In the wings...

@kairospix: Thanks kairopix - it was my first try at it!

@Lorraine: Thanks so much Lorraine - I know just what you mean - it takes me a hour to make any sense at all in the a.m.!! cheers! :)) Thanks for the very lovely comment!

@badala: Most kind badala - the background wasn't attractive but the subject had promise so I thought I'd try a spot of pp. :)

@tyan: Thanks tyan
As you requested, here's the cake recipe!

Em's amazing Orange Cake with Lime Syrup!!

Pre-heat oven to mod. slow (about 150 - 160 degrees C for fan-baked)
2 small oranges
1 & 1/2 cups almond kernels
1 cup caster sugar
6 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla essence

Simmer the oranges in hot water for 2 hours
grind almonds to meal in a processor & mix with sugar
quarter the oranges, remove seeds process until smooth.
Keep motor running add eggs one at a time
add almond meal. baking powder & vanilla
mix.
put in lined cake tin bake for 1 hour.

Lime syrup
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup water
mix together well and simmer on very low heat until it reduces, Don't let it boil
This might take 5 or 10 minutes.

Use a skewer to poke a few holes down into the top of the cake. Pour the syrup over it
Leave to soak into the cake (the longer the tastier!) Enjoy!!

@tyan: I suppose I like to break stereotypes tyan.:) Em and I have been great friends since we met, long before she are Sam were partners (they've played together in bands for about 3 years but only been together since May.) She's so lovely - there's simply nothing to criticise!!

@JED: Thanks JED I felt it too - waiting with loved ones before a performance can be exciting!

@SusanPEI: Thanks so much Susan! I'm delighted to tell you how I did it.
In Photoshop Elements use the magnetic lasso tool to outline the figures.
Then in the "select" menu, choose "inverse"
Go to "filters" then "blur" then find "radial blur"
apply this filter using whatever parameters appeal
Zoom in fully and use "smooth" tool on a small diameter to get rid of any tiny spiky bits from the original lasso. They'll be very obvious :)
check brightness/contrast and apply a bit of "unsharp mask" filter if needed.
Check the cropping and you're done!

I hope this helps. If you have any questions at all please ask! cheers Bron

@Candace: Thanks for your visit and comment Candace - much appreciated! cheers Bron

@Rebecca: Oh how lovely! I'm so pleased you like it Rebecca! Sam and Em say hi! :) :)

@Craiger: Thanks Craiger! cheers!

@Markus: A pleasure Markus! And thanks again for your support - cheers!

@red queen: A new technique for me - always learning red queen! :D

@Double KK Photography: Thanks Double KK!!

@Viewfinder: It glows out of lovely young people doesn't it? Thanks so much Viewfinder :) cheers
Bron

@Harald: Thanks for your visit and comment Harald

@Evie: Thanks - it was my first try at it and worked better than I could have hoped!

@Namor: Thanks Namor! I'm delighted to tell you how I did it.
In Photoshop Elements use the magnetic lasso tool to outline the figures.
Then in the "select" menu, choose "inverse"
Go to "filters" then "blur" then find "radial blur"
apply this filter using whatever parameters appeal
Zoom in fully and use "smooth" tool on a small diameter to get rid of any tiny spiky bits from the original lasso. They'll be very obvious :)
check brightness/contrast and apply a bit of "unsharp mask" filter if needed.
Check the cropping and you're done!

I hope this helps. If you have any questions at all please ask! cheers Bron