love those cupcakes

Catch up

I've been camera-less for most of the past week but the fault has now been rectified and I can click away to my heart's content once again.  So here's a quick catch up of what's been happening at Cupcake Towers.

Buzz and Bea (see what we did there?) are getting along better than we'd anticipated and, whilst there's been the occasional "handbags at ten paces" situation, they're becoming friends.  In the seven days that she's been here, Bea has become the other cat's shadow and loves to instigate "come and chase me" games which at times can become a bit much for poor Buzz.  Still, there's always her favourite toy as a fall-back when he takes refuge in the garden.

Don't be fooled by that innocent looking little face as she settles down with the Boy.  This is one fearless and adventurous kitten who won't be left out of anything.  No, not even the washing machine.  Or fridge.

At least she likes to nip things in the bud!

I've been inspired by the recent posts (with useful links) by Laura at Busywork to have yet another go at making clothes (for those of you who are wondering, the Clothkits skirt is still waiting to be tackled) and this is the fabric I ordered online which just might be transformed into skirts and a dress.  Well, that's the plan.

On Friday we visited nearby Stokesley for a final special something to finish a parcel for this swap.  It was perishingly cold, hinting strongly at the snow that was on its way.  I bought myself a little treat of these tulips, my favourite flowers,  which are brightening up a corner in the hall.

But what really made my week was receiving a surprise package of goodies (lots of Japanese cupcake cases, handmade lavender sachets, chocolates, notebook) from Laura of Busywork. 

Aren't bloggers just the best?

Busy weekend

The Gorgeous Girlie was home this weekend and, as it's her birthday on Tuesday, we went here for an early celebration last night.  As a family of vegetarians, it's still something of a novelty to go to a restaurant and be able to choose anything from the whole menu rather than from a few token dishes. 

Of course, it wouldn't be a birthday without a box of sparkly cupcakes.

 

We also welcomed a new addition to the family today. 

Introducing Bea.

 

She's an 18 week old Tabby and absolutely adorable.

However, someone here (who is doing a lot of unwelcome hissing) is going to take some convincing that we needed another cat.

Out to lunch.....

.....in Saltburn,  the little Victorian seaside town a short drive from where we live.  A delicious Welsh rarebit for me, and goat's cheese and roasted vegetable bruschetta for himself. 

On the way, we passed St Andrew's church in Upleatham. 

It used to have the reputation locally of being the smallest church in England, and that is what I was always told during visits when I was a little girl.  But I've since learned that this isn't actually the case and what stands today is only part of a previously much larger parish church.

The square tower you can see in the photographs is dated 1684 but I've read that the remains of a 9th century Anglo-Danish stone cross were found in the churchyard in 1911, suggesting the site has a much longer history.  Yet it seems that excavation has been limited. Thanks to records like the Domesday Book, it's known that there was a mediaeval manor house somewhere in the area.  (Learning this makes me want to wander around with a metal detector.  Or a spade). 

The church is no longer in use, having been replaced by the "new" one. 

In 1834.

Cat in a box

Seeing photographs on other blogs of where cats settle down to sleep, I can't help thinking that this bed of choice cannot be comfortable.

I'd unpacked a coat I'd ordered from John Lewis and was about to dispose of the box and packaging only to find Buzz had taken up residence and apparently settled down for the night.  He only opened his eyes when I moved in with the dreaded camera. 

 

Attempts to coax him out only resulted in snuggling in further.

So I left him to it.

Stay at home Saturday

The Husband is at the match, the Boy has gone to his new Saturday job as washer up in my cousin's cafe, so it's just me and the cat.  Time for a little baking.  Nothing fancy.  Just something quick and easy, something to fill the empty cake and biscuit tins.

Double chocolate chip cookies.

Fairy cakes.

Done.

Out and about..... again

Seems there's no stopping us now.  Despite the grey, drizzly weather (and hence the grey, drizzly photographs), we ventured a bit further afield yesterday, with a drive across the North Yorks moors

to the coast and a blast of sea air.  First stop was in a perishingly cold and pretty much deserted  Robin Hood's Bay.

Walking down the steep steps to the lower part of the bay, we looked for somewhere to get a hot drink and shelter from the ferocious north easterly wind.

 But, unsurprisingly, everywhere was closed.

Then we had a wander (and by then much needed coffee and scones) in nearby  Whitby

and treated ourselves to a little splash of local colour

which is now on the wall above the piano.

 

Local attraction

The snow that was forecast didn't materialise and, with cabin fever well and truly kicking in, we decided to venture into town, ostensibly to change a Christmas present pair of slippers which didn't fit.

It was also an opportunity to view The Wheel with its observation pods which was set up in the town centre just before Christmas.  The Husband had actually been on it when he was killing time before a football match.  He was the only passenger at the time but the operator had forgotten he was there and he went round twice.  Probably would have kept on going round if he hadn't banged on the window to be let out.

The Wheel isn't a permanent feature but I declined having a go.  Well, it's not quite the London Eye and  we don't really have many landmarks.  Maybe next time.

 This was the illuminated view as we set off home with a few bits and pieces from the sales......

....... and still with the Christmas slippers!

Techno cat

Great, the new printer's working.

Oh no!  I didn't want that many copies!

Damn these paws.

Busy doing nothing

With more snowfall here through the night, we're pretty much housebound.  Reaching for yet another chocolate or other sweet treat is about as energetic as it gets.  At least we've plenty of Christmas present DVDs and books (I've started a 2010 books list over on the right) to keep us happy.  

And we can always admire the sunset from the front of the house.