Virtual Australia: Lamingtons...with Recipe

So...I tried my hand at the Aussie Dessert Treat: Lamingtons- last night... layering mine with strawberry jam.

Used larger flake coconut instead of the fine stuff but basically otherwise the same.

Took my first bite...and realized I had tasted this before.

"It is Zingers"

Remember Hostess Zingers?  Same exact thing.

Who Knew??? 

Maybe the marketing people thought the name "Lamingtons" wouldn't fly in the states?

Granted these aren't as waxy...they are richer and fresher (being homemade)...they are smaller, but
at the end of the day...they're still Zingers.

Very easy to make. 


Lamingtons

Prepare or buy vanilla cream cake, sponge cake or loaf style pound cake. Slice thin (1/4 inch slices)

Spread one slice with jam, cream, chocolate icing, lemon, basically anything...or leave plain if you don't want filled Lamingtons.

Top with second thin slice and cut into fourths. You should have 4 two inch square cubes.

Do the same with the rest of the cake and filling.

Sit a wire drying rack in a 1/4 inch deep baking tray.

Transfer layered cubes to drying rack.

On stove-top you can prepare boiled icing of any flavor or-

You can buy canned icing and melt to desired thickness over low heat.

Icing should be thin and pourable.

When icing has thinned (honey consistency) have bowl of sweetened, flaked dried coconut nearby your work station.

Pour icing to completely cover cubes, and immediately sprinkle with coconut before they dry.

Refrigerate until served.

Enjoy!

Delicious with Morning Coffee.
More Anon...

LOVE

Today's missive was initially going to about Australian Lamingtons. Complete with a RECIPE.

That will have to wait.

Sometimes, as a parent, you get filled with such huge feelings of love, and pride, respect and admiration...that you are compelled to share these feelings. With everyone. With the WORLD.

This is one of those days for me.

Yesterday my youngest, Chris, crashed into the midst of my Zen Day around Noonish. Just a knock on the patio door, and I am always happy to see him.

He was bubbly and in good spirits wanting to share the news of his career "life-plan" (which is well thought out and one he has been educationally pursuing for quite some time) The culmination of this plan will land him the title of Computer Systems Architect. 

 I am so proud of him!

It is amazing to see anyone so excited about ANYTHING in life...it is doubly so when that someone is your child.

And we sat and chatted...about careers...and life...and politics...and more...we chatted for 5 hours, this grown son, and I.  And it was wonderful!

But wait....there is more...


Our middle, Lennon, is literally in the middle right now. Sandwiched between working full time and caring for his elderly Grandmother. It is something he does not out of obligation...but out of love.
He is a wonderful caring individual. Always has been.  
And I am so proud of him.

He has (also) always been a Legomaniac.

It isn't just something you outgrow.

I learned this on North Meridian at one of the CEO's of United Airlines one summer when during a party/barbecue at Jim's house he ushered us into a room where he had spent the winter months building a scaled model of his sprawling home and grounds out of...you guessed it...LEGOS. 

He called it stress relief.

So when Lennon let me know that he had bought the 7,541 piece Millennium  Falcon to assemble...it made perfect sense.

and of course an X-Wing to complete the scene...

Because as he remarked...

"You gotta..."

And sent me this as a laugh

"Nobody LIKED C3PO..."

~laughing~


And last, but certainly not least, my eldest, James. Heading into his 5th year of marriage to an amazing woman...and the two of them (both having previous marriages and children and stepchildren) are Mom and Dad to...a lot of kids.

This weekend picking up my oldest grandson (his stepson years ago)...who has now been removed from his mother's home as well- so that he would be able to stay close to his younger brother (my son's 7 year old)  They didn't just pick him up for an hour or so...but had him at their home as part of the family...which he is...for the entire weekend. He even scheduled a "Boys Night Out" of bowling and pizza for all three of the boys  (Preston, Brendon, and Aiden)

I have watched him actively work hard to keep this array of siblings (girls and boys) together as family through the years. I am proud of the Father (and the man) he has become.

Bill would have been so proud of all of them and the men they have become...and I know his love and guidance and life lessons helped shape them into the men they are today.

I love and am very proud of all of them.

So just a reflective Mom Moment.



Tomorrow we will see about those Lamingtons!

Virtual Australia: Birdcages

A turn down a laneway in Angel Place and suddenly there are empty birdcages suspended overhead. Hung on cable between the buildings.

A LOT of them.


Curious.

Curiouser still, the tweets, chirps and warbling of (recorded) birds to accompany them.

We have stumbled across

"Forgotten Songs" 

What began as a Public Art Installation by Michael Hill in 2008-2012 (a tribute to 50 different birds that disappeared in Sydney after European settlement)...was re-funded and became a permanent display in Angel Place in 2013.

The bird-songs are of the 50 individual types...and are divided into those who were daytime birds and those who were heard at night...and are played accordingly.

"Forgotten Songs"

https://youtu.be/mg04pL21ERs

(experience for yourself)


 The artist relied on his mother and sister to help procure the birdcages and they were found from eBay to Second Hand Thrift Shops. Coated to prevent rusting and weatherproof speakers installed inside.
The Artist

                                               Michael Thomas Hill

 Just a short interesting side trip in our discovery of The Land Down Under!

More Anon...

Happy Australia Day!

 On this date in 1788 the First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove. Australia Day has been formally recognized as the Founding Holiday of Australia or ANA.

Since 1988 participation in Australia Day has been growing...and in 1994 all of her states and territories celebrated unified. Since that time, it has been a public holiday in Australia.

Outdoor concerts, community barbecues, sports competitions, festivals and fireworks are some of the events held across Australia to celebrate.  In Sydney Harbour boat races are held, and the traditional cricket match is held in the Adelaide Oval. Citizenship ceremonies are held. Also several categories of
Citizen of the Year...including Australian of the Year...Youngest Australian of the Year...Senior Citizen of the Year and the Australian Hero of the Year Award.

An Australian Festival filled with Food, Family, Fun and (as evening descends)...Fireworks!

https://youtu.be/VqS4gUnfF6A

Australia Day Fireworks 2018

 Until Tomorrow!

Friday....at Last!

...and sooooooooooooooooooooo ready for the weekend!

The snow is only a memory now...and Spring is only 52 days away. Much  warmer outside today!

Have bulbs ready to force for some early Spring color (and pollen) in the house.
By the time the Paperwhites and Hyacinths open...the house starts smelling just like Indy's Flower and Patio Show (and I am pre-medicating with antihistamines...but it is so worth it!)  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh-chooooo

Found possibly the BEST TATTOO-ever! I may have to do it..or something similar, soon.

Laughed entirely too long over this.  Could see a small version on this in the palm of my hand

(slapping the table during brunch)

"Damned Minions"

Anything for a laugh...right?

A Cinderella Day here. 

Cleaning, Scrubbing, Laundry, Dusting...and running out later for Weekend Provisions.

Planning a relaxing Retreat of a Weekend.  My good friend Loretta has been hospitalized for several days with complications after that damned flu...culminating in pneumonia...so this week has been fairly chaotic. Just exhausted today. She has had a rough winter and I worry for her...glad that it will be Spring before too long...and hoping she can make it until then.

After the whole Tide Pods thing I had to share these:

 (...thanks Nicole...)

And who KNEW the walls were filled with Cotton Candy!

LMAO!

Apparently, they wear masks to stop themselves from eating it during installation?

PSA:  Do I REALLY have to tell you NOT to chew on wires or consume fiberglass?????????????????????

I think that Darwin fellow was right.

Just saying.

Anxiously awaiting the arrival of my Girl Scout Cookies soon.

And planning to put back a sleeve of Thin Mints for "Idgy" and I to use as mix-in in homemade ice cream in April.

Only

more days until "Rose and Idgy's Spring Adventure".  Looking forward to celebrating MY Birthday Weekend with her, this year!  Something involving flames...ice cream and cake!

 FLAMING THIN MINTS, BATMAN!!!

~laughing~

And now for Les Nouvelles de Trump

A request was put in for the borrowing of a Van Gogh entitled Landscape for the Trump Bedroom at the White House.

Their request was politely declined...but another piece of artwork (...possibly more suitable...lol) was offered in its stead.

Yes. Guggheim offered them the use of this fully functional 18K solid gold statue...er...commode.

An artistic creation (statement piece) by Maurizio Cattelan simply entitled America.

There has been no response from The White House.

This week's Book:

Future Home of the Living God

The latest offering by Louise Erdrich. Set in a future dystopian society where evolution is beginning to reverse at an accelerating rate and pregnant woman are being "hunted" and institutionalized before they give birth to their children.

Following the pregnancy of one woman  (Cedar Birdsong...nee Mary Potts). It is a page turner from beginning to end. 

One spoiler...if you are looking for a happy ending...well...this is not the book for you.

Well written and completely engaging!

Worth a look.

This week's Movie 

Which I had actively resisted seeing...as I loved the original with Robin Williams.

This wasn't your typical remake.  They updated Jumanji from a board game to a video game. The storyline took a completely (refreshingly) different turn altogether. The casting was outstanding.

All in all I enjoyed it very much. I think you will, too!

Tomorrow...we will continue Virtual Australia!

More anon...

Virtual Australia: The Sydney Zoo

Today our Virtual Destination is The Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

Located on the shores of Sydney Harbour and divided into eight regions the 52 acre zoological park is home to nearly 4000 animals of 350 species.  It has a cafe, a zoo shop and an information booth.

General Admission is 46.00

Ferry and Gondola are extra.

But today we are traveling virtually...no lines and admission is FREE!

So let's go!

Quick Tours

https://youtu.be/Yxpfkss4Ar0

https://youtu.be/OVHNt-IIPvQ

https://youtu.be/lzuVp_jyZRY 

https://youtu.be/yfGDBZlbfwk

The Seal Show

https://youtu.be/80qeyjb9kAE

Animals Indigenous to Australia

https://youtu.be/8nLel2LH0v0

 Many (most) of the animals at this zoo are not found in Australia. A special section is set aside for lizards birds and mammals that are indigenous to the area,

Although some I have seen before...and you probably have too...

                                                             Dingo

                                                              Emu

                                                             Koalas

                                                          Platypus

                                                   Long Earred Fox

                                                             Wallaby

                                                        Red Kangaroo
                                                                                             


There were a few I had never seen...or in some cases even heard of...

                                                           Numbat

                                                    Spotted Quoll

                                                           Wombat

                                                     Echidna

                                                          Bilby

                                                       

                                               Leadbeater's Possum



and possibly the world's happiest animal

                                                        The Quokka


(...now I WANT one...)

Also

New Sumatran Tiger Trek at Taronga Zoo

https://youtu.be/oQOonAriOI0



Bilbys at the Taronga Zoo

https://youtu.be/oQOonAriOI

And an online link to the Taronga Zoo Gift Shop

https://zooshop.taronga.org.au/

Where you can even "adopt" a Bilby!

I hope you have enjoyed this trek to Sydney's Toronga Zoo as much as I have!

More anon...