Tuesday 11 September 2012

Rain Can't Stop Play with 5 Minute Cake

Rain stopped play? Round here? Not if I can help it. Over the weekend we were grateful for

- our subscription to Lovefilm, which was a gift from friends as a bit of a joke because we are such Sky refuseniks. This week we had "Hugo". Wow, so much to look at in every scene!

- a microwave-it-in-a-mug sponge cake recipe (see below) which let us eat cake in no time at all



- a big brother who has passed his Driving Test and could take his little sister to the shop for cocoa powder for the cake. Chocolate is nicer than plain.

- a funny email from Uncle Dave who is back in the States. "I skyped Little E," he wrote. "It's a bit weird having Little E in your office." Weird? I think it's genius. I think we could market it as a whole concept. Like Puppy in your Pocket. Only cuter..

Happy Tuesday..

..it'll be happier with cake:

5 Minute Chocolate Cake:

4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
1 very large mug to make it in

Add the dry ingredients to mug and mix well. Add egg and mix again. add milk and oil and mix again.

Cook in the microwave for 3 minutes at 1000 watts. The cake might rise up over the top of the mug, but it does sink a little again. 

That's it! I'm not claiming it's gourmet, but it's fast, it's fun and it's perfect for sleepovers or any other activity involving teenage girls. Really.


My page today is inspired by Studio Calico's Pop off the Page class, with embellishments from the class kit.
The cloud button is from Flair For Buttons - I love these (found them through the winner of my Makeover Giveaway Alinor at Freeze Frame).


I took the photo through the window to capture the rain on the glass.

38 comments:

Irene said...

Such a sunny page for a rainy story. Gorgeous! Congratulations to your son for passing his driving test and thus being able to go get the necessary cocoa powder for a recipe I'll be trying later with the granddaughter. It has all the right ingredients: it's quick, easy and it's cake.
Irene

Karen said...

I'm awarding you the Queen of Embellishment crown (no, it's not any official award.) I spend far too much time dissecting your layouts, but when it comes to mine (finished one yesterday), I simply struggle until I give up! Wish you lived close by for advice!

Unknown said...

Such a lovely layout Sian. I love the fence :)

A house can always do with another driver. I must try that cake idea.

Jimjams said...

I'm loving this page - and your whole attitude of never letting anything get you down :o)
Congrats to the new driver!

Alana said...

Little E in your office....that's funny!You could make millions...need a pick me up...put on Little E. Need a cute saying...plug little E in:))) Loving your close up pics of your layout, I like seeing all the little details.....oh OK...I'm nosey!

Susanne said...

Yes, I am sure that Little E could make any work day brighter - and I do mean that in every sense of the word. Lovely layout - I rediscovered some extra chunky foam dots a few days ago - I'll have to see if I can put them to good use. It's an effort for me to get much dimension on my pages - but you always have a way of making me want to try things out.

Elizabeth said...

That's a beautiful layout page--so cheerful! Thank you for the 5-minute cake recipe. I have a young friend that loves to bake. I sent her a copy of the recipe, and expect to hear that she's making individual mug cakes for all her friends and family!

Melissa said...

We definitely don't let the rains top play around here either - what a fun idea for a layout!

Kirsty.A said...

I've Pinned your cake recipe - great idea

Estelle Grace Tudor said...

Are you kidding me - 5 minute cake? Why have I never heard of this genius invention before? Count me in, love me some cake :)

Take care, Estelle xx

Sarah said...

We can never let rain hold you back!! Great page!! x

debs14 said...

I'm wondering if you could rent out Little E to schools to have in every classroom, just to keep an eye on the students - and make interesting observations on the lessons ...
I feel like I need to try that cake recipe. Even if it isn't raining and I have no teenagers to eat it.

Mel said...

I've used a similar recipe - it is great with vanilla icecream and great when you can't really be bothered to bake but want something yummy! I wish the rain would go away too!

Lou said...

we could do with a cake recipe like that! Super layout love the title and all the details x

Missus Wookie said...

Lovely details/everyday bits - and that pp tree in the lower left hand corner made me smile. I've been popping things off my pages too.

Possibly as I discovered exactly HOW MUCH 3D foam I've bought over the years and decided to use it up...

Mary B said...

I love love love your page lots to see super title and lovely bright colours for a rainy day.
I love Dave's email too and yes definitely market Little E he ought to be in every office.

Alison said...

Great LO Sian...congrats to the new driver!
Alison xx

alexa said...

That's real dedication to go outside in the rain (or even just after) to take a photo of a page!

Abi said...

Sweet page. I love the photo especially. That cake sounds very similar to one my mum used to bake when we were little. She too cooked it in the microwave and we used to have it for pudding with jam and custard. It was a perfect pudding to have on a cold wet day!

Miss Smith said...

This is just gorgeous. The details and layers are beautiful and I really love the page title and topic.

And I totally need to get my mittens on those badges. And the cake. Perhaps even more so.

Congratulations to big brother!

Lisa-Jane said...

Nooo! Please don't tell me about chocolate cake in 5 minutes! I like the idea of small people on Skype though!

Sandie said...

That's a cheerful page, Sian, regardless of the rain. Congratulations on your son passing his driving test. I still remember the excitement of that achievement!

Julie J said...

Congratulations to the Tall One. Lovely sunny LO to commemorate an all too frequent wet day.

Sue Althouse said...

Lovely page, love the detail shots. Thanks for the recipe, it sounds wonderful. Questioning whether I really need to know how to whip up a cake that fast, however. Temptation!! :)

Barbara Eads said...

Thanks for the cake recipe. Can't wait to try it. Loved your layout too.

laurie said...

we love a rainy day around here - something different and a reason to stay home and settle in. the cake in a cup sounds like fun and i'm sure we will be trying it soon! thanks.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Love that riotous assortment of embellishments on the page!
Rinda

helena said...

I'd definately be in the market for some 'little e in the office'. congrats to tto and having another driver in the house

Amy said...

The 'cup cake' is a hit here too - quite genius if you ask me!

Miriam said...

This is beautiful Sian. How do you do that? Put so many embellishments on a page and it looks fantastic. Mine would look as if my box of embellies had up ended itself onto the page!!

Scrappi Sandi said...

If Carlsburg did blog posts this would be it!...probably the best blog post to date!! Feelgood factor from start to finish...love that cloud button & thanks for the cake inspiration...I'm off to try it right now with the boys!! :D

Wanda said...

It sounds like a good time was had in spite of bad weather--in fact, it seems like rainy and snowy days offer an excuse for the relaxing kind of day your layout captures. Good job!

Nathalie said...

I don't know how you have so many little details on your page but yet it doesn't look crowded, must be the balance of the white space.
A cake in a mug? In the microwave? With chocolate? Might have to give it a try!!! Better yet, have the kids make it (for me) :P

humel said...

Drat! Used up my last egg making today's Yorkshire puddings....

Congrats to TTO!

Ginger said...

I have tried that cake too, but then figured out the WW points and never made it again! LOL!

A gorgeous layout Sian :)

Anonymous said...

What a super looking page. The thought of little E on skype definitely brought a smile. Hmmm i'll have to give that cake a try - looks like John would be able to eat it.

Becky said...

Will be sending Penny that recipe! Perfect for a hungry student!

KathiJo said...

I really like your layouts, how you manage to incorporate things I always want to use for cards but never have the inspiration.. this Ikea one and the wet weekend one are great fun and very funky, nice change from the distressed vintage stuff I see mostly.. just having a catch up read after joining your story telling.. x

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