Diamond Jubilee baking

What a weekend! The weather didn't stop the Diamond Jubilee spirit touching everyone - and what could be more British than a Bank Holiday weekend when it rains anyway. Everyone seemed so excited about celebrating the Queen's 60 years, and everywhere there was a sudden community spirit that we've not seen for years.

A beer festival at the pub next door was full to the rafters with revellers with Union Jack flags, beer, and burgers in their hands. We went to a massive picnic in the park with bands and fireworks, and the cheer that went up when the beacon was lit was huge. The telly has been filled with all sorts of celebrations and I've loved all the pomp and ceremony. The sight of so many Union Jacks throughout London has been wonderful. I don't think I've ever felt so British, or Royalist - and I certainly don't remember anything like this for the Golden Jubilee in 2002. I don't remember much about that at all! (Mind you, I was at university, so I was either buried under a pile of books, or had my head in a pint glass...)

For the weekend's tea parties and picnics, I baked a million sausage rolls, a fruity traybake, and some Jubilee cupcakes.

The fruity traybake was the same recipe as my American flag traybake last week for Cake Club. It's so simple but extremely effective, and everyone is impressed. It's from the latest issue of Good Food Magazine. There's another lovely version over at Laura Loves Cakes (her raspberries look bigger than mine!).

My cupcakes were a lovely velvety chocolate, with buttercream swirled on top. I attempted a red, white, and blue theme, but I'm not great at decorating so they're not as impressive as I imagined. I need to go on a cake decorating course.

What a 60 years the Queen has seen. She reminds me so much of my Nanny, who died last year. She would have loved this Jubilee weekend. God rest Nanny. God save the Queen.

I'm keeping my bunting up for a while yet.