I love being in the kitchen with my family.
The sweetness of a chubby little finger dipped into a tasty batter, a cheeky lick of icing off a wooden spoon, a bit of flour dusted on a tiny nose, the delicious smells wafting about in the kitchen air, the anticipation of a yummy sampling, and the laughter and learning that happens when loved ones are nearby.
Ahh, how this environment brings joy to my mommy heart.
As an educator, I have always believed that learning does not have to take place in only a classroom setting. I believe that the Creator’s great outdoors, the home, and the kitchen table are all wonderful places to learn and grow. (As is a classroom and school setting, of course).
This week my little homeschool crew will be schooling in the kitchen once again. We will be making homemade marshmallow fondant for my son’s birthday cake.
I will also be sharing some fun, thrifted and antique finds that reminded me of my funny, silly, and kind, little, birthday boy.
Come read along to see some sticky-sweet glimpses of our family time together in the kitchen… and in our home.
~Fondant, on the Australian Grocery Store Shelf~
As I have said in previous posts, I enjoy going into different grocery stores- especially in other countries. I remember the grocery stores in Australia- and one thing that stood out to me- was the fact that you could buy fondant, in a box, on the grocery store shelves.
Now, keep in mind this was 20 years ago, but this was a new thing to me. I remember buying a box to try and decorate a cake with fondant. It was very basic- a white, fondant covering- with some colorful, pastel cutouts-but I remember it was an experience that I enjoyed.
That being said, I have never been absolutely smitten with the taste of fondant. I have always preferred buttercream frosting. However, I do believe fondant recipes have come a long way. They seem to taste better now than they did 20 years ago…or perhaps my tastes have just changed?
In any case, I always wondered if homemade fondant would taste any better than storebought.
Some ten years later I would solve this mystery for myself.
~Learning about Homemade Marshmallow Fondant in England~
It was not until I was living in England, that I came across the idea that fondant could be easily made from home.
Even now, I can remember the evening. It was just before my husband left for work. We were watching a television show about making fresh fondant with marshmallows and powdered sugar. I liked both of those ingredients, so I tucked the idea in a corner of my mind for safe keeping.
Finally, a year later, I revisited that area of my mind-and I gave homemade fondant a try. I am ever so happy that I did!
Now, I make homemade marshmallow fondant for almost all my children’s birthday cakes. Usually, I do not cover the entire cake with the fondant, but instead, I use cookie cutters to cut out charming shapes to decorate the tops of my cakes.
~Birthday Cakes Made with Mom's Love~
I feel I should add a disclaimer here: I am not a professional cake decorator by any stretch of the imagination. No-no, this post is about making homemade fondant-not so much the cake.
It is my hope that this recipe may be a useful recipe for those who like to make birthday cakes at home.
In my opinion, this is a much more pleasant, fondant recipe than pre-made, storebought varieties.
At the end of the day, I am just a mom, who enjoys making birthday cakes for her babies.
Naturally, the children like to help me decorate- and are always excited to sample bits of the fondant.
Plus, as a mom, if I am not adding loads of food coloring, I feel better about knowing what ingredients go into the fondant.
Note: this is a sticky recipe so be prepared for a bit of a mess. To help combat this, I have found that a pat of butter rubbed on my hands- and a sprinkle of cornstarch and powdered sugar on parchment paper- help to alleviate some of the sticky-sweet mess- that is sure to exist when working with marshmallow and sugar.
~Thrift and Antique Finds to Celebrate a Birthday Boy~
I also wanted to share a few new thrift finds that I bought for my boy’s room- and in honor of his birthday celebration.
As you may have learned by now, I am always on the lookout for treasures.
I receive a lot of joy from uncovering an unexpected, little gift that is worth preserving.
~Antique, Treasure Books~
I love thrifting for old books…especially children’s books.
The Voyages of Christopher Columbus novel is from 1950, and it does show signs of its age- so this will be put away for decoration, as opposed to a book that we read and learn from.
The Playmaker novel– well, to be honest- I just liked the color of the hardback cover…so I bought it. It was printed in 1960, and it is a perfect decorative piece for a boy’s room.
The Emperor’s New Clothes book has a 1949 copyright date and has lovely illustrations throughout. But perhaps even more charming, is the fact that the library check-out card-still located on the back cover- shows the earliest library checkout was April 14, 1969. Wow!
The Andersons Fairy Tales book is from 1958, and equally, has beautiful illustrations.
Perhaps my favorite book find, is the My First Dictionary book that was published in 1964. It has an endearing inscription in the front cover, “Happy Birthday (4) Linda 9-28-69.”
The early dictionary book is useful for homeschool and also very lovely. Plus, the sweet written note to Linda, makes the book a real treasure in my book.
These are the kind of thrifted finds that create a romantic story in my imagination. Stories about their possible previous lives. And how many years later, the books found me and my children. So cool!
A second disclaimer: I have not actually read the two novels, so I cannot recommend them in any way other than the fact that I was solely drawn to them for their decorative appeal and charm.
~Charming, Wooden Creatures~
I also found a wooden giraffe that was carved in Kenya. He was the dumpiest, little giraffe I had ever seen- and he had an adorable, miniature smile.
I had previously purchased another carved, wooden giraffe-from another thrift store-several months before, and I thought he needed a friend…enter the sweet, dumpy giraffe.
I also found a unique, carved, wooden turtle. He needed a little tender loving care. So, I cleaned and lightly sanded him, and then added a bit of wax to make him shine once again.
Anytime I see something solid and hand carved, I find it hard to pass by.
These little, wooden, trinkets can be handy for decorating console tables, desks, shelves, bookcases, you name it.
~Quack, Quack, A Mother Duck and Her Sweet Pack!~
The last thrifted item I have to share for this week, is a likeable collection of a mother duck and her two ducklings.
From what I can gather, they are probably from the 1930’s and hand painted.
I thought they would be adorable on my boy’s shelf or on their dresser top.
I also love thinking of all the past children that it may have been owned by- before my own.
A piece of real history- bought by me and my clan- almost a century later.
~Until Next Time~
I hope this post again inspires you to get in the kitchen and learn new things, to keep your eyes peeled for treasures that are silently lurking, and to always remember to enjoy time with those you dearly love!
I will close with some lovely pink carnations…because pink flowers are a happy photo to close on, so why wouldn’t I?!
See you next week!
