Easter Tea

Fairy Cakes

Instead of cupcakes I think I will make these Fairy Cakes..

Fairy cakes the British version of "cupcakes",  they are so very pretty and sweet. While there are plenty of fairy cake variations out there, I am crazy for the classic, flat-topped version. These are typically a light Genoese cake iced in pretty pastel tints - a delicate flower or two adorning their velvet-smooth tops. Sweet simplicity.

I decided to make some yesterday.  I skipped the Genoese and just used one of my favourite yellow cake recipes.

 The secret to the fairy cake's elegance is that perfectly smooth, level iced-top.  This can be achieved by only filling your fairy cases a little over half-way full with batter.  This ensures that the top of your cake doesn't rise past the ruffled top-edge of your cases.

You'll also need to wait until your fairy cakes are completely cooled before you ice them.  You will need to make a simple, fondant-style glaze.  You can find recipes on-line, but I just make my own using cream, confectioner's sugar, a bit of vanilla extract, and a touch of food colouring. It's always a good idea to sift your confectioner's sugar before using it.  This only takes a second (you can just pass it through a fine strainer) and will keep your icing from being lumpy.  Slowly add the cream to the sugar until you get the consistency needed - it should be thick, but also thin enough to pour.  Also, remember to tap your bowl of icing on the counter several times to remove any air bubbles.  Then slowly spoon over the tops of your fairy cakes, being careful to just fill them to the very top of the cases without spilling over the edge.  If you still see any air bubbles on the surface, use a toothpick to "pop" them.

This icing tends to set up quickly, so be sure to add any decorations right away or you will "crinkle" your tops (and we wouldn't want that to happen, now would we!).  I added little pastel royal icing sugar flowers to mine...

I think I am going to make mini ones (petit four size).... pretty enough  for an Easter treat instead of chocolate.

So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye.....

As we bid adieu to Winter and usher in Spring, it's the perfect time to purge, clean and organize. For some of us, spring cleaning seems daunting and downright tedious, but it doesn't have to be. Every year I look forward to spring-cleaning giddy with excitement waiting for the Spring Cleaning season to arrive. This makes me sound so sad....
This year I took January as a planning, gathering month, which means I have everything in hand.
On the first day of Spring, March 20, I will tackle one area of the home and share insights and tips to make your own project easier.
I decided to start in the kitchen, although it is new, there are still bits that need a good clean, cupboards to de-clutter, and possibly a few new little treats I could make.

Before I start there a couple of things I like to do...

Have 2 lists a "nice to do" and a "need 2 do" I keep to this as I may not have time to do them all I often leave the "nice 2 do" list till after the hard work is done.
Have a bottle of water with me, wear loose clothing and suitable footwear especially if I'm going up a ladder.Collect all the tools and products I will need and keep them to hand, I don't want to waste time. I have a cleaning caddy to organise my cleaning tools "I think of it as my cleaning toolbox."
Put the music on... I love to cleaning to music and for me it has got to be Capital Gold.
OK we are all set to go...

If you have a basic cleaning kit, you probably have most of your cleaning supplies all ready to go. I try to use green cleaners as much as possible and have cut back drastically on the amount of cleaning products that I buy, I pretty much use my microfiber cloths, they don't just push dust around, they grab it and remove it. They're also reusable -- and therefore green, a polishing cloth, also paper towels and handmade cleaners for about 80% of my kitchen cleaning. Here is my handmade kitchen cleaner list that I use…
Kitchen grime away

Ingredients: 
1 1/2 cups baking soda 
1/2 cup vegetable oil-based soap 
1/2 cup water 
2 tablespoons vinegar 

Instructions: 
Find an old cleaning supply spray bottle or purchase a new one. Be sure to clean the bottle well if you are using an old one. Add all the ingredients to the spray bottle. 
Shake the bottle well to mix all the ingredients and dissolve the baking soda. 

To use, spray on tile, floor, shower, tub, toilet, or sink and wipe clean with a damp sponge or rag. 

Kitchen bacteria buster 

Ingredients: 
1 teaspoon baking soda 
1/2 teaspoon organic dish soap 
2 teaspoons vinegar 
Warm water 
20 drops lemon essential oil 

Instructions: 
Use a funnel to put the baking soda into a spray bottle. 
Add the soap and vinegar to the bottle. Shake the mixture well. 
When the mixture stops foaming, fill the bottle the rest of the way up with warm water. Shake again. 
Add essential oil to give your cleaner a fresh scent. Shake again to mix well. 
To use cleaner, simply spray on appliances, counter, or floor then wipe clean with a sponge or cleaning rag. 

No matter how you choose to clean, try following these simple rules to keep yourself on track and cut down on that cleaning time…
Start cleaning from the top of the room and work your way down starting on the left side of the room and heading clockwise. "It can save tons of time -- no wasted steps or backtracking. This is the fastest way to get things done and will cut down on dust falling on areas that you have already cleaned.

Clean the dirtiest things first in case the mess ends up spreading around.
Dedicate a specific amount of cleaning time and then set a timer. Work as fast as you can within this time and don’t let yourself get distracted.
Stay in the kitchen!! I tend to get easily side tracked when I am cleaning, and often get distracted if I leave the room and see other things that need to be done. {Please tell me I am not alone in this!}

Quick tidy before you officially start, take a few minutes to clear away items that do not belong in the kitchen and place them in a bin or basket to put away afterwards. Put any items from the counters into the cupboards if they have a spot to go so the counters are as clear as possible. If you are going to be doing the whole kitchen at once, I like to clear everything off of the counters and place them on the dining room table so that they are out of the way. It takes a few more minutes at the beginning, but will actually save time in the end. NOTE: This is just a quick tidy looking at things that are on the floor, obviously out of place, or that you know that you want to get rid of. Save big organizing projects for later!

Quick check list

Clean out and organise cupboards and drawers

· Clean out and organise pantry/larder

· Deep-clean cabinet fronts

· Deep-clean refrigerator and freezer (try and use what is left in the freezer if not then wrap     in paper and put into cool box and pop outside)

· Deep-clean oven, stove, and microwave Scrub grout (if necessary)

   Wash windows

· Oil wooden items

· Sharpen knives

What you need for non-toxic oven cleaning:
spray bottle with a mixture of 1/3 vinegar and 2/3 water
coarse salt
baking soda

Directions to clean an oven without chemicals:
1. Remove the oven racks (you can clean these separately the same way).
2. Spray the whole oven including the inside of the door with the vinegar/water mixture. Get it pretty wet all over.
3. Sprinkle baking soda everywhere putting more on any caked on food particles.
4. Sprinkle a thick layer of course salt over the baking soda.
5. Spray again with the vinegar/water. You’ll hear a nice bubbling sound from the reaction of the vinegar and baking soda.
6. Leave it to sit overnight.
7. With the course side of sponge scrub the oven. You’ll see how easily everything comes up. This was amazing to me.
8. Spray again with vinegar/water to help remove everything.
9. Wipe with old towels or paper towels.Cleaning the microwave

All you need for this task is a microwave bowl, slices of lemon white vinegar and water

place your ingredients into the bowl and microwave on high for 5 mins leave the bowl in there for a bit longer after you remove the bowl just wipe around with paper towel. Your microwave will be sparkly & smell clean and fresh.

 Clean dishwasher and other appliances

For the dishwasher you need
Distilled white vinegar
Baking soda
Lemon essential oils (option)

Remove the bottom rack and spray the inside of your dishwasher liberally with vinegar.
Use a clean cloth to wipe down the seal and inside of your dishwasher.
Replace the bottom rack into your dishwasher. Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the bottom of your dishwasher.
Add 1 cup of baking soda into the bottom of your dishwasher. Optional: Add 3 drops of lemon essential oils to deodorize.
Run your dishwasher on the Light Wash cycle.

Cleaning your dishwasher once a month will not only make your dishes cleaner, but will deter mold and mildew from forming too. This method no only disinfects and cleans the inside of your dishwasher, but also helps clean the plumbing that is connected to your dishwasher as well.

Cleaning the washing machine

You will need
White Vinegar
Cleansing essential oil of choice (optional) Orange/ lemon/lime is my choice.
Rags
Small scrub brush or toothbrush.

Mix the vinegar 50/50 with water and add a few drops of your oil. If you like exact measurements, 1 cup vinegar, 1 cup water and 20 drops of oil is about what I do.

Pull out your soap dispenser and scrub it down good in your kitchen sink.

Next use the scrub brush to clean the area where the soap dispenser goes. I have been real good about cleaning that part of my front loading washer but was really surprised at the amount of mold I found there.

All those black spots are mold. Depending on the soap you use, you may need to really scrub at the soap scum. I use the pods that go straight in the machine which don't make that horrible scummy mess.

Clean the rubber seal.

That rubber seal is the main culprit when you have a stinky washing machine. clean the entire thing, being sure to pull it away from the drum and clean down in there.
While you are doing this, make sure to wipe down the door too.

Doing this a couple of times a month will keep the mold and smell away.
That’s when I remembered the lint trap.
That’s right. Did you know your washing machine has a lint trap? It does, and it’s pretty easy to clean.
Not all washing machines have a lint trap, However most of them do.
My washing machine has a lower panel that comes off by removing three bolts at the bottom, this reveals the lint trap, water pump and a few other things. A Google search has revealed that many machines have this.
Other machines have an even smaller panel that opens to reveal just the lint trap. Chances are, if your machine has this little panel, you already know about it. .Clean that sucker off and scrub it good with vinegar. Be sure to clean inside where the trap goes as well. If you find a sock or two in there just throw them away, trust me, the stink is in them to stay!

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My little garden

As the weather is getting a bit kinder a good pair of wellies and jacket and I'm enticed into the garden...
A few Sundays ago I was able to get out and tidy the pots and jet wash the decking and garden.
I planted lots of tulip bulbs last year which are beginning to appear, as I don't have grass or dirt everything is grown in containers.
My favourite plant is of course the Peony followed by Jasmine and when I'm in my studio with the window opened it feels the room with its heady scent, I can't wait but before the summer arrives there are a few jobs I need to do, one is to paint my little wooden table & 2 seats make a couple of cushions for it last year I had a pretty bird print, I fancy a change but I haven't made my mind up yet, I need to get some samples.
I like to paint my terracotta pots last year my Mother in law gave me some so they will need painting and I will look around the Charity shops and markets for some interesting containers. I would love a bench up on the decking (maybe Mr D will get me one for my birthday).
I found some wonderful ideas that are simple & cheap
 


Painted pot with saucer can be used as spare tables for drinks or for plants



Little wooden plaques to brighten a dull wall space.





you can buy blank candle sticks from craft stores, a couple of coats of paint  group as 3 and team them with a pretty table cloth it's  perfect for your afternoon tea. 







I've been wanting to do a copycat of this Pinterest pin since last summer. All you need are some flower pots, chalk paint and a few pretty French graphics. Put them all together and voila...Frenchy flower pots!

I gave each pot a coat of Old White ASCP. I also painted a little around the inside rims but not the entire way down. I got a little lazy and if I ever actually use them for plants, it won't matter anyway.

I used decal paper to adhere the images to each pot. These can be downloaded from free image sites (but check to make sure you can use them). The Graphics Fairy is where I look first.

I might do a few more in different shades of ASCP. (Annie Sloane chalk paint)www.anniesloane.co.uk

Clean Living

If you are somewhat confused as to which are the safest and most effective cleaning products to use in your home, you are not alone. With increasing numbers of organic and “healthy” cleaning products hitting the market and a slew of conventional products battling for customer votes, it is super easy to become baffled.

One of the biggest problems with regards to cleaning products is that consumers do not receive all of the information that they need to make an educated decision. Because of labelling laws, it is increasingly easy for manufacturers to sneak in ingredients without making full disclosure on the labels.

Regardless of where you head for the information, be mindful when choosing the safest products for your family & friends:

ingredients must be displayed on the label.

Product should be made from plants and minerals.
Product must contain no petroleum or petrochemical ingredients.
Information about any fragrance used – it must be natural.
Product must be safe for grey water and septic tanks.
No animal testing, or animal-derived ingredients can be used.
Product must be free from any known human carcinogens, endocrine disruptors or teratogens.



Make Your Own

Keeping up with the list above can be exhaustive. A simpler, and much less costly approach is to actually make your own cleaning solutions from non-toxic ingredients. Here are some easy-to-make options for keeping your home clean while protecting your family and the environment.

Kitchen grime away

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups baking soda
1/2 cup vegetable oil-based soap
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons vinegar

Instructions:
Find an old cleaning supply spray bottle or purchase a new one. Be sure to clean the bottle well if you are using an old one. Add all the ingredients to the spray bottle.
Shake the bottle well to mix all the ingredients and dissolve the baking soda.
To use, spray on tile, floor, shower, tub, toilet, or sink and wipe clean with a damp sponge or rag.


Kitchen Bacteria Buster

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon organic dish soap
2 teaspoons vinegar
Warm water
20 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:
Use a funnel to put the baking soda into a spray bottle.
Add the soap and vinegar to the bottle. Shake the mixture well.
When the mixture stops foaming, fill the bottle the rest of the way up with warm water. Shake again.
Add essential oil to give your cleaner a fresh scent. Shake again to mix well.
To use cleaner, simply spray on appliances, counter, or floor then wipe clean with a sponge or cleaning rag.


Wood Pick-Me-Up

Ingredients:
1 lemon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon water

Instructions:
Cut the lemon in half and squeeze the juice from both halves into a container. Try to avoid adding any pulp or seeds.
Add the olive oil and mix well.
Add the water and mix well.
To use, dab a microfiber dusting cloth into the mixture then wipe wood surface clean. Make a fresh batch each time you clean.



Clean Day Laundry Detergent

Ingredients:
2 bars ivory soap
2 cups baking soda
2 cups borax
20 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:
Use a cheese grater to grate the soap into small pieces
Mix the grated soap and the baking soda and borax together in an airtight container.
Add some essential oil and stir in. Store the powder in the airtight container.
To use add 1-2 tablespoons to each load of laundry.

Air Refresher

Ingredients:
1 oz rubbing alcohol
6 oz filtered water
40 drops clove essential oil

Instructions:
Pour all of the ingredients into a spray bottle.
Shake the bottle to mix all of the ingredients.
To use simply spray into the air, on pillows, sheets, or furniture for a fresh and clean scent.

I

Believe......



You are the CEO of your household.



Inspiration can be found everywhere.



Sweatpants are never the answer.



Perfection is boring.



Being well dressed is a form of politeness.



Routines are the foundation of a well run household.



You are your choices.



Pink lipstick brightens even the dreariest days.



Audrey. Always Audrey.



In taking common occurrences and making them extraordinary.



Fresh flowers are a necessity.



laugh and love in abundance.



There is no such thing as failure. You have simply learnt that doesn't work.



Elegance will always be in style.