Tuesday, October 4, 2016

90th Birthday, Bowling, Cramp.


We got to the bowling alley early on Monday so I could get the card signed before the birthday girl arrived. I even managed to catch all her team. Then the cake was supposed to arrive between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. No sign of the caterer. Around 2:15 ish she called and said she would be another 15 minutes. By this  time I am tearing my hair out. Not only that, some teams, short of players today, had already finished their games and were waiting to go home. She finally arrived at 2:50. I wasn't too happy nor was the woman who was paying for the cake. (Turns out that, unbeknownst to us, she is a palliative caregiver and this morning she lost a patient). Anyway, although one or two people left, the majority of us were still there and our birthday surprise worked well if a bit late. The cake was delicious as usual and most everyone got some although there were a few who had gone home. I was given a chunk to go home with too so that is in the freezer now. It was a carrot cake, my favourite.

By our third game I was so agitated about the non arrival of the cake that I was bowling appallingly, however, we still managed to win all the points from the opposing team. We need them, we are 7th of 8. Maybe we will get up to 6th.

Oh, you remember the story of my cholesterol pills? Well I have now been taking them for a week and guess what, my legs have been cramping all over the place. I don't know if it's worth putting up with this. So painful. So miserable too. Not just at night, but during the day as well. Been lousy this evening, I guess bowling and/or exercise classes don't help.

With Hallowe'en on the horizon, I thought some of you might be interested in this recipe. It really is rather cute. In case you would like to see the original pictures and steps the recipe was shared by GoodtoKnow.

Frankenstein Cupcakes


Frankenstein cupcakes are easy to make but make fun Halloween cupcakes with their grumpy face and ghoulishly green skin. You don't need any fancy equipment to make them, but with our simple
step-by-step recipe from cupcake queen Victoria Threader, they'll look impressive enough for your
Halloween party!
Ingredients

1 x batch basic cupcakes (in black cases)
½ a batch buttercream
180g green fondant
50g black fondant
20g white fondant
10g modelling paste
Cornflour, to dust
Silver food colour paint pen

1. Bake your cupcakes and leave to cool. Using the palette knife, spread the butter cream onto the tops of the cupcakes. Be sure not to spread it too close to the paper or it will make a mess when you put the fondant on the top
2. Roll your green fondant out to 4mm thick and cut 12 x 68 mm circles.
3. Lay the green circles of fondant over the top of the butter cream and smooth the edges with the tips of your fingers
4. Using the same circle cutter, roll the remainder of the green fondant out and cut a shape for the chins.
5. Place these at the bottom of the cupcakes to make the chin. You can add a dimple if you like.
6. To cut the teeth, roll the white fondant out to 2mm thick and cut tiny squares with your sharp knife.
7. Using the water brush, add a dot of water where you would like the teeth to go.
8. For the hair, roll the black fondant out to 2 mm thick and cut a long strip, cutting triangle shapes from one side to make the fringe.
9. Stick this to the top of the head using the water brush.
10. For the eyes, use the 13mm and 5mm cutters, cutting the large circle in white first and then a small black circle for the centre. Stick the black dots to the white and then trim the tops off the eyes to make way for the eyelids. If anything seems to be sticking, give everything a light dust with cornstarch.
11. To make the eyelids, cut 13 mm green circles and cut them in half sticking them to the tops of the eyes, when you add them to the cupcakes.
12. To make the bolts, add a tiny dot of black fondant to the modelling paste and knead together to make grey modelling paste. Using the alphabet cutter, cut the capital letter ‘t’ out for the bolts and leave them to dry for a few minutes. Once dry to touch, give them a little brush with the silver food colour pen and leave them to dry again. Once dry, they will be strong enough to push into the sides of the head. Placing them on a sponge will speed up the drying process.
13. Push the bolts into the sides, add a touch of petal dust to the cheeks with a soft brush if liked - and your cupcakes are now ready to serve!

Source: GoodtoKnow

Have a great day
 

19 comments:

  1. Hi Jo - well I'm glad the cake arrived (just) in time and everyone enjoyed it. It sounds as though you're not having an easy time ... take care - and all the best - Hilary

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    1. Yes Hilary, just in time was right. Some people had gone home. Yup, cramp isn't funny.

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  2. Sorry the cake was late, but understandable considering what the woman went through that morning.

    I managed Minion cupcakes, but not too sure about Frankenstein ones.

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    1. Yes, but maybe she shouldn't take on so much Diane.

      That recipe looks odd, I didn't enter it that way, all in caps.

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  3. When the medicine is worse than the ailment, I'd say hang it up.

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    1. Yes and no Alex, my cholesterol level is rather high without it.

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  4. My doctor switched me to Pravastatin several years ago and I have not had any muscle issues since. I was taking Simvastatin and it caused all sorts of muscle issues.

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    1. I've been tried on several different statins and even a non statin Denise. I still got cramp. Mind you this was some years ago, maybe I should ask her (doc) to investigate. Never heard of either of those pills. I am on a very low dose of Lipitor.

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  5. Pity about the cake mess up.
    I didn't realise statins could cause cramps. My cholesterol has been creeping up so it's something I might have to consider soon and given I already suffer cramping it's a bit of a worry.

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    1. It was a pity Helen, but most people got some in the end and it was really for the birthday girl after all. Not everyone gets cramp with statins. not all statins are equal either plus their are non statin meds. Trouble is they all give me cramp.

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  6. Very cute cakes, Jo. My Mum told me the other day that she doesn't take cholesterol tablets anymore because they give her side effects. It's a pity there's nothing natural you can take.

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    1. Did your mum get cramp too Pinky. I must admit I am thinking of quitting them again.

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  7. I'm glad the cake person finally arrived. I feel bad for the lady who paid for the cake as she had a tough day. The cake looks good and I'm certain she loved the birthday surprise. The meds don't seem to be helping so i would give up on that and tell your doctor. The cupcakes look cute but what is fondant made of??

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    1. Sure did Birgit but it all worked out OK in the end. It was a good cake. I am certainly thinking of doing so any time now.

      I have put some links on the fondant. It is a type of icing and quite delicious really. I have also edited the recipe, I hadn't realised how screwed up it had become, not only in caps but no ingredients.

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  8. What was the caterer's excuse for being so late? The cupcakes are adorable.

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    1. Losing a patient in the morning delayed her considerably I imagine. She had another contract for catering and was probably late there too. I thought you would like those cupcakes JoJo. Thought of you when I posted them.

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  9. Wow. Those pills really aren't worth it. Very sorry.

    The FrankenCakes are beyhond cute.

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    1. No I don't think so Ivy. I have stopped taking them, a couple of days ago, still getting cramp though. Guess it will improve.

      They are cute.

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