The Birth of an Idea: Who invented Cupcake Jemma Rainbow Cake?

Long before Dylan’s birthday loomed on the calendar, the idea of crafting his inaugural cake danced in the baker’s mind. It wasn’t merely a dessert but a symbol of love and celebration, a testament to the joyous milestone of his first year. Countless hours were spent scouring the vast expanse of the internet, searching for the perfect recipe that would encapsulate the essence of childhood delight. Among the myriad of options, one stood out – a rainbow cake, a kaleidoscope of colors that mirrored the boundless energy and innocence of youth.

A Quest for Perfection

With the vision of a rainbow cake firmly planted in mind, the baker embarked on a quest for perfection. Armed with determination and a plethora of online tutorials, she delved into the intricacies of rainbow cake crafting. Hours melted away as she meticulously studied techniques, from layering vibrant colors to achieving the perfect crumb texture. Google became her ally, guiding her through the labyrinth of baking mysteries, offering insights and tips from seasoned bakers around the globe.

Tools of the Trade

No artisan is complete without her tools, and the baker was no exception. Inspired by the sage advice of baking gurus, she invested in an arsenal of equipment designed to elevate her creations to new heights. A turntable, palette knives, a cake scraper, and a cake leveler became her trusted companions, each serving a specific purpose in the pursuit of baking excellence. While some might dismiss them as mere gadgets, to the baker, they were instruments of precision, enabling her to sculpt cakes with the finesse of a seasoned sculptor.

1. Turntable: The foundation of her toolkit, it provided a stable base, allowing her to rotate her cakes smoothly for even decoration and icing;
2. Palette Knives: These versatile tools were essential for spreading icing and fillings, their flexible blades perfect for achieving a smooth finish;
3. Cake Scraper: This simple yet effective instrument was indispensable for creating sharp, clean edges on her cakes, ensuring a professional look;
4. Cake Leveler: Precision in cake layers was crucial for the aesthetic and stability of her creations. The leveler ensured each layer was perfectly even;
5. Piping Bags and Tips: A collection of piping bags and various tips enabled her to adorn cakes with intricate designs, from delicate flowers to elegant borders;
6. Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accuracy in baking was non-negotiable. These measuring tools ensured her ingredients were always perfectly proportioned;
7. Digital Scale: For precision beyond what cups and spoons could offer, the digital scale was her go-to for measuring ingredients by weight;
8. Oven Thermometer: Knowing the exact oven temperature was key to perfectly baked goods, making the oven thermometer an essential part of her arsenal;
9. Silicone Baking Mats: These non-stick, reusable mats provided an ideal surface for baking cookies and macarons, ensuring easy release and cleanup;
10. Mixing Bowls with Lids: A set of mixing bowls with lids allows for easy mixing of ingredients and convenient storage of batters and doughs.

To the baker, each tool was not just a means to an end but a part of her journey towards mastering the art of baking. With these tools by her side, she was equipped to tackle any baking challenge that came her way, each creation a testament to her skill and dedication.

A Canvas of Cake

The canvas for her masterpiece was laid bare – four tiers of orange and poppy seed sponge, each layer infused with the essence of citrus and the subtle crunch of poppy seeds. It wasn’t just a cake; it was a symphony of flavors, a harmonious blend of sweetness and zest that would tantalize the taste buds and ignite the senses. With practiced hands, she measured and sifted, folded and mixed, pouring her heart and soul into every step of the process.

Embracing Innovation

In the realm of baking, innovation knows no bounds, and the baker was not one to shy away from experimentation. Drawing inspiration from the tutorials she’d devoured, she introduced subtle variations to the traditional rainbow cake recipe. While the original called for a uniform coating of rainbow-colored buttercream, she opted for a daring departure, leaving the top layer pristine white to accentuate the brilliance of the rainbow topper. It was a bold move, one that would set her creation apart from the rest, a testament to her creativity and ingenuity.

The Icing on the Cake

Ah, the icing – the pièce de résistance of any cake worth its salt. With a flourish of her piping bag, the baker set to work, layering swirls of rainbow-colored buttercream onto each tier with practiced precision. It was a labor of love, each stroke a testament to her dedication and attention to detail. But she didn’t stop there. No, she went a step further, fashioning decorative ruffles from leftover icing remnants, adding an extra layer of whimsy and charm to her creation.

A Feast for the Senses

As the cake took shape, the kitchen was transformed into a symphony of sights and smells, a sensory feast that tantalized the senses. The air was thick with the aroma of freshly baked sponge and vanilla buttercream, mingling with the sweet scent of citrus and the earthy undertones of poppy seeds. Colors danced before her eyes, a kaleidoscope of hues that mirrored the vibrant spirit of Dylan’s young soul. It was a moment of pure magic, a fleeting glimpse into the alchemy of creation.

The Final Flourish

With the last dollop of icing piped and the final flourish added, the rainbow cake stood resplendent, a testament to the baker’s skill and creativity. It was more than just a dessert; it was a work of art, a masterpiece that would be cherished and savored for years to come. As Dylan’s birthday drew near, anticipation mounted, excitement building with each passing moment. And when the time finally came to unveil the cake, the room erupted in applause and cheers, a chorus of joy and celebration that echoed through the halls.

A Legacy of Love

In the annals of family history, this rainbow cake would hold a special place, a cherished memory of Dylan’s first birthday and the love that went into crafting it. It was more than just a cake; it was a symbol of love and devotion, a tangible expression of the bond between parent and child. And as Dylan took his first bite, his face lighting up with delight, the baker knew that her efforts had not been in vain. For in that moment, she had created not just a cake but a memory, a legacy of love that would endure for generations to come.

Conclusion: A Sweet Symphony of Love

As the echoes of laughter and celebration faded into the night, and the last crumbs of the rainbow cake were savored, a profound sense of fulfillment washed over the baker. In that moment, she realized that her efforts had transcended the realm of mere baking; they had become a testament to the power of love and creativity. The rainbow cake, with its vibrant colors and exquisite flavors, had served as a conduit for joy and connection, bringing together loved ones in a shared moment of happiness.

But more than that, it had left an indelible mark on the hearts of all who had witnessed its creation. For in each layer of sponge and swirl of buttercream, they had glimpsed the essence of the baker’s devotion, a tangible expression of the love she felt for her son. And as Dylan blew out the candles atop his masterpiece, surrounded by the warmth of family and friends, it was clear that this was more than just a birthday cake—it was a sweet symphony of love, a melody that would linger in their hearts long after the last crumb had been eaten.

The post Bake a Masterpiece: Cupcake Jemma Rainbow Cake appeared first on Helenasblog.

Scottish Winters

Of course, the opposite is true during the winter when it feels like the sun is barely up before it starts getting dark again. As much as I personally love the cosiness of sitting with a blanket and good book on the sofa, sipping hot chocolate with a scented candle burning, it can be hard to get motivated during the dark winters and the lack of light definitely affects Mik’s mood.

Now that another Scottish winter is looming, I’m trying to make as much of the natural light as possible. I’ve noticed that Dylan sleeps so much better when he’s had plenty of natural light during the day and Mik is much happier on long sunny days as well. It’s amazing how much light can affect your mood!

Follow The Natural Light

We’ve moved Dylan’s outside toys into the conservatory so he can be sheltered from the wind but also benefit from the natural light. We are lucky enough to have a fairly big south facing conservatory which is perfect for him to play in during spring and autumn. I’m planning to do lots of activities in there over the coming months. Painting and colouring, picnic lunches and finally trying some of the sensory activities I’m forever pinning onto my Pinterest boards.

Home Improvements

Most of our rooms have south facing windows and my dream is to make the windows even bigger so that the light in the house is maximised. I’m not sure how realistic it is, and we’ll have to save up, but I’d love to get some replacement sash windows as I think they look beautiful and can make the inside feel almost like the outside when they are wide open. My Dad has sash windows on the front of his cottage and I’ve always loved the look and feel of them. I also have visions of a little balcony off our bedroom which I imagine sitting on for a peaceful morning coffee, looking out into the woods which our house backs onto. Who knows, maybe in 20 years!

Getting Ready for Winter

When the days start to shorten, there are a few things I look forward to which make me not mind the lack of light quite so much. I tend not to light many candles during the summer so I invariably end up saving one that I was given for the previous Christmas or birthday to light when the nights start drawing in. There’s nothing like lighting a wonderful scented candle to get you in the mood for winter and it almost counts as light right? Not natural light but definitely cosy light! It’s also the perfect time to sit on the sofa with a good book and hot chocolate.

I like to make the Christmas cake around the start of October. This always gets me excited for Christmas which is my absolute favourite time of year. I always start craving heavy meals when the seasons start to shift and the first roast dinner of the winter is always a treat. I just love pottering around the house while there is a chicken roasting away in the oven making my stomach rumble.

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Each nap time and every evening before bed, I spend ages using velcro and Blu Tack to stick an extra blackout blind up underneath Dylan’s roller blind. It’s still almost impossible not to let chinks of light through so I end up trying to stuff the gaps with muslins. Anything to try and prevent him waking in the danger hour between 4am and 5am.

Future Proofing

Currently Dylan is sleeping in the small bedroom next to ours but the plan is to move him into the bigger bedroom next door which is our guest bedroom at present. We didn’t change the Venetian blinds in the guest room when we moved in and aside from the fact that I don’t like the odd off white colour, they are awkward to keep clean and are also not child safe due to the chord. We have been meaning to replace them for ages.

A couple of the places we’ve stayed recently in the Lake District and Inverness had skylights with blackout blinds fitted. They kept out so much more light than the roller blinds we’ve got at home so it got me thinking. Can I get something similar for Dylan’s bedroom?

EcoFit Blackout Blinds

Make My Blinds offer a wide range of blinds, all made to measure. In their conservatory blinds section, I found the EcoFit Honeycomb Pure Blackout blinds which looked perfect. I decided to try them out in the guest room – soon to be Dylan’s room – seeing as we needed new blinds for there anyway.

I went for plain white and plan to put up a patterned blackout curtain on top once Dylan has moved in to completely block out the light from around the edges and also add some colour to the room. And of course to cover those few nights in Scotland where it’s warm enough to actually need the window open! The EcoFit blinds are fitted to the window pane so obviously won’t block out any light if the window is open. I’m not sure how we’ll decorate the room yet but I think this plan is fairly future proof as white goes with everything.

There is a handy video on the website explaining exactly how to measure up for the blinds so in no time at all I was able to place an order.

Installation

The Make My Blinds website also has a video showing how to install the blinds and it looks very easy. The idea is that you don’t need to drill any holes, just clip the blinds underneath the black beading around the edge of the window, between the beading and the glass itself. I’m not going to lie, we found it a major struggle!

The blinds are such a tight fit and it was difficult to get them underneath the beading. I’m not sure if our beading is maybe stuck tighter to the frame than normal? The clips are tapered to help you get them in, but we found that the taper wasn’t much use when trying to push the blinds up the frame, which you need to do for the second side you install. Anyway, we did finally manage to get them installed with one of us holding the beading off the glass using a scraper, the other forcing the clips in, plus lots of washing up liquid as lubrication!

They’re Up!

I love how the blinds look when they’re are open. I love how little space they take up on the window. The window in our guest room is quite small for the size of room and our old blinds always annoyed me as they took up far too much space and blocked a fair bit of light. The EcoFit blinds only take up a few centimetres at the top of the window so the room instantly feels much brighter.

However, I’m a little disappointed by the amount of light that still comes in around the edges of the blinds. They aren’t quite as perfect as I’d hoped for. Don’t get me wrong, there is much less light than the traditional roller blinds we have in the other bedrooms, but it’s more than I’ve seen with EcoFit style blinds fitted to skylights. Perhaps our beading isn’t as deep as you would get on a skylight?

To get the room properly dark, we will definitely need to get a blackout curtain or additional blind on top. I had planned to do this anyway as the window looks a bit bare just now and could do with a bit of colour so it’s not the end of the world. And the good thing is that this will be much easier to do with the EcoFit blinds as there is still space on the frame to install another level of blackout.

I’m planning to purchase another set of EcoFit blinds to put up in Dylan’s nursery as well. They should save me the hassle of faffing around with Blu Tack every time he sleeps, although I think I will still need my trusty muslins to block out those last little chinks of light!

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Colour Scheme

As we don’t know if we are having a boy or a girl, we wanted to go for a gender neutral colour scheme. I love white as I think it makes everything look cleaner and brighter, but we also wanted to room to have some colour and not be too minimalist. In the end, we decided to paint all of the walls in white (Dulux Timeless) and have a geometric pattern on one of the walls to add the pop of colour we were after.

The pattern itself was fairly easy to create – we just used tape to randomly create the shapes and then carefully painted inside the gaps. It took much longer to actually choose the colours than do the painting! In the end we went for Lemon Tropics, Mint Macaroon, Dusted Fondant and Melon Sorbet (all Dulux). I think they work really well together and are bright enough without being garish.

Furniture

In terms of furniture, we already had a lovely oak bookcase which we wanted to use in the nursery so tried to choose the other pieces of furniture around that. However, as the room isn’t big, I didn’t want to have a full set of oak furniture as that would have made the room feel even smaller. I managed to find a white cot with oak feet from a company called Mebel Vox (sold on Wayfair) which was the perfect way to tie to oak bookcase to the white walls. We decided to go for a cot that converts into a cot bed which should mean we get some extra use out of it. The cot also has three different mattress height settings so that as baby grows we can lower the mattress.

Even better, the same company also sell a storage unit which complements the cot and includes multicoloured drawers/cupboard doors. You can choose from a few different colours – we went for the yellow to keep the room feeling bright.

Mattress

We bought the eve baby mattress which feels like it’s going to be very comfy for baby. It’s designed based on the safe sleep guidelines and eve works alongside The Lullaby Trust to ensure that the mattress is as safe as possible. The mattress has an antibacterial cover, a waterproof panel and is a mixture of foam and pocket springs.

We are a little concerned about the temperature of baby’s room as our house can get very warm during the summer. The eve mattress is specially designed to let air flow freely which regulates the temperature in the cot and helps keep baby at a safe temperature which in turn reduces the risk of SIDS. This is one of the main reasons we decided to go for this mattress.  We’ve recently switched our own pillows to another brand which has a similar air flow technology and we are both sleeping so much better and not feeling as hot so we’ve got high hopes for the mattress.

Extra Bits and Bobs

Next up was finding something for the walls. I came across these adorable animal prints and knew right away that they would be perfect! The most time consuming bit here was trying to find frames for them. I wanted to get really thin oak frames but after many hours of searching had to abandon that dream. All of the oak frames were just too wide.

Luckily, I spotted these copper frames in Paperchase and they are the exact size I was looking for. We did have a bit of an issue getting them up as I ordered them online and forgot to check the fittings on the back. These frames only have a stand and no wall fixtures so Mik had to remove the stand and attach some fittings from B&Q. It worked out in the end though and even though they weren’t what I imagined I think they look lovely on the wall.

We ordered the blind from Blinds-2-Go. We’ve used them for every other blind in our house and have always had a good experience with them. You can order free samples of multiple blinds before making your decision which is so helpful and you can then get the blinds made to whatever size you need.

Since I took all the photos above, we added this little polar bear picture above the cot. I love this as Mik actually made the three origami polar bears for me for a 1-year anniversary present (the paper anniversary!).

I love peeking into baby’s nursery now that it’s almost ready – it’s so exciting and is making me very impatient for his/her arrival (which may be sooner than expected based on recent midwife/hospital visits!)

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