If you look oh-so closely you can see a galleon in the middle of the dock (and in the middle of London)!
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Our Lakeland order arrived today in a big box! It's a good thing I had them delivered to my work address; there was no way this was going to fit through the letter box...
Here are a few things we got.
Robyn, your flower-making plungers:
They're quite sweet, and I think that they're defnitely going to be put to good use!
Ma, your cow timer:
And my belated birthday present from G:
I can't wait to put this to good use! Yay.
There was also a catalogue inside the box which I promptly went through in anticipation for my next order. Here are a few of my favourite things:
Look! A Cupcake Machine! That makes cupcakes! Okay, yes, I realise that was a bit self-evident, but it's amazing. I am amazed and I want one for the novelty of it. The rest of the page was so appealing too that I couldn't help scanning the whole thing in to share with you. Do you notice the flowers on the cupcake in the middle? Flower plungers...
This page is full of lovely piping goodies, although the ones on the top left are what I'm interested in. I like the big, chunky piping nozzle - perfect for piping dough into cups, or creating those big swirly icing towers. Mm.
Cream horns made easy! But come, let's be serious now: how often can one sit down to eat cream horns? I'm thinking savoury horns, horn-shaped chocolates, pasta horns...
And finally, cookie cutters with embossing stencils for biscuits! And, naturally, 120 assorted doylies. You can never have too many doilies.
Here are a few things we got.
Robyn, your flower-making plungers:
They're quite sweet, and I think that they're defnitely going to be put to good use!
Ma, your cow timer:
And my belated birthday present from G:
I can't wait to put this to good use! Yay.
There was also a catalogue inside the box which I promptly went through in anticipation for my next order. Here are a few of my favourite things:
Look! A Cupcake Machine! That makes cupcakes! Okay, yes, I realise that was a bit self-evident, but it's amazing. I am amazed and I want one for the novelty of it. The rest of the page was so appealing too that I couldn't help scanning the whole thing in to share with you. Do you notice the flowers on the cupcake in the middle? Flower plungers...
This page is full of lovely piping goodies, although the ones on the top left are what I'm interested in. I like the big, chunky piping nozzle - perfect for piping dough into cups, or creating those big swirly icing towers. Mm.
Cream horns made easy! But come, let's be serious now: how often can one sit down to eat cream horns? I'm thinking savoury horns, horn-shaped chocolates, pasta horns...
And finally, cookie cutters with embossing stencils for biscuits! And, naturally, 120 assorted doylies. You can never have too many doilies.
In response to a question posed earlier (when muttering about the golf course). Thanks Chris!
We went out yesterday on a mission to catch up on things that needed doing before going on holiday - - one week, three days, and counting!
So, first of all: data recovery was successful! I have all of my documents and images back! Hurrah! The hard drive is still not working so I may have to wait until I'm home before I have a working computer, but that's ok because I have my life in pictures.
With much happiness-in-step, we headed off to Southwark to purchase a requested item. We happened upon these fellows in hats on the Thames:
There were actually quite a large number of boats boating about, so I think it was a race of sorts.
I quite liked the Welsh in the Bumble Bee get-up.
There's always so much going on in Central London, and so much to see! We decided to walk from Southwark to London Bridge where we'd catch a bus from Cannon Street to Regent Street (next stop, Hamley's!). I took some photographs of unusual architecture along the way:
It's always good to have a bulging, round building every now and then. This particular one overlooks the Thames; it must be a spectacular place to live!
This is Winchester Palace. Or, what's left of it. All around London there are these restored, revered stone relics that are left standing to show off what used to be. There is even a bit of original Roman Wall left at Tower Bridge Station!
I particularly liked this pretty staircase, just to the left of Winchester Palace, and just to the right of Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hinde.
Look at how grey, dark and ominous the London sky is!
Ah yes, and no food emporium is complete without a Nando's in London! Isn't it odd? It's a more upmarket restaurant here, not a chicken take-away like it is at home. This particular branch is rumoured to have bought out all of the local restaurants and is going to expand. We'll see.
And then, Hamley's! It doesn't look like the greatest Toy Shop in the World from the outside, but wait until you get closer. There are performers throughout the store encouraging people to play with the toys, there always seem to be bubbles flying around (and yesterday, there was a main at the door yelling, "Laaaaadies and gentleman, please be aware that it is very important that you purchase a bubble gun for your son or daughter. Laaaaadies and gentleman, can I have your attention please...") and there are a number of people stationed around the store showing people how the toys work. In fact, you have to watch out for remote controlled helicopters zooming past your ears, or rolling hamsters bumping into your feet.
It was exceptionally busy so we didn't have much of an opportunity to amble around or take photographs. We headed straight up to the vehicles floor (right at the top) but didn't find what we were looking for, so we headed all the way to the bottom to the gadgets floor. Again, much to look at, but we didn't find what we had set out for.
I almost bought one of these for myself:
It's a Hungry Hound Doggy Bank! When I was little I always remember wanting one of those "coffin banks" where you put a coin down on the top of the coffin and the skeletal hand comes out and grabs the coin to take it back to the grave. You don't get those any more. But this little hungry hound does more or less the same thing. You put a coin into it's bowl, and it stands up and starts shaking violently as it "devours" the coin (actually just tilting the bowl so that the coin slips down into the hold-all below).
Mewantee!
Yes, I am completely aware that it is 100% ridiculous, but I still want it.
The voice in my head is chanting "clutter, clutter, clutter!"
Anyway, so we really didn't need anything at all from Hamley's but we left with an xbox steering wheel so that G can play his new F1 game for real. Or so they say.
After Regent Street we walked up to Oxford Street because we had dinner plans with Gareth and Nicole, but we were positively exhausted after fighting with the crowds, and about four hours early, so we headed over to John Lewis to have some tea.
They had an unusual light in the brasserie, but I quite like it. It looks a bit like a crysanthemum.
Mine! Chocolate Brownie with cherry compote. (good taste combination)
G's scone with butter, clotted cream and jam.
Afterwards we had a little shop around JL which is always fun with the 6 enormous floors of designerness. We then walked around Oxford Street until G's better judgement took over and we escaped the enormous crowds to sit down at the pub opposite the restaurant we were meeting at...
Tired! Had enough! Want to go home and play with new toys!
G had some snacks while we were waiting, and it was a good thing to because Gareth and Nicole arrived over an hour late for dinner! But at least it was delicious, so all's well that ends well.
So, first of all: data recovery was successful! I have all of my documents and images back! Hurrah! The hard drive is still not working so I may have to wait until I'm home before I have a working computer, but that's ok because I have my life in pictures.
With much happiness-in-step, we headed off to Southwark to purchase a requested item. We happened upon these fellows in hats on the Thames:
There were actually quite a large number of boats boating about, so I think it was a race of sorts.
I quite liked the Welsh in the Bumble Bee get-up.
There's always so much going on in Central London, and so much to see! We decided to walk from Southwark to London Bridge where we'd catch a bus from Cannon Street to Regent Street (next stop, Hamley's!). I took some photographs of unusual architecture along the way:
It's always good to have a bulging, round building every now and then. This particular one overlooks the Thames; it must be a spectacular place to live!
This is Winchester Palace. Or, what's left of it. All around London there are these restored, revered stone relics that are left standing to show off what used to be. There is even a bit of original Roman Wall left at Tower Bridge Station!
I particularly liked this pretty staircase, just to the left of Winchester Palace, and just to the right of Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hinde.
Look at how grey, dark and ominous the London sky is!
Ah yes, and no food emporium is complete without a Nando's in London! Isn't it odd? It's a more upmarket restaurant here, not a chicken take-away like it is at home. This particular branch is rumoured to have bought out all of the local restaurants and is going to expand. We'll see.
And then, Hamley's! It doesn't look like the greatest Toy Shop in the World from the outside, but wait until you get closer. There are performers throughout the store encouraging people to play with the toys, there always seem to be bubbles flying around (and yesterday, there was a main at the door yelling, "Laaaaadies and gentleman, please be aware that it is very important that you purchase a bubble gun for your son or daughter. Laaaaadies and gentleman, can I have your attention please...") and there are a number of people stationed around the store showing people how the toys work. In fact, you have to watch out for remote controlled helicopters zooming past your ears, or rolling hamsters bumping into your feet.
It was exceptionally busy so we didn't have much of an opportunity to amble around or take photographs. We headed straight up to the vehicles floor (right at the top) but didn't find what we were looking for, so we headed all the way to the bottom to the gadgets floor. Again, much to look at, but we didn't find what we had set out for.
I almost bought one of these for myself:
It's a Hungry Hound Doggy Bank! When I was little I always remember wanting one of those "coffin banks" where you put a coin down on the top of the coffin and the skeletal hand comes out and grabs the coin to take it back to the grave. You don't get those any more. But this little hungry hound does more or less the same thing. You put a coin into it's bowl, and it stands up and starts shaking violently as it "devours" the coin (actually just tilting the bowl so that the coin slips down into the hold-all below).
Mewantee!
Yes, I am completely aware that it is 100% ridiculous, but I still want it.
The voice in my head is chanting "clutter, clutter, clutter!"
Anyway, so we really didn't need anything at all from Hamley's but we left with an xbox steering wheel so that G can play his new F1 game for real. Or so they say.
After Regent Street we walked up to Oxford Street because we had dinner plans with Gareth and Nicole, but we were positively exhausted after fighting with the crowds, and about four hours early, so we headed over to John Lewis to have some tea.
They had an unusual light in the brasserie, but I quite like it. It looks a bit like a crysanthemum.
G's scone with butter, clotted cream and jam.
Afterwards we had a little shop around JL which is always fun with the 6 enormous floors of designerness. We then walked around Oxford Street until G's better judgement took over and we escaped the enormous crowds to sit down at the pub opposite the restaurant we were meeting at...
Tired! Had enough! Want to go home and play with new toys!
G had some snacks while we were waiting, and it was a good thing to because Gareth and Nicole arrived over an hour late for dinner! But at least it was delicious, so all's well that ends well.
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It's just one of those things you see in the Metro that you have to cut out, keep and scan for later.
They had a whole week of these, apparently, but I only caught the last two. Such funny adverts! Very successful brand-building for Old Spice - which I haven't heard of since I was very, very little and my dad used to use it. Aaaaages ago!
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.9
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.9
Published with Blogger-droid v1.5.9
Yesterday was a bit of a disaster. In fact, this past week was a bit of a disaster. I worked until 9pm every night (except Friday, when I had an "early night" at 7pm), but that really started to eat away at my energy and enthusiasm because I started work every day at 8am and didn't get to take any breaks at all during the day. Anyway, disasters aside, yesterday was Yom Kippur and I had the most horrific headache! It was almost as if the whole week didn't happen! G has been such a superstar though, so I owed it to him today to go walk around 18 holes of Golfing Sunday.
We went to Wanstead Golf Course which is quite close to where to we live, luckily. I had to have a good laugh at their Weather Vane (most of you will know why! - - a long history of writing copy for a weathervane company).
Such beautiful colours! I like the juxtaposition; it's almost as if they're two completely different colours instead of being shades of green.
We went to Wanstead Golf Course which is quite close to where to we live, luckily. I had to have a good laugh at their Weather Vane (most of you will know why! - - a long history of writing copy for a weathervane company).
Such beautiful colours! I like the juxtaposition; it's almost as if they're two completely different colours instead of being shades of green.
The golf course was absolutely bizarre. It winded all over and around itself, through Wanstead forest, around a lake and through a cricket club. It was a lovely walk, and we got to see loads of wildlife and interesting trees. Ah yes, and there was golf as well.
G was not impressed with his game. But I was very amused.
There were some difficult shots:
And lots of broken tees (usually a symptom of "monster drives"):
The course had lots of ups and downs, and a lot of stairs to get you there:
There were loads of squirrels running around:
And even a fox!
Can you believe it? This is the third fox I've seen in London. He was just sitting there, watching the golf. Two nights ago, on our way home, we stopped outside our neighbour's house because there was a cheeky fox sitting on top of her garden shed, peeking over the wall and watching everyone walk past! How on earth did it climb up there? We'll never know. They're crafty like that.
Golf courses are the perfect photography locations. There's always something interesting to capture! I was very disappointed that my batteries ran out half way around the greens, but I did manage to get a photograph of this unusual foliage:
What is it?! Is it a thistle? Is it a weed? What is it? I must find out!
All of the holes on the course have different names. I like this one best, but "Peahen Pond" came a close second!
It was a very beautiful golf course, even if the sky was a bit grey. Oh well, that's just England!
This is the lake (there were swans!) but my camera's batteries died just after this. What a pity! There's always next time. ...
Last weekend at the cupcake class, the Lovely Lisa introduced me to the concept of "cupcake pops". A little research led me to USA's Bakerella who has some fabulous cupcake pops and cake balls on her website, featured in her soon-to-be-released book. Long story short, I finally found a recipe and had a go myself.
The results were a bit messy! I had to practice my piping techniques a bit, and also had to try and perfect wrapping cake balls with plastic icing. Not as easy as it sounds!
But eventually I got it right and made the little pigs that I had been thinking of ever since I saw those Micro Mallows (pictured above)! The tiny cupcakes above really very small: they measure about 2cm across. That gives you an idea of how micro the Micro Marshmallows really are.
The results were a bit messy! I had to practice my piping techniques a bit, and also had to try and perfect wrapping cake balls with plastic icing. Not as easy as it sounds!
But eventually I got it right and made the little pigs that I had been thinking of ever since I saw those Micro Mallows (pictured above)! The tiny cupcakes above really very small: they measure about 2cm across. That gives you an idea of how micro the Micro Marshmallows really are.
They turned out quite well!
We soon had a whole family of pigs, bunnies and pink bees. Oh dear. Very messy business!
I used giant "mushmallows" for the base, walnut cake for the cake balls, pink plastic icing for the piggy bits, micro mallows for the little trotters, and tiny coco balls for the eyes.
There were so many ingredients left over so I started trying to use them all up ...
And when we tried to eat them - just to see why they're so popular - well, it was definitely the taste sensation that everyone had promised! The only problem was that it is all just far too sweet! So now we have all of these cutesy creatures and nothing to do with them! Oh dear.
