Cupcake Memories: Life in Sydney, Australia

You know, I have not felt bored for a long, long time. Simply because there is always something going on. I mean with taking care of DD, running the household and all. I enjoy being a SAHM but would be better if I could be a WAHM so ease the household income.

Because I have so many hobbies, I could never get bored when I have run out of things (chores and errands) to do. Unfortunately right now, I couldn’t find time to do my hobbies as I’d be too tired at the end of the day. Couldn’t indulge in my hobbies during the day because DD disturbs me big time! My hobbies are taking a back seat for now.

And so I had experimented with cupcakes decorated with frosting and marzipan bees and ladybugs. I would like to keep making mini cupcakes to improve on my skills but the problem is, me, DH and DD ended up eating all of them.

That means we’ll be consuming a lot of calories and will need to replace our entire wardrobe *gulp* Even the best slimming pills in the market will not be able to help us by then.

So I have given it some thought. Maybe I shall give them away to neighbours and friends. That way I still get to practice my skills and not have to consume everything ourselves, hehehe

I’ve only just remembered I have a small box of Marzipan in the pantry which I bought from Woolies about two months ago! Unfortunately I can’t see myself trying it out to make edible shapes and such for cupcakes because if DD sees me doing it, she’d want her share too.

I truly admire moms who could still manage to decorate cakes and such beautifully despite having some hyper active toddlers at home

Looks I won’t be able to try baking until … goodness knows when!

Made my second eggless chocolate cake today, not fully succesful (yummy but the middle bit sank) but definitely an improvement from yesterday which got burnt and oh so dry *LOL* Today I added butter and milk to the original recipe. I think I’ll stick to this recipe and keep on trying.

Sometimes I almost can’t believe I am actually trying to bake cakes, cookies and learning to make kuih as well as improve on cooking dishes. I mean, cooking and baking is my least favourite thing to do in the past. But now, my hobbies have all evolved around my family. I am doing this for the love of my family, I don’t want my little girl to grow up like me, unable and had no interest to cook.

Baking/cooking skills is essential in this part of the world unlike back home where it is yummier and cheaper to takeaway or eat out. Oh how I miss that!  Well for now, it’s back to the kitchen!

Every now and then I like to browse through an online craft marketplace to get some ideas on what craft I may indulge in and to keep myself uptodate with the latest hobby.

I have been doing felt food and little items for awhile now and find it interesting to see what other wonderful and talented crafters use felt to sew other useful items such as cases for credit, business or bank cards and most recently, cases for ipods. Very creative indeed.

I have not tried sewing cases yet as I can’t think of anyone in my acquaintance who would use one at this time and certainly not myself yet. Perhaps later.

It has been decades since I last painted a picture on paper. I suddenly feel the urge to reignite this passion again but unfortunately given the situation now, I am unable to concentrate because:

- DD would be fighting with me over the watercolours
- DD would disturb me
- I’d be too tired at night to think about painting after DD goes to bed
- My hands are very full with other hobbies at the moment

I can’t wait for that day when DD is old enough to behave and I can put my feelings and dreams into paintings again.

I have also stopped doing digital art for similar reasons.  But at least with digital, you can stop and continue where you left off at a much later time or several days after.  Plus, you don’t have the mess to clean up like papers, paints, brushes, etc.

Anyway, drawing and painting is actually my favourite hobby of all time but it is also one where I could only do in peace.

I am curious as to which makes better cake decorations. I guess I will know eventually when I do get the chance to experiment with cake decorations which will prolly be in at least 2-5 years time. After watching some youtube on gumpaste and fondant cake decorations/figurines making, it reminds me a whole lot of paper clay moulding.

I remember those days when me and my friends were so hooked on paperclay figurines. Unfortunately it was a pretty expensive hobby for us at the time (young and broke!) and we couldn’t afford to waste nor make mistakes with the clay which was difficult to handle.

Now after watching some youtube videos on gumpaste and fondant, I assume that the same principal of making figurines with paperclay may apply to gumpaste and fondant. If that’s the case, I certainly look forward to playing with moulding figurines again. It’s just that it is impossible to take up any hobby relating to food due to my little busybody girl who would touch and tries to help with anything I do. 

I so miss my crafty friends in KL. Wish I still live in KL so we could hold craft sessions together.

Am I crazy? How dare I even think about getting into another hobby? I was thinking about taking up crocheting after seeing how cute and sweet my little girl looked in her crocheted beanies given by a friend as gifts. I really do not see many nice cute ones around and if there are, they usually are pricey, say around AU$30-40.

I am not interested in crocheting doilies, clothes and what nots, just only the beanies. I will keep this in mind. Another hobby to consider in the future. I guess when I do reach retirement age, I really do not need to worry about being bored

My beautiful daisies!!

I often take photos of my plants with my budget Canon camera . I wish I have the time to upload high resolution images of all the flowers I have taken around my garden and the nursery. Maybe someday. I can understand the interest in owning a DSLR because when you see a photo taken by yourself turns out amazingly clear and focused, you really feel a sense of achievement.

Photography will definitely be one of my hobbies in approximately 5 years time. Why that long? Because I am guessing by then I should be toddler free and do not have to fumble through my bags, have short memory span, etc anymore. Also, because the toddler will by a little girl and will not run away from the camera  – I hope!

The last ten years has seen a lot of changes in photography technology. I wish we already had digital cameras during my school and early twenties for that was when me and my friends loved to snap pictures of ourselves to send to penpals (do they even exist anymore?), stick them onto autographs for friends, for our own memory albums, etc. Gone were those days when we had to take in our rolls of films and wait for them to be developed.

I remember being so happy when we purchased our first digicam about 8 years ago costing us four times the amount you would pay for a reasonably good digital camera today. And you know what? Greedy me now wish for a Nikon DSLR eventhough I will never have the time to use; not until at least a year or two later. It is on my “To Buy” list in a few years time.