Scouts cooking dinner floating on a raft in the local pond

The challenge from the scout leaders:
Build a raft that can carry a patrol (6 people).
Organize a suitable heat source (gas / fire) for cooking
Organize everything need to cook (pots / pans / meat / ice cream)
Once you launched you cannot come back on shore to get extra stuff

Enjoy the challenge of cooking your dinner while floating on a raft on a local farmers pond!!
Pics below - it took three weeks but they got there!!

PS - this would have to be a very good way of building and/or teaching things like teamwork/leadership/knots and lashing (also often referred to as Pioneering) / budgeting / planning and execution of plans made. So much better then being in the Den and way better then the N........ Program!! Shhhhh did I say this? *I grins*

Tiramisu - a genuine pick me up dessert

Uhu - it has been a while but the other days the boys got all excited when they put the groceries from the recent shopping away. They spotted the biscotten fingers - A N D that means only one thing in our house, well two actually - teething being the other one.
YEP it was Tiramisu time again. Ever since they have been to Europe, it has been their favorite dessert of late. And I do make a Tiramisu that knocks your socks off. It is a typical Italian dessert and literally translates into "pick-me-up" (nope - not the boy pick up girl thing) more like a stimulant - and given the quantity and strength of coffee inside (not to mention the sherry) - no wonder.
Anyhow - I came across this really fab recipe and it is D I V I N E ! - and sadly also loaded with several unwanted calories, *sighs* so it is not for the faint hearted or people just starting out on a Jenny Craig diet. But hey - once in a blue moon even this old bear is allowed to indulge in a little pick-me-up :)
Be warned - if you make this for your family - you may have to keep on making this, like forever.
Makes like - well - 4-8 portion size-- unrestrained eating habits depending (hehehe no sense in making something small - not with four ravenous dessert eaters round here)
Then of course if you have visitors you may wish to appear more refined and cultured, ergo make it into a round gateaux with fancy decorations on top - or even in individual dessert bowls (glass) or serve little on a huge plate with lots of arty drizzles over the top - but in the end - everyone will devour however much is in front of them.

feel free to half everything

Ingredients
4 large egg yokes
200 g sugar
500 g Mascarpone (full fat drained cream is best)
4 Egg whites

600ml of strong espresso coffee (cooled)
(ok - I use one of the large plungers and add about 6 table spoons of espresso coffee and brew that)
400 ml Marsala (minimum - actually any strong flavoured sherry will do - try some coffee or chocolate liquers)
plenty of spongefingers - 30 plus
cocoa powder
50 - 100 g of grated chocolate

small amount of whipped cream


Whisk the yolks and sugar together - beat until light and creamy.
Add mascarpone and blend together.
Beat Egg whites until stiff - then gently fold into the mascarpone mixture.
You are aiming for a light fluffy mix.
mix coffee / sherry in small bowl

I normally use a 23 cm square (and 8 cm high) cake tin with a solid bottom -
Take one spongefinger - soak in liquid, remove before they get to soggy and line cake tin
Once the base is covered with sponge fingers spread with 1/3rd of your mascarpone mix.
Sprinkle with cocoa powder
repeat with soaked sponge / then mascarpone mixture
(I normally get three layers of sponge fingers)

If you run out of liquid - fear not more coffee/sherry mix can easily be made.
(In the unlikely event you have to much liquid left over - you can like *drown* the top sponge fingers - or simply bottle the rest and chill for next weekends endeavor - 'cause I'm sure you have to make a second Tiramisu then . . . )
cover the top layer with the whipped cream and sprinkle the grated chocolate on top.
Chill for minimum of 12 hours . . . . . . .
(I KNOW -- t w e l v e hours ! ! ! ! Actually if you leave it for like 24 - 36 hours the moisture and flavors will be totally absorbed (just like the Hungarian Goulash) by the sponge fingers and it will become more divine - but this would be a good test of your will powers . . . . )

hehehe Cut into squares and simply enjoy on its own or with a very mild cup of coffee

Will last for 3-4 days if kept in the fridge; Assuming you can refrain from eating it up all in one go (something that no one here yet managed - its too good)

PS. Hide the bathroom scales for the next three days - no sense in deflating the experience afterwards :P

How an English man invaded New Zealand with the help of some Beach Boys

LOL - ok - apologies to those who googled "the beach boys" and came here.
These beach boys are a group of scouts who were supposed to have learned windsurfing, alas the wind and tide were against that - so they ended up having a lesson in basic surfing. Here they can be seen learning how to balance on top of the board . . . . .




Having successfully managed to stay on top (yep on the sand) it was of in search for some decent surf. The waves were about half to a full meter at times - just perfect, just perfect.
Now you will notice the big boy with his supersized surfboard, but I am assured this has nothing to do with that image of boys and size of - urm - cars in relationship to . . . . . . ok surfing along here - I think this could be called a longboard - but don't quote me on that.



After a while it was into the water and go for it. I saw three youth only to actually make it into some sort of stand up position on the board, most of them happy to just boogie along. Must be hard going to stand up.







Well - ok - I take a poetic license here and say that this man - this tall man from old England (some call him "Sir g.h.) had plenty of true grit, determination, effort, lack of skill, and PURE joy in surfing in, on the wave and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Good stuff

Hmmmmm what other emotion can we glee from his face? ? ? ? ?
And do the Aussies need to worry that he will win the world surfing championship?? Maybe - who knows . . .
He could be our "secret" weapon . . . .
*grins*