My new cake stands

I've bought 20 new cake stands for the business to hire out. Pretty 2 tier pink glass and I think they are going to look wonderful at vintage style tea parties and weddings.

I've decided to have a New Years Resolution afterall.......Make Time For Teatime

In the tradition of this resolution Cherub & I baked today some lovely fairy cakes....yummy

Fairy Cakes

175g unsalted butter, softened

170g caster sugar

3 medium eggs from your chickens

1/2 t.spoon vanilla extract

150g self raising flour

1/2 t.spoon baking powder

2 tbl.spoons milk

Butter Icing

Sprinkles & all things yummy & pretty

Preheat oven to 180c/350f/gas 4.

Put the soft flour, sugar, beaten eggs & vanilla into a big bowl

Sift the flour & baking powder into the bowl

Add milk

Mix thoroughly to make smooth, thick cake batter

Spoon into paper cases, about half full

Bake for 12-15 minutes (you want the batter to spring back when touched)

Remove & leave to cool.

Decorate with all things yummy

Find your tea cups and pretty cake plates & enjoy

In respect of our new resolution for the year, Cherub & I will post more of our 'Make Time for Teatime' recipes!

New Year....New Blog

I've been really busy buying in vintage clothes for the trunk. I've had a lot of enquiries for the hire of the trunk for 2011 and so I've needed to get on and get some extra bits. I've had great fun, the house is full of furs, rings, shawls and fabulous hats and I have loved parading about looking very glamorous!
I'm off to a vintage style tea dance at Chatsworth House very soon and think I may well have a good rummage in the trunk before I go......

The wedding @thewhitworthcentre.co.uk went really well. The Bride had white covers with burgundy sashes and burgundy peony flower arrangements. It looked gorgeous in the huge, grand Ballroom. Thanks Pat for doing the flowers!

A quiet Sarah....

I have lost my voice! This has posed a problem at work..afterall, how can I chat about cake when I have no voice. Thank goodness for email, I can at least communicate via the computer. However, it has made me realise...
a) How wonderful it is to share in conversation about common passions (mostly cake!)
b) How marvellous it is to be able to while away the time deep in discussion about flowers and tea cups and new recipes (again, mostly cake!)
c) How absolutely frustrating it is to have 3 children and a cat run amok gleefully aware of my inability to tell them otherwise!

Vintage Fashion Fair

On Sunday 28th February I am off to Derby University for the vintage fashion fair. I'm hoping to find some lovely clothes for the Vintage Dressing Up Box!
If any of you fancy anything in particular for the dressing up box, then drop me a line and I'll do my best to source it!

Postponed Wedding Fayre

What a disappointment to find the wedding fayre at The Red Lion was cancelled on Sunday because of yet more snow! I was so looking forward to meeting you and having a chat about your wedding and all the ideas you have and showing you my lovely new range of cakes.
I'm not sure when the next fayre will be but lets hope it's soon...I'll keep you posted!

We had an eventful return train journey from our weeks break in London (we went to sample the hotels 'afternoon teas'!) The train lost 2 of its wheels and we were jolted about, with flames and smoke and flying rocks! It was quite traumatic, especially when the windows all smashed...
However, we are ok, including my 'little tyke' who has informed me he will only travel by Thomas the Tank Engine in future......

My visit to Shottle Hall

Today I had a visit to Shottle Hall just down the road from us here in Matlock. I love this venue. The views are amazing, the rooms are perfect for a wedding and the staff really work hard to ensure your day is perfect. Even with the wind and February weather, its easy to see why so many couples want to get married here when I looked out through the Georgian sash windows to the splendid gardens.......hmmm, a vintage tea party on those lawns, with bunting blowing in the breeze, children playing and a game of croquet underway in glorious warm English summer weather. Perfect.

Visit Shottle Hall at www.shottlehall.co.uk