This was such a satisfying cake to make, especially fashioning the collection of biscuit hearts. Perfect for a Christening that coincided with Valentine’s Day.  

It has been several weeks between blogs, almost a month in fact. Alas my blogging about all things appetisingly edible, especially dishes emanating from the home kitchen, has had to take a back seat. Organising everything required for my children to start and settle into, the new school year was priority number one. 

Not to say that I haven’t been cooking. My kitchen only closes once I go to sleep (which is always too close to midnight…yawn) because there is so much to do and there are so many enthusiastic eaters in my family always looking forward to the next tasty meal. I’ve also really enjoyed whipping up special treats for relatives, including this marvellously moist triple layered chocolate and coconut cake, smothered in silky marshmallow frosting. I was chuffed to be entrusted with coming up with a creation to celebrate the Christening of my youngest little nephew Filip. It was a welcome break from the grand prix speed of school related activities in recent weeks. 

With five of my brood of six at school this year the preparations have been significant, especially with my inquisitive and energetic 17 month baby Maksim in tow. New school uniforms for most, alterations for the girls tunics, five pairs of school shoes sourced from two different stores, insulation bags, drink bottles (I just took the entire supply remaining off the shelf), haircuts, dental appointments, ordering and covering of books galore (I can still smell the plastic Contact covering on my hands), labelling ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING and knowing that items will still be lost, never to be returned, school information forms (reams and reams of paper, kiss a few trees and feel better over the waste). 

That list doesn’t even include the daily school lunches! I only just finished making the batch for tomorrow at 9:45 this evening. Early for a change. It’s great that my children look forward to hearty lunches and actually ask for ingredients like rocket, crunchy cos lettuce, ripe tomatoes and a variety of cheeses, roasted and sliced meats to be stuffed between bread and rolls. “Don’t forget the mayonnaise, I love mayonnaise,” sings out Luka before heading off to bed early in the evening. Add to this freshly cut fruit salads, home baked muffins, biscuits or banana bread, crunchy veggie sticks and dip, or pasta, stir-fries, soups or schnitzels and it’s easy to understand why the process takes almost an hour. At least I know my children are eating well rather than snacking on junk from the canteen. 

I found it takes a good four complete weeks at school for everyone in the family to feel comfortable with the new routine. I have an enormous weekly activity chart detailing who needs to be at which activity at what time. Despite this I still have members of the family asking what’s on. Read the chart! I don’t even reply any more, I just point to the chart with my eyebrow raised in annoyance. With school notes arriving with more urgency that a Hogwarts messenger owl bearing wizardry news and letters, I’ve even installed a wall of accessible pockets, one for each child, into which these can go after they have been read and completed by me. At least the kids are in the habit of plonking new notes into the bright red in-tray as they enter the house. It’s red for a reason!

I’m finally managing to reach the bottom section of my list, which of course will never be completely empty with a large and busy household. But at least there are more sections crossed out than in the first week back at school. I may even have time to blog more frequently about the procession of food from my home kitchen along with incredible eats when out and about. That would nice. My stomach is rumbling with anticipation.