[ jell-o eggs!!! ]

sooooooo... i was looking for something cool to make for my son, oscar's, school spring party. i came across jell-o eggs. my obsession with jell-o continues :) for non americans, jell-o is a brand name for jelly :) like when we say hoovering...

anyway ~ i could tell they were made in molds but couldn't find them to buy... then found out that jell-o are giving them away on their website, while stocks last... for the price of postage & packaging~ yeah!!!!

i was concerned they weren't going to arrive in time because i didn't get expedited shipping, but they did!

first spray the inside of the mold with cooking oil. click the molds together, turning them upside down so you can push on the curved bottom helps.

now i didn't follow the 'jiggler's recipe' because that just makes it pure dense jelly... & you don't need to do that. i mixed the 3oz packet of jelly with a cup of water total. i started by put 2/3 cup of boiling water in a jug with the powder & whisked for 2 minutes. this is essential... i tried short cuts with no success, so make sure the water is boiling & don't skimp on the whisking... or it won't be smooth & won't set properly ~ the darker the color it seems the longer the powder takes to dissolve. then to cool it down use 1/3 cup of cold water... i had no luck adding ice... it made it very bubbly & screwed up the setting.

i used a kids meds syringe to add the colors ~ i get my kids meds from target pharmacy as i love the packaging (it was designed by a graphic designer... need i say more?). so i have quite a few... for the first color i put 1tsp of jell-o in each mold & put that in the freezer for 8 minutes. with the jell-o that was left i put in a tsp of greek yoghurt & added that. the yoghurt makes the color solid & is a great way to separate 2 colors that are similar.

be careful not to leave the jell-o too long in the freezer ~ you don't want the layers to come apart... & also the jell-o needs to be a bit tacky when adding the next layer so that it sticks.

the third layer i put in 1 3/4 tsps jell-o & the layers in the middle 2 teaspoons.

i did follow the colors of the rainbow ~ which i now know ~ thanks to mr ray!!! please see below...

after they were all set i thought it would be nice to put them in a clear plastic egg box... but be careful doing anything like this... the eggs can change shape & not look as perfect as they could do. i found storing them in tupperware ~ single layer best. then to serve i popped them in cupcake papers, that made them easier to maneuver.

kids LOVE them!! have fun!!

[ god save the queen! ]

sooooooo... oscar, my 7 year old, had piano last night & they've been playing the star spangled banner for what seems like years now!! & no disrespect but i've heard it many many times now. oscar, goodness only knows why, asked me to sing along with him once... & oh i sang... i left our ears bleeding!! even i was pulling faces at the notes that were tripping out of my mouth!! that may have even been the beginning of his ear infection come to think of it...

so when i hear a new tune being tickled on the old ivory's i can't help but turn my face up to the heavens & say THANK YOU GOD!!!

listening closer... i hear it's my national anthem!! GOD SAVE THE QUEEN! HOORAY!!! so when mr tom, the piano teacher, is leaving i tell him how much i like the new song & maDe a comment about feeling patriotic & the queen bla bla bla. mr tom replies... er no, that's America (My Country, 'Tis of Thee)!! WHAT!! THEY STOLE OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM!! is that allowed??

i wonder if the Queen knows about this!! well she will as soon as i find the number to the palace!!

[ ...something aussie :) ]

sooooooo... did i buy this wine because of the name? would i? heck yeah!!! it made me smile ~ mike says woop woop from time to time :)

usually when i choose a wine for the name i think to myself, after the first sip, maybe this isn't the best selection process (but that doesn't stop me doing it again!! what can i tell you, i live in hope!!) ~ but thankfully this turned out to be a very nice beefy shiraz. 2 thumbs up!!

& for all those wondering:

woop woop (definition)

1. Australian term: used to describe the middle of nowhere.

2. similar to the American term for the "boonies".
3. Used to describe a place not usually inhabited and out of one's normal travel. A hole

"yeah, he lives out in woop woop"

[ running errands with my mum (official video) ]