Poppy's Polka Dot Picnic

Hello.
It sure has been a while, about 6 months I reckon.
Sometimes in life, we all just need " A little time ", so I took some.
To grieve, reflect and process everything that has happened.
I'm hoping I'm moving forward, some days I slip a little, but I try to remain positive and keep smiling for my kids.
I haven't baked much since my mum left us, let alone create parties.
Sadly my heart has just not been in it for the past 11 month. All our favorite Holidays passed us by, Easter, Halloween, Christmas, Birthdays, I refuse to do anything, it was just too painful without her.

Recently though, a lovely lady contacted me and asked me to do an " UP " ( yes, as in the Disney movie) themed dessert table for her wedding in May. I was so excited, it sparked something inside me, and I started to feel that maybe it was time to get creative again.

So today, I thought I would share Poppy's Polka dot Picnic Party with you.
This party is not from this year, but last, it was when she turned 5.
I had asked her what she wanted for her party and she kept insisting on a Picnic.
Sadly Picnics in January don't go down to well, so we decide to do an indoor type picnic thing.

Poppy loves Polka Dots and Strawberries, so I knew we had to incorporate those into the design.
Her favorite colours other than Pink are Light blue and Red.
So this is what I created, hope you like it.

This was a lovely day, filled with lovely people, memories to be treasured forever <3

Oh Canada......... Maple Syrup Cake

My lovely Aunt has lived in Canada for the past 40 years.
She recently popped over for a visit and brought with her some tins of Maple Syrup.
Just like my Peanut Butter Addiction, Maple Syrup is high up on my most wanted substance list.
I love the stuff. If I am going to be completely honest about this, I actually pour it on savoury food.
Yuk you say? Have you ever tried it? don't be judging me now.

So, as it was Fathers Day a few days after receiving the syrup, I decide to make my Dad a Maple Syrup cake.

It was so nice.

Here's the how to.

Ingredients:

Cake
2 eggs
2 cups of flour
3/4 cup Maple Syrup
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 sugar
1/2 cup of Pecans  (mine were price reduced so even better)
2 1/2 Teaspoons of Baking Powder
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 Teaspoon of Salt

Icing
2 1/2 cups of icing sugar
1/2 Maple Syrup
1/4 cup of soft butter
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla

Pre heat oven to 375F 190c

 Mix Eggs, Sugar, Butter, Vanilla and maple syrup together until smooth.

Sift all remaining dry ingredients together and add to the mix.

Chop up all the Pecans and throw them in, giving a good mix.
Keep some whole for decorating cake.

Pop mix into two 7-8 inch tins and get them in the oven.

I like this bit!
Stab the cake with a skewer all over and pour on lashings of Syrup. This makes the cake extra moist and sticky.

Whilst the cake is cooling, add all the icing ingredients together and mix with a hand mixer until Fluffy and light.
Fill the cake first with frosting, place second cake on top and then slather the whole

thing in delicious Mapley frosting joy.
Decorate with Pecans on top if you feel like.

This went down a treat, and did not last very long in my house at all. Best thing was that my Dad really enjoyed it too.

Natty xx