supergolden88

I really need to refer to an old Mr Maker annual for design purposes (am supposed to be designing the 2014 one). Does anyone have an old one I could borrow please? thanks!

phew! I have enough birthday baking going on at the mo! Good luck with your cakes

There's a school bake off next week? Completely ignorant of this! Nunhead mum details please! I normally use the reverse mixing method for sponge cakes which mixes the butter and flour first and the other ingredients are added after. Never fails. Or this whipped cream cake (never fails) http://supergoldenbakes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/very-vanilla-mini-cakes.html With the ingredients at room temp mix should not curdle though.

I don't have time for real socialising what with a job, freelance work, two kids and now the blog although am a member of Knomester's Band of Bakes I managed to post today - yay me! http://supergoldenbakes.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/soy-bread-yes-you-heard-that-right.html

I love Twitter not just for 'driving traffic' which it does but for the social aspect - especially as I freelance from home most of the time and end up talking to myself a lot (ok to the cat). There are blogging 'communities' on Twitter too which share posts, competitions, challenges etc. Also http://www.bloglovin.com/ is great if you want to follow others and have them follow you back @supergolden88

May I just counter the whole blogging every day notion with this (link below)? I personally dont think blogging every day is that good of an idea but then again my type of blog would be completely unmanageable that way (even if it was my full time job!). Forgive me if I got this wrong (I dont have the book) it may simply be referring to doing something FOR the blog (or blog related) every day (which I do - more or less). http://www.tots100.co.uk/2013/04/05/could-you-be-a-slow-blogger/

Nice to 'meet' you all... keep the tips and ideas coming... I was going to blog about the arrival of spring finally but taking a look outside I see I missed my window!

I find it incredible that you have time to do anything else on top of Band of Bakers Knomester! Glad to meet another baking blogger GinaG3. I'll pop by your blog and say hi.

Thanks for the response Pebbles - I have read your blog in the past. In my case it is expensive to maintain because it's a baking blog and the cost of ingredients (and props!) does add up. The hosting etc. is free for the time being as I am on Blogger. There is a very active blogging community out there for foodies (and, I imagine, any other type of blog). I am enjoying it immensely (though my waistline and hips would beg to differ).

Interested to hear from any mums on the forum who publish blogs... I started mine purely as something to fill my downtime between jobs but now - nearly 6 months later - find I enjoy working on it more than my actual job! However it is very time consuming and expensive to maintain. Would love to hear your perspectives and any tips.

where is the castle pub? Never heard of it (dont get out much!)

That sounds promising will google it thanks... anyone had any experience with space opposite Peckham Rye Park (Nunhead end)? Not sure what it is called

My daughter is turning 7 soon (how did THAT happen?). I was hoping to have her party somewhere other than at home. Are there any halls/spaces for hire in Nunhead or East Dulwich that are reasonable? I am just after a largish space for kids to play and have some food in. Will probably be hiring an entertainer of some description and supplying the food myself. Many thanks in advance

Ok thanks will send you my number (do they do children haircuts?)

Have not had my hair cut in over a year. It is very long and desperately needs a trim. My daughter's hair is in exact same situation. Can anyone recommend somewhere to go in East Dulwich preferably at the weekend? I have not been to any salons in ED for such a long time I am not sure where's good anymore.

no that sounds more than enough! I have more or less stopped having the headaches now - used to get them all the time before.

yes I got terrible headaches at first - not so much anymore. Apart from not drinking enough water I think I had sugar withdrawal! Have finally bought some proper scales and according to the reading I have lost over 1 1/2 kg (since my hospital weigh in) which seems like a lot! I also find the fasting days much easier (possible because i have so much work on to distract me).

I would have a look on Pinterest - just search rice dishes http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=rice+dishes Kedgeree is a good one, paella, one pot chicken and rice are all good. My favourite is Bibimbap but not really child friendly!

A student on Twitter wants to interview someone on the 5:2 diet for project TV report - a few questions on video. Let me know if any of you are interested - I am not feeling photogenic at the moment!

Well I dont do that every day obviously! Taking a break from eating for a day is not supposed to be bad - hence the fast/5:2 diet. As for the healthy diet everyday - I eat healthily but I won't give up on the extra naughty stuff (see my blog for clarification) I am an all or nothing person anyway. I would rather know I am not eating anything indulgent (or much of anything at all) two days a week than forever watching what I eat (which works really well - I know. But it is pretty joyless)

I have finally reached the not hungry phase I think! All I have had today is coffee with a bit of Almond Breeze almond milk (which is so low-cal it's ridiculous). Long may it continue!

I am not weighing myself but my jeans feel a bit looser despite bucketloads of cake on non-fast days. I just need to get into the habit of exercising again. I have found stir fried prawns with vegetables an excellent, filling and very low-cal option for fasting days.

Yup - Colourbox is lovely. Puddleducks is also very good but much larger (and more chance of getting a spot)

I am interested in perhaps expanding into bespoke (homemade) cakes. Right now I am doing a ton of baking anyway, mostly for my blog (and my unfortunate children/friends/colleagues!). If time allowed I could bake something for cost of ingredients & tiny extra. I have sent you a PM. Lucy

If I get the chance I may do some experimenting tomorrow... Thinking something with praline or meringue. I thankfully have an office to take the surplus cakes to at the moment do share recipes if you have something tried and tested