Comfort of Baking

I just love to bake, it my most favourite thing and where I feel totally at home. It defines who I am - a real home body who has enormous appreciation for the simple things in life.

However, since opening my little cupcake shop 18 months ago, the drive to bake at home has somewhat faded! Now that we have a new baker sharing the load, I am not baking as much at the shop so in the last week, I have had that baking urge again. I've had all my baking books out, sitting on the couch with a coffee, just lusting over what I can create!

Last night I decided to get Belinda Jeffery's beautiful Mix & Bake book out. Her book is divine, a collection of family recipes. I inspire to write a 'family traditions' book one day. After I found the 'most beautiful orange cake' recipe, I decided to turn the oven. Probably not such a great idea because it was already 9.30pm and by the time it cooked and cooled it was midnight!

But it was worth it - a quick and easy mixture to make and boy did it rise! It's a really big cake but oh so yummy - I love a good citrus cake.

Relaxed and inspired

My husband and I just spent 2 days roaming the Southern Highlands and oh my, it would have to be my favourite place on the planet! It truly is so beautiful and a place I would love to live and work.

The sweet change in the landscapre when you turn off the highway has a remarkable calming and memorising affect on me. The pastures are so different and even the trees seem to grow and stand happier - so perfect. The horses and cows are fat and round because they are in paddocks full of lush green grass. The landscape is just amazing. We both love Bowral - here are some of our favourites.....


Darling 'My Home Bowral'. This was a divine little house divided in to little rooms. It was all decked out with fabrics from Moda & Amy Butler, quilts, buttons, cushions, aprons, stationery and the list goes on. Could have quite easily moved in and made it my home!

This was a sweet little town called Burrawang. It was recommended to us by the host at the guesthouse that we stayed at (Links House) and we are so glad we made the trip. Nothing much in the village except for a general store, a village butcher and this amazing hotel/pub. But the village sits at the top of a hill and has the most amazing outlook. This hotel was done to perfection with the most beautiful 'backyard' with views that took my breath away.

And Bowral's sweetest Country Florist Shop. Doesn't the entry say it all? This blew me away, it was rustic and charming inside with antiques everywhere. The bunches of flowers just sat on big wooden tables in old jugs and vases scattered randomly. I loved the warmth and originality of this shop, it confirmed that having your own style and just putting things together without being structured, really works.

The guesthouse that we stayed at - Links House, was also divine. Perfect gardens and sitting rooms by open fireplaces overlooking the Bowral golf course. Struggled with sitting in one of the big arm chairs, sipping champagne and reading my favourite magazine! A perfect getaway, one we are sure to do again soon.