4/52

  "a portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

An impromptu suprise baby shower calls for a batch of my highly requested Red Velvet cupcakes.

They are a favourite in this household and I always have an eager little helper.

Especially when it comes to adding red food dye.

On my "to do" list is attempting to make Red Velvet using beetroot as the natural food colour.

For now I know this recipe works, it's delicious and has people fighting the urge to have more than 1.

RED VELVET CUPCAKES

    INGREDIENTS

    11/4 cups SR flour, sifted                2 1/2 tablespoons red food colour

    1/4 cup cocoa                                1 teaspoon vanilla

    3/4 cup caster sugar                       1/2 cup buttermilk, room temerature

    3/4 cup vanilla yoghurt*                   1/2 teaspoon baking soda

    2 eggs, room temperature                1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

• preheat oven to 180/160 fan force. Line cupcake tins
• In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and cocoa. Set aside
• combine sugar, yoghurt, eggs, vinegar and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy (about 2 mins).
• gradually add flour mixture and mix on low speed until flour has been incorporated.
• slowly add buttermilk, then food colouring and beat until combined.
• divide batter among cupcake cases, about 2/3 full.
• Bake until cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean (16 - 20 minutes)
• Remove from pans to cool on rack
• When completely cooled, ice with cream cheese frosting

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

500G icing sugar

100g unsalted butter, room temperature

250g cream cheese, cold

• beat icing sugar and butter together until well mixed
• add all cream cheese and beat until it's completely incorporated. Turn mixer to medium high and continue beating until light and fluffy. (add a splash of milk if you need)
• Don not overbeat though as it can quickly become runny.
• Pipe or spread over cooled cupcakes and ENJOY

And I'm convinced these always taste so good because they are cooked with extra love.

* you can use 3/4 cup of vegetable but we like the light and fluffy texture 

the yoghurt gives the cupcakes

Mojito Magic

If you've managed to avoid all the dashboard temperature photos across social media, you may not be aware that summer finally arrived in Melbourne.

The heat was hard to avoid, and being a freckle faced redhead, 
I'm not a huge fan of ongoing scorchers. 

In fact these 40+ degree days I prefer to hibernate.

I do however enjoy a nice cold bevvie on a warm day.

Right now it's all about the Mojito. Especially Passionfruit Mojitos.

So much so that I've even made myself a little Mojito station.

We have no plans on setting up a bar in the new house but I'm starting to 
think about extending my station into a small drinks/cocktail cart. 
I'm still in two minds about it though, so I thought I'd start gathering some ideas. 
Gosh I love pinterest!

It will involve a splash of hot pink and definitely a touch a glitter. 
I love the addition of fresh flowers and the bar/magazine stand 
combo caught my eye as well.
So many ideas.
I'm also loving this Mojito recipe poster 

from Down That Little Lane 

Then the only problem I have is keeping it well stocked!!!!

3/52 Keeping Cool

                                        "a portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

With the mercury reaching beyond 40 everyday and being without a car for a few days we spent long days indoors and did what we could to stay cool. When your 5 this means the only clothing options required are undies or swimmers. 

Or if your my child, as many pieces of polyester you can find……..

2/52

                                     

"a portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

Little girl, big bed.

13 into 14

gorgeous and FREE downloadable calendar from Oh the lovely things

Looking back I almost feel like 2013 is a write off.

It wasn't all bad, but to be honest it didn't pan out as I had planned.

It was supposed to be the year I pathed my "career" out, 

It was supposed to be the year we started building our beautiful home, 

it was supposed to be the year I threw self doubt out the window.

2013 wasn't all bad, I just lost my way a little. 

The "career" part is on hold while priority number one is to get my 
little/big girl easing into school transition. 
Gulp, I can't believe my baby starts school this year!

She is super eager to jump right on in because she wants to be able to "read properly".

The only first day tears will surely be mine.

Our house. My fingers are so intertwined from crossing them it's not funny.

Unexpected delays and waiting for people to dot the i's and cross the t's was not in my plans, but I know that with this (hopefully) final report we are waiting on it will soon be underway.

There's sure to be many a post on the progress, so stay tuned.

And the deal breaker - self doubt. That's something I'm working on and I'm armed with resources (many too many). 2014 will be about focus, I am constantly filled with great ideas but lack the follow through because I lack focus and clarity and that little voice of self doubt takes over. This year I'm working on me and silencing that voice of self doubt.

So 2014 not so much a new beginning but a fresh start.
Let's rock this!

1/52 A new beginning

"a portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

S drawing buy the light of a salt lamp

Most Sundays during 2013 I felt a twinge of disappointment 

as I viewed Jodi's  52 project posts.

I so wished that I had taken part.

 While I take thousands of photos of Miss S I was a little saddened with my lack of intention.

2013 was chaotic to say the least, and with many new ventures on the 

cards for 2014 I anticipate another whirlwind year.

I have many intentions for 2014, one of which is to join The 52 Project and see it through.

Of course a return to writing and taking beautiful photos are also on that long list.

Wish me luck, oh and 

HAPPY NEW YEAR BEAUTIFUL ONES ,

it's going to be a corker!

xoxo