Hello lovely people! I have so much to share, very little time left before bed, and I don’t really know where to start, so this is just a short and sweet* sneak preview of my recent pastry school adventures.
Still on maternity leave and trying to complete personal graphic design projects, spend as much quality time with the children as possible and attend night school to undertake an intensive pastry diploma, has meant as little as 2 hours of sleep some nights. I do not recommend this 😛 .
Of course it has been an incredibly productive time too, and I feel like I have really done all I can with the opportunities afforded me… plus had the luxury of thousands of cuddles and baby cheek-kisses along the way.
I am quietly reflective and slightly emotional as I prepare myself to head back to work tomorrow (eek!) for the first time since it all came to an abrupt stop in August 2012, when I ended up in hospital for the third time with high risk pregnancy complications. As we had a family sing-along (Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star) tonight before the kids’ bed time, I felt beyond blessed. I never could have imagined back in 2010 when I went on maternity leave for the first time, how my life would have unfolded.
I will be sure to post a proper run-down of some of the pastry skills I have learned and reflections on my time in class soon, but in the meantime, here are a few images of some of the things I have made, including marshmallows, pralines (which you can’t actually see as they are hiding in egg cups!), mousse layer cake with buttercream frosting, Swedish knubbar (sweet buns), kolasnitt (caramel cookies), brioche, petits choux and more…
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- Petits Choux (profiteroles or cream puffs, if you prefer!)
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- Sweet buns, including French brioche and Swedish knubbar
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- Kolasnitt (caramel cookies)
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- An afternoon tea spread, featuring raspberry & passionfruit mousse layer cake, cranberry marshmallows and pralines (yes, I tempered chocolate!)… a celebration for Cupcake’s name day and L completing a 400m toddler fun-run!
But for now it’s farewell summer, farewell maternity leave and hello new chapter of Miss Marzipan’s story!
Much <3 ! MM xx
*a not-so-clever pun!
Wow! They all look amazing! Especially the layer cake… Congrats on learning so many new techniques and new recipes even when you have a young family to look after! Hope your first day back at work goes well 🙂
Oh have a good day at work! That cake looks amazing. And the toddler fun run sounds adorable! I’m not sure I could run 400m!
Thank you, lovely! Haha- the toddler fun run is pretty darn cute. All the kids get a t-shirt, sports drink bottle for water and a medal… and they all beam with pride 🙂 xx
O back to work! Well good luck and have fun today. I’m sure it’ll take some getting used to… And that me just looks ridiculously beautiful!
Thank you so much, lovely Simone! Today was rather fun actually… it’s all a bit surreal still, but I know it will be fine 🙂 Hope all is great with you! xx
All the very best for your first day back at work. Glad you have had such a great maternity leave. Looking forward to hearing more about pastry school when you have time. 🙂
Thank you so much! It went well, despite losing my office access card, running late for a meeting and a few other minor mishaps. Looking forward to catching up on everyone else’s new this week 🙂 Hope you had a lovely weekend 🙂 xx
Pastry school sounds like an exciting venture, I love what you have done so far. I hope you’ll be posting more of your pastry school projects. 😊
Thank you so much, Julie! I hope to find time to do so over the next few days. It has been really fun! 🙂 xxx
Awwwww drooooling man
Hehe 🙂 Thank you! 🙂
Gorgeous. You’re so talented!
Thank you so much, lovely Mimi! Really means a lot to have your support 🙂 xx
Hi Marisa– It has been pretty crazy, but I’m glad you’ve all this sweet time with your children. Hope all goes well as you head back to work– all the logistics of work and family and praying you’ll have strength and encouragement for all that’s ahead. The pastries are super amazing!! Makes me want to run out and sign up for a pastry class! Waiting to hear how it all goes…
All the best Miss M. You will rock! Look forward to your creations here!
Thank you so very much, lovely Meeta! Popping on over to see what gorgeousness you have been up to. xx
You just get more and more skilled every time I see your posts, you are incredible 😀
This cake is better than the professional ones I have seen!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
You are so sweet, Uru! Thank you, lovely! PS your IG posts make me so hungry! You really make and eat some fabulous things!!! xx