Hey there,
A few weeks ago I managed to have 2 cakes due on the same day. Not a big deal for all you professional cakers out there, but for me it required careful planning, so that I didn’t overdo it and tire myself out too much!
I’ve already posted about the ‘Pirate’ themed cake, so this is the other ‘Farmyard’ themed cake for my friend Elaine’s grandson Oliver.
The cake itself is my go to Vanilla Sponge, with jam and buttercream. A tractor was a must, so I shaped it out of Rice Krispie treats, covered it in ganache, then sugarpaste in various colours. The cake was coated in buttercream then covered with green sugarpaste, and the fencing was made by blending Renshaw’s chocolate flavour brown sugarpaste with Renshaw’s White Belgian chocolate modelling paste (see below for details) The ‘mud’ is a pool of ganache, and all the animals were made from modelling paste with sugarpaste details.
I had lots of fun making both cakes, even though I slept most of the day after! But for me, the pleasure I get is worth the consequences, in fact I allow for it, and I’m lucky enough to have a supportive husband, who understands that. He is so thoughtful and predicting my need to rest afterwards, will often line up a film or two for me to watch while I’m having my ‘pyjama days’ 🥰
In other news, my cataract operation went well, and my distance vision is now pretty much perfect. I just need a new prescription for my reading glasses now 😂
Last Sunday, we had a belated Father’s Day Meal (eldest was visiting youngest in Bucharest on the actual day!) So James, my son, and my daughter in law Abi, made us a gorgeous roast lamb dinner, inviting us, her parents, and grandparents too. They really did us proud. I contributed a cake, (see below) and a cheesecake (sorry no pic) and Abi also made a beautiful pavlova filled with whipped cream and lovely summer berries….we really were spoilt!
On Monday, I had Rebecca and Danny round for a cake tasting and planning session. They’re getting married in January and I’m so excited that they have asked me to make their cake 🍰 I know Rebecca from Panto, as her parents are our good friends Edward and Bev. Edward writes, directs and takes part in our productions (who says men can’t multitask?) and Bev is his right hand woman! Rebecca has been in every Panto I can remember and she and Danny really are a lovely couple ❤️
Oh! And the other day I found out that my daughter Katie and her boyfriend Josh have planned a flying visit next weekend! They’re flying into Liverpool (where they lived before going to Bucharest) on Friday night, seeing friends in Liverpool on Saturday, coming to us on Sunday, then flying back on Monday…phew, sounds exhausting to me, but they’re young and fit! Anyway, I can’t wait to see them, and have a family gathering planned already 😀
Before that though, there’s this weekend, which is my Breast Cancer Care fundraiser. All my invites have been sent out, and I’m hoping for a good turn out for a good cause.
My mum is helping me out with some of the baking, and on the day (Saturday) and it will be another ‘pyjama day’ for me on Sunday 💤 😴 💤 Hmmmm, wonder what films hubby will have lined up for me this time? After that, it will be ‘operation spare bedroom’ ready for our Bucharest visitors. It’s become a bit of a dumping ground recently, so it’s a good excuse for a bit of tidying up!
Well, I’d better go and get my bake on again!
Until next time
Stay safe and healthy
Debbie ❤️
Products used in the Farmyard cake included:
Renshaw White Premium Coverpaste
Renshaw Lincoln green sugarpaste
Renshaw White Belgian Chocolate modelling paste
Renshaw chocolate flavour sugarpaste
Wilton green gel food colour
Wilton pink gel food colour
Wilton lemon yellow gel food colour
Baking for Therapy 