Madiera cake

Hello, dear! How are you?

I'm all over the place at present and can't seem to get much of a grip! I think I'm just ready for the half-term hols so I can catch my breath. I've a pile of ironing the size of a small family car; the dog keeps chewing various items of clothing; I won't even mention the state of my bathroom (suffice it to say that I'll have to give it a good seeing to before I open the front door to any visitors...) But much of my disorganisation is down to having a healthy social life and having little time to dedicate to being a domestic godess as a result. On Saturday last, not only did I meet a friend for lunch in Leeds, but Mr Chino and myself went out to dinner with friends; on Sunday I catered for the little Chinos' fifth birthday party - they went as Darth Vader - baking two cakes in the morning; Monday was the boys' parents' evening and Tuesday saw me travelling to Leeds (again) to watch "Madam Butterfly"! I can't believe what I packed into the last few days... Needless to say, I'm pooped!

Thank goodness I had to bake birthday cakes, else I'd never have got round to baking at all. The boys are so different and, just like last year, wanted different cakes to one another. I ended up making a chocolate and a Madiera cake. Both were delicious! The Madiera cake was so simple to make, good job too, as I had burnt one chocolate cake on Saturday and had run out of eggs. I had visions of a mercy dash to the Co-op to purchase a Caterpillar cake (cover your ears, Margo; I bet your children have never suffered such abuse at your hands...), but was saved that fate. As you can see from the photo, my cake decoration skills are limited, but the boys were delighted.

I must say that the Brownies never appealed to me either, all that calling grown women by owl names seemed a little strange; come to think of it, I never joined the RSPB for that matter.

I'm sure you'll manage the November bake very well, although Margo's suggestion was a little obvious; what about Parkin - very 'Bonfire Night', or Treacle Toffee? Have a look through the Great British Book of Baking, I'm sure you'll get an idea.

Well, that's all for now; I'm off to get into my pyjamas and curl up in front of the tv with a nice cup of tea.

Night night; Cathy x