The disaster molecule.

3D model of the Sucrose Molecule. Image from 3d chem.com

As I posted last week, 5 year old turned 6 and had a pretty crazy mad scientist party.

I, embracing the whole mad bit…. and a tad of the scientist bit…. decided that for this party she needed a molecule cake.

Although I was able to find lots of helpful images and ideas for games and general party food, I couldn’t find many images of molecule cakes. I now know the reason for this!

One of the VERY few cake-pop molecule cakes on the internet. Image and cake by Hecticium.

But…. undaunted and sure that it was just because no-one had thought of it yet…. I decided to give it a go.

My idea was to make cake-pops (so each child could eat it at the park without a plate) and link them (bond) all together with their sticks to form a 3D shape….. somewhat reminiscent of the sucrose molecule above. Yes, sucrose as in sugar, the very thing a cake should be made with. Yes , I was finding the whole planning process very entertaining and amusing.

Now, because I am not a baker…and generally leave the baking to the professionals…I decided to try my idea a couple of days before the party. As it turns out …. this was indeed the best idea surrounding the fated molecule cake!

The cake-pops …although incredibly tedious…. looked ok in themselves.

After much research into cake-pop making, no baking involved because you break-up already baked cake (bonus!), the purchase of very colourful and sweet ingredients….. a bit of food colouring….. white chocolate…. icing…. non-parelis (the blue things)….I set to work.

Ahhhhh……

Be warned people! Cake-pop making is to the cake decorating world as hand beading is to the world of couture. Amateurs run for your lives!

Not a good birthday cake beginning when the components need such careful manoeuvring.

Anyway…. long story short. After a full day of fiddling and fussing and a whole lot of questioning of ones sanity….. I was glad I had an option B.

THe ‘Epic Fail’ molecule cake.

The girls verdict on arriving home from school was ….. ‘they taste yummy’, ‘didn’t really work’ and ‘it was lucky you tried it first’.

All in all it was a disaster, however the disaster was still made up of molecules.

What if……

Image from etsy shop ‘Walking in faith’ only $4 for a printable PDF.

I very much want to be a thankful person.

During crazy busy month this is a great, great timely reminder!

How Pinteresting ………are upcycled shoes?

Image from the micro gardener. Gumboot plant pots.

My next instalment in the interactive Pinterest posts.

Steph asked for ‘Upcycled shoes’ after being inspired by what she saw on the recycled market.

You can see my ever growing board of Upcycled Shoes on Pinterest here.

So…..what next?

Tell me what collection of images you are interested in by leaving a comment below.

 

Facebook Friday

Image from Women Bible Life.

This is a great little blogpost from my friend Cathy.

Well said.

Now who will I drop in on today!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Collage close-up.

Just thought I would let you know, I have one of the loveliest present making and buying families in the world! I’m sorry if that makes you jealous….. but it’s true.

Yes, today is my birthday and they spoilt me, yet again.

Earlier in the year I had emptied my wallet framing these works that were quickly becoming damaged without the protecting framing provides. You may remember we had them in our bedroom in the last house. One of the great things about abstract art is you can hang it anyway you choose! They now are taking pride of place in the lounge room but hung differently.

…….anyway, I had said that this would be my birthday present, but Tim and the girls went ahead and gave me a voucher to do more art classes! I am running out of walls. I will have to start painting miniatures.

‘Red Wine’ by 13 year old.

My voucher!! Woo Hoo.

13 year old painted me something, and they all took me out for a grungy pub dinner near Newtown.

I think I am having the most artistic birthday ever!

 

The collages in situ. in our new pad.

Two of a three part series on the other wall. The first one is still st the framers……. string direction issues.

Holiday freezer clearing

Each holidays I try to clear my freezer of anything lurking in the shadows.

I usually ‘google’ the main meat ingredient and perhaps other ingredients I have in the cupboards and fridge and see what turns up.

Some of the meals were, in 12 year olds words….”Not a stand-out’.

Two, however were lovely, so I thought I would share.

Pork Tenderloins from Simple recipe. Image theirs. Mine didn't look this good but it tasted wonderful.

Pork tenderloins with Apples.

The whole family ate with gusto! I will be making this one again.

Thai Chicken mince with rice. Image from Taste. Again mine was not quite this photo-worthy, but delicious all the same.

Thai flavoured chicken mince with rice.

Chicken mince seems to always be reduced at the supermarket. I often buy it and then I am unsure what to do with it. Well….. not any more. Everyone loved this and I will be cooking it again.

Both recipes were very simple and family friendly.

Do you clean out your freezer periodically?

What great recipe gems have you got to share?

 

Facebook Friday

Vertical Herb Garden. Image from An Organic Conversation.

Thanks Dagmar.

Oooops…….. thought I had shared this site before now.

This one is called 'Fresh Hues. Image by Design Seeds.

This blog is great.

If you are scared of colours…. or not confident with them…. or just want to explore some other possibilities you might not otherwise think about…. this is a great place to go.

You can just browse the latest colour palette she has chosen for the post or you can look for specific colours you want to blend other things with.

It’s truly beautiful and inspiring.

"Finch Tones'Image from Design Seed.

'Speckled Tones' by Design Seeds.

From Design Seeds.'Cranberry tones'

Image from Design Seeds. 'Frosted Hues'.

…. seriously I could go on all day.

 

60 fabulous egg projects by Tinkerlab.

Image from Tinkerlab.

Tinkerlab is a fabulous blog and they have come up with a list of great activities from the blogosphere all focusing around eggs.

Ideas cover science, decoration, painting and craft.

A lot of great holiday ideas here. 

Have a look.

… more cute easter eggs…..

Image and tutorial from Southern Living.

I have always had a thing for duck egg blue…. I really want to have a go at these ones.