A rainbow cake broke me

The internet has peer pressured me into tackling a Pinterest project.

When I put together my 101 in 1001 I was in an aspirational mood to be the mother that made everything from scratch, made every life moment a mystery and made every game one of learning.

That lasted about a month.

But I still have the list. And I still have to finish it. So for Mini Me's first birthday I decided to tackle the rainbow cake.

What a ridiculous idea.

Mini Me and the Rainbow Cake that broke me

 

Bake test: Hummingbird Bakery Black Bottom Cupcakes, and a bit of breadbaking

From sweltering heat to wooly, rainy days. Perth's weather has changed in an instance. And I love it.

This grey weather is perfect for tea and movies and my favourite thing of all time - baking.

So while Hubby was enjoying the three Bs on a boat at a bucks party this Saturday I got my Betty homemaker on and baked up a storm. By the way - the three Bs are: Booze, Beef and Boobs. Apparently it's the secret to a great bucks day.

First up, I continued baking my way through the Hummingbird Bakery cook book and tried my hand at Black Bottom Cupcakes, or as I like to call them, Top Deck Cupcakes. Or even Double Cheesecake Cupcakes.

Why so many names? Well this cupcake by any name as a dense cake bottom, that is topped by a cheesecake, which you bake together. When cooled, you add a cream cheese, or cheesecake, icing.

See the layers on this thing!

Bake test: THE BEST Hummingbird Bakery Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes

I ask myself - why have I never made these before?

The Hummingbird Bakery Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes are going down as the best ones I've ever made from the cook book.

They tick all the right boxes. Chocolate - tick. Hazelnut (my favourite) - tick. Fluffy - tick, tick. Easy - tick. Easy to decorate for a fumbler like me - tick.

Chocolate - tick, hazelnut - tick, fluffy - tick, sweet - tick... tick, tick, tick.

Year of dates - F-ing February Date

February was an F-themed date night for our year of dates.

It start off iffy. We were a month behind due to family (aka babysitters) being selfish and flying overseas and our dance card was filling up. So that one is postponed.

Then the 1st Feb came along and my brilliant idea to scoot along the coast in a scooter and have a picnic lunch fell flat because the company folded. Feeling forlorn I fretted until a fabulous find came into focus - FringeWorld and Francoforte. Freaking fabulous.

Splashing out

I'm in a foul mood this week.

Maybe it's the heat. Maybe it's because my dad is visiting an staying with my father-in-law, which is always trying. Maybe it's because Mini Me is out of whack due to starting daycare, teething, or because she's a baby. Maybe it's just one of those weeks.

So when it was Mini Me's nine-month birthday (nine in, nine out) I needed something and thankfully my yummy mummies group had the perfect solution.

My week as a vegetarian (with one slip up)

In my attempt to become an earth-loving hippie (remember no plastic bags as part of my new year's resolutions), I did a lot of research and a big tip was to go meat free once a week.

Did you know, one meat-free day a week reduces 213kg of global warming CO2 gases? That's what nine, five-metre tall tress can absorb in a year. So in one little week I helped fill the gap of what 63 trees could do. Given the rate we cut rainforests, I think that was rather helpful of me.

Doing the annual work of 63 trees in one week equals a happy planet

This isn't just a fad or a bunch of made up statistics (67% of statistics are made up according to the University of Me), even the United Nations is behind it. I really respect that organisation, and if you want something to help put you to sleep, you can read about it here.

Best Chocolate Tart too good NOT to share

Oh. My. F-ing. Goodness.

This Tim Tam Tart, yes you read that alliteration right, this Tim Tam Tart is simple, decadent, delicious, fool-proof, rich, tasty, melt-in-your-mouth amazing.

A tasty tart

Bake Test: Hummingbird Bakery's Peaches & Cream cupcakes

Would you believe my sprightly Nonna only turned 70 last week.

I truly admire both sets of my grandparents. My young Nonna has led a brace life. In her late thirties she relocated the whole family from Italian's snow-capped mountains to a place where she doesn't know the language, is polar opposite in everything from lifestyle to the weather and of all places chose Kununurra to live in.

She's a force to be reckoned with and my friends were frightened of her, but she melts hearts (and bloats bellies) with her melt-in-your-mouth food.

What do you give a lady who doesn't care for material things, but just wants her family to be around her, happy and healthy. Cupcakes.

Mystery Day - Light up the night

Here's a riddle. On Saturday night I found myself in a sea of fluro and I wasn't anywhere near a mine site. I was at a dance party puffing, but I wasn't dancing. 

Where was I?

Mystery Moles struck again. Ms Lou made up light up the night at the Neon Run, a 5km dance party.

Mystery Moles

Year of dates - sailing the ocean

Marriage is a lot like sailing. During the sunny calm waters you relax and soak it in.  For the rocky times its all hands on deck as you work together to get through it.

I didn't think of that analogy as I booked November's date. I was thinking, how awesome would it be to learn the ropes on a tall ship.

November date - sailing on the Leeuwin

Bake test: Hummingbird Bakery Banana Chocolate Cupcakes

Smashing through the Hummingbird Bakery cupcake book. At this rate I'll be done with this 101 in 1001 activity before the end of the year.

Another weekend, another brunch. This time Hubby, Mini Me and I visited Mr and Mrs Mee for a long overdue catch up.

And it was another chance to cook up a batch of little cakes. And guess what.. success!!! I managed to get 12 cupcakes from Banana Chocolate Cupcake recipe.

Banana Chocolate Cupcake

Bake test: Hummingbird Bakery Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

I love the idea of one type of food resembling another.

White chocolate mousse that tastes like basil (I've made it and it actually works), food that looks like breakfast but tastes like dessert, ice cream that tastes like sesame seeds (thanks Nobu). They surprise and delight.

That's why I couldn't wait to try Hummingbird Bakery's Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes, and continue to complete my 101 in 1001 challenge.

Hummingbird Bakery Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes

Bake Test: Hummingbird Bakery blueberry muffins

Forget flowers, when I had Mini Me food was the best gift of all.

I didn't cook for the first two months. Mostly because I cooked like I was preparing my bunker in anticipation of a nuclear attack before she was born, but my wartime stock was supplemented by a stream of macaroons, cheeses, sushi, curries (which on the spicy end of the spectrum) and other deliciousness from visiting guests.

The best were those that cooked dinner for me, or food that went in the freezer.

That's why food is my new gift to mummies continuing Perth's baby boom.

Mummy L is the latest with long and lean 3-week old Baby A. With the frozen veggie soup in hand (good for nutrients and to eat one handed while feeding) I wanted to give her a little treat and cook another Hummingbird Bakery recipe as part of my 101 in 1001.



Almost a perfect match to the picture

Bake Test: Hummingbird Bakery chocolate muffins

When I lived in London Hummingbird Bakery was the must pit-stop at Portobello Market.

Those fluffy little cakes with an equal portion of sugary, cream cheese icing were the rush we needed after a sleepless night out.

So I was pretty excited when a friend brought me the recipe book for my birthday a few years.

I've tried time and time again to recreate their cupcakes, but I seem to always do something wrong. Maybe it is the drier, warmer weather in Perth that stops the cakes from rising? Maybe I'm making excuses.

Determined to get it right, number 69 (he he) on my 101 in 1001 is to cook every single cupcake and give them away to others (that second part was for my hips).

To treat my dad and say thank you to my sister for looking after him for the week, I made the chocolate cupcake.

One of the problems I have with every single recipe I've ever made from this cook book is I can only get six cupcakes. Without fail. The recipe clearly says you can make 12 normal cupcakes. No. I can make 12 mini cupcakes, but six normal sized cupcakes. Or is miniature normal in the UK?

I was once again consistent in getting only six cupcakes out of the mixture.

As I put them into the oven I realised I had a brain burp moment... I had forgotten the baking powder. But it didn't seem to change the end result. The cakes were still fluffy and rose ever so slightly. Go figure.

The hero of this recipe was the chocolate icing. I had never made it before and am kicking myself. It was sugary, it was chocolaty, it was damn good icing. I brought nice, fancy cocoa and I think it did the trick.

My bake test score... six cupcakes out of ten (since it is all I can create!)

A pleasant meal at Peasant's Table

It's been a while since Bruce the Pram has found a place that satisfies his wide stature. Pram friendly restaurants can be hard to find!

But just down the road are two roomy and delicious finds. One of them is the new Peasant's Table in Mt Hawthorn. 

All Fired Up!

Since every day seems to be about dads, Father's Day should mean they have to change every nappy, attend to every cry and get her down for every nap.

You see, kids are excited when daddy comes home. 'Da' is generally their first word. Dad is the 'fun one'. Dad is head of the household (well not in this house). 

That cynicism aside, Hubby is a pretty good and hands on dad. So we had to celebrate him a little bit for his first Father's Day.

Boy did he get spoilt. I made him a cherry ripe slice, breakfast, he got to open a new date envelope, received a West Coast Eagles  membership and drank coffee from his new mug, created at Fired Up in Joondalup.

1: My attempt at a hand print card (fail) 2: The rich cherry ripe slice (thanks Taste.com.au)
3: Hubby and Mini Me with the spoils.

 

Creating the personalised mug was a brilliant suggestion from one of my Yummy Mummy Group mums.

With a range including plates, coasters, mugs, cookie jars and ornaments, and most around $20 with a $5 per 'painter', Fired Up helps create a great DIY gift with none of the mess or effort.

Given the area is not big and probably holds 20 people, we booked a table, and I suggest it's the same for even small groups on weekends.

At home I had tired to capture Mini Me's hand and foot prints with little reward for all the smudging and hot pink paint that got everywhere. But Fired Up made it easy.

The finished product and Hubby's present wrapped in a brown paper package (one of my favourite things).

The staff are super friendly and helpful. They actually did the print for us, cleaned up any smudges and we just had to decorate the rest. And given they do this a lot, crying bubs is no worry for them and they can calm them down, or still manage to capture the print from a fussy bub.

You then leave your piece with them to 'fire up' and seven days later you can pick up your dishwasher, microwave proof ceramic.

Given it was a week before Fathers Day they were super busy we didn't expect to get our pieces in time, but I think they moved mountains to make sure as many dads had their own personalised hand and foot print mug, plate of piece of art.

I loved the outcome and think my Christmas presents are all sorted this year!

To top it all off, Fired Up makes a good little coffee and has a few snacks on offer as well.

To other Yummy Mummy Groups out there, Fired Up should be on your list of places to meet up to capture those little hands and feet before they start running around.

Fired Up!
29 Winton Road, Joondalup
P: 9300 1811
E: info@firedcafe.com.au
W: www.firedcafe.com.au

Year of dates - Barrel of laughs at Charles Hotel

Mini Me had hardly slept and was over-tired, over-stimulated and I was over her. So it was with great pleasure that I handed her over to my mum while Hubby and I went out on our first official date from his birthday present.



Not knowing what sort of child we would have, or whether this would be the first time we'd leave her with someone else, I chose a date night that would be close to home, low key and inject some humour into our lives (in case we had forgotten the tinkling sound of laughter).

Turns out I didn't need to worry about any of those things.

But there is something nice about going to a place where you know what to expect when you step in, the beers are cold but the chicken parmas are cheesy. The Charles Hotel in North Perth has all of that.

Every Thursday the Charles hosts a comedy night that either has the building quivering with laughter, or stone cold silence.

We've been to some of the nights before and have experienced both and for $18 per person you don't mind either way. Thankfully on our date night we were laughing loud and hard. It was a great line-up and the parma and steak sandwich didn't disappoint.

Though the laughs were great, the best thing about the night was chatting to each other. Surprisingly we had lots to say that didn't revolve around Mini Me, which is my biggest fear. And thankfully Hubby put his mobile phone down for an hour to focus on me.

At the end of the night we were glad to get out, share a meal, have a laugh and get our sanity back a bit.

To top it off, we got home and Mini Me was fast asleep, the kitchen cleaned and bed was calling.

The Charles Hotel - Comedy Lounge
509 Charles Street, North Perth
Every Thursday night - doors open 7pm for 8pm start
P: 9444 1051
W: http://www.charleshotel.com.au/

Market fresh: Kyilla Farmer's Market

I love to smell fruit and vegetables.

My favourites are tomatos that seem to capture the scent of the sun or ripe mangoes that smell like a muggy summer night.

Shopping at Woolies and Coles is great because everything you need is under one roof. But the mass produced, generic fruit and veg generally lacks the smells I crave.

That's why I laughed at the looming grey clouds threatening to unleash on Saturday to visit the Kyilla Farmer's Market in North Perth.

A small bit of blue sky at the Kyilla Farmer's Market

Set up by the Kyilla Primary School with an aim to bring the community together every Saturday between 8.30am and 11.30am, the market grows each week in numbers and stalls.

Ms Z lives nearby and after the first market she said it lacked a crepe stall. Hey Presto! Next week there was a crepe stall.

The market has everything you need for a weekend shop - two fruit & veg stalls, a seafood Monger, fresh pasta, bakery (with jam donuts that are meant to be so jammy they sell out very quickly), small goods and dips seller and coffee churning away.

Have a grumbling stomach? Fixed.

There's the aforementioned crepe stall and bakery with tasty morsels testing at every stall, a paella or Spanish egg stand and what I hope is the start of a new craze in Perth, a food van.

The Cuban Sandwich Co van only sells it's signature pulled pork roll with sweet pork, peppery jalapeño aioli, crispy lettuce and crunchy roll. After a taste test, Hubby couldn't help but buy one.

Located on a park off Clievenden St, the Kyilla Farmer's Market is a nice Saturday outing, particularly for those with a need to smell their produce.

Kyilla Farmer's Market
Kyilla Park on Clieveden Street, North Perth
W: http://kyillacommunityfarmersmarket.com.au/

 

Pemberton: Silkwood Wines

The drawback of Pemberton being small is that places to eat and drink are limited.

Our first choice no longer has a chef. Others weren't even open.

Thankfully Silkwood Wines, located on stunning manicured grounds at the edge of a lake, was and serving lunch. Given the wrap around deck was full, we knew we were onto a good thing.

Bruce the pram was pleased with the outdoor heaters and plenty if space to park up for lunch. And Mini Me was on her best behaviour too.

Pemberton: Lavender & Berry Farm

Close to town. Self-contained. Wood-fire. Nearby café.

These were the things I looked for when choosing our Pemberton accommodation.

Lavender & Berry Farm did not disappoint. The rammed earth chalets are cosy and have everything you'd need - wood fire, TV and DVD player, radio with iPod connector and fully equipped kitchen. However, no oven.