I’ve lived in this town my entire life. I spent my childhood playing out with friends in the fields and the cul de sacs. I know the secret path ways, the short cuts, the hidden quiet spots. And yet earlier this week we stumbled upon a field I never even knew was there. And it was as though we’d found it at the most perfect time.

It was the first time we’d all left the house together for almost three weeks, and even then it had only been for a quick dog walk. Since social lockdown was put in place and with Sean and Mum both having to leave the house as keyworkers I figured that the best way to keep me and the children as safe as I could would be to batten down the hatches and forego any need to leave the house, despite an allowance of exercise in the guidelines. It just felt as though we were already at risk enough. And then mum and I came down with what we can only assume was this rotten virus and we all went into total isolation. Almost a month of being cooped up in the same four walls were starting to take their toll on not only my own mental well-being but the children were beginning to go a bit stir crazy too.

Discovering this little patch of sunshine together was a wonderful way to spend the morning with my three favourite people. For the first time I felt myself completely embrace the slower pace we’ve all found ourselves having to take. Before, I’d been trying to fill our days completely, planning for every moment. Making sure the children were as unaffected by the strange and unsettling times we find ourselves in. However as I watched as my family run wild through the countryside, as the children’s faces lit up at the wonders of all that nature has to offer, I felt a wave of calm come over me.

We weaved our way in and out of the golden blooms, playing peekaboo. Watching William ‘sneaking’ through the flowers to make his sister jump and then laughing out loud with excitement when he got to her was so funny.

We chased butterflies and stopped to watch as the bees buzzed from flower to flower. Florence was excited to tell me all about how the bees were collecting nectar to take back to their hive and make honey from. We’ve been talking and reading a lot about bees in our play at home and it was wonderful to see all the things we’d been learning click.

We threw rocks and sticks into the stream and blew dandelion clocks into the breeze.

We even spotted a pheasant which Florence followed on tip toe behind Sean to try and get a photograph and a closer look. He was very cheeky and ran back and forth across the grassy path between the bank and the flowers trying to hide.

Before we knew it we’d spent almost all morning there. Just us and a few passing dog walkers making the most of the beauty spot right here on our doorstep.

We stopped for a quick game of hide and seek around the big tree before making our way home.

Something tells me we’ll be back to this little hidden spot time and time again over the next few weeks. These glorious yellow fields.

As I type this, we are on the road to a little weekend away. It’s been such a long time since we went away just us, and it’s the first time we’ve ever taken William so I’m hoping for a truly special weekend of making memories with my favourite people. I mentioned on Instagram that we are having a bit of a Julia Donaldson themed summer as Florence’s imagination has suddenly been captured by her stories and one of the things on our Summer bucket list was to meet the Gruffalo. Well, after a day of exploring and visiting family today, we are heading to Chessington to do just that! So so excited.

So what better road trip snacks to take than these homemade Gruffalo Cupcakes! I quickly rustled them up this morning ready to pack up in the picnic basket and I was so pleased with how they turned out (usually I’m a bit of a baking disaster!) I thought I’d share how I made them with you guys.

I’ve also packed ‘Scrambled Snake’ pasta, ‘Little brown Mouse’ Cheeses sticks & ‘Roasted Fox’ snack size pies. I might share the recipes to all of these too in the next week or so.

I’ll warn you now, I’m a bit of a convenience baker. As a busy Mama with very little baking skill I am not ashamed to admit to using some shop bought packet ingredients so if you’re anything like me, you’ll love this recipe.

The recipe

Ingredients

125g self raising flour

125g caster sugar

125g softened butter / margarine

2 large eggs

Betty Crocker Chocolate Fudge Frosting

Ready made orange modelling icing

Chocolate sprinkles & balls

White chocolate sprinkles

Mini marshmallows (12, chopped in half diagonally)

Method

Preheat the oven to 180• Combine the flour, caster sugar, butter & eggs in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together until you have a smooth mixture.

Place 12 cupcake cases into a muffin tin and spoon equal amounts of the mixture into each one and pop in the oven for 12-15 minutes or until they’re risen and golden brown. I always do the knife test to check there’s no raw mixture inside.

Once baked, remove from the oven and leave to cool.

Once cooled it’s time to decorate! Using a spatula or straight side of a dinner knife spread chocolate frosting across the top of each cake. For these I scooped about a teaspoon of frosting onto each and then spread it in circular motions. Remember, it doesn’t have to be neat as you’re making a furry monster!

Next, make 24 pea sized balls from the orange icing by rolling small amounts in the palms of your hands. Add a chocolate ball sprinkle to make the pupil and then put the eyes in place on top of each cake.

Cut 12 mini marshmallows diagonally in half and place them on either side at the top of the cakes to make the Gruffalo’s horns.

Squeeze a dot of green writing icing in the middle to represent the ‘poisonous wart on the end of his nose followed by a handful of white chocolate sprinkles to make his terrible teeth in his terrible jaws!

Finally shake some chocolate sprinkles all over each cake for his fur.

These Gruffalo inspired cupcakes make the perfect snack for a day out at one of the many gruffalo trails & forests across the UK as well as fab party treats! They’re super tasty and bound to be a hit with any Gruffalo fans!