I’ve been even busier than usual recently as O has been away from home taking professional exams in the States. The children have been wonderful in his absence, but they don’t leave many opportunities in the day (or night!) for sitting in front of a computer. On the other hand, M (my 3 yr-old) has developed a passion for baking of all sorts. I have only to look at a wooden spoon or whisk and she’s dragging a chair across the kitchen so that she can climb up beside me and ‘help’. She knows exactly what goes into our bread (“flour, water, salt and east”, as she says!) and can even turn her very own pastry into “jam hearts”.

With the start of a new term and thoughts of Christmas in the not-too-distant future (believe me, they are already counting down the sleeps!), my 2 girls have also been very aware of the increasing signs of Autumn since O has been away, especially on our daily morning walks to school when their misty breath hangs in the air. Last year, I wrote about the apples that are in abundance at this time here in Devon and once again, it seemed fitting to turn to the fruit in our baking at home. And so today, M and I made Apple Custard Cupcakes from a recipe that (sshhh … I copied out of a book before sending it to my sister a couple of days ago as a birthday present) … hrmmmm *clears throat noisily.*

If I wasn’t staring at the dwindling possible hours of sleep left to me tonight, I’d post the recipe right now. If my children hadn’t woken me several times every night for this last month, then possibly I’d welcome the thought of staying up beyond their bedtime to write out the recipe. As it is, I’m wimping out and going to bed, leaving you (for now!) with only a photo of our latest baking adventure.