Tagged: Coffee Mornings

June 25, 2015

Ode to Creative Coffee..

We had our final Creative Coffee EVER yesterday…a day of sadness, joy..and achievement all rolled into one.

Sometime it’s the simple things in life that make the magic and one of those things for me were Creative Coffee Mornings. They were started by the lovely Sophy many years ago now, when she made the genius decision that chatting over coffee with young children was so much more fun when creating was involved. Originally we’d all take over our unfinished projects and use the time to give ourselves much needed permission to complete them. Then Sophy and best friend, Minta developed it further and prepared, for a small fee, everything in advance with a termly timetable of once-weekly delights. From sugar craft to liqueurs to making sausages…it was the perfect antidote to urban brain boil.

Now Minta is off to pastures new – a whole new chapter is opening up for her in the wilds of Scotland, which I know she’ll relish and grab with both hands…but she’ll be missed.

Wednesday mornings will never be quite the same again..

(These are not handmade rolls but an edible sculpture, entitled ‘eight nude elderly ladies tying their shoelaces’..)

So I raise a cupcake to the wonders of Creative Coffee and all who sailed in her…. Ladies, it was a commanding performance with a spectacular range, lead with aplomb and an indescribable magical touch of alchemy. Thank you for the opportunity to spend time with some of the best women I know laughing, baking, making and creating. The memories will live long..(well..those that aren’t addled by sloe gin…)

I absolutely loved it.

Laters, Kate x

October 7, 2014

M for Masterful.. x

Wish I had one of these delicious jumpers by M Missioni in my wardrobe today – particularly that blue/green boxy slouch on the right. Sigh. It’s a double-whammy day – I’m co-hosting a coffee morning for all the residents of our road (writing it down makes it sound like something out of an urban episode of the Archers..) so there’s a pressure to find something half decent to wear..and the weather has literally turned over night – wet, cold and blustery – which is unfortunate as the wardrobe planning has yet to catch up – Birks just don’t cut it through the puddles..

London has a reputation of not being friendly, but I’ve never found it to be the case..I’ve always loved where I’ve lived. Lately we’ve had huge movement on the street with friends moving out and new people moving in..which doesn’t make it easy..you miss those that have gone and it almost feels traitorous to welcome their ‘replacements’ with open arms…but life must go on…

So I need to go to sit on the end of my bed to ponder a bit more and hope for a flash of divine inspiration..preferably before 8 o’clock when we leave for school..I was hoping to squeeze in a swim before it all kicks off..up to 32 lengths now…but somehow that feels unlikely…

Laters, Kate x

June 20, 2014

Roses and Cupcakes x

Creative Coffee Mornings are still a regular Wednesday occurrence and a highlight of the week. These pics are from our ‘Sugar Art’ session..

Which included a variety of projects including making elderflower cordial..even the word ‘cordial’ makes me smile…

We also crystallised edible flowers..so simple and so effective..

You thoroughly coat each petal – back and front – with egg white, then cover everything in sugar. A sprinkle of very fine glitter helps with the final fairy effect. Then they dry out and can be kept for months in an air tight container, ready for a dramatic flourish when required.

And we made cupcakes to practise our icing skills on..

With a whole box of toys to play with!

The joy, the pride, the ability to allow yourself the time to be creative and the companionship of sharing the experience with others all feed in to make this time so very special. You literally zone away from real life – I’m sure it’s a similar endorphin rush to a serious gym workout. Just without the pain…