First day of autumn.
Pelting rain the likes of which hasn’t been seen in Canberra in over half a century. Flooding, a bursting dam, washed-away roads, greygreysilvergrey skies.
Stress and exhaustion causing me to crawl into bed at 6pm the night before. A futile attempt at resting foiled by my brain’s refusal to let me sleep before midnight even when I’m overwrought and/or sick.
Discovering that a section of both soles of my boots have worn away. Discovering this by walking through a shallow puddle in the carpark and feeling both of my socks soak through within seconds.
First day of autumn.
Draping wet socks over the mini heater in my office and then putting them back on, toasty-toasty-warm-for-my-toes, fifteen minutes later.
Making the conscious effort to breathe through work stress, and finding that the focus group I run on Saturday (with E.Moonbeams as scribe) is one of the highlights of my week. Feeling boundless respect and gratitude for the people who drove out in the pelting rain to participate, and who made such valuable contributions.
Pelting rain not being able to forestall my Dad’s and my first Cakespedition.
When Dad suggested that we try Beaver Galleries for afternoon tea, I feared I’d be refused entry on account of the hijinks Lorraine and I got up to last time. Seeing as no bodyguards turfed me out of The Palette Café, all I can surmise is that I am the best statue-impersonator in the history of ever and they never even knew I was there. KAPOW.
I ordered a lovely creamy-nutty-frothy soy latte (photo at top of post) and an enormous piece of cranberry and pistachio biscotti almost the length of both of my hands put together. Biscotti = good. Huge biscotti = even gooderer. Huge biscotti studded with emerald pistachios = goodererest.
Dad’s pick from the cake cabinet was the Date Macadamia Tart. It was a thing of beauty, but I’d definitely recommend it for people with a serious sweet tooth. Dad and I both felt that it was, ultimately, a little too dense and heavy in its sweetness, but the first few bites were pretty great. The dates were rich and caramelly, the macadamias fresh and buttery, and the crust nicely crumbly.
There’s an element of nostalgia to Beaver Galleries’ cakes, a hearkening back to CWA-style sweet uncomplicated baking and childhood sugar-driven happiness.
Thanks, Dad, for your ongoing contributions to my happiness. Cakespedition again soon?
Question Time: What sweet treats from your childhood do you miss?
I miss tropical fruit … the fresh from the farm type. Melbourne just doesn’t have the same variety or quality that I was used to growing up.
Very glad to hear that your outing with your dad was so nice and that working Saturday worked out okay too
I haven’t had much experience with fruit fresh from a farm, unfortunately, but the apples a family friend used to bring me from his orchard (when I was at UVA) have forever ruined apples in general for me.
Oh god. The Date Macadamia Tart. I just had a heart palpitation. It looks like pecan pie on crack. OH MY HEART.
Teehee, I thought you might like that one. I’m still determined to try a real, honest-to-goodness, southern pecan pie a la you one day though
YES! Both raw and non-raw versions must be made when you are here.
*heel click*
hmmm.. i like the concept of a cakespedition. Must go on one soon.
I think you’re due for a babyspedition first.
Ha, I am laughing at your spy poses from the other post, you nutter you…. love it
Hmmmm so many delicious child hood treats (my Mum is a bit of an awesome cook/baker) Neenish tarts were a favourite, also her gooey chocolate chunk cookies (seriously the best cookie recipe of all time. Of all time) Banoffie Pie is always a winner too. Yes, I was a hyper active child with all of that sugar too…. it was my Mum’s own doing.
I own my nincompoopnutterness with pride.
Oh darnit, I’ve never had a Neenish Tart or a Banoffee Pie! Well, to be honest, the former have never appealed to me and I only started not-hating bananas recently, so I guess that isn’t too much of a surprise…
Oh darling, darling Hannah. I hope your feet have dried out and your head has slept! The weather you have does sound quite dismal, even to one who loves autumn :/
At least this cakespedition – best concept ever! – sounds enjoyable. I’ll look forward to the coming editions! I think the things I miss from childhood are fruit tarts, with the custard filling and a layer of chocolate underneath (the chocolate layer didn’t always feature, so it was a bit like a lucky dip), and danish pastries, and caramel slices. The latter two I’ve lost the taste for and the first I rarely have, but they bring back fond memories
I didn’t mind the rain on Sunday, when I got to snuggle down at my parents’ place with Downton Abbey, coffee, and chocolate with my favourite creators-of-me. So there are some silver linings
Teehee, I love hearing how different our favourite childhood treats are! I’ve never been interested in fruit tarts or pastries, but oh! I have such fond memories of a super-rich caramel tart my mum would sometimes buy my best friend and me for afternoon tea
Oh you are the mistress of neologisms WayChoc! Love Cakespedition. BTW I don’t think those boots owe you anything … you have worn them a lot.
Great post …
Well, if you love me as much as my neologisms, I might be able to wrangle you a Cakespedition invite yourself one day.
Teehee, I know! I wonder if that shop would have the same boots in stock, so I could buy another pair… probably not though.
Oh, I forgot to answer the question. My mum’s pancakes (because it felt a bit naughty to eat pancake after pancake after pancake. One time I racked up 9 in a sitting as I recollect.) And fighting my father for the last helping of golden syrup steamed pudding.
Aw, I’m so happy you did respond! Loved hearing these memories
At least you didn’t have to fight your dad for the skin on top of the custard though! 
It’s been a personal goal- but long lost to recreate childhood treats.
I have no idea why I was semi-emotionally attached to rainbow cake. It’s a staple of jewish deli’s and I could only find it in Baltimore. Once I do this you will be a happy camper, lots of chocolate ganache in there
I’ve been so craving pistachios in baked goods lately, this is fueling my fire.
Teehee, but you forget that I don’t actually like chocolate desserts or chocolate ganache, only chocolate bars
But I am very intrigued by this rainbow cake! I’ve never come across it, but if it’s as colourful as it sounds, I’m in 
Having been there and done that with a super stressful job, I say it’s not worth it. Now, I have a job I passionately hate, but at least it’s not stressful and doesn’t call for long hours. Ever (yay me!). But then, when I was younger, and older too, I always worked really long hours, it’s good experience, mainly if you feel like you are actually contributing to something. But I do worry about you Ms Hannah. Please take care of yourself. It’s really cool to cakespedition with your Dad. My Dad turns 80 today, but I couldn’t go home (to my home State) to visit, which is very sad. As a pistachio addict, the biscotti looks great. I miss all the childhood sweet treats, not for the treats, but for the beautiful memories that come with the thoughts of them
It’s the memories that make the treats worth thinking fondly of, definitely
And thank you, dear C! I’m doing my best to keep my head not only above water but smiling. Just found it a bit hard last week when tiredness and the ticklings of a virus made everything seem more insurmountable. I’ll be fine. I have to be fine! 
p.s. can you patent the term ‘cakespeditions’ as I think we will all be off one one now. Thanks to you. And that is a good ‘thanks’. So, thanks
Aw, squish! *hugs* You always make me feel better
Now, where do I go to patent my words? 
I love cakespedition and I think I’m prepared to head out on one right now.
Love the tart and the gooderest biscotti.
I feel exactly the same way you do about Lorraine. She’s one of the kindest people I’ve never met (in person). I’m sure if I went into a room with Mr. NQN, Queen Viv or Miss America I’d feel right at home.
Maureen, thank you so much for your kind words! You’re an amazing lady and there’s a place at our table any time for you!
Here’s to wonderful cakespeditions every week! I hope yours was wonderful
Lorraine truly is as wonderful as you think – even more so, in fact. She’s a jazzy lady indeed!
My Nana’s cooked rhubarb and custard. To eat a bowl of that now!
Hannah, I think it’s time to splash out on that new pair of boots. No?
Yay!! Here’s a childhood treat that aligns with mine! Although my mum’s rhubarb and grandma’s custard are ongoing treats in my life, so luckily I don’t have to miss them too much
Teehee, it really, really is. I’m currently having to keep them in my car to put on at the last minute when I have business meetings on rainy days and can’t be wearing joggers with a black skirt and crisp white top. My kingdom for some time to go boot-hunting!
Good luck with the boot hunt I just snapped a pair of Diesel cut-off truckers – fun for all this mud and slush!
Now if only I knew what on earth those words meant
Always learn new words from your post – much needed due to my limited vocabulary:)
Teehee, I fear you won’t be finding such words in any dictionary though!
Cakes look soooo good
Hehe imagine if they did kick you out?
“Why we were just inspired by the statues your honour!” I would have said! 
If you were there, they wouldn’t have dared kick me out! “I’m with royalty!”
“Beaver Gallery” *SNORT* The snorting cannot be contained, I’m afraid.
That photo of your dad is just lovely – the way he’s looking at you, all fatherly-lovingly.
Sorry to hear about your boots – not that I’m assuming what you paid for them, but I hate that boots are always so expensive, so that even if you get ones that aren’t very good, they still cost up to $100. Booooo.
Snort away, dear friend! Though not in a heroin way. That would be bad.
Aw, I like that you interpret the photo that way! I fear it was more “stop taking photos so we can eat our darn sweets already”… teehee, no. He’s actually really wonderful about my taking photos, and in fact helped me get the lighting right in some of them
Hmm… I definitely didn’t spend squillions on these boots, and considering I’ve worn them almost daily for a year or so, they’re probably due for a wearing out
I like the opening paragraphs of this post. Poetic…
Thank you Bryan!! That really means a lot
Oh dear. The Canberra weather of late has required a pick-me-ups, hasn’t it? today’s sunshine was a total relief. But if nothing else, rainy weather does make good weather for eating cakes!!!
I’ve never been to Beaver Galleries – must try it soon. Thanks for the tip
http://www.heikeherrling.com – latest post: Blueberry Babes and Peanut Butter Boys.
Ah, this dear blog put you in spam because of that link! Luckily I was checking it and found you
Oh yes, the sun today was blissful! If only I hadn’t spent it all in an overly-cold-because-of-air-conditioner-insanity office…
Sweet treats from my childhood? Nothing so glamorous 70 years ago as biscotti, etc. – my favourite special treat was Bread and Butter and Condensed Milk. And I don’t feel I had a deprived childhood. How I would love some B&B&CD now.
I remember a regular at Just A Bite rhapsodising over the bread and butter and castor sugar sandwiches he ate as a kid. Your version is far more classy, grandma! You know, I’ve seen Soy Condensed Milk at Mountain Creek… I could make you a gluten-free bread + Nuttelex + Soy Condensed Milk sandwich one day! Though I wonder if that would be a disservice to your memory?!
It possibly would be a bit of a come down, Hannah, but maybe I’ll try it – anything for a ‘fix’ from my childhood. And, who knows, maybe my aged taste buds wouldn’t know the difference.
If you let me know what kind of gluten-free bread you like, I’ll do the shopping and come over to make it for you
Though perhaps not this weekend, as we’ve got far classier food ahead of us! xo
Ugh, it seems like every single part of Eastern Australia has been cursed with constant rain lately!
The biscotti looks good, though!
We could make a raft out of biscotti?
Oh no, Hannah, such a bad start into autumn!
But the rest of the post gave me a broad smile. You and your dad on a cakespedition! 
(Love that word!) Hannah in biscotti paradise! 
A treat from my childhood I remember very well is the wonderful cheesecake my mom used to make. Sometimes she made it on a baking tray, without dough, and I remember one night I had terrible stomach pain because I ate so many pieces. It was so good I just couldn’t get enough of it!
I think my dad might have had the date cake as well. Well, he’s gf now. But he loves everything that is sweet and sticky and has dates.
Teehee, thank you for your enthusiasm, Kath! Oh, cheesecake! I do so love it, but it always causes pain…
I have to say, I’m a little sad your dad wasn’t wearing Hat with Tassles/Corks. I guess maybe it wouldn’t be proper at Beaver Galleries, but on the flip side I bet statues wear them from time to time.
Thank goodness you have a mini heater at your office. Wet socks are one of the nastiest things!
I miss these Italian cookies that came in green and pink and were shaped like leaves. Each cookie was two cookies sandwiched together, with a little bit of chocolate in the middle. Mmm. I found some last year, so it’s not a total loss:)
I was about to get all “we’re not dairy farmers” on you, and then remembered that I have, indeed, shown photos of dad wearing a cork hat. In fairness, though, that’s usually whilst hiking in the bush surrounded by giant demon flies…
I couldn’t survive without my mini heater at work. It keeps my toes alive.
I don’t believe I’ve ever come across such cookies! Clearly I need to return to Italy too…
Your Dad has a wonderfully kind face!
…and I would have chosen his tart – anything featuring ‘date’ and/or ‘macadamia’, esp when bonded with something treacly and evilly sweet, is a winner in my book.
Aw! That’s surely down to his wonderfully kind spirit
You would have loved this tart, Kath!
I know that feeling of going to bed too early and the body revolting because it is so so so hard to sleep early. My mum says if you rest but don’t sleep that also does good so at times like these I just read a good book – that is rest isn’t it!
The cakespedition looks like a great way to to take a break – I would have gone for the chocolate cake but the tart looks excellent.
That’s what my brother said on the phone around 9pm. The funny thing was, I wasn’t even that frustrated at not sleeping because I honestly, honestly didn’t have a wisp of energy to do anything else. I’ve never really experienced that before.
Teehee, the day I choose chocolate cake is the day my body has been switched with someone else’s!
Oh, I haven’t had a good coffee-soaked piece of biscotti in a very long time. My favorite childhood dessert is the strawberry cake I’d request every year for my birthday. Store bought strawberry frosting but with fresh strawberries crushed up and swirled in.
I definitely dipped the biscotti
Or, more correctly, broke pieces off, put them on my spoon, and then dipped the spoon in the coffee. Yes, I’m strange.
Teehee, never in my life would I have requested anything strawberry-flavoured! Love how we all differ
That really is a massive piece of biscotti
I think the date macadamia tart is my kind of cake ~ I love anything that’s really sweet hehe thanks for sharing! Gotta make my way to Canberra it’s been ages since I’ve visited ~
Yes you do! We do have deliciousness here, I promise
Aww I love that you and your dad did this!
looks like a great escape from the weather! i miss arriving home from school and my mum pulling a tray of sponge just baked from the oven which she then proceeds to fill with lashings of strawberry jam and rolls up and coats the whole thing in sugar…….mmmmmmmm……i must call my mum
Oh wow! That sounds *incredible*. Swoooooon!
I can think of lots of other places to cakespedition to. Perhaps we’ll have to invent other excuses, over and above Christmas and birthdays.
Oh, absolutely! Regular work-escapes sound like a good reason to me. Apparently we must to Urban Pantry next; Corey is barista there and has ordered me/us to!
Mmm yummy. So nice that you got to share that with your Dad. Luckily my Mum still makes all the sweet treats from when I was a kid! The only thing I miss was sherbert fountains. A tube of really eyewateringly sour sherbert with a liquorice straw.
I loved sour things as a kid, but have always detested sherbert. I can’t stand things that fizz in my mouth! (See also: pop rocks.) Mum still makes goodies from our childhood on request too
It’s been just as soggy here in Sydney. What a horrible summer! What a lovely ‘date’ with your father. I think that date and macadamia pie would be my choice! I could overlook the sweetness!
Two years in a row of awful summers. I am not a happy camper. Thank heavens for cake and sweet treats even in the midst of flooding and sodden-ness!
Hey Hannah..
I wasn’t overly fond of my Mum’s cooking as a child.. not that she was a bad cook.. I was just bored with the food at home (of European roots).. and I craved what my Aussie friends were eating. There was a dish my Mum used to make which we dubbed ‘hot icecream’.. I think it was a vanilla-ry semolina porridge of sorts.. I make semolina porridge now.. smooth ‘n silky.. but there was something special about my Mums.. She passed away many years ago.. so I can’t ask her about the recipe.. but at least I loved that recipe.. oh and her fried yeast doughnuts coated in sugar.
Thank you, Maria, for these lovely memories! It’s funny how sometimes we need to grow up before we can grow “into” the foods our parents cooked for us. The semolina porridge sounds amazing! I’m a porridge fiend, so I know I’d like that
Crappy weather here too. Must say I love the notion of cakespedition. Why else leave the house? I’m going to have a cakespedition of my own some time soon. Pity there isn’t really anywhere to go here.
You could cakespedition to Canberra…? Surely that’s not *too* far a drive
Hehe… It’s so cute to see Father and Daughter going on foodie adventures like these, let alone coin a funny term while you’re at it. If only the Date Macadamia Tart were less rich, cause it still seems so delectable, nomzzzz… Hope you go on more cakespeditions with Dad soon. And maybe, a Pie-venture with Mum? =D
Dad and I are already planning our next cakespedition, but alas, I don’t hold out much hope for a piespedition with Mum! Unless I can find a place in Canberra making gluten-free and dairy-free pie…
Oh, I so wish … I do miss a good pie.
If we moved to New York, we’d have options…
I just love the word Cakespedition!!
Hehe cute post!!~I love seeing daughters spend time with their dads (or moms), and it makes me go “awwww”….:D
And if YOU think the tart was TOO sweet, then it MUST be quite deadly in its sweetness! haha.
Actually, I’ve always preferred my desserts not to be too sweet
Even though autumn leads the way to winter, it is still my favorite season. Hmm.. my favorite treat from childhood would have to be these cheesecake cups made in muffin tins with ritz crackers for a crust and canned cherry pie filling for a topping.(Totally an 80′s convenience food based recipe.) I remember shoving four into my mouth before my brothers could come and hoover up the rest. (I have seven brothers and sisters… treats went quick in that house!)
Ooo! Found the recipe! http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,176,159164-236203,00.html
Oh wow! This is definitely not something I ever had as a kid! Oh, I love finding out all our different happy-treats
Also, holy smokes! Seven brothers and sisters! That blows my mind. How wonderful!
My favourite treat from childhood? My mum’s best friend was Marg Menz from the Menz chocolate and biscuit firm in Adelaide. Visiting the Menz home and being told to wander around the house and feel along the high mantelpiece to find chocolate treats was pretty cool for a pre-teen boy.
No wonder your Dad was smiling at the Beaver Galleries. A cakespedition in a lovely setting with the fabulous featured foodie, enjoying a coffee and nice looking cake/tart. Would bring a smile on the wettest of days.
I remember you telling me about those childhood glory days! So fun
Your Dad is so sweet. & yes, that biscotti does look like the goodererest I’ve seen. Definitely. I feel for you with your boots and lack of sleep, lovely! If anything helps us to pick up, cakespeditions do. Especially with goodererest cakes. I miss pickelets with jam for afternoon tea after school
Heidi xo
Oh, my late grandma made the most wonderful, wonderful pikelets! We’d often have them topped simply with butter, probably because the pikelets themselves were quite sweet
Thank you for that goodererest memory, darling 
you’re so welcome. thank you for your beautiful pikelet memory
sent you an email earlier, hope the address was right. let me know if you didn’t receive it later on when you get a chance to check. If you didn’t, I might have just terrorised a random hannah with a gmail account about some personal things… xo
Oh no! No email has been received
Poor random terrorised Hannah! I’m going to DM you my email address to check…
the macadamia and dates sound fabulous together! was it glutenfree? mmm i miss eating warm gooey brownies from my childhood! i think i would buy one at every school bake sale!
No, not gluten-free. Dad and I don’t have problems with wheat. I think the orange poppyseed friands were though.
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