First show of SPRING

Oh, I looove Spring...and Autumn, not quite so fond of the other two. There is finally evidence of Spring scattered all about my garden.

My 'baby' & her Birthdays

When she was FIVE

I always find Phoebes birthday a challenge - partly because she is my sweet, sweet baby and she keeps getting older but mostly because it is smack in the middle of winter, we have a small house and accomodating a little girly party inside the house is just no fun for anyone.

Last year for her fifth birthday we decided to give her a proper party, we booked a tram ($50 for 2 hours – came complete with driver & conductor), made all the compulsory party food (including the best EVER cup cakes, recipe below) and invited a few friends. It was a Princess Party and the tram was he royal carriage. It was REALLY lovely, the weather was even okay enough for the girls to have a little run around near the lake.

I quite enjoy playing on photoshop so even her invites were a bit fancy.

Best EVER Cupcakes

165g softened butter

3/4 cup sugar

3 eggs

1/2 cup light sour cream

1 1/4 cup SR flour

Rind of one orange

1/2 cup white choc bits

*preheat oven to 190 c

*beat butter & sugar until light & creamy

*add eggs, stir in sour cream

*sift in flour

*spoon mixture into paper cupcake pans

*sprinkle with choc bits

*cook 15 - 18 min, until golden brown

Fruity frosting

90g softened butter
1 1/2 cup icing sugar
1 tbsp orange juice
*blend
I like to make it pink but that is not essential.

ENJOY!
These cupcake are seriously delicious - they tast as good as they look!



Now she is SIX

This year when I tentatively asked (there is no way I could top last years effort) what she would like she said “I want to stay in that hotel you know, the one with the pool” Instead of a party??? We had not been away since early last year – so, why not? A treat for the whole family. So this year for Phoebes sixth birthday we stayed in Melbourne at the Mantra Southbank. It is a fantastic location, so close to everything with beautiful views. Thank You Phoebe, my sweet little angel, for such a lovely idea. We even went to the aqaurium to see the penguins.