Presenting...

Miss Muffin Top
This very young blog here just had a face-lift. I have been battling to find confidence in this little project, I enjoy it very much and it is really becoming my sound-board to the universe, but it is just so personal, so me. I have not forwarded the link to many people, I have not published the link on Facebook, my nearest and dearest have been my go to guys and I think they are getting a bit sick of my messages asking their opinions. It feels as though I am about to strip down to my knickers while the paparazzi scrutinize every lump and bump. Here I stand, smile and wave regardless, take a big look - yes I am winter white and yes I last shaved over a month ago - gawk all you like!

So today is the day that I will share my blog, with much pride. I feel that it now has a purpose, a name and a pretty "dress". I look forward to all comments and constructive criticism.

In my family there is talent, oodles of creativity as well as business brain, I often feel like the little dud when we get together. I got the short straw when it came to the working mind. So when I eventually hopped onto the idea of a little personalizing/branding for my baking; my blog and all future endeavors, I knew who to contact - my cousin Robynne de Waal. I sent her a quick brief on what I had in mind, colours, etc. Just a few days later I had options sent to me, I had to pick and choose, but I liked them all so much, she is brilliant! I again sent them off to my friend for opinions and approvals, and yes she agreed that Robynne had done a wonderful job. A world of thanks to you Robynne, I know that you will soar in the design industry!
My label will now be stuck of each and every baked product. I have even got invoices, letterheads and business cards. This little mini business can fly.

Thank you to all that take the time to read my story, my thoughts.

Muffin Top's Story

I have been in a hole lately, unable to see the light at the end of the tunnel, escape in my baking and walking have been doing me well, however the words come to me and I cannot express easily to the people around me. I look to the quiet escapes to find calm, in my life and mind, being alone is my best friend and worst enemy all rolled together. I am passionate about many things, which ooze to the surface as people get to know me. I am a peace maker, home maker and a lover of food. I qualified as a chef, did a few years in the field before putting it aside to keep it all to myself, my pleasure and comfort. I hope to share my journey in this blog - from the kitchen, to my feet on the tar, to the nature and air that I breath, and to knowing that I am blessed every single day.

I come from a tiny village on the East Coast, grew up in a nearby town and trekked to a few places before boomeranging back to my comfort zone, my home, my community. I love this piece of heaven, I love the tranquility and it soothes my soul like no other place that I have ever been to. The beach and sound of the sea are my haven. The community and support in a village is something I wish for everyone to know.

Walking eases my mind, I have recently started to push myself, I only do it alone, my music in my ears, my Runkeeper pushing my pace and the nature surrounding me. I pass monkeys playing along side my track, all the butterflies and birds drifting past and I feel but tiny and blessed in this playground.

My happiest memories are in the kitchen. My Gran taught me so much, the whizzing Kenwood Chef, producing explosions of flavour and excitement in our bellies to lick the bowl, not for a moment do I doubt why my Grampa never had to make a meal for himself. My Mom brought us up on clean fresh real produce, the only packet foods that I remember in our home were the pasta and sauce bags for when my sister and I were left to fend  for ourselves whilst mom was at work. My sister however never got the cooking gene, she does not enjoy it - but bakes well when putting all her efforts in, she would have lived off peanut  butter and syrup sarmies had it not been for me at home. School lunches were always different - waffles; custard; toasted bacon, cheese, onion, mushroom and what ever else was available to me; jazzed up salad sarmies; tuna in baked potatoes; the works. We fed the neighbourhood well most days too, grapefruit soccer took place around me in the kitchen as I set to work to perfect the waffle specified by each visitor. That is where the dream grew, we were opening a waffle house! I still maintain that I would have been the only person slaving away in the business, all produce devoured around me by my fellow business partners...

So to the present, I am in the beginning phase of planning a part time business (not the waffle house), I am the cupcake queen, I am proudest of my milk tart and I can whip up a pretty good biscuit too. I enjoy a challenge too, so at the moment the cake is cooling, waiting to be transformed into a Spiderman masterpiece, best I get cracking on that, the photographs will be posted and the tasting will  be enjoyed by many.

Here's to baking, making and caking.