BOOK CLUB AND BISCOTTI

I was hosting my monthly book club meeting last week and a More Than A Mama meeting to discuss our next fair.

I decided I would make some goodies inspired by the book we had read, which could also be suitable for morning coffee.

The book we were reading was Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant.  Its a great book and everyone enjoyed it, giving it an average of  7 1/2 - 8, an easy interesting read.

As it was set in a medieval Italian nunnery I plumped for biscotti with prosecco.  

There are many beautiful descriptions of the choir's singing so I tried to find some similar mood music for the night but the best I could come up with was this.  Fortunately one of the book club members had been googling and discovered this dreamy ethereal music which was recorded from contemporary music of the period especially to compliment the books publication.

Ooh just remembered to say they were dark chocolate and sour cherry flavour, and I soaked the cherries in some homemade cherry kirsh from my Mum.

APPLE AND BLACKBERRY CUPCAKES

On Sunday I have been invited to take part in a radio show to help celebrate Cupcake week.

 The host is Nick Coffer who is a keen blogger, check out My Daddy Cooks where he videos himself and his adorable little boy Archie cooking together.

 Anyway I have to bring a recipe so I thought apple and blackberry would be nice and seasonal.

I took a trial batch today twhen I visited the fabulous Gretel, my old friend from university.  We haven't seen each other for nearly twenty years but she hasn't changed! 

I will try and post a link so you can listen again if you wanted too!  And you do need to tune in to BBC Three Counties Radio if you want the recipe!

Vintage Butterfly Cake

I made this cake last week for a lovely lady who was celebrating her fortieth birthday.  

She wanted a pretty cake but not too pink.  So I open my Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady for inspiration and gave the cake a vintage feel.

 On a separate note if you fancy winning some vouchers for CSN like I did here have a look at Me Old China.

PINK PARTY

Hello!

What's that.... you're here for the party?

Oh no!  I'm so sorry but you're a few days late.

What?  You'll settle for seeing the pictures instead?

OK, here we go.  Pink dresses on, please!

We have bedecked the whole house in pink.

 

Luminarias and bunting.

Pink banners

 Pink flowers.

 Even pink owls... a contribution from big kidlet (we all love to party plan!)

Of course, what would a party at Amelie's House be without a cake...

I took the motif from the invites.

 Cupcakes.

 Iced gems.

 Cake pops.

And party bags.

We didn't even hold back on pink for the boys.

The party bags had pink wand cookies for the girls and pink dinosaurs for the boys, pink sweets, pink balloons, pink torches... a lot of pink.

Fabulous pink feltiness from the wonderful Marie.

And then we had the party games. As they were only little children at the party we made do with 'pass the parcel' and 'musical bumps' for entertainment. At the very last minute I bought a selection of bubble wands and just sent the ten 4 year olds into the garden to play, which was a great idea!

I promise the pinata tutorial really soon!  It was highlight of the party for most of the kids.

 And within two hours, all that was left of six months planning were happy memories and cake crumbs!