

There was only one cure, I needed baked goods and I needed them quickly!  Now I'm very fortunate to have the lovely Andrea who runs our cafe at work and who bakes the most gorgeous scones.  They are simple, straight-forward, no-nonsense scones, usually sultana (but sometimes apple and cinnamon - totally the best!) and they make my soul sing.  They are the ultimate cure for a bad day, a 'girly' day or when you need that carbohydrated-loaded sense of comfort that only a sweet baked delight can bring. Today was clearly one of those days.

Isn't it lovely in all its sweet floury ways?!

I think this weekend might have to involve more scones, possibly a little afternoon tea with Mr Ellie...after all, afternoon tea is the ultimate soul comforter!

Miss E xxx

Does this make me an entrepreneur?

Admittedly, dubbing myself an 'entrepreneur' is a big statement, particularly when you consider that I wasn't even sure how to spell it...'entrepreneur' that is, not 'it'. However, I have fulfilled 2 orders and have another 2 for my chocolate fudge - ok, so three of those orders have come from the same person and technically I'm doing it for charity as all proceeds are going to the North East Ferret Rescue (www.northeastferretrescue.co.uk) with whom I volunteer, but still, it could still be considered a wee fledglingette of a business...

I meant to take a photo of the beautifully gift-wrapped fudge, but I was generally flapping around that morning whilst Mr Ellie made loud noises about the time and being late for work so I didn't get a chance.  However, I will take a pic of the next batch to show you. In the meantime, by way of consolation, here's a photo of one of my beautiful cats.  She was cuddled up between me and Mr Ellie, on our bed last night and couldn't have been happier!

Miss Ellie xxx

Marie Curie and Warwick Davies

So what's the connection between Marie Curie and Warwick Davies, well read on...

Today we had a bake sale at work for Marie Curie Cancer Care - so clearly I had to do a yellow cake and therefore it just had to be lemon flavoured, which meant it just had to be the lovely lemon cake cooked by the equally lovely Warwick Davies on Great British Bake Off does Comic Relief (see not such a leap to connect them eh?)

If I'm honest, I was totally wanting him to win as soon as I saw he was on the show that day - I've loved him ever since seeing Willow when I was a (considerably) younger girl.  I think I've watched that film many many times since and have it on DVD and everything...ok so probably not something I should be admitting to...

Anyway, when I saw his lemon gateau on GBBOdCR, I thought it was fabulous and have since recreated it, with my own twist of including homemade lemon curd and whipped cream between the layers and replacing the blackberries for more lemon in the icing.  Mainly because I love lemon and I had some of those cute little jelly lemon and orange sweet decorations in the cupboard which were crying out to be used.

So, on this occaision, not wanting to make a full-blown gateau, just wanting to stick to cupcakes, I used the same cake recipe, which stretched to 29 cupcakes. [Now, for anyone reading this who thinks that there were only 28 cupcakes, this is confession time - there were 29 until one accidentally fell into my mouth when they came out of the oven and were all fresh and warm and fluffy and irresistable...]. 

Wanting to use lemon curd (because frankly lemon curd should be included in everything if you ask me!), I decided to take the middles out and fill with lemon curd...

It took a whole jar of lemon curd to fill all 29...er 28 cakes. There would have been enough for all 29 but the last spoonful of lemon curd also ended up being scoffed...sorry but I love lemon curd and I couldn't resist!

So once the cakes were filled, I just rolled out some white fondant icing and cut out circles to cover the cakes. Note my uber high tech cutter....

Then I coloured some more fondant to make yellow and orange before cutting out flowers.

Then a few silver balls provided the finishing touch!

Miss Ellie xxx