Need piping practice

Made two batches of cupcakes, One orange flavour and the other lemon. Thought of going fruity this time.
Also made up two batches of butter cream. But looks like the topping of cream was too thick.
This is what I was told from people trying it out.
I piped the cream but through inexperience I am not familiar with different nozzles types and the cupcakes looked terrible. I thought the flavour was nice. With the lemon cream giving a acidy taste.
Must keep practising. I have few ideas to reduce the cream and still have the cupcake look nice. My mind is thinking towards flowers.
Will wait and see. Got my next class tomorrow night and funny enough the class will involve piping flowers..haha.

Cupcakes, tempering and ganache

Baked up 2 batches of egg less chocolate cupcakes. They are very easy and stay moist for days. It is just wonderful. This was the first time I attempted to temper some chocolate. the tempering was easy enough. My plan was to make mini name plates to put onto the tempered chocolate and have white chocolate writing. Unfortunately the writing part didn't work. The white chocolate just seized up within the nozzle. Will have to see what went wrong.
With the unused tempered chocolate I added in cream and made a batch of ganache to pipe onto the cupcakes. Overall I think it turned out great. At least I have one happy customer.:)



My happy Customer

Another step and another set of techniques

Yipee, got my tools. Just bought myself a 50 set box of piping nozzles from the market and took it too class. And yes my instructor also bought it from the same shop too. Used it to pipe class and was good to see do basket weave and ruffles from the pipe nozzles.
Just need more practice. Will eventually get there.
Got news also this morning my cousin just got proposed by her boyfriend and will have a wedding early next year.
Hmmm. Maybe ready to make a cake by that time. Will just have to see.
Can't wait Cant wait!! Slowly but surely my skills will get there.
Also got another cousin coming from Hong Kong and hopefully he is going to fulfil my shopping list of baking and decorating tools.

First steps

At last, my first night in my adventure. I am right now so into cake decorating. Signed up for a cake decorating class in my area. Six students and the instructor John had a few assistants.
We went through basics of cake decorating, starting with the royal icing and making bags and the different tips used.
It was exhilarating to do a course with such a good teacher.
at the end we saw of flowers the advance students were working on and they were just amazing. Just hope I can get as good as them.
One day I will. Just taking my baby steps first and then we will see how I go. Can't wait for the next class.
Will be looking at buying different piping tips soon. :)

Re-start , new start

It has been a while since I have updated this blog. I am generally not a person who is used to blogging or writing in a diary but here it goes. I am about to start a new adventure and want to put this in words and pictures for memory.
I am happy were I am in my life and about to move forward to something interesting.
Will let you know soon. :)

Suprise gift

Came home last night and greeted by a note on the door. "Welcome home, now the game begins". What is this I think. People inside the house hiding and ready to jump me. I cautiously entered the house and another note with a quiz, this lead to another and then another.
Notes throughout the house, leading to the grand prize neatly hidden in the dryer, a hand made card and a little Buddhist doll from the girls.
So happy last night, so much fun. Thank you and very memorable. You have made my day.

Throw the hat in

Here it goes, threw the hat in last night and will just see how it goes. Going try something new, something different. Will see if it will be the right direction.

Also made some creme brulee. Not sure if successful.
Next with be brownies, I think if they are not picky it will be a winner.

Trying not to think too much of Taiwan, I found if I think about it more then I get more depressed. So my solution it not to think too much about it. Just enjoy my 'single ' life.
What do people say..hmmm... treading water, at least not sinking.
Talking about water, I should get myself in to the pool to practice my swimming.

Korean BBQ

After a great session of rock climbing, did a rush bit of shopping for ingredients for the Korean BBQ at home. Rushed back home tired and quick bit of cleaning before guests arrive.
To my surprise the girls were there cooking up a nice bit of entrees.. Thanks.
Guests came, arms have cooled down from the climb and in a bit of pain and away it went. It was a nice night, when smoothly.
Mum once again always had her ability to ruin a weekend. Next day the girls came by to help with the left over meat that couldn't be finished from the night before. Gave a careless comment to the girls and went. She once again made her mark and upset one of them for the rest of the day.
Tried my best to cheer her up but you know she has been injured. Why she does, I don't know.
This coming weekend is going to be mother's day on Sun, have plans for either rock climbing or hiking up Kinglake Nat Park on Sat. We decide soon, and just hope Mum doesn't throw in the spanner for this weekend.
I am so split in my thinking and don't know what to do. I feel tired and look forward for some rest and just enjoy my life. Why is it like this, why do people think they way they think and say the things they say. Is it me who is the one that thinks incorrectly. It would be great if there was a book with all the answers.

Time to get out..

Had enough of the afternoon shift. Want to get back into normal hours, get back my life. Applied for another government position. The app was a bit rushed, will just have to see how I go.
Currently feel disillusioned with the work, I keep feeling there is moving goal posts. Don't think I'll be able to hit it. Why try and hit it, there isn't any incentives anyway.

Feels like my days are long and 'same old, same old'.

I think this week was a long week. Had a lot on my mind, will be looking forward to this long weekend away and just get lost. Arrghhh........!!!

My first thoughts

This is my first blog and I'll see if there is going to be something that will be continuing.
This is more of my thoughts than anything else.
My family is overseas and dearly wish to see them soon. My heart is mixed with emotions of happiness, anger and everything in between.
What is going on, just confusion.
I keep myself busy and enjoy my time on my own to whittle the time away.
It's not easy.