I found a great recipe for cupcakes on the net and decided I was going to make it. Bit of work for someone who has never made any cakes before. (Although I've made some other desserts and friands). I learnt not to substitute baking powder for the internet recipe for making your own baking powder (baking soda and cream of tartar), as it turned out a disaster. BUT, encouraged by Phil, and this time with his help, we made another batch.

The cupcakes I made was "Peruvian Caramel Filled Lemon Cupcakes with Raspberry Buttercream and Coconut". It is one sweet cupcake! If anyone ends up making this, I suggest you make mini ones, as the sweetness is "an assult on the tastebuds" (quoting phil). I also learnt by simmering a can of condensed milk for two hours, you end up with a very delicious caramel!

So here's a snap of my end product.. the raspberry buttercream on top is divine! I was eating it out of the bowl...

Okay, they look a bit home-made, but still very yummy. The cake was a bit dense, but you don't notice it after you add all the filling. So if you're interested, here's the recipe: http://cupcakeblog.com/index.php/category/themes/peruvian-inspired/

A visit from Phil's mum recently, meant a trip to the Barossa Valley on a cold and wet day. Still it was fun, although I didn't do any wine tasting, as I have an allergy (and not sure if it's to do with alcohol yet.) Went to the whispering wall, not a whole lot of whispering going on as it was raining so much, but still interesting. And of course, visits to a number of wineries! (hrmm I don't look impressed there, perhaps its because its the third freaking pic Phil was trying to take of me since I got out of the car when we arrived at Penfolds!)

Went to the wildlife park "Warrawong Sanctuary", there we patiently waited for ages to see a platypus, but it never surfaced! At least we got to see a koala climb the whole length of a tree and make some scary noises, and some lazy ass kangaroos :)

Am pretty nervous about the upcoming exhibition, only two a bit a weeks to go! Still painting and trying to get everything in order. Think I'm going to chicken out in speech (me + speech= speechless) and get the girl who's helping me organise it to do it for me!