Christmas Creations

This amazing gingerbread house was proudly made by Aly at Regency Park as part of her Patisserie course. It made a beautiful table decoration for Christmas Day.

 A white chocolate cheese cake with white chocolate shards decorated with silver balls didn't stand up to the drive to Kingswood on Christmas Eve - but it still tasted awesome.

Before Christmas Dinner platters of fruit and savory nibbles catered for those who couldn't stay for the main meal. Pineapple, cream cheese and cherries were  most popular.

Christmas Cup Cakes looked and tasted sensational. Days of baking meant that everyone could take some home to enjoy on Boxing Day. Chocolate cakes were topped with pale blue frosting and snowflakes, Vanilla cakes were topped with green frosting Christmas trees decorated with white chocolate stars, Chocolate fruit pudding cakes were topped with Chocolate ganache and white choc (custard) dribbles and decorated with red smartie berries and mint leaves. Red velvet cakes were topped with ganache and decorated with smartie wreaths and lollie bows. SEASONS GREETINGS!

Back again with a newby

My last post was in August. Where have I been you might ask? Well I got caught up in the busyness of Spring chores. Too busy even to stop and take photos. I regret it now that Summer is fully upon us and the garden is showing signs of heat stress. Maybe a New Years resolution to keep blogging every month of the year is in order for 2013.
My latest addition to the rabbit clan is Moustachio. He was born to Martha on 30th August along with 3 siblings. Saddly Martha and her sister Moo died of Calyci virus when the kits were only six weeks old. The kits are immune to the virus while they are young, but Sooty the smallest of the litter was not so fortunate.
At the end of August I had a total of 9 rabbits and now there are only two, Mo and his father Baxter. I'm so glad that I sold and gave away some of the kits and a couple of the 9 month old rabbits before Calyci arrived.
After a suitable quarantine time I will be on the look out for a female bunny to restore some balance to the gender ratio.

Winter Prunings

This year Rod and I pruned all the established trees that we have planted in the garden in an attempt to improve shape and performance. I decided to bring these Manchurian Pear branches inside. To our surprise they went on to blossom and leaf. The tree outside is only now, several weeks later looking like it is about to break forth with flowers. I have now done the same with Prunus Blireana. Stay tuned.

Maple Jewels

Nature continues to deliver surprises. The rain drops on this Japanese Maple really do look like jewels. Very attractive.

How professional is this?

After a blog drought I will tempt your attention with this Chocolate Mousse torte that Aly baked for our latest family birthday celebration. Need I say there are now no left overs.

Etsy.com

I finished knitting the squares of this Mohair blanket last year and then joined and edged the squares with crochet. Unsuccessful was my attempt to sell it on Ebay so I am currently giving Etsy.com a try. I have signed up for my own on-line shop so who knows what will happen? Coloured Pencil Doodle is also listed on my shop.

Coloured Pencil Doodle

 I love to design and create. This vest design was inspired by the set of hand painted coloured pencil buttons that I have had for years. There are 23 different coloured knitted pencils and the doodles are knitted in the colours of the pencil buttons. I am hoping that with an international audience someone will want to purchase this vest that I have advertised on Etsy.com. Yes, I now have my very own on-line store. Check it out at  www.etsy.com/shop/AshwellDesigns?ref=seller_info