Themed Baking

I do like a bit of themed baking. I used to do a bit of it in Wagga for my old bookgroup. Minnie's chocolate mud pie (without that special ingredient) from The Help, Pecan & pumpkin pies when we read Cold Sassy Tree. You get the idea.
So when I joined a new group here after many months of bookgroup by correspondence, I unintentionally started doing it again. For my first meeting we 'read' Under Milkwood by Dylan Thomas so I made welshcakes which are sort of like a cross between a scone and a pikelet, Short, buttery, studded with currants and quite delicious. A much better proposition than the laverbread that was also mentioned, which is like a seaweedy version of vegemite. I have been assured by a welsh friend that it is very tasty and I assume it would be very good for you.
People seemed appreciative so for the next meeting I made Sacher Torte to go with the Glass Room by Simon Mawer. A natural choice on a day that was over 42 degrees. I love the way that the apricot jam that is brushed on between the cake and the icing gives the cake a different flavour. It makes my brain think there is alcohol involved but again, you know, heatwave.
The next book is the Golden Age by Joan London. I will keep you posted.

And we're still loving the beach...

This guy

First day of school

Sam started school this year. Two days a week. Sometimes he gets tired so he has a zzzz while the other kids play around him. Of course his teachers think he is angelic and look at me like I'm a monster if I suggest otherwise.
Really though, he's such a different person to Jack. Feisty, funny, cheeky and loving but also infuriating. Walking to and from school is often a slow affair (much to Jack's annoyance who can't wait to get there). We have to stop and pat all of the cats and some of the dogs, pick flowers and generally amble.

Lucky Dog

Sadly, just before Christmas last year our beautiful dog Lucky died. I was so sad to leave him behind but I suppose a generation of Junee children will breathe a sigh of relief after being frightened by his booming bark. He was our huge, gentle giant.

Lunch

Well, that was a busy few months. Lots of changes and things going on. Sam started kindy. I got a new job. Jack has grown another foot. I fear the teenage years because right now that boy can eat. Must be genetic. 

We had a lovely quiet Christmas with Noel and Diane. We even had cooler weather which makes festive cooking so much more civilised. There's been lots of festivals here. The Perth Festival, the writer's festival and the fringe festival. I heard someone complaining that there aren't nearly enough festivals here and I had to bite my tongue. 

We are looking forward to the Street art festival in a couple of weeks which also coincides with easter and a visit from my family. 

Anyway, I'll post lots of pics so you can catch up. Unless you all got sick of waiting and gave up.