love those cupcakes

Not a cupcake

With the cake tin empty and the need for a break from paperwork, I rummaged in the kitchen cupboards, mixed together some ingredients and came up with ........

......... an almond and orange cake.

A change from the cupcakes I often churn out, the texture was pleasingly moist due to the inclusion of what was left of a packet of ground almonds.  Whilst the cake was still warm I brushed the top with an orange syrup to give a slightly sticky glaze.  Now all I need to do is try to remember what else I threw into the mixing bowl if we're ever to eat it again.

On a completely different note, a little while ago I won a blog birthday giveaway and, thanks to the generosity of Pink Cat, was the happy recipient of an assortment of goodies.

I love aquilegias and hope the packet of seeds will produce some welcome flowers in our soon to be reinvigorated garden.  Yes, we have A Plan.

And the winner is.....

Thanks to everyone who entered the birthday giveaway and for leaving comments. I really enjoyed reading about why you started your blogs and what keeps you blogging.  Great stuff.

I asked the Husband to do the honours by drawing a name out of the hat (it was actually a dish) and so, without further ado, the winner of the giveaway is ... drum roll... Elizabeth at Gossamer Wings.  Just e-mail me your details, Elizabeth, and I'll get your parcel posted.