life... and cake.

I usually avoid writing anything too private here. I like to keep this blog just about my homemaking life and projects, rather than about more personal subjects. I prefer keeping it light and fluffy, nothing serious, but I am a real person, and we all have our problems or dramas. Life recently has changed, and while initially the prospect of change loomed overhead like a big black cloud, the cloud has passed.

I love my life, it's everything I hoped it would be.
All I dreamed of was becoming a wife and mother. Something that you aren't supposed to admit as it 'lacks ambition'. Apparently. I fell into careers in my 20's and 30's, but I knew I wasn't a career girl.
After feeling that becoming a mum was going to be out of my reach it finally happened. My little girl will turn 7 in the summer, and I cherish every single moment of her. Well, not the tantrums so much, but luckily that doesn't happen often.
That was me. Wife. Mum. Sorted.
You will never find a book written by me because I'm not capable, and it's not something I have any interest in doing. I will never be asked to guest on a cookery show because I have no talent for it. I may have opened a Folksy account thinking that perhaps I might make and sell something one day, but the truth is I'm not even bothered about doing that either. I like to make things just for me, so they can be imperfect - as long as I'm happy, who cares?! My blog will never set the world on fire and be 'the' blog to visit. I don't mind, don't mind at all, because as far as I'm concerned I've achieved my dreams and I am more than happy to see other people pursuing theirs. I'll happily watch as people achieve their goals, buy the books, read the blogs. I am genuinely happy with my lot, and happy being me! I don't want or expect more.

My husband was informed at the start of the year that either he, or his immediate colleague, would be made redundant. Selfishly, all I could see was our happy little life being turned upside down. Everything changing. I was angry, then upset. It felt so unfair.
With the world in its current state of financial chaos, this seemed like very bad news. After a while and a lot of discussion, the husband and I decided that not only was it a good thing for us, but the timing was in fact perfect. We would be fine. That should have been that, but unfortunately, the saga had more twists and turns than a tediously written episode of a soap opera. But it wasn't a soap, it was our life. And to any company - however big or small - I would say to you that if you have to ditch people, then do it swiftly and with compassion. The way the company treated my husband and his colleague was shabby to say the least. It's a relief that he's able to leave it behind.

Last week, my husband finished working for the company that he has given almost 25 years of his life to. Rather than feel despondent or worried, he feels free. He has one thing that money can't buy ~ time. Time to enjoy his family, time to do whatever he wants, time to decide what he wants to do next. There are plans, but no rush. Life is good again.

Things will stay the same. The only difference is a stress free husband, who will get to spend more time with the fast growing Girl. And that is not a bad change. I am grateful.

The cake? I'm practicing, trying out new recipes and trying to improve my decorating "skills". Obviously I have a long way to go! The Girl has decided she wants an At Home birthday party this year, and I am so excited about it. I have lots of plans for a Shabby Chic girly girly party, Pinterest is such a massive help for getting ideas and putting them all in one place. I have lots of things to make, and must start soon. I would like to bake her birthday cake, but it will be a challenge for me. I am not great at cakes. I've got a bit of time to practice, her birthday isn't until June. But time will fly. I was inspired to try this cake recipe, it's a cherry cake. It tasted really good, I'd prefer it plain as I'm not a huge fan of icing, but a birthday cakes needs a bit of icing. And as usual I was too reserved when adding the colouring gel at this stage. Should have been heavy handed, I knew I hadn't added enough but was reluctant to add more. When cut, I wanted the cake to be bright, bright pink, but you can barely see a hint of pink.

I don't think this is the right cake for Girly girls birthday, so the search - and baking - continues.
But I do recommend this cake if you are wanting to try something a little bit different.
To get the recipe, and see how beautiful it should look, visit [here]