Warning – this one starts out quite loudly – turn the sound down if you have sensitive ears!

This one was shot in the car, so apologise for the wonkiness. Inigo was shouting his songs out for ages before I decided to video him, and halfway through he seemed to get shy and pipe down a little.

I made a rainbow cake. The cake is itself was a bit of a fail, due to my extreme tiredness, I put the oven on the wrong temperature, and the cake ended up strangely dense, even for a mud cake. But I think I did OK with the icing, and the Alex letters that were made out of biscuits iced with royal icing.

Alex was very excited by his Diego t-shirt, and Buzz Lightyear watch and walkie talkie set.

Inigo was excited by the cake, and ate three slices. Then not much lunch.

Gonad coached the boys in how to pull silly faces. It’s important to learn these skills from a master.

Alex wasn’t impressed with the cake, but the biscuits were a hit.

And the neighbours were strangely quiet in the rain.

With a planetary mixing motion. Just in time to make Alex’s 3rd birthday cake

I knew a Rudy bunny, so I can’t go there, Peter/Mr MacGregor are both references to a story about people who eat rabbits, and I can’t go there, and Velveteen, though it is a beautiful story, always makes me sad.

So that leaves me with Vizzini Dorian Westley Walter Carrot FrostyChops Tiberius Rex Nettle, but that is rather a mouthful.

And now for his story.

He was found in a backyard guinea pig cage when the homeowners returned from holiday with his two lady friends. The three of them were taken to the local pound, and then to Porsche’s Small Animal Rescue, where I saw his profile soon after Custard died. Of course, I filled out an adoption application straight away, even before I read to the end of his description where it stated that he had to be adopted with his two wives. So I immediately emailed Porsche, explaining my allergies, and why I was looking for a single (wanted to bond with Jasper), Rex (easier on my allergies), boy (easier to bond with a girl bunny).

A few days later I got an email back. Isis, one of his girlfriends, had turned on the other two, and they had to be seperated. She found a home, leaving Titan and his other girlfriend. Then she had a stroke and died. Titan was all alone, and sad.

So now he’s here, living in our laundry in peace and quiet until we can bond him with Jasper. He’s had a really rough few weeks, and I am giving him lots of time, gentle pats and treats, so that he learns that he is loved, he is respected, and that this home is forever.

This extraordinarily gorgeous beastie is coming to join our family tomorrow. We don’t like the name he had at the shelter, so we’re looking for suggestions. We have a shortlist, but are not quite convinced.

Ideas?

He looked so grown up. Sniff.

Mum made these at Christmas, and I finally got it together to make them at home. My grandfather used to make them for Christmas every year, and it just wouldn’t be Christmas without them, even though he is gone. George was a really, really good cook – he could taste a dish in a restaurant, and then replicate it perfectly at home. Or even improve on it. Though we usually struggled to get him to go to restaurants, because he complained that he could do better himself. He was usually right, but he needed an army of staff to clean up after one of his banquets!

Because of his amazing talent at mimicry and invention, I have no idea if this recipe is stolen or made up, but it is awesome, and you should try it, even if you aren’t mad about radishes. Like me.

Smashed Radishes

1 bunch radishes, washed, tops and tails given to a bunny
1 heaped teaspoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons finely grated ginger – young ginger if you can get it
Soy Sauce to cover

You’ll need a large cleaver to lay flat over the radish so you can bash your fist down to smash the radish. If you’re going to be eating them soon, go for more smashing, if you have a day to marinade, you can get away with less bashing. I usually chop larger radishes in half or quarters before smashing.

Once your radishes have been subdued, put them in a steep sided bowl, and add remaining ingredients. Leave in a warm spot for at least an hour to congregate, or overnight in the fridge.

Eat! Keeps for a few days in the fridge.

But then again…

When Iggy does something dangerous, I get down to his level, look him in the eye, and ask him, “what’s the most important thing in the world?”. Usually, he answers, “Iggy’s the most important thing in the world”, and I say “that’s right, and I need you to be safe”.

Today, unbidden, he said, “Mama’s the most important thing in the world”.

I will keep him. Definitely.

I took these over New Year, in a Thai restaurant in Woy Woy. In the most unlikely places…

Inigo’s sleep issues continue, and of course he fell asleep in the car, only to be woken up and adored, which rather upset his equilibrium.

And being the evil woman that I am, I took pictures.

Isn’t Marley adorable?