Winter Chills and Party Thrills

I have had a most marvellous twenty four hours.  It all began yesterday evening when we Key Largo Ladies played at a twenty fifth wedding anniversary in York.  It was actually a private party so the setting was the clients house.  But the house was large, beautiful and decorated with tealights, lanterns and an abundance of bunting.  Glorious! We were even offered a glass of champagne as we were setting up - a most unheard of gesture. Normally we stay in the 'water only' territory.  But why not indeed?  A few little sips can't hurt, can they?

The party was a great one.  Full of fun, energy, liveliness and the guests were incredibly appreciative of our music.  Nice to slightly 'kick back' from our classical stance and give a little bit more 'jazz' to the occasion.  A highlight of the evening was playing our arrangement of 'Nearness of You' as the still loved up couple smooched away looking for all the world like teenagers with a crush.  Ahhhh...

So what better this morning than to shake off a vaguely fuzzy head (late night and half a glass of champagne does this to me!) than a lovely hack in Hagg woods on my trusty steed.  (In reality he's more likely to be described as a stubborn, lazy, disobedient dobbin - but I'm being kind and also that doesn't have such a romantic ring to it, does it?)

It was such a beautiful cold, crisp morning and I was chilled to the bone upon my return home.  When I've finished my little blogging moment I'm going to jump up and make a hearty sweet potato and butter bean soup on the old aga.  (Actually, it will be less 'jumping' and more shuffling along like an octogenarian due to afore mentioned horse adventure!)

But when the soup's ready I'm gonna sit down, take a load off and relax before the kiddiewinks return from school.

Happy days...

Key Largo Trio vid

Wedding glamour urgently required

I'm sitting here surrounded by a mountain of ironing, an explosively full laundry basket and the dog's just vomited on the kitchen floor! Add to this delightful mix a screaming toddler who's refusing to sit on the potty and has just thrown herself to the floor in a vaguely demented manner and you're starting to get a feel for the kind of day I'm having.  Oh, and I found a couple of nits in residence on my eldest daughters hair over breakfast this morning.  Jealous, anyone?

Mmmmm...probably not.

As for me personally, I'm not sure I even brushed my hair this morning, (probably why I love hats so much!) let alone applied any kind of 'face'. My clothes are covered in hair (horses);  mud (dog);  stains of unknown origin (kids), and there's one rather large hole in my left sock!  Not for me the title of 'Yummy Mummy'.  Not for me the effortless glamour conveyed by all those celebrity mums out there.

But I have been saved.  

Everything is going to be OK.  The Key Largo girls and I have a wedding to play at in a couple of days.  Woohoo!

I can't wait to be clean, pretty and pampered again.  (And please don't be worried out there future brides. Despite the bleak picture I'm painting I can still scrub up pretty well)  Can't wait to don my elegant dress and high heels (this calls for another even louder Woo hoo!) and make up!  Can't wait to escape the messy house and  chaos of the kids and enter the serenity of the church.  Can't wait to play the beautiful music, can't wait to see rows and rows of immaculately styled guests.  And most of all I can't wait to see the beautiful bride in all her finery and radiance.

Bring on the glamour.

Bring on the magic.

Weddings  -  I love you!

Let Them Eat Cake

I am currently fighting violently strong cake cravings.  It might be because the weather is rubbish; wet and windy and I'm already wanting to hibernate by my fire with sweet morsels to eat.  But I also think it might have rather a lot to do with a wedding we Key Largo-ettes played earlier this week.  Now, don't get me wrong, the wedding cakes are always an amazing sight, but this particular one was just beautiful.

It was actually kind of simple.  It had three tiers but instead of a covering of marzipan, it was just a plain and simple sponge cake.  To elaborate, I was duly informed it was a madagascar vanilla bean cake, with buttercream raspberry preserve, decorated with fresh raspberries and strawberries.  It was a delight.

I haven't had chance to make a cake since the craving started.  It's been a busy week what with juggling work, two toddlers, two horses a dog and three chickens!  But I'm thinking that tonight's the night.  Now I can't hope to recreate the wondrous treat I saw at the wedding, mine will be a sorry affair in comparison.  Sponge with a bit of icing on if I'm lucky, (oh and maybe a bit of St Dalfour jam - my favourite!) but I'm still strangely excited about it.

I intend to eat a huge slice of it, well probably two to be fair - still warm from the Aga and perhaps in front of the television.  After all, Strictly Come Dancing is on.  Perhaps I'll invite a few friends round for this 'cake fest' and crack open some wine. But then again - nah!  I think a nice pot of tea works better with cake.

Never let it be said, that I am not Rock and Roll.  I am a party girl.  Mmm...sort of.  Or maybe not.   But what the heck - let's all eat CAKE!