Valentine Wishes Across the Miles

I sent R across the miles with a notebook tucked in his luggage.  The message on the cover was perfect for a loved one so far from home on Valentine's Day.

Inside I copied out some recipes that will remind The Heiress of pancake breakfasts, snacks when she was little and afternoons spent baking while snowflakes filled the view from our kitchen windows.

Today will also be a day my husband will never forget, one he has anticipated for months.  It has nothing to do with flowers, sparkling wine or decadent chocolates, it's a tour of Fuller's Brewery, and he is beyond excited.  I couldn't be more pleased for him but it's his visit to this place just down the road that I'll be anxious to hear about.

Queen's Cake, Part Two

Scrounging through my collection of mismatched teacups and mugs for something to bake my Queen's cakes in I found the ones matching my teapot were best.  Printed on the underside it claimed they could go from oven to table...perfect!  Although, how many people place their mugs in the oven?

Popping the batter-filled mugs into a preheated oven at 350 degrees, I held my breath hoping they wouldn't crack.  The worst never happened and soon the kitchen was filled with the heavenly aroma of cake.  I debated leaving the cakes in the mugs but worried they would get a bit soggy so I turned them out. 

The Royal icing was quite runny, is it supposed to be?  The lemon zest made it deliciously zingy though so not a total loss. 

Taking a mouse-sized slice out of one I thought they looked like just the sort of cake well-suited to a party in one of Beatrix Potter's books.  For me, the delight was in trying a recipe and baking method which is hundreds of years old.  I'm just so glad that I didn't have to stoke a fire for hours in the process!