First Raspberries Show Up

I could see a single raspberry on a cane from the kitchen window. I went out to pick it and look what was hiding on the other canes!

I'm kinda sorry I didn't lift the strawberries up in the garage earlier now - these would have made a lovely smoothie - aww well - there is always tomorrow :D

One For Aunty Lesley . . .

I have been sent to work this morning with a mission from Jessica. I am to find a nice present for her teacher, Miss B. It has NOT to say anything close to "Best Teacher." It MAY say "Best Teacher in P6" if I want, as Miss B was the ONLY P6 teacher. Do you get the impression Jessica didn't really like Miss B? 

In the car on the way to school I asked her who was the best teacher in the school. Seemingly Miss D (P7) is. From a parental point of view Miss D is an excellent teacher. She takes no prisoners and was instrumental in getting the whole school to pull up its socks and most of the P7 children leave to go to grammar schools. I asked Jessica if Miss D wasn't too strict. Nope, she is great (says the girl who hasn't had her as a teacher yet!) and not as strict as Mrs C the P1 teacher.

"Ah, Mrs C only seemed strict to you because you had never met 'strict' before P1" I explained, but she wasn't falling for that one.

Then I realised Jessica has managed to get to the end of P6 without being told that Mrs C and Aunty Lesley went to school together. 

"REALLY?" 

"Yup, Mrs C and Aunty Lesley were best friends in big school and when David had to take in a family photo of himself in P1 Mrs C saw Aunty Lesley and told David she knew this lady."

"REALLY?"

"Yes, REALLY Jessica! Do you think that grown ups don't remember their friends from all that long ago? Do you think our memory slips in just those few *coughs* years?" 

"Are you SURE? Mrs C and Aunty Lesley were friends?"

"Yes. Jessica. I. Am. Sure." (between gritted teeth and losing interest in the topic.) "Why do you not believe me?"

Drummmm roollll

"Because Mrs C looks WAY OLDER than Aunty Lesley." Ta Da! I give you my daughter: her Aunty Lesley's favourite niece!

Bring Me Toilet Roll . . .

Do you remember the 1994 advert of the wee lad sitting on the toilet, swinging his legs and calling "MuuUUUuum" when he realises the puppy has stolen all of the toilet paper?

We have had various real-life re-runs of this advert over the years. Every now and then I'll hear a pitiful "Muuuum" from inside a bathroom and have to go and leave a new roll outside the door for whichever child happens to be in there. Has to be said though, it is mainly a boy thing I think. Jessica is far too forward-thinking to leave herself in short supply. 

Well folks, today I am here to tell you the 2010, modern, geeky, technical version of the shout for "Mum."

(David has been using an old sim card of Iain's, from May 2006.)

Ouch and Yummmmm . . .

Iain and I had a BBQ last night! The first one for ages - like seriously - years. We were having sausages for tea and I had bought a disposable BBQ from Poundland for . . . a pound, so I decided to fire it up and see if there was any point in buying some more over the summer. It had a special quick light paper over the top, and of course I had this lit before reading the instructions. Twenty seconds after reading them I realised the coals needed to be spaced evenly so I went back outside and lifted the foil casing to give it a shake. And. It. Was. VERY. Hot. My poor fingers are all burned. Stupid BBQ. There ought to be a law against them getting so hot. 

After that I made us a Chocolate Cake in a Mug - only this has kinda become Chocolate Cake in a Bowl in our house. I know, it isn't so quirky in a bowl, but it is much cleaner and you can tip it out easier! While I had all the ingredients out I measured six more cakes into bags so the children can make their own cakes, only having to add an egg and some milk. I felt a little like a drug dealer afterwards though!

Clever huh? 

Five Minutes Cake In A Mug

My mate Alex gave me a recipe the other day after I was complaining about the amount of eggs we are getting at the moment. It is for a 5 Minute Chocolate Cake in a Mug. That got your attention didn't it?!

I got out all the ingredients and three bowls and three mugs, well, three of everything we would need and then called the children in to make their own. Every thing I did, David then did, and then Jessica did. I don't recall starting the bickering over whose go it was, or whether she got more choc chips than he did, but there you are. We got the mixtures ready in a bowl rather than the mugs because I didn't have any faith in the children not tipping the mugs over.

It took a little more than five minutes because of the above bickering, but had I been doing it on my own it could have easily been done in that time! The mugs went into the microwave one at a time and we laughed and pointed at each others' mini volcanoes. All good fun.

But the eating was beeeettttterrrr than the fun. I know it looks a bit of a mess, but it tasted like real nice cake, I am fairly sure I could sell these off individually to restaurants! This may be a keeper for our family! It wasn't until I was writing this that I read in the recipe that one mug is enough for two children . . . perhaps in YOUR house!

Now.... That took care of three eggs. What am I going to do with the other EIGHT DOZEN we have right now?!???

P.S. Bonus points if you can tell me what it says on the mug!