Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Cake Recipe

I’m not a fan of dry cake with coloured icing (though my children seem to love it) instead I like a tasty, moist sponge… and this is a perfect example. The recipe here is for a loaf but you can make it bigger – remember to adjust cooking times accordingly. It is a firm loaf but the drizzle probably makes it less suitable for ambitious shapes – make it for the adults instead!

• 225g unsalted butter , softened
• 225g caster sugar
• 4 eggs
• finely grated zest 1 lemon
• 225g self-raising flour

Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Cream the butter and sugar until pale and creamy, then add the eggs, one at a time, slowly mixing in. Sift in the flour, then add the lemon zest and mix until well combined.

Line a loaf tin (8 x 21cm) with greaseproof paper, then spoon in the mixture and level the top with a spoon.

Bake for 45-50 mins until a thin skewer inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

While the cake is cooling in its tin, mix together the lemon juice and sugar to make the drizzle. Prick the warm cake all over with a skewer or fork, then pour over the drizzle – the juice will sink in and the sugar will form a lovely, crisp topping. Leave in the tin until completely cool, then remove and serve.

Will keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days, or freeze for up to 1 month. (This makes it nice and easy to prepare in advance – perfect for parties)

Juggling the entertainment for a successful kids party

As a face painter I go to many parties every year. I’m not always the only entertainer there and I’ve learned what works and how to balance the entertainment so everything runs smoothly;

• Introduce your child to the entertainer, then they’ll feel both comfortable and special – it helps the entertainer include your child in the fun
• If you have a face painter, encourage the children if they’re reluctant at first, once the first child is painted, they’ll all want to join in; your face painter will  be better paced if they start early rather than having to rush to fit everyone in at the end
• During the entertainment bouncy castles should be allowed to deflate. Children will hear the show better without the noise and they won’t be distracted or feel torn between the two (although face painters usually paint right through a two hour party)
• Make sure there are parents present at all times – an entertainer is paid to entertain and can’t do balloon modelling/magic/face painting and make sure every child is safe at all times
• Most good entertainers can handle a cheeky or exuberant child but if a child is being naughty or disruptive it can spoil the entertainment for the others; it is helpful if a parent steps in to calm the situation, it isn’t the clown’s job to discipline
• If you have an entertainer providing a show and a face painter it helps if an adult can call each child for their turn meaning everyone gets their face painted and that no-one misses the show
• Spend a few minutes planning; please don’t sit your face painter/nail artist etc right next to a loud speaker or outside in the sun without shelter – two hours on a sunny afternoon is easily enough time to burn (remember to provide sun cream for the little ones too as lots of parents forget)

Snake in the grass!

Today I painted faces for children at Bourne Veterinary Practice open day. I must have painted hundreds of pink tigers, a couple of dogs, a few kittens but only one snake… Oh, and a cow…(sadly not shown) and a guinea pig….

Egg-Free Crazy Cake Recipe

This easy recipe is perfect for making with the children, it honestly tastes delicious – we’ve made it over and over again since we were children and has the added bonus of being totally egg free. No, you can’t taste the vinegar – we think it helps make it less sweet and adds to the wonderful moistness of the recipe.

Crazy Cake

• 1/12 cups flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 tbs cocoa
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon vinegar (that’s the crazy bit)
• 1 cup cold water

 Sift dry ingredients into a bowl, make a dip and add wet ingredients – easy on the water – mix- pour into a tin (mixture should be gloopy.)

 To ice – mix cream cheese with enough icing sugar and cocoa powder until it tastes nice (or use standard butter icing if you prefer – but it can be a bit sickly.)

Fantasy Face Painting

I just love this Unicorn face! Perfect for fairy themed parties or pony-mad little girls.

Happy Easter Face Painting!

Happy Easter!

Clowning About

I rarely get asked to paint clowns but I’ve suddenly had a few requested. I try to make them all individual. I was asked to paint the second face for a party and designed it specifically to go with the costume.

Helter Skelter

If you’re a parent in Broadstairs you’re hardly likely to have missed the opening of Helter Skelter in November last year – you’ll already know about the great food and yummy cakes, their Adult Exercise classes, Tuesday Evening Supper Club, Mother and toddler groups, the fabulous, clean play facilities and the leather sofas for grown ups! If you’ve already visited you’ll know that their service is second to none – which means you’ll enjoy your visit there as much as your children will. However, you might not know that if you book your children’s party at Helter Skelter you can also hire a face painter (yours truly!) to help make the day really special! You can make your booking through me 07789 727898 or through Helter Skelter 01843 600140.

http://www.helterskelterplaycentres.com/

Gestational Art – Pregnant Tummy Painting

If you’re pregnant (and living in or near Kent) I’d love to hear from you – I’m looking for a model who would like to have her Bump painted and professionally photographed. If chosen you will get a framed print of your favourite photo totally free.

You will be painted in your own home – over your tummy, possibly some of your bust and one arm depending on the design, then our photographer will sensitively photograph you at your home in a mobile studio so as to show you and your chosen design beautifully. You then decide which photo to frame from a selection.

This service will usually be priced at £150 for a three hour painting session and frame print – we are offering it free to our chosen model. Email me for information!

The paint will not harm the baby or you, it will not stain and can easily be washed away in the shower. You and your baby will find it a relaxing experience, much like having a massage.

http://www.awolphotography.com/

Broadstairs, Kent, 29/08/09