The Italian Meringue

For months and months I'd been hearing about "The Italian Meringue Buttercream". Hailed as the best topping for cupcakes and I had the perfect opportunity to make some - Hubby's 35th Birthday.

I'd prepared myself for the event, lots of spare eggs (apparently it doesn't always go right first time), cooking thermometer (yes you have to boil sugar and water to an exact temperature) and cupcakes. In hindsight perhaps the day that I have my three gorgeous girlies at home and I'm meant to be packing for a week away isn't the best time to make the cupcakes but hey off I went.

Following the precise and perfectly illustrated instructions on the Pink Whisk site for the meringue buttercream I started. Nothing and I mean nothing could have prepared me for the time and effort it takes. I mean seriously I got myself a chair so that I could sit and watch the thermometer reach it's designated temperature. Eventually after lots of whisking, waiting, boiling, whisking, cooling, piping I got the final product. Was it worth it? Well it was nice, but personally I think I prefer normal buttercream. Also, normal buttercream doesn't take so long to make. I must point out though that the family soon ate the cupcakes and there weren't any complaints.

Happy Birthday Mark x

Eleanors 8th Birthday Party

Can't believe that our baby is 8!!! How the flipping heck did that happen - I'm sure I only managed 2 sleeps and now she is 8! The birthday celebrations started on Saturday when she had a horse riding party. Now this was a bit of come down as originally Ellie has wanted horse riding in the morning, swimming in the afternoon, followed by the pictures and Frankie and Bennys! How I love her vivid imagination. Anyway, "just" horse riding it was with a McD's to follow, then home for games.... I know we must be mad. Ellie and five of her friends had a whale of a time hacking out in Romsley. Only one child (D) managed to fall off though it was cushioned by the sand in the arena. It is lovely to see what a wonderful young girl Ellie is. Her love for Gem her favourite horse is clear to see - if only the budget allowed then I know that would be the horse she would want.

Birthday Girlies

What a week it has been. Ellie has turned 5 and Chloe and Lucy are 1 (2 in a few days). They had a joint party at Hullabaloo in Cradley on Saturday 15th.

Uncle Paul organised for a Fire Engine to pick the girls and their friends up out of the street and take them to the party. Ellie had no idea and I actually cried when she saw the Fire Engine with Uncle Paul driving - she was soooo shocked. They all enjoyed themselves.

Off to Hullabaloo and next thing I know Chloe & Lucy have decided that they are now 2 and are therefore going to come down the really big slides. Best bit was when I tried to catch them at the bottom of the slide to tell them "No" as I really did think that the slide was too big they just didn't eyeball me and ran off. Little madams.


Anyway we had a really great time - Nanny Judy did some fabulous cakes too!