Reading..

Hi Everyone.

I am sorry for my absence. I have had a very,very upsetting couple of week regarding my dads health I don't want to go in it it too much but I am happy to say he is feeling a lot better.
I would like to talk about the books I have been reading recently. As you know I bake and decorate cakes and what is better than reading a book that contains a tv cake competition! That is the theme of the book I have just finished reading.. called Death Takes The Cake ...

Synopsis from GoodReads: "To help boot ratings on her show Della Carmichael agrees to enter a televised cake competition sponsored by Reggi-Mixx, even though the company's owner, Regina Davis is an old college nemesis. When she finds someone drowned in a mixing bowl of batter, Della realizes solving this murder will be no cakewalk."

I enjoyed reading this book, the connection to baking is why I enjoyed reading. I would of liked a bit more in regards to the mystery itself. The theme reminded me a lot of the 'Food Network Cake Challenge' , that is on the Food Network channel. Not so many twists and not a lot in action or suspense but an enjoyable cozy all the same.

I also read and really enjoyed "Mama Does Time"

This is one of the better cozies I have read recently, great characters! and I also really loved 'Heaven Preserve us'
This author writes in a style that does not annoy you as you read. Some amateur sleuth's find themselves in silly situations with no regard for their safety and with no real reason for pushing their nose in... BUT this author deals with that problem with style, the plot is believable and she treats the characters and reader with respect...

I have read quite a few cozies and I am still waiting to read one that has it all, great character and a good plot and twists. When I find a great one I'll let you know!

Currently Reading. I can feel Autumn on its way here in the uk, it has been windy and raining and I have been in the mood for a autumn feel read. I enjoy reading fiction set at the time of the Witch Trials and I found this book at the library. Although not set in Salem it is so far a very gripping emotional read...set in Germany 1507.

Back of Book " When a visiting friar suggests that witchcraft is to blame for their failing crops, irmeltrud sees and opportunity to get rid of her burdensome mother-in-law, Gude. Frustrated with having to feed the old woman who brings nothing to the table,she is quick to point the dreaded finger of suspicion. Gude has three days to clear her name, or be led to the stake"....

I hope you are all well and I will be visiting your blogs and catching up... Bye for now

Priscilla x

Reading, Nature and the moon!

Hi Everyone.

I have once again been taking photos with the new camera and thought I would share some of the pics. I have never taken a photo of the moon before and it was such a beautiful night so very clear. I am now on the hunt for tripod!

I love the details the camera managed to pick up! 12 x optical zoom... I would love to take a shot with a tripod when dark.

Remember those Ducks In one of my last posts? Look who came to visit again and brought little fuzzy fur balls with her!

These little guys hung around my place for a long time, in the back garden, then they moved to the front and had a little drink. there were 9 chicks!

Aww so cute!

After a day of playing with the camera and my new friends, I settled down with a good book, my trip to the library had me spoilt for choice! Here's what I picked up..

Books on making miniature food ( a new project for me).Photography, Some YA fiction. And cozy mystery books.

I finished Heaven Preserve Us by Cricket McRae . I enjoyed this cozy.

I am currently reading Burning Issy a YA book with a tale set around the Pendle Witches in Lancashire uk.. Good so far.

I will say bye for now see you all soon

Prisiclla x

Cake Decorating - And A New Venture!!

Hi Everyone,

This week I have been decorating a cake for a friend I havn't seen since school. We met on a social network site and she asked me to make a cake for her partners birthday. He likes to play the guitar and his favourite artist is Neil Young. She said it is a surprise from her and her daughters! I delivered the cake today... It was nice to see her after all this time.

Here is what I came up with..
The cake is a sponge cake with butter-cream and strawberry jam... 8 inch round

I do enjoy getting the opportunity to try new cake toppers in sugar. The guitar was a fun challenge. How to do the strings??? He plays an eight string guitar... I new I wasn't fitting eight strings on, but not to worry they got there in one piece! Something I was worried about with such fine icing..Phew !! ha,ha
My friend told me one of Neil Young's well known songs is 'Harvest Moon'.. I thought music sheets with the album logo and music notes would be a good idea. The logo and music is hand painted (with a new fine paintbrush which is now my favourite thing!)
I finished the cake off with a few quirky music notes on the side.... I was working at 11.00pm at night doing the last touches... so its a good thing I had planned quirky twisty music than straight lines! ;)

NEWSFLASH... Coming Soon

I do enjoy making cake toppers in sugar, where people can keep them for a while which many people do... Although I always thought it a shame they eventually have to be eaten... and a lot of people have mentioned they would like the topper to keep forever.

SO I have been working with a new media POLYMER CLAY . Now I can create Cake Toppers for people to keep. At the moment this is in the early stages but this is something I am hoping to develop and offer for sale here on the blog or Etsy.

Where I can create Cake Toppers for sale and provide requests. This is an exciting new venture for me and I will keep you updated!

See you again soon

Priscilla x

Random..and books

Hi Everyone,

Reading and books... I love books! I just thought I would share this small but rather fun piece of info with you... I have always enjoyed reading but books seem to have become a large part of my life this year. Last year I volunteered at Cancer Research where I organise and sort through large amounts of all types of books, which I love! All those old dusty books, and often brand new ones!.. I also work at the library on Thursdays with a computer class but when quiet I browse the shelves for hours!

Oh and am I the only one who is addicted to amazon??? I have also found a great site called GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/ where you can share your love of books with others, more find books to read, and list the ones you have read... Its a great site.

So yeah, books are where I am at right now lol....

I thought I would share some of the ones I have read recently, I read all sorts as you can see

Godmother The Secret Cinderella Story . This was beautifully written, made me want to read. The story was unusual and took a few twists on the Cinderella tale, but I enjoyed it. Found at the library waiting for computer beginners!

The Book Of Tomorrow - Really enjoyed this one! Magical read... Found at the Charity shop, brand new hard back..gorgeous book.

A cozy.. Pretty Is As Pretty Dies- Found this a bit slow..I cant remember much about it actually! A old lady sleuth..

A Young Adult Book - The Secret Circle Not a bad read. Magic among young adults. I have just got the second and final part to read.

I am also going to read my first Nancy Drew ! Yes I have heard many good things here in blog land I know I am no longer a child but I do enjoy reading the Ya and children's are just wonderful too.

I am starting Jinx - Meg Cabot a YA book

of books ready to enjoy but will show them another time..

And here is a little birdy that I just adore! My parents gained him when my grandma went into a care home, he's called Beauty and is the most talkative little thing. He tells us he is beautiful, a good boy, come on beauty,asks us what we are doing, and even Wolf whistles every now and then!

Until next time Bye for now

Ps. Can someone tell me how to copy and paste now in blogger? It dosnt have the option any more. I wanted to put a synopsis of Jinx from Amazon..any help would be great xx Thanks

Priscilla x

Our Play: 'Spark In Judea'

Hi Everyone, I hope you are enjoying great weather? It has been so hot here today! Lets hope it keeps it up! I thought I would share a few photos of a production my theatre company put on for Easter! I know time has gone by since then, but there has been so much happening time just disappeared! My parents are wanting to sell their house so we have been on a huge clear out, we are still working on it!
This play followed Pontius Pilate and his wife and many others...(I played his wife) before and during the crucifixion of Jesus. The play was a success and we enjoyed taking part in it. It was a rather eventful play though, we were not sure everyone would remember their lines as it was a three act play, with some challenging long speeches! but we pulled it off within the last few rehearsals... Here are some photos of the night...we preformed one night in the church itself which was a great experience
Backstage.. The best thing about been in this play was getting to preform along side my good friends.. We are a small company but don't always get to work alongside our friends.. The lady with the long hair is called Helen , she played Mary Magdalene.

Here are my other good friends. Joan to the right of me (I am the one in the middle) ;) and Hazel behind. The costumes were amazing on this show! The costume lady spent a few month looking at costumes on the web, and the male costumes have layers of cotton!

I love the set too ! The fabric was just so rich and we had candles onstage... This is Claudia Procula and Aurelian the architect chatting over old times..

Pontius Pilate and Claudia Procula ( Dave and me) Dave and I enjoyed been in this play, it is the largest role I have played yet..!

Real fruit !

We are now looking at scripts for plays in October, .. If I am not cast in that play, we will all take part in the Pantomime in Feb next year

I hope you enjoyed looking at our photos from 'Spark In Judea' I have to return my costume yet, you can become quite attached to them ha,ha ...

have a great weekend everyone, Take care

Priscilla x

Sunny Days..New Camera

Hi Everyone, I hope you are all enjoying lovely weather wherever you are. It has been really nice recently where I live.. I So I have been taking the opportunity to practice using a new Camera I have just bought from Cancer Research where I work.. It is a Sony Cybershot DSC H2. 12x Zoom . 6mp... Now I am not a professional photographer in any way but I do enjoy taking photos, so when I spotted the 12x zoom I thought that wasn't bad ! I brought it home to check all works and once I added rechargeable batteries it kept the charge.. So I am really pleased ! It even came with the bag,charger and extra lenses!

The camera has inspired my inner photographer... and I will use this camera to try out all the features and light etc... I have even ordered books from the library..ha,ha

I thought you might like to see some of the pics I took on a glorious weekend at my house

This little ducky wandered onto my back garden with his Mrs..and he really wanted his photo taken! I love the way the camera has picked up the colours on his feathers..

This is the view from my front door.. Early morn the sun was shining, birds singing..

Another willing subject ! This in my next door neighbour.. through the garden fence.. He just sat there looking at me whilst I told him I was taking his pic...I am sure he is even smiling ..;)

Back garden in the spring, next door has the goats..;) and chickens and horses...

From the front door.. Just watching the birds before I catch the bus to work.. Oh whats that I see ???


Look who was playing in the trees.. There are two squirrels that play on the phone line across from my house,I see them regularly, here he is on the neighbours tree .. Using the new zoom!

Mr and Mrs Sunbathing...

I hope you enjoyed looking at the photos I took with the new camera, I think I may be taking quite a few more ... Especially if I learn a few new tricks with exposure and other features that I know nothing about ! ha,ha

Have a good week, see you soon

Priscilla x

Yankee Candles..Happy Easter

Just popping in to say hi !!I have been away so long! Such a lot has been happening at the moment, but one thing that always remains constant is my love for Yankee Candles! No matter what changes around me..these stay to brighten up my days..
I wanted to share with you this amazing find! I found this Yankee Tart burner at the Charity shop where I work! I got it for an amazing price, It still had the Yankee label on the bottom it should of been $19.99,
On the same day I also found this beautiful Cake Plate! I have wanted one for a long time I have seen them in shops !

So I set both items aside and also picked up a CD ROM ..

Now the amazing part - I got all this for £3.00 !!! Isn't that amazing, they were been extremely generous! I do love working there..and was so happy for this xx

Do you like the ceramic cupcakes! I love them they were a Christmas gift 2 year ago they are Hanna's scented Soy candles Mint, Apple, Vanilla
I also have two more. I had no pretty way to display them until I found this cake plate. So here they all sit on my kitchen table..

I just adore Yankee candles. My mum and I are always treating ourselves...here is my current collection, that I am trying to organise!

Sampler Candles.. Mulled Wine, Pomegranate Cider, Moonlight Harvest,Silver Bells,Pumpkin Spice,Mackintosh, Gingerbread, Good Morning, Lemon Lavender, Christmas Pudding, Baby Powder, Christmas Eve, Freesia, Country Linen, Sweet Honeysuckle, Spring Bouquet,Meadow Blossom, Blueberry Scone, Fruit Smoothie, Shortbread Cookie, Pineapple Paradise, Fresh Mint

My favourites are Mackintosh and Pumpkin !

Hope you enjoyed a little look at my candles, do you love Yankee Candles too, what are your faves?

Happy Easter Everyone, see you all again soon

Priscilla x