More cupcakes - still seaching for the BEST recipe!

In an experimental mood again.

This time, I made some lemon poppy seeds cupcakes since mom gave me a lemon (which has been sitting in the fridge for ages and drying up!). The texture was not bad, and definitely very fragrant. But after it was cool, I find it a little dry and tough.


Since the oven was switched on, I may as well retry the KAF golden vanilla cake recipe. I just cannot understand and accept why my cakes have all failed while the website shows nicely risen cakes. So I decided to substitute the all purpose flour with self-raising flour. The result was quite ideal while it's fresh (at least it rose!), however, hubby had difficulty swallowing it a day later, and dad thought it's too moist! So, I still have not found the best plain vanilla cupcake recipe :(

Leftover fondant. The ugliest fondant flowers ever... ;p

Scones & Lemon Cupcakes

Finally a free weekend :)

I had planned to do some shopping, catch up on my sleep, finish up my near-expiry yoga passes, and of course, the main agenda was baking.

Found this supposedly BEST scone recipe on the internet. I wanted to make a comparison with my best scone recipe which was generously shared by the housekeeper of White House, Cameron Highlands. So, the challenge took place.

The new recipe requires a little bit more work as it requires buttermilk. I had to make some myself as they are hard to find off-the-shelf here. And the verdict...
The new recipe was a little more difficult and messy, but they both taste almost the same - except that the new recipe produces taller & fluffier scones (on the left). Quite happy with the results.

Since there was some buttermilk left, and I had a lemon in the fridge, I decided to try a lemon cupcake recipe. It was good except a little dry - which was unfortunate because I had wanted to also finish up the fondant I made one month ago. Well, guess that will have to wait till next week :) My creative juices can only flow when I am in the mood.

Overall it's been a good weekend except for the PMS that is affecting my sleep. Have been attending Yin Yoga classes to sooth the discomfort, but I'm not sure if that's helping.

Looking forward to the short week ahead. Hope the mood and inspiration to bake and decorate come back by next weekend, before the fondant turns bad!

Life...

It's been a week full of ups and downs.

I was praised at work by a few directors, including my boss - which was really motivating and encouraging :) At least the project is heading the right way.

I was also given an opportunity to attend a course I have been wanting to attend for the past few years, and my company has agreed to pay for me. RM8,500 is not a small sum.

And then I made sure I'm free this weekend so that I can pay my 'yoga debts' ie. go for more classes before my passes expired. I have even planned on which classes to attend. And by the way my leg is 98% cured - I can do my king pigeon pose just like before! Just waiting for my full lotus pose to feel more comfortable on my right knee before I attempt bound lotus.

I also wanted to sit down, have some quiet moments so that my creative juices (if any) will flow for me to put my fondant to good use before it starts to become mouldy. And experiment more cakes.

I was also looking forward to the big meeting and free lunch next week with all my colleagues.

Then, yesterday evening, my mom called to tell me that her dad passed away. My only grandparent left has passed away. I didn't expect this at all as he was doing quite ok though he had a stroke 2 years back. It was saddening. And we'll need to spend time at the wake this whole weekend until the following Monday.

And I have been waking up at 3am everyday for NO REASON. I feel so exhausted. My whole body is aching, my eyes look swollen. I can't even go back to sleep and wake up at an earthly hour. I am tired of being tired!! What is wrong with me...

I also found out some of the people whom I really wanted to catch up with have decided not to attend the big meeting. I am indeed disappointed.

This is life I guess... we can't have everything. We just have to take it with a stride, with no attachments, with no hopes... just sail through it, all the ups and downs, with no emotions, cos we will never know when it is ending.