I guess you could call it a hobby now, but it didn't start out like that. After travelling for work to London and back regularly 4 years ago, I ended up with a small balance of Avios points with British Airways Executive Club. I decided to look into what I could do with them. Unfortunately the answer was not very much. I didn't want to lose the balance, so began researching what I could do to earn more. Earning through travel I didn't have any plans to travel long distances for work, and we only travel once a year on holiday, so our earning potential through travel was limited. However every little helps, so I looked at maximising the points we did earn. First thing, pick an airline scheme a

Since I started baking a good few years back, I have built up collection of tools, equipment and techniques that I thought I would share, along with links to where you can buy them. The most important item I invested in was a good stand mixer. My budget at the time wouldn't stretch to a Kenwood Chef or KitchenAid, but I found a good alternative on Amazon: The Andrew James Electric Food Stand Mixer Currently £84.97 with Amazon Prime here This is a good entry level mixer. It comes with a 5.2L bowl, splash guard, dough hook, flexible beater, aluminium beater and balloon whisk. It also includes a flexible spatula. I used it so much I now have two of them to speed up the cupcake making process. M

I made these for a friend's house warming a few years back. They are a lot of effort, but worth it for the finished effect. Recipe (makes 12) Source Ingredients: 125g/4½oz butter, softened 175g/6oz caster sugar 2 free-range eggs 200g/7oz self-raising flour 2 tbsp cocoa powder 125ml/4fl oz milk 100g/3½oz dark chocolate (minimum 70% cocoa solids), melted, plus extra to serve 1 x 360g/12½oz jar black cherries in kirsch ½ tsp arrowroot or cornflour mixed with a little water to make a smooth paste 300ml/10fl oz double cream, lightly whipped Method: Preheat the oven to 170C/325F/Gas 3. Line a 12-hole muffin tray with paper cases. Beat the butter and sugar together in a bowl until light and creamy.

Last night was the first ever Strathbungo Windows Wanderland. We headed along to wander through the neighbourhood and see the scenes people had created in their windows. What an amazing spectacle. People had really made a great effort, with full window displays, small displays and even live performers. The streets were packed with people staring in and at the windows. Definitely recommended when they do it again next year. Windowwanderland.com

I recently started work with a new company. It is a chance to work with some former colleagues again and be involved in something new and exciting. I did an interview after my first week in the job. http://incrementalgroup.co.uk/2017/02/16/a-coffee-with-ken-starbuck-senior-service-delivery-manager/

To celebrate starting my new job I made these for my new colleagues. Recipe (makes 12) Source Ingredients: 2 packets Oreo Cookies, regular size 2 packets Mini Oreo Cookies (I found boxes of 6 packets on Amazon) 1 package chocolate cake mix (mix according to directions on box) 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), room temperature 3 3/4 cups powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 12 Edible Mini Mouse Bows. I get mine from here Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix packaged cake mix according to directions (do not bake). Line cupcake tins with liner, place a regular size Oreo cookie in the bottom of each liner. Take 1/2 of remaining cookies and chop coarsely an