It’s a really easy thing to make – crunchy on the outside but full of sticky sweet goodness on the inside. Perfect summer dessert.

I’ve managed to keep to my schedule – today I finished the heel flap, turned the heel and picked up the stitches.

Not bad considering how hot it is and that we’re completely house bound, which means that Miss A and Miss P need distracting.

My self-imposed challenge of blogging every day has meant that today I’m struggling to find something to write about. As we all know, craft takes time and although I have made some progress on my knitting – it would look very similar to yesterday’s image.

Today I made chocolate cup cakes. I made Chocolate Cake No.2 from the Golden Wattle cook book. Stuck them into patty pans (it made 9) and then sprinkled icing sugar over the top.

 As it’s school holidays, we’ve been baking (need to keep Miss A and Miss P and their friends contained).

The above is a Crispie from the Golden Wattle Cook book. It’s a very easy recipe and makes heaps …

Ingredients:

240g Butter
1 Cup Sugar
2 Cups Rolled Oats
2 Cups SR Flour
2 tsp Golden Syrup
1 tsp Bicarb Soda
1 tsp Vanilla
3 Tbsp Boiling Water

Method:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°.
2. Cream the butter and sugar. Add the Golden Syrup.
3. Dissolve the Bicarb Soda in the boiling water and then add to the butter mixture.
4. Add the oats, flour and then the vanilla.
5. Mix.
6. Cover baking trays with baking paper.
7. Place dessertspoon full heaps on the tray. I usually fit 9 on a standard baking tray.
8. Cook in a moderate oven until golden (about 15 minutes).

I had been led to believe they were difficult, but it was surprisingly easy. I used the recipe from Nigella Lawson’s How to Eat. The recipe is very similar to this one.

I thought I would include a few Australian facts:

1. Australia is the largest Island – it is the 6th largest nation (after Russia, Canada, China, USA and Brazil).
2. We invented the black box flight recorder, pre-paid postage, the bionic ear, the electronic pacemaker and the cure of 80% of stomach viruses (by using antibiotics – bacteria caused the ulcers).
3. We were the second country (after New Zealand) to give women the vote.
4. We have the most poisonous snake – the Inland Taipan.
5. We also have the most deadly marine creature (the box jellyfish) and the most deadly spider (the funnel web).
6. We are the only country that is also a continent.
7. In 1967 our Prime Minister – Harold Holt- went for a swim and never returned.
8. Per capita we read more newspapers than any other country. We also spend more gambling than any other country.
9. Our population density is 2.9 per square kilometre (China is 18534, USA 32)
10. Our national anthem Advance Australia Fair only became official in 1984. It has the word ‘girt’ in it. It use to start with ‘Australia’s sons let us rejoice…’, but now it is ‘Australians all let us rejoice…’
11. 24% of our residents were born overseas.
12. Australia has the lowest rainfall of any inhabited continent.
13. Australians have competed in all 26 Modern Summer Olympics.
14. Our money (notes) is plastic. We’re the first country to do this.
15. We have the longest fence in the world (5530 km).
16. We have universal health care.
17. Australia was one of the founding members of the United Nations.
18. Australia held the first Surfing Championship.
19. We have the highest literacy rate in the world (100%).
20. It is compulsory to vote.

On the knitting front, I’ve almost finished my cardigan (just the collar to go). I’m not that impressed with my knitting… I hope it is simply a matter of practice. I’ve also bought more yarn (off Ebay) – Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool in Ink. I bought 5 balls, so now I need to think of a project.

I bought myself a heart shaped cake tin – everyone should own a heart shaped tin. This is a chocolate cake with rose pink icing – recipe from this book.

I baked Yarnstorm’s Chewy Flapjacks. They’re certainly very lovely and chewy. I’m not sure I baked them long enough, but as the bottom of things tend to burn in my oven I like to err on the side of slightly early.

It was an easy recipe and as it all went together in the saucepan, there wasn’t much washing up either. I definitely recommend making it – particularly if you live in Australia and can find golden syrup easily.

We baked Almond Macaroons today – a couple of little friends were coming for a visit. It’s an extremely easy recipe and they taste great.

I’m happy to email the recipe to anyone interested.

I feel very Australian when I bake Pumpkin Scones. Possibly because this lady was well known for them. My littlest, P, loves them and I can pretend that she’s eating vegetables. Of course the biggest, A, doesn’t like them at all, so I’m still searching for something with vegetables for her.

I used the recipe in the Golden Wattle cookbook.