Lucky Charms Bark

It’s funny how sometimes the simplest treats are the best and most popular. Bark is just melted chocolate covered with whatever you want and then smashed into pieces. Simple. 

To be completely honest I used to think bark was a stupid idea. I mean it’s just melted chocolate covered in whatever. It’s like why go through all that to make your own chocolate bar? 

But now, now I get it. Making your own chocolate bar is awesome! You can make it literally whatever you want! Because it’s so versatile it makes a great gift!

My friend has a love, which is somewhat un-natural, for Lucky Charms. Instead of just wrapping a box of Lucky Charms up for her birthday I thought I would try to be creative with them!

I had thought of a few over complicated things and instantly dismissed them because time hasn't been on my side recently. Then I thought, “keep it simple stupid” as the guys on Fast and Loud always say.

That’s when I thought about bark and then I made it for her a week late and then it took me two days and a lot of hand slapping before I got it to her. Hand slapping because I had to keep my husband from stealing it!

Lucky Charms Bark

150g of Lucky Charms cereal

50g of Lucky Charms marshmallows

400g white chocolate

200g milk chocolate

In two separate heat proof bowls gently melt the chocolate. In a tray bake tray lay out the Lucky Charms cereal. Once the chocolate is melted pour over the cereal in any way you like, but so that it covers the cereal completely. Then sprinkle over the marshmallows and gently press down. Leave in the fridge for at least an hour or so to cool before breaking up with a knife. Then bag it up fancy or just bag it up if you’re not giving it away.

notes: I used Chocolate Lucky Charms that I bought at a little newsagents under the parking garage in the Oracle, Reading. They sell lots of American treats and in a pinch that’s where I go! 

Thinking of You

Whenever I catch sight of the post person or a delivery van out the window with a package I get super excited.

 It’s so much fun getting post!!

I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, because anytime I get the post both of my girls are all over me asking if anything has come for them!

When an unexpected package arrives it means someone was thinking of you! 

Sometimes it's because you bought something for yourself that you have been waiting for.

Either way it's fun, right? 

So, why not send someone you’re thinking of a gift and make his or her day?

Or of course yourself! 

Maybe you have a special occasion coming up? Anniversary, birthday, Easter isn’t too far away and right before that is Mother’s Day! Perhaps you just want to let that someone know you’re thinking of him or her!

That’s when you should visit Hampergifts, they have an incredible range of hampers; anything from food hampers to wine hampers or cheese hampers even sweet hampers and picnic hampers!

I’m drawn to the picnic hampers; maybe it’s a longing for spring to finally arrive!

However I finally choose the Lindt Chocolate Gift Basket, which arrived quickly and was packaged with care!

Full of chocolaty goodness what girl or guy would complain! There is enough to share, but not too much that you can’t keep it all to yourself!

There is nothing wrong with not sharing. I wouldn't judge you. Now all that’s left is who to send your Hampergift too?

notes: In association with Hampergifts, for more information please see my contact/policy page.

Dishes are the Worst Household Chore ... Ever!

For my birthday I asked for a new vacuum cleaner. The one I was using was completely useless and was so loud I used to get a headache from it. No one gave me a vacuum cleaner. I was actually disappointed.

I’m not against getting useful things as presents. I love useless, self-involved presents as well, but practical gifts are always appreciated! Anyway our dishwasher went kaput a few months ago. It leaked water everywhere and the floor needed to be replaced.  

I could not hand wash all the dishes a family of four produce, forever. Two or three meals a day times a family of four, plus the dishes added from my baking obsession equals a lot of dishes. They just take so much time and it’s never ending. Honestly dishes are the worst household chore ever.

I actually asked Santa for one, but just like my birthday and the vacuum cleaner one never appeared.

After the new tiles were laid and doing some research I started to think about what I wanted in a dishwasher, considering my husband refused to take the role, I finally decided on a Bosch dishwasher. I found mine at Argos online here.

It had everything I was after A+ energy rating, child locks (because kids of all ages love buttons), full size (which allows me to fit a days worth of dishes in), overflow protection (ahem), and it is affordable.

Now after a big baking/cooking session I can just throw (not literally) the dishes into the dishwasher and push a few buttons and they are done! Now this year for my birthday I am free to ask for useless self-involved presents! Or a new bed set?

notes: In association with Argos; for more information please see my contact/policy page. 

Introducing Pinkie P

Pretty soon you will be hearing a lot about my birthday and birthday’s in general. I don’t generally get excited about my birthday because it usually turns out to be just another day. However this year is a big one. It’s the big 3-0! Part of me doesn't feel like it’s possible to associate those numbers with me. Then I think about all the things I've done and it makes sense that I’d be turning 30.

I have been hinting to my husband for a while now here and there about how much I’d love a shiny new KitchenAid. And surprise surprise one showed up at the door for me! YAY!!!! It’s in the color I have been coveting too! Raspberry Ice. I think he loves me.

From all the people (bakers) I follow on twitter I realized it’s common practice to name your KitchenAid. I don’t generally name stuff. If you had known me as a child and asked me what my stuffed bears name was I would answer “Bear”. If I had more then one bear they would then be further named by color, size, and/or fluffiness. You should have heard the conversations my husband and I had when it came to naming our kids!

The end to this story is that I asked my eldest Mini-Baker what she thought I should name it and her answer was Pinkie Pie! As I actually adore the new My Little Pony Friendship is Magic I agreed that it fit, as Pinkie Pie loves parties and cake. I've shortened it to Pinkie P because I like the way it sounds.

Whenever I say to my friends that I am considering making my birthday party a My Little Pony theme I get very strange looks. Nobody seems to see the fun in it? I might get new friends.... I’m not sure if I will have time to arrange a themed party anyway, because on my actual birthday (May 16^th) I will be in London baking with Eric Lanlard on his Baking Mad Spring Course!! Yay!! I can’t wait!! Turning 30 is going to be fun!

notes: Harts of Stur for bargains on kitchen appliances; Eric Lanlard Cookery School; image link can not be found so has been removed (www.hubworld.com)