December 25th, 2009

Merry Christmas 2009!

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To dearest blog readers, Merry Happy Christmas to you!!!! How are you spending your day? (or if you are reading this after-Christmas, how was your day?)
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For me it’s going to be the same-old really:
First thing in the morning, our children will see that “Santa’s” presents had “magically” arrived, & that the milk & biscuits that they left for him had been neatly finished. (… aka by me as I write this!) Then later on I’ll drag myself to the kitchen to cook up our Christmas dinner which we’d probably start from around 5pm. I’ll be roasting duck this year (much tastier than turkey in my opinion!) There’ll be lots of Christmas crackers & more presents to be opened before dessert.
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You’re probably wondering what the dessert is?? Well, it is ‘upside-down pineapple cake’! I was asked by my friend Rainbow to make one for her West Indian Christmas do, & I made two so that I could serve it at mine too! ;)
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Coco&Me - Upside-down pineapple cake wave rainbow pattern - www.cocoandme.com

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It is ultra simple to make: arrange pineapples on top of caramel, then pour pound-cake batter above that! And when baked, turn over! Design-wise I stayed away from the cliché retro look of pineapple rings with glacé cherry centres. Instead I cut the rings in half & made a wave pattern, then arranged some almond slices like heart shapes on top. Later on I realized that, hey!, the pineapple halves could look like rainbows!? Just like my friends name!
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Anyway, I leave you with a Christmas quote, just like how I do every year. This year, it is a scan from the most fabulous Christmas Card we received this year sent & designed by our friend A. – So clever with the nectarine peel! Soon as I saw the card, I fell in love.
www.cocoandme.com - Amelie Noble Christmas Card 2009 - I saw mama kissing santa claus - Coco&Me
Finally, may I once again wish you a very Merry Christmas to you. I was telling a friend just the other day that if it weren’t for this blog, I probably wouldn’t have carried on with the stall as long as I have. And that is the truth. So thank you for all your support.

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Best wishes to you all with love from Tamami xx

December 8th, 2009

Quick message

Hi!
Quickie message to say that there are only two more market days this year, the 12th & the 19th. And then I’m going to take most of January off like I always do every year.
So, if you wanna sample some Coco&Me cakes & chocolates (aswell as my creamy hot chocolate drink!), don’t miss your chance, hop on down to Broadway Market in the next two Sarturdays!
Hope to see you there! xoxoxo
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x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x . x .
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ps: I know, I know… I’ve been slack with posting blog entries! Like always, there’s loads to write about – but never the time…
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Since my last post, I’ve managed a second-degree-burn on my right wrist. The culprit was the cheese cake that I always rave about. I dropped it as I was getting it out of the oven, upside down, & the hot cake wrapped itself on my wrist. It hurt like hell, no joke. The burn is about 5cm, & the skin peeled off & it was really raw for a long while… I’m afraid that it’ll leave a scar… which will be ultra annoying because it’s a place where it is so visible…
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Coco&Me - IKEA ginger bread house with smarties and white chocolate piping - www.cocoandme.com(The absolutely gorgeous smell of gingerbread cookie fills our living room!)
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On a lighter note, here’s a picture of an IKEA gingerbread house I decorated with my boy. We just copied the decoration design that was on the box! LOL! And instead of icing, I just melted & piped white chocolate. The little bambi next to it is my new addition to my ever-growing animal theme collection. It is made by “&K Amsterdam” & it uses real lamb fur! I got it at Selfridges department store & they had the bigger Mummy n’ Daddy version too. I was in the store for about a good 10 minutes contemplating getting those too, arranging it side-by-side, picking it up & down, but in the end I just got the ‘child’ one only. I kind of regret not getting them now though… I might have to go back!
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Really looking forward to Christmas – how about you?
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November 4th, 2009

Happy Halloween 2009!

Coco&Me - Picture of Jack o' Lantern 2009 cat face version  - www.cocoandme.com(Meeaaoow…)

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Here’s a belated picture of this year’s Jack o’ Lantern for Halloween.

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I TRIED to carve a cat this year, complete with the body, but, when I realized that the cat’s eyes are suspiciously looking similar to “the eye” in Lord of the Rings, I kind of lost interest in finishing the project…
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The more I look at it, the mouth looks like that of the cheshire cat from Alice In Wonderland, a little vampire touch with the fangs, & it could look X-massy too, what with it’s snowman bod… LOL! One confused Jack o’ Lantern this year then! Oh well, I tried didn’t I, & they say that’s the important part…, right…??

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Anyways, did you have a wonderful Halloween?

I couldn’t go to my favourite A’s fang-tastic party this year because our little one got sick at the very last minute before leaving// It was a shame because I just love going trick-or-treating with the kids… Let alone missing the Martha-esque home-entertainment that A is famous for… You wouldn’t believe what a downer that was! – Then again, atleast our son got to go though! It would’ve been a real shame if he didn’t.

October 24th, 2009

A little bit about the hot chocolate & hare

Coco&Me - Hot choclate machine at market stall & wooden hare - www.cocoandme.com

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Last Saturday I finally started to sell my hot chocolate again now that the weather is proper cold! The basic recipe is 1 part cream, 1 part chocolate, 4 parts milk. – I pour it in a simple white paper cup & then sprinkle dark chocolate shavings on top for the lux effect!
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Coco&Me - Hot choclate machine at market stall & wooden hare - www.cocoandme.com

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And here is a picture of the wooden hare (not rabbit! The ears are long!) that I have been selling since the beginning of Summer. It is hand-carved, imported from Germany & the arms n’ legs are dangly. I’m glad to say that it’s going down really well & my stock is running out fast…
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Right now it’s 1:30am on Friday night, & I ought to be in bed, ready for tomorrow’s market! (The weather forecast says it’s 90% rain… oh joy…) I’ll add more to this write-up next week when I get a chance! Good night!!
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xxx

October 21st, 2009

Does anyone know…

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Hi! Does anyone know where I can purchase The Irish Times newspaper in London?
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I think there might be a mention about me & this blog in this Saturday’s The Irish Times Magazine (that comes along with the newspaper)! And I want to get my hands on a copy or two…

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