January 31, 2010

sweet treats

I LOVE baking. What do I love about it? I love the smell of things baking in the oven, I love licking the bowl and the spoons (naughty I know!) and I love seeing the finished product. I love fudge, I love scones, I love brownies, I love chocolate cake, I love lolly cake. But most of all, I love sharing. In fact, birthday cupcakes have become somewhat of my specialty (without being specialised in them!) and I barely ever try them myself. For me, the joy is not in eating my baking but in others enjoying my baking.

Right now, I have mastered baking cupcakes and decorating them. They look cute and they make people smile.

But I want to master the next level. I want them to taste DEVINE! My cupcakes usually (I think) look good (compared to a cupcake with nothing on top of it) and the focus has always been on the outside. But now I am actually trying to follow the recipes exactly, 2 stirs this way, one the other, room temperature milk etc etc. Its hard for me, as I am a mish mash baker...I throw things in willy nilly. And baking is more like science or mathematics really. It needs to be exact.

Anyway we will see how they go, Kate and Chloe have given me a cupcake recipe book and its just amazing. The decorations, the flavours, so many to try.

But until Ive mastered that, Im quite content with peoples smiles as a reflection on the baking.


Kate and her birthday cupcakes


Becs and the birthday cupcakes which were thrown together at the last minute after a failed cake attempt!

Wardy and Ange, double birthday cupcakes


Kelly and her surprise birthday cupcakes


Gutzie and the heart cake


Sarsy and more birthday cupcakes!

But making sweet treats is more fun when Ive got someone who loves them as much as me. My friend Kerry, I call her my sweet treat friend, we like sweet treats and coffee. But then again, who doesnt?! But she is still who I call my sweet treat friend though.
We have this amaaaaaaazing fudge recipe.


Mush up the biscuits.


Add the chocolate goodness.


Wolah! Delicious sweet treat.



January 24, 2010

Heated discussions

A couple of very treasured friends of mine challenged me this week.

I can't say I particularly enjoyed the challenge (or perhaps the honesty) however in their opinions, I am lucky to have friends who will do just that.
And they are right. There are people everywhere who are all to quick to nod in agreement and on the same scale, there are those who are all to quick to pick apart. Questioning and challenging involves listening and thinking. And I like friends who do this. I also appreciate honestly.

So the contentious topic and challenge centred around blogging. This led to a most heated discussion between the table. One in which I sat and listened, thought, left thinking about, talked about and thought about some more. Comments were made such as, "writing a blog implies you are worthy of being read," and, "there are plenty of intelligant people who would never write a blog". Also, "there is a certain level of confidence one must have in themselves to publish ones own thoughts on such a open site."
Im not sure a consensus was reached on this topic. But there was understanding gained between the parties. These understandings were:

1. My blog is for me. I'm a social person, a people person, I like to talk, and I like to share. Sharing is one of my therapies. And because this blog is firstly for me, I will no longer send it via email.

2. But because I know some people are interested in my tales and my thoughts, and because I like to share, I will continue to write this blog. Those who are interested will read.

3. As an exception to understanding number 3, my family will still receive my blog via email. Because family don't get to choose whether they listen to me or not, even when I am over the other side of the world!

4. Name change. Not mine-my blog. From Livi blogs, to The Blog Weaver.

Thanks must go to my treasured friends. Friends that challenge, friends that listen, friends that think (and friends im sure will follow regardless of email notifications!).



January 20, 2010

This has me thinking

'The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge but less judgement; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love to seldom, and hate too often.'


'We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice. We have higher incomes, but lower morals; we've become long on quantity, but short on quality. These are the times of tall men, and short character; steep profits, and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.'


This has made me question myself as to whats important to me?
The answer? People and relationships. Family and friends.
This year, I plan to relax more and enjoy just being. Less rush, less busy.


This is exactly what is important to me. Right now.


January 16, 2010

Hello 2010!

Its taken me all of 16 days to get my blog up and running which was my first goal for 2010 so thought it was only right that I began my blog with my goals for the year.

1. Write a blog. About anything and everything.

2. Basic real woman stuff 101. This includes sewing buttons/zips, learning how to crochet and knit so I can make scarfs and one of my favourite things- hats. And I plan on experimenting with cooking-one new dish a week.

3. Run another half marathon. And hopefully do it under 2 hours.

4. And something for someone else.....yet to be decided. Maybe the Cancer Research 24 hour relay?

2009 was absolutely superb. 2010 can only be better!