Soot sprite cake pops

The cake pops are finished... I am so pleased. It's smallest's party tomorrow, I mastered the art of cake popping just in time.

Cake pop success

Its smallest's second birthday today. Whilst she snoozes I have been attempting to make some 'cake pops' as a surprise. Mary Berry has let me down, her chocolate sponge mix was too fluffy and wouldn't stand up to the demands of a cake pop - so I have gone for something altogether more American....

Here is my successful test pop - the beginnings of a soot sprite... the batch is now baking and I have my fingers tightly crossed that a further 12 will emerge.

Time for a break and to make the most of the cake pop grave yard.

Nippy & blue

OOOoooooo it's nippy out there at the moment, I really love it when it's cold so I am happy but my feet aren't. Sam swears by wool socks and I found these posted by the inspirational Elisabeth over at Fine Little Day

They do some beautiful kiddies socks too.

Its smallest's birthday on Friday so maybe she will be getting some of these? I am planning cake pops too, I wonder if I will manage anything as good as these?

I am back to work with a new found spirit this week, my head is a little fuggy but I am determined to succeed. I started the week very badly, after a day of sulking it has spurred me on. Tomorrow is the final photo shoot for my new products. We started on Tuesday with some test shots. Here are some of the results .. a bit under exposed I think and I am not too sure about the effect we used but that is ok, it is a new camera after all and I need to make friends with it. Tomorrow we are taking the final shots.

Winter coat

Here is the coat that was keeping me warm yesterday. I have a presentation to write today, I am a little stuck for ideas so am off out in my coat again for a walk and hopefully some inspiration.

I shall be taking my new camera.

The Fog falls

The fog has fallen on Lancaster today. Smallest and I have been enjoying the cold weather wrapped up in our new winter coats. Thank you St Nic xx

To get as high as possible into the fog we popped up to the Ashton Memorial - u can get married in there. What a great day to get married in the fog, I would like that :)

The wikiup gets taller

By this evening the wikiup, as Graham calls it, is almost the height of a man.

Stocking up for the winter

Each Christmas we spend some time with both sides of our family. It is a time of hectic visits to relatives and lots of driving, followed by a week of relaxing and getting ready for the year ahead. I love this time of year, I never think about work... having said that there is always some project on the go.

This year it is chopping and storing wood for next winter. Sam and his dad have got their hands on lots and lots and lots of wood, they are on day three of processing it ready to store. If I am honest I think Sam is mostly excited by his new chain saw.

It does mean that each night we can cosy up by the fire safe in the knowledge that we probably won't run out of wood.