Happy World Teachers' Day

To all the teachers out there, have a wonderful day!

I am a big fan of puns, as I know lots of teachers are. I always try to give the kid's teachers something thoughtful as a gift at this time of year, but sweet and funny rather than soppy and sentimental.

Here is this year's effort for the three teachers 'fortunate' enough to have the joy of my childrens' company.

I took these items, from the supermarket and the $2 shop...

melted the chocolate and half dipped the fortune cookies.

While they were setting, I used a plate to draw large circles on baking paper (you could also use waxed lunch wrap). I cut it them out and lined the noodle boxes.

 (The plate has a diameter of 27cm - the circle fits the 16 ounce box perfectly.)

Then I printed the 'punny' cards and box labels, using our school colours of maroon and gold. I timmed the cards and rounded the corners, then attached a little punched tag (I think it's a 'Stampin' Up' one) with a hole for tying to the box handle.

I used a circle cutter and scallop punch, together with a co-ordinating piece of ribbon from my stash for the labels, and attached them to the front of the noodle boxes with double sided tape.

I carefully packed 7 cookies into each 16 ounce box and closed them up.  (I ended up leaving out the chocolate sticks - I was going to use 2 in each to look like chopsticks, but I was scared they would break when I closed the box.)

 Once the kids had added their message to the back, I attached the cards to the box handles with white cotton kitchen twine.

Voila! A cheesy gift to bring a little smile to a hardworking teacher's face.

P.S. "Teachers are expected to reach unattainable goals with inadequate tools. The miracle is that, at times, they accomplish this impossible task. " Haim Ginott

Nature's Bounty

While pruning the Lilly-pillies in our garden may be a bit of a chore, it does mean I get to fill the house with these for a few days...

In every corner...

Aren't they beautiful?

P.S. "The earth laughs in flowers." -  Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Little bit Geeky...

Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a dark secret...

I am a big fan of *Star Wars*.

Oh, heck.  STAR WARS.  There, I said it. 

The original ones, that is.   (I think I, II & III are over-hyped merchandising opportunities and lack the heart that the original series embraced, despite their amazing special effects and satisfyingly tidy plot tie-ins...I really wanted to love them, but I just can't. But that's a whole other discussion.)

Anyhoo, dark secrets aside, have a look at this amazingly clever cuteness I came across on Etsy while looking for something else entirely...*excited squeak*

 (Check out the listing here: http://www.etsy.com/listing/57298875/patterns-for-all-10-star-wars-mini)

I need to learn to crochet!! What the Sith am I waiting for!!

P.S.  "Meditate on this, I will."
 

Vintage-y Goodness...

My M.I.L. is downsizing, in anticipation of selling her house and having a retirement seachange. While it will be sad to have her further away, we will have nice coastal location to visit when we can make the trip.

AND...I have inherited some great vintage linens in the clearout! Some were hers, and some her mum's. Check out these retro lovelies...

And these dainty doilies...

And this piece of cute kitch from Nana's European travels.

Now that everthing has had a clean and press, I had to do something with it to justify bringing yet more 'stuff' into my house. I have some plans for the doilies, but in the meantime I put my favourite old tablecloth to use with some things from around the house...

Cheers!

P.S. “Behind every successful man is a proud wife and a surprised mother-in-law.”

He's an Individual...

We recently celebrated the birthday of the middle child. I asked him what type of cake he'd like. I assumed the answer would be "a blue one" or "one with 'Halo' on it" or something of that nature.

Ever knowing his own mind, he announced "A large cheesecake please. No wait - a large coconut cheesecake!" I don't know if he has ever had coconut cheesecake before, but he was positive in his decision and didn't want any alternatives. I should have known - he is anything but predictable.

Although it wasn't exactly a traditional birthday cake, it was delicious!

I thought I'd share the recipe I used from Simply Great Meals...

Baked Coconut Cheesecake

1. Combine 1 1/2 cups crushed shortbread biscuits with 1/2 cup shredded coconut and 1 tbsp brown sugar in a bowl. Stir in 100g melted butter.

2. Press the mixture over the base (I did the sides as well) of a 22cm springform pan. Chill in the fridge for 15 minutes.

3. Place 750g softened cream cheese and 3/4 cup caster sugar into a large bowl and beat until until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in 3 eggs, one at a time. Add 1/2 cup coconut cream and beat until combined.

4. Pour cheese mixture into the prepared crumb base and put on a baking tray. Bake in a preheated oven at 150oC for 40 minutes. Once cooked, turn the oven off and allow to cool before removing. refigerate until needed.

As you can see, I decorated it with whipped cream (with a few drops of coconut essence added) and halved 'Raffaello' chocolates, as well as some special candles - black wax with multi-coloured glitter, and some stars cut from wrapping paper. Mr Indivual was most impressed.

If you're making the cake as a dessert, I suggest serving a thin slice with a tart sauce (like a lime drizzle or raspberry coulis) as it is very sweet and rich. This recipe will easily serve 15.

Happy baking, and Happy Birthday F.

P.S. "A compromise is the art of dividing a cake in such a way that everyone believes he has the biggest piece."
Ludwig Erhard