tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55627391579069165682024-03-08T08:00:29.252-08:00The Sunflower and Ladybird CompanyThis blog is all about sunshine, happiness, laughter, cupcakes, lavender and making time for yourself and your loved ones. It is about preparing special dinners and not just making food. It is about being thankful. Enjoy what God has given us - Sunflowers and Ladybirds and all things nice!Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5562739157906916568.post-47385552038204485812019-01-05T21:32:00.002-08:002019-01-05T21:32:46.196-08:00Food for the Soul<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1g3TfDdVCw/XDGOv2kB_yI/AAAAAAAABdc/SbRLHSGm6JEX83ax8sc5pASKRDbPvLgvQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M1g3TfDdVCw/XDGOv2kB_yI/AAAAAAAABdc/SbRLHSGm6JEX83ax8sc5pASKRDbPvLgvQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0163.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rain. <br />The smell of wet earth, nutty grass and the exuberant calls of birds. <br />Elixir for the soul, after endless warm dry days and hot nights.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NmB1U_Ds4rg/XDGOwLPJmuI/AAAAAAAABdg/hUzLx1N-GDsmaROUAz0DaPAXyJ53uIM3ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NmB1U_Ds4rg/XDGOwLPJmuI/AAAAAAAABdg/hUzLx1N-GDsmaROUAz0DaPAXyJ53uIM3ACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64siIpjSs1c/XDGOwQoa_CI/AAAAAAAABdk/F5_Jt2rJPdowBlG-xgmrv1ZJm0_D-8AYACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-64siIpjSs1c/XDGOwQoa_CI/AAAAAAAABdk/F5_Jt2rJPdowBlG-xgmrv1ZJm0_D-8AYACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w_Qi2ogqiF0/XDGOx3i9IvI/AAAAAAAABdo/EJhOovAdyIAtrlkQup8LB18y0DkP71NiwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w_Qi2ogqiF0/XDGOx3i9IvI/AAAAAAAABdo/EJhOovAdyIAtrlkQup8LB18y0DkP71NiwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0250.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xz1VajbRDxc/XDGOyv2KToI/AAAAAAAABds/fE2sbY2DZcQpxVYJMLR5AGJtddESepzQQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1600" height="242" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xz1VajbRDxc/XDGOyv2KToI/AAAAAAAABds/fE2sbY2DZcQpxVYJMLR5AGJtddESepzQQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ys0hNRj0XLs/XDGOyjc2v1I/AAAAAAAABdw/DaACtHw3XJIzD7jq6Di-IwFyxWCGNQHDwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1537" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ys0hNRj0XLs/XDGOyjc2v1I/AAAAAAAABdw/DaACtHw3XJIzD7jq6Di-IwFyxWCGNQHDwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0278.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VnPIN_R13gA/XDGO0VVLxUI/AAAAAAAABd0/JLWaMTPVTt8sv8_wfveX4U5TkzlcXy41ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VnPIN_R13gA/XDGO0VVLxUI/AAAAAAAABd0/JLWaMTPVTt8sv8_wfveX4U5TkzlcXy41ACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yb9h_yCm4VA/XDGO1Ft_OVI/AAAAAAAABd4/JqlwQPcMGlkA47m4In4CFahDcpK9V4S4gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yb9h_yCm4VA/XDGO1Ft_OVI/AAAAAAAABd4/JqlwQPcMGlkA47m4In4CFahDcpK9V4S4gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0299.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still life photography. <br />To me there is nothing like it to remind one of the small blessings in abundance. <br />A humble shadow , a ray of light, an everyday item, placed in an unusual <br />setting with a beautiful background. <br />Food for the soul.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JaW9kkJcX0/XDGO1C6AHkI/AAAAAAAABd8/f8xN43IXiNoncu4ttwhLXz9K42ZT399egCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="663" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5JaW9kkJcX0/XDGO1C6AHkI/AAAAAAAABd8/f8xN43IXiNoncu4ttwhLXz9K42ZT399egCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0343.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmd_pfHcALo/XDGO16e7AoI/AAAAAAAABeA/0hGPATy1DxgxWpHOXEy3Dy4QFLIkOI41QCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1218" data-original-width="1600" height="243" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nmd_pfHcALo/XDGO16e7AoI/AAAAAAAABeA/0hGPATy1DxgxWpHOXEy3Dy4QFLIkOI41QCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9tAkNjpZX1g/XDGO2h1UV1I/AAAAAAAABeE/NAdOrIas_tUaqm8r6FIhxDesyUGo3q8cgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1517" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9tAkNjpZX1g/XDGO2h1UV1I/AAAAAAAABeE/NAdOrIas_tUaqm8r6FIhxDesyUGo3q8cgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0361.JPG" width="303" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Imw-8VULf94/XDGO3MSdqJI/AAAAAAAABeI/utCNBQu2nEUGxuOBle6jj9X8qrseCTSKwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="1600" height="257" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Imw-8VULf94/XDGO3MSdqJI/AAAAAAAABeI/utCNBQu2nEUGxuOBle6jj9X8qrseCTSKwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ySOMewLbG8w/XDGO3Ggv5_I/AAAAAAAABeM/B7ixhjWWfSgFaYNsYtnZIS-JEpuVJznUgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1582" data-original-width="1600" height="316" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ySOMewLbG8w/XDGO3Ggv5_I/AAAAAAAABeM/B7ixhjWWfSgFaYNsYtnZIS-JEpuVJznUgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0368.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G3n5mrRO8vg/XDGO3sNMRRI/AAAAAAAABeQ/ccxCT0SM3p4hsdCuSvQYBnSKzg9u6uBvACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G3n5mrRO8vg/XDGO3sNMRRI/AAAAAAAABeQ/ccxCT0SM3p4hsdCuSvQYBnSKzg9u6uBvACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0373.JPG" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The game on the farm constantly reminds me of the goodness of the Lord.<br />He looks after them, He made them perfect and special, different, each according to its type.<br />Food for the soul.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyrilJzvYXw/XDGO4f2VkgI/AAAAAAAABeU/-ApBpskOWJ075WHFbVqQGI4bM5fs9cb-ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyrilJzvYXw/XDGO4f2VkgI/AAAAAAAABeU/-ApBpskOWJ075WHFbVqQGI4bM5fs9cb-ACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0418.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eYF4qQ53oNE/XDGO4qc-qTI/AAAAAAAABeY/4BTFfJ3y2tsiNo-r5YjvKxsev3FYHRG4gCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="1600" height="278" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eYF4qQ53oNE/XDGO4qc-qTI/AAAAAAAABeY/4BTFfJ3y2tsiNo-r5YjvKxsev3FYHRG4gCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USrQy2-qfZ4/XDGO5u3FkdI/AAAAAAAABec/DaYp1k603FU_bmjcwApeNfmi6XbW0emXQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USrQy2-qfZ4/XDGO5u3FkdI/AAAAAAAABec/DaYp1k603FU_bmjcwApeNfmi6XbW0emXQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0425.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wTo91J_su_A/XDGO615wYdI/AAAAAAAABeg/UW8n9TlZKhEVYjf7zPvm_M1DUGcB5maVQCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1600" height="259" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wTo91J_su_A/XDGO615wYdI/AAAAAAAABeg/UW8n9TlZKhEVYjf7zPvm_M1DUGcB5maVQCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0441.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mkFRJGdXduI/XDGO7m-QRhI/AAAAAAAABeo/6Jt2087CjCQZqJB-VUhoKJ3XI-Tmj7E5ACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mkFRJGdXduI/XDGO7m-QRhI/AAAAAAAABeo/6Jt2087CjCQZqJB-VUhoKJ3XI-Tmj7E5ACLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0442.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--laopxQd8bk/XDGO8i2Ry1I/AAAAAAAABes/PPQ7VPaOxT4VtpOrp6BGYydnrCH49avQwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--laopxQd8bk/XDGO8i2Ry1I/AAAAAAAABes/PPQ7VPaOxT4VtpOrp6BGYydnrCH49avQwCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0445.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Jack Russels. <br />You can always expect the unexpected from them.<br />Never a dull moment with them on the farm bakkie.<br />They make us laugh,gulp for breath when their exploits become to daring <br />and thankful for every special momentthey are the authors of.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cyYqYrjgQTs/XDGO9ec1znI/AAAAAAAABew/y1ne4ir7ylIrML6u3PaYO3wUFb_O-cqKgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cyYqYrjgQTs/XDGO9ec1znI/AAAAAAAABew/y1ne4ir7ylIrML6u3PaYO3wUFb_O-cqKgCLcBGAs/s320/DSC_0452.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyone who has spend time next to a campfire will know that there is few things like it.<br />At the end of a busy day a campfire is the place where one regroups. <br />Peace and meditation is found in itsyellow-orange heart and comfort gained from its warmth.<br />Food for the soul.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5562739157906916568.post-90621119079943049362017-02-15T01:26:00.000-08:002017-02-15T01:26:27.789-08:00Lamingtons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--G496YhzfSk/WKQZtNfTHiI/AAAAAAAABJw/Fc8XaAKfGM8OEkuCsArDjMUDAVQ4L3YqwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--G496YhzfSk/WKQZtNfTHiI/AAAAAAAABJw/Fc8XaAKfGM8OEkuCsArDjMUDAVQ4L3YqwCLcB/s320/IMG_0933.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial;">Lamingtons
are soft sponge cake dipped in choclate syrup and covered in dessicated
coconut. There has been many variations on the story of how and where
this delectable little cake originated. The most likely story seems to be
that it was devised by <b>Armand Galland</b>, the French chef to Lord
Lamington, Governor of <b>Queensland</b> from 1896 to 1901. It
is said that he accidently dropped a piece of sponge cake in chocolate syrup.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Arial;">However, numerous
other possibilities have been put forward. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: Arial;">Maurice French, an
emeritus professor of history at the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Southern_Queensland"><span style="color: #0a006d; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">University of
Southern Queensland</span></a>, who has examined the question in depth,<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamington#cite_note-French2013-2"></a> believes
that it is certain that lamingtons were named after either <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Cochrane-Baillie,_2nd_Baron_Lamington"><span style="color: #0a006d; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Lord Lamington</span></a>,
who served as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governor_of_Queensland"><span style="color: #0a006d; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Governor of
Queensland</span></a> from 1896 to 1901, or his wife, Lady Lamington. Most
sources incline to the former option. The earliest known reference to the
naming of the lamington from June 1927, links the cake to Lord Lamington.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5562739157906916568#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: Arial;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1a1a1a; font-family: Times;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: Arial;">Another
possible inventor is Amy Schauer, cooking instructor at Brisbane's Central
College from 1897 to 1938.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5562739157906916568#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: Arial;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: Arial;">A 1900
recipe for Lamington Cakes has been found in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_Country_Life_(1900%E2%80%9310)"><i><span style="color: #0a006d; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Queensland
Country Life</span></i></a> newspaper. While the recipe originated in
Queensland, it spread quickly, appearing in a Sydney newspaper in 1901 and
a New Zealand newspaper in 1902. However, none of these recipes indicate
the creator of the recipe nor the reason for its name.<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5562739157906916568#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: Arial;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: Arial;">However
interesting the origin of this delectable little cake, the fact remains that it
is a tasty morsel. In South Africa they are also known as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ystervarkies</i>. I suppose because they do look a bit like a small porcupine
or hedgehog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: Arial;">They were
one of my favorites since I can remember and a regular on my birthday tables
since childhood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I use my mother’s
recipe for the syrup, to this day, which contains granulated sugar and not confectioner's sugar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: Arial;">Herewith
the recipe I use for the sponge cake, followed by the syrup and then the ever present
tips, hints and tricks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">For the sponge, I use the recipe from </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">the Afrikaans book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bakboek, Wenresepte (Huisgenoot)</i>,
compiled by Carmen Niehaus. (It is the same recipe I use for cupcakes.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">Ingredients
for sponge<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">160 ml milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">60 ml butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">4 extra large eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">375 ml caster sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">5 ml vanilla essence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">500 ml cake flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">2 ml salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">10 ml baking powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">Method</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Preheat oven to 200 °C. Prepare a baking tray</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Heat the milk and butter to </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">boilingpoint. Remove from the heat and stir
untill </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">butter has completely melted.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Whisk eggs and sugar until light and
fluffy.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Add sugar gradually. Whisk until</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">sugar has disolved.
Mix in essence.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Sift flour, salt and baking</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">powder. Fold into
egg mixture.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Lastly add milk and butter</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">mixture. Whisk.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial; text-indent: -18pt;"> Pour batter into baking tray </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%; text-indent: -18pt;">Cool and cut into small squares.</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">Syrup<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">Ingredients<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">1½<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cups of water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">3 cups of sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">1 tablespoon butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">4 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">Method<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">Mix the cocoa powder, water and sugar and
bring to a boil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">Stir gently until the sugar has dissolved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">Add butter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">Cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 54.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">Dip the sponge squares in the syrup. Cover
in coconut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">Hints,
Tips and Tricks<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">(i)<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The sugar in the
syrup is a lot. I usually add less, to taste. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">(ii) I do not use butter or margarine in the syrup but the same amount of coconut oil.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">(iii) I add a bit of vanilla essence AND a pinch or so of cinnamon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;">(iv) You do not have to cut the cake into squares. You can use a cutter of your choice. I have used hearts on occasion.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J9BvN7cWQ7E/WKQbWqU4b9I/AAAAAAAABJ8/CcKbEONjl7A2PGOZIQBFLFi4zXyUwuO7gCLcB/s1600/IMG_0904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J9BvN7cWQ7E/WKQbWqU4b9I/AAAAAAAABJ8/CcKbEONjl7A2PGOZIQBFLFi4zXyUwuO7gCLcB/s320/IMG_0904.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> (v) Do not take the piece cake directly from the syrup to your bowl with coconut. After you have dipped the cake in the syrup, place on cooling rack to allow excess syrup to drip from cake. Then place cake in plate and with your fingers cover in coconut.</o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOtiVIBHUFU/WKQb2m1NjnI/AAAAAAAABKA/fzEygdTllJkyDrjOa2KseWKs-yFyg5vjgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sOtiVIBHUFU/WKQb2m1NjnI/AAAAAAAABKA/fzEygdTllJkyDrjOa2KseWKs-yFyg5vjgCLcB/s320/IMG_0925.jpg" width="296" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p> (vi) Do not drop the cake in the syrup. It will absorp too much syrup. I know some like this cakes to be wet. I do not. The syrup should cover only the outer 5 millimeters or so of the cake.</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p>(vii) Wether you use a cookie cutter or cut the cake into squares, do not make your individual cakes to big. A good guideline for square cakes is to be about 3.5 cm squares.</o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a98IP8h4128/WKQdbkK6xSI/AAAAAAAABKU/X71cE3MzCTsXQE7lj5rLJmW_GKdAOAjlgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a98IP8h4128/WKQdbkK6xSI/AAAAAAAABKU/X71cE3MzCTsXQE7lj5rLJmW_GKdAOAjlgCLcB/s320/IMG_0935.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p>(viii) There is another variation of syrup where confectioner's sugar (icing sugar) is used in the syrup. This is again a matter of personal taste. I never use icing sugar for this syrup. It tastes too much like buttercream.</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="line-height: 150%;"><o:p><span style="color: #c27ba0; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Enjoy your lamingtons!</span></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chBHIi7Dgzs/WKQcsi4ekMI/AAAAAAAABKM/qXSMweEyFhAwqVZudgIbJpgHz5E8Ra1CgCLcB/s1600/IMG_0939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-chBHIi7Dgzs/WKQcsi4ekMI/AAAAAAAABKM/qXSMweEyFhAwqVZudgIbJpgHz5E8Ra1CgCLcB/s320/IMG_0939.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial; line-height: 150%;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5562739157906916568#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> According to Wikipedia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5562739157906916568#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn2;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Also according to Wikipedia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5562739157906916568#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn3;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Cambria;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Wikipedia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5562739157906916568.post-6365202130198135512016-12-17T01:57:00.000-08:002016-12-17T02:02:22.353-08:00Gingerbread House<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aG1fTmrSeC8/WFUF-M46vXI/AAAAAAAABHI/2j36d2iJ19Ugd7ZT8soUKq3nPxIwULdCgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aG1fTmrSeC8/WFUF-M46vXI/AAAAAAAABHI/2j36d2iJ19Ugd7ZT8soUKq3nPxIwULdCgCLcB/s640/DSC_0015.jpg" width="561" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">The Gingerbread
House is not truly a Christmas tradition in South Africa, but I have an
extremely soft spot for any fairytale house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For years I have been wanting to bake and decorate a Gingerbread House,
but I was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> scared</span>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard about houses crumbling, tumbling and
turning soft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Apart from sharing my tips
and recipe with you today, I write to tell you that YOU CAN MAKE A GINGERBREAD
HOUSE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must confess it was the most
beautiful and easiest baking project I have ever tackled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be time consuming, but it need not
be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can spend as much time on this
fairytale house as you want to. I read these words somewhere and they came up
in my mind when I stood back and admired my little house: </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #535353; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Fashioned in love was this special
gift, simply to give your heart a lift.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-elmGXzC-gNk/WFUHUTEjM5I/AAAAAAAABHU/7nGtfvXhur46215-aoT2W1oRxvwHdxMrQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-elmGXzC-gNk/WFUHUTEjM5I/AAAAAAAABHU/7nGtfvXhur46215-aoT2W1oRxvwHdxMrQCLcB/s200/DSC_0019.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #535353; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Please look out
for the tips and tricks underneath the recipe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you are scared to try this, then those tips and tricks are just what
you need to help you climb over the fence between the “I cannot” and the “I did
it”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lets get started.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">There are many
recipes you can use, I decided on one of Martjie Malan’s recipes from the
Afrikaans book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Koekedoor Bak </i>(Errieda
du Toit)<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #7d7d7d; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Gingerbread
Biscuits<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Recipe<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">150 ml water<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">420 g brown sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">90 ml soft brown
sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">90 ml golden syrup<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">90 ml ground ginger<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">90 ml ground cinnamon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">5 ml ground cloves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">500 g butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">10 ml bicarbonate
of soda<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">1,1 kg all-purpose
flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Method<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 38.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -20.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Place
all the ingredients, except butter, baking soda and flour, in a pan. Over medium
heat stir continuously until the mixture reaches boiling point.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 38.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -20.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Remove
from the heat and add the butter, cut into small squares.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 38.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -20.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Add
the the bicarbonate of soda after all the butter has melted. Whisk with hand
whisk until well blended.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 38.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -20.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Pour
into electric mixter’s bowl and allow to cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 38.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -20.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Sift
flour over this mixture and turn mixer to lowest speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must form a dough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 38.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -20.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Press
the dough into the silicone moulds (see hints, tips and tricks). If you are
going to cut the house with cutters or manually you must leave the dough in the
fridge for at least two hours or over night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 38.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -20.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Bake
at 160 </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">°</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">C (oven with fan. 180</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">°</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">C without a fan) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>until properly baked and slightly brown at
edges.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 38.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -20.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Leave
to cool and remove from mould. Place in airtight container over night.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 38.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -20.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Decorate
with royal icing (or as preferred) and assemble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Handy
hints, tips and tricks<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">I
obtained my mould at CNA long time ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, just this week I noticed the very same mould for about R145.00
at a Bargain Books store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can also
opt to hand cut your house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not do
that simply because I knew that my walls and roof would not match, no matter
how many times I measure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have also more
than a year ago, ordered via Internet a gingerbread house cutter set. It is
made from stainless steel, but I have never used it. Though I plan to use it in
making a fairytale house from clay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here
is a picture of my mould-set.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4v_MPSODMO4/WFUICoWh3jI/AAAAAAAABHg/T0ivMkSWIQ8BgFBE-Si7B98dmr0dVgiLQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4v_MPSODMO4/WFUICoWh3jI/AAAAAAAABHg/T0ivMkSWIQ8BgFBE-Si7B98dmr0dVgiLQCLcB/s200/IMG_9876.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YbeVEfzmr8/WFUH8R_hRJI/AAAAAAAABHc/TroRzx8XJssRrbgWF4u6ivhlp5nctug1gCLcB/s1600/IMG_9877.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1YbeVEfzmr8/WFUH8R_hRJI/AAAAAAAABHc/TroRzx8XJssRrbgWF4u6ivhlp5nctug1gCLcB/s200/IMG_9877.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial"; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">After
I </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial"; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">pressed the still warm dough into the
moulds I covered them with glad wrap and left in the fridge over-night. (I do
not believe that this is a </span><span style="text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">pre</span><span style="font-family: "arial"; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18pt;">-requisite. I merely did it because I did not
have time to bake it immediately. My sister made her dough yesterday and she
baked hers immediately after she pressed the dough into the moulds.)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63z65GyREIE/WFUIidfKTAI/AAAAAAAABHs/KFCAQgPdDaM91aV7Sd23yn-BRCdRzXjmwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-63z65GyREIE/WFUIidfKTAI/AAAAAAAABHs/KFCAQgPdDaM91aV7Sd23yn-BRCdRzXjmwCLcB/s200/IMG_9879.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; text-indent: -18pt;">Remember
to bake the dough a bit longer than you would bake biscuits. I baked mine far
too long.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";"> Do
not remove from the moulds until it has cooled completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine popped out easily. Just remember that
most (if not all) cookie dough are still soft when you remove it from the oven.
It only crisps when it cools down a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I waited until mine were firm, then I removed them and placed on cooling
rack to cool completely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wvjyczfOvGg/WFUJGqAOlFI/AAAAAAAABH0/rENFtZlXfD8U208rtXR2R-UTrdJyoXVYgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wvjyczfOvGg/WFUJGqAOlFI/AAAAAAAABH0/rENFtZlXfD8U208rtXR2R-UTrdJyoXVYgCLcB/s200/IMG_9917.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UAgnV-3oxf4/WFUI9-ZfsCI/AAAAAAAABHw/rO-OLIu-mc4t0Ed-OPsASl6-9t1LmpEcACLcB/s1600/IMG_9918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UAgnV-3oxf4/WFUI9-ZfsCI/AAAAAAAABHw/rO-OLIu-mc4t0Ed-OPsASl6-9t1LmpEcACLcB/s200/IMG_9918.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";"> All
the recipes I have read and all the research I did indicated that once your house
elements has cooled completely you must put them in an airtight container over
night and decorate the next day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
reason for this is, that the biscuits grow more crisp over time. If you
decorate too soon the dough may turn soft again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";"> Many
recipes suggest that you assemble the house and then decorate. I did not work
in that order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a dear friend who
have made many gingerbread houses in her life and she advised me to decorate
first and then assemble the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7GJrj8_vo8/WFUJWBqGa7I/AAAAAAAABH8/epl1tb9A7pMCiQzrQbUQCHb1VUNrutmywCLcB/s1600/IMG_9944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v7GJrj8_vo8/WFUJWBqGa7I/AAAAAAAABH8/epl1tb9A7pMCiQzrQbUQCHb1VUNrutmywCLcB/s320/IMG_9944.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Herewith
the recipe for the royal icing:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I have
doubled the recipe when I made it, but I am sure that it will be enough if you
make it as it appears hereunder.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Place the whites
of 2 eggs in the bowl of an electric mixer and whisk until foamy. Add 400 g of
confectioners’ sugar a bit at a time and whisk until it thickens. Add 10 ml of
lemon juice or 5 ml cream of tartar. (I prefer to use cream of tartar)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mixture must keep its form when you lift
the whisk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I added 5 ml vanilla essence (rosewater also works well).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">Spoon the mixture
into different bowls and add color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
used pink gel color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cover each bowl
with glad wrap until you are going to use it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j26mdpatjvw/WFULVt15OsI/AAAAAAAABIo/s_BjSi6bqXUYXg9tVxEXo51j0J3_mX_yACLcB/s1600/IMG_9972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j26mdpatjvw/WFULVt15OsI/AAAAAAAABIo/s_BjSi6bqXUYXg9tVxEXo51j0J3_mX_yACLcB/s200/IMG_9972.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">You
can decorate the house in any manner you prefer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have decided beforehand that I am not going
to use sweets etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only decorated with
royal icing and sugar decorations (pink pearls, silver balls and so forth). You
can even use sugar paste (fondant). The possibilities are endless. As are the colors. My sister's eldest daughter could not understand why me and my daughter opted for pink and white. She wants it to be red and green and white, which would also look amazing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">I
dreaded the assembly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, here I was
and it was time to assemble the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My friend also advised me to rather use white baking chocolate to
assemble the house and not royal icing because the royal icing does take a
while to dry in the meantime you must hold the pieces of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I forgot to buy said chocolate and decided to
use the royal icing, of which was left a whole lot after I decorated the house
panels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does take a while to
dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did not have patience to hold it,
so I stacked various groceries from the pantry in and around the house to keep it steady until
it dried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must wait for the walls to
dry completely before you attach the roof, otherwise the whole construction
will crumble. Just remember, that if you are going to use baking chocolate to
buy good quality baking chocolate. And it must be baking chocolate because that
turns hard when it cools down, whereas plain white chocolate would not turn
hard enough to assemble the house once you have melted it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPVsPFiquiM/WFUKHW1zQcI/AAAAAAAABIM/lqF_bTKP3SIXixCtacO-WprjyXHlF7PEwCLcB/s1600/IMG_9952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iPVsPFiquiM/WFUKHW1zQcI/AAAAAAAABIM/lqF_bTKP3SIXixCtacO-WprjyXHlF7PEwCLcB/s200/IMG_9952.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x0xBA_8zcBY/WFUKFiAGXaI/AAAAAAAABII/4dJVts0bpokE8zvnyELALJbkxEbutqc3wCLcB/s1600/IMG_9953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x0xBA_8zcBY/WFUKFiAGXaI/AAAAAAAABII/4dJVts0bpokE8zvnyELALJbkxEbutqc3wCLcB/s200/IMG_9953.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">And
it was done. My very own, and very first gingerbread house! It was the most
fun, easiest and most beautiful project I have ever assembled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Bp__Gvmpko/WFUKgk-MzNI/AAAAAAAABIU/XFkdKTWK_-wMVXl8sqMrDUkGZ3TUNbm-QCLcB/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Bp__Gvmpko/WFUKgk-MzNI/AAAAAAAABIU/XFkdKTWK_-wMVXl8sqMrDUkGZ3TUNbm-QCLcB/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";">I had
a lot of dough left over, so I rolled it out and cut small houses. I
do not have a cutter but draw the figure on paper and cut it with a knife from
the dough. I baked these and decorated them as little houses with the royal icing I had left over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They went straight into
plastic bags and onto the Christmas tree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OeGF68aXz-c/WFUK9pOViBI/AAAAAAAABIc/GbdDdeKC1AYbMdml_KALR42L0lmkUD1egCLcB/s1600/IMG_9919.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OeGF68aXz-c/WFUK9pOViBI/AAAAAAAABIc/GbdDdeKC1AYbMdml_KALR42L0lmkUD1egCLcB/s320/IMG_9919.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgFRjtX4eAM/WFULFRKuh8I/AAAAAAAABIk/PCXS723U_soMIyakgNAZZ25ZzblDVAhqgCLcB/s1600/IMG_9942.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lgFRjtX4eAM/WFULFRKuh8I/AAAAAAAABIk/PCXS723U_soMIyakgNAZZ25ZzblDVAhqgCLcB/s320/IMG_9942.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SM4kQoTqv8Q/WFUK8psLTOI/AAAAAAAABIY/Py7zzjkWe3onjTpudHWPbwuJjEhQO0vjQCLcB/s1600/IMG_9957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SM4kQoTqv8Q/WFUK8psLTOI/AAAAAAAABIY/Py7zzjkWe3onjTpudHWPbwuJjEhQO0vjQCLcB/s320/IMG_9957.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Vera Nazarian wrote in her “Perpetual Calender of
Inspiration” that:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Gingerbread
House has four walls, a roof, a door, a window, and a chimney. It is decorated
with many sweet culinary delights on the outside. But on the inside there is
nothing—only the bare gingerbread walls. It is not a real house—not until you
decide to add a Gingerbread Room. That’s when the stories can move in. They
will stay in residence for as long as you abstain from taking the first
gingerbread bite.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: #131313; font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So here is my Gingerbread House.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first story has already moved in. Make
you own and watch the stories move in, your children’s delighted faces and have
a blessed and peaceful festive season. I would love to hear how your little
fairytale house of stories turned out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMz82KEa1p8/WFUM06YRUeI/AAAAAAAABI4/3Y2Y4ZIqc0AIAIJTgo-YhailnMt6lCS7gCLcB/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CMz82KEa1p8/WFUM06YRUeI/AAAAAAAABI4/3Y2Y4ZIqc0AIAIJTgo-YhailnMt6lCS7gCLcB/s320/DSC_0009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5562739157906916568.post-26045886576588093112016-12-02T00:19:00.002-08:002016-12-02T04:52:17.713-08:00CUPCAKES ARE MUFFINS THAT BELIEVED IN MIRACLES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0A7Hj5A8YM/WEEipH19dbI/AAAAAAAABEc/sS7Cl3FvFAE5i3AiLXDEBgmYZRdXRqIbwCLcB/s1600/ou1r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p0A7Hj5A8YM/WEEipH19dbI/AAAAAAAABEc/sS7Cl3FvFAE5i3AiLXDEBgmYZRdXRqIbwCLcB/s640/ou1r.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">Cupcakes are my favorite thing to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
easy, delicious and you can’t be sad when you are holding a cupcake. Maryanne
Radmacher (maryanneradmacher.net) said that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a little cupcake goes a long way.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I look at my finished cupcakes I always
stand back and say to no one in particular: I bake … what is your superpower?<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5562739157906916568#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">Cupcakes
are versatile, fun and easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
perfect for any occasion and can be as grand, whimsical or plain as you require
them to be. It is the ultimate crowd pleaser.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Someone once said that baking is love made edible. A cupcake is one of
those baked goods which yells love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is the end of the year and the time when everyone starts looking for gifts.
Have you ever given a gift of cupcakes? You cannot go wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HTyMdSmq82Y/WEFtFYUJuJI/AAAAAAAABGI/EL28rCk_rsw7AwIhSDoHhhfTIl9Lj8YCwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HTyMdSmq82Y/WEFtFYUJuJI/AAAAAAAABGI/EL28rCk_rsw7AwIhSDoHhhfTIl9Lj8YCwCLcB/s320/DSC_0170.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">I
have used many recipes for cupcakes and normally you can use any cake recipe to
bake cupcakes. I share with you my favorite cake recipe for cupcakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make sure that you do not miss the HINTS AND
TIPS at the bottom of the recipe.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">I
got this recipe from the Afrikaans book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bakboek,
Wenresepte (Huisgenoot)</i>, compiled by Carmen Niehaus. I have tried many
recipes to make cupcakes, but this one always makes perfect cupcakes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-style-textfill-fill-gradientfill-shade-linearshade-angle: 5400000; mso-style-textfill-fill-gradientfill-shade-linearshade-fscaled: no; mso-style-textfill-fill-gradientfill-shadetype: linear; mso-style-textfill-fill-gradientfill-stoplist: "0 \#FFFFFF -1 100000 tint=40000 satm=250000\,9000 \#FFFFFF -1 100000 tint=52000 satm=300000\,50000 \#7C7C7C -1 100000 shade=20000 satm=300000\,79000 \#FFFFFF -1 100000 tint=52000 satm=300000\,100000 \#FFFFFF -1 100000 tint=40000 satm=250000"; mso-style-textfill-type: gradient; mso-style-textoutline-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textoutline-fill-color: #7D7D7D; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .83pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: flat; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: solid;">Ingredients<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">160
ml milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">60
ml butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">4
extra large eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">375
ml caster sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">5
ml vanilla essence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">500
ml cake flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">2
ml salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">10
ml baking powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-style-textfill-fill-gradientfill-shade-linearshade-angle: 5400000; mso-style-textfill-fill-gradientfill-shade-linearshade-fscaled: no; mso-style-textfill-fill-gradientfill-shadetype: linear; mso-style-textfill-fill-gradientfill-stoplist: "0 \#FFFFFF -1 100000 tint=40000 satm=250000\,9000 \#FFFFFF -1 100000 tint=52000 satm=300000\,50000 \#7C7C7C -1 100000 shade=20000 satm=300000\,79000 \#FFFFFF -1 100000 tint=52000 satm=300000\,100000 \#FFFFFF -1 100000 tint=40000 satm=250000"; mso-style-textfill-type: gradient; mso-style-textoutline-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textoutline-fill-color: #7D7D7D; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-align: center; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-compound: simple; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dash: solid; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-dpiwidth: .83pt; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-join: round; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-linecap: flat; mso-style-textoutline-outlinestyle-pctmiterlimit: 0%; mso-style-textoutline-type: solid;">Method<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;"> 1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">Preheat
oven to 200 °C. Place 24 paper cupcake liners in muffin pans.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">Heat
the milk and butter to boiling point. Remove from the heat and stir until </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -18.0pt; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;"> butter has completely melted.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">Whisk
eggs and sugar until light and fluffy.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">Add
sugar gradually. Whisk until sugar has dissolved. Mix in essence.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">Sift
flour, salt and baking powder. Fold into egg mixture.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">6.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">Lastly
add milk and butter mixture. Whisk.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">7.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">Pour
batter into cupcake pans and bake for 20 to 25 minutes.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">8.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">Cool
and decorate.</span><!--[if !supportLists]--></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Frosting<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">I
am addicted to plain vanilla cupcakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My second favorite would have to be rosewater and third, chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is why cupcakes are so easy and
versatile to prepare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can magically
transform a vanilla cupcake into something extraordinary, depending on the
frosting and decoration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I share with
you a basic vanilla butter cream frosting that is quick and easy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZXsnmdV12s/WEElMWYVPgI/AAAAAAAABEw/7lSSmcNGdy8id6tSKYU8ESvNcpKmZt9fgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gZXsnmdV12s/WEElMWYVPgI/AAAAAAAABEw/7lSSmcNGdy8id6tSKYU8ESvNcpKmZt9fgCLcB/s320/DSC_0018.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">Cream
125 g soft butter until light and fluffy. Gradually add 250g confectioner’s
sugar (icing sugar). Whisk until really light and fluffy. Add milk ( 15 to 25
ml) if necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly add color (if
desired) and essence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can also
follow this link <a href="http://www.twosisterscrafting.com/buttercream-frosting/">http://www.twosisterscrafting.com/buttercream-frosting/</a> where a similar recipe is demonstrated with good pictures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6kyx1tiRys/WEElu0CLl3I/AAAAAAAABE0/t9MM_0BCl8ckHT-52VbX6yUxldwS0zGSwCLcB/s1600/CSC_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V6kyx1tiRys/WEElu0CLl3I/AAAAAAAABE0/t9MM_0BCl8ckHT-52VbX6yUxldwS0zGSwCLcB/s320/CSC_0336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Decoration</span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">Now this is the fun part of baking cupcakes! Fairy tales DO EXIST! Just buy (or make) fondant.
Roll out and cut in different magical shapes. Allow to air dry and use as toppers. The
possibilities are endless. You can melt chocolate and pipe in interesting forms
on baking paper. Allow to set and use as toppers. (Some helpful links: </span><a href="http://www.welivedhappilyeverafter.com/2012/08/chocolate-butterflies-using-wax-paper.html">http://www.welivedhappilyeverafter.com/2012/08/chocolate-butterflies-using-wax-paper.html</a>;</div>
<a href="http://natashaskitchen.com/2013/01/15/decorating-cakes-with-chocolate/">http://natashaskitchen.com/2013/01/15/decorating-cakes-with-chocolate/</a> )<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lu-GqGQFH84/WEEoYwkDaUI/AAAAAAAABFM/hDsbw9eEwA03jvXE4aOpGD0oHccP0nfxACLcB/s1600/DSC_0399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lu-GqGQFH84/WEEoYwkDaUI/AAAAAAAABFM/hDsbw9eEwA03jvXE4aOpGD0oHccP0nfxACLcB/s200/DSC_0399.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minnie Mouse Cupcakes for my daughter's fourth birthday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tfCZYIqL4mQ/WEEmuX5ecMI/AAAAAAAABFE/kNxAcrjM2FgxbumSvBfZmZWgXUyeC4v0ACEw/s1600/CSC_0334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tfCZYIqL4mQ/WEEmuX5ecMI/AAAAAAAABFE/kNxAcrjM2FgxbumSvBfZmZWgXUyeC4v0ACEw/s200/CSC_0334.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gift for a special young lady.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XxS19QGRpXQ/WEFtu7pBgBI/AAAAAAAABGg/zAk9E-fQ2AYsZ5IVqfsjHXQaCo4NXRFEACLcB/s1600/DSC_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XxS19QGRpXQ/WEFtu7pBgBI/AAAAAAAABGg/zAk9E-fQ2AYsZ5IVqfsjHXQaCo4NXRFEACLcB/s320/DSC_0387.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly cupcakes for a birthday celebration at school.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9NBx1kwurA/WEFtsGObqDI/AAAAAAAABGY/vjYcXHadGrAzTuQwYBDQuv4r3JcU3wBFwCLcB/s1600/IMG_5540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9NBx1kwurA/WEFtsGObqDI/AAAAAAAABGY/vjYcXHadGrAzTuQwYBDQuv4r3JcU3wBFwCLcB/s320/IMG_5540.jpg" width="202" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, there is a cupcake under that dress! Princess cupcakes for my daughter's fifth birthday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r7Z_TKAr22U/WEFttfjTgVI/AAAAAAAABGc/6ruzoYKhOlwjOYQ0VgMGYcgkiSb6ZXCLQCLcB/s1600/IMG_5544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-r7Z_TKAr22U/WEFttfjTgVI/AAAAAAAABGc/6ruzoYKhOlwjOYQ0VgMGYcgkiSb6ZXCLQCLcB/s320/IMG_5544.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy tale castles for my daughter's birthday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oSSeOo4nx5k/WEEpLhUhqTI/AAAAAAAABFU/hspiD4RhJAkOWEksqlCH4hHdCuPUMsNDQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oSSeOo4nx5k/WEEpLhUhqTI/AAAAAAAABFU/hspiD4RhJAkOWEksqlCH4hHdCuPUMsNDQCLcB/s200/DSC_0020.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fondant tiara's for a play date.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Hints,
tips and tricks</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;"> 1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">Cupcakes should be placed
in a warm oven (about 200 °C). This
ensures that it rises well and evenly. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NtM-grjkuE/WEEp0NhwqDI/AAAAAAAABFc/FyJ6iz7gn6EzMPtxj6MGPvDk-gfFE7fSgCLcB/s1600/CSC_0340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NtM-grjkuE/WEEp0NhwqDI/AAAAAAAABFc/FyJ6iz7gn6EzMPtxj6MGPvDk-gfFE7fSgCLcB/s200/CSC_0340.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "american typewriter";"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">If you do have a food processor,
you can make your own caster sugar.
Sometimes I prefer not to use caster sugar and use plain sugar. (My point is, baking is for anyone. Yes,
there is a reason why the recipe calls for caster sugar, but your cake, in this
instance, will still be a success if you do not have caster sugar at hand.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "american typewriter";"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">You can freeze the
cupcakes once it is cooled. Seal well. When you have no other option this works
well. At my daughter’s market day we had the cupcake table for the past three
years. I start baking a month ahead of
the date and freeze them. On the day before the sale I take everything
out of the freezer, allow to thaw and decorate. The butter cream can also be frozen. I usually freeze that separately.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XdBdbcnfngw/WEEqPB98NJI/AAAAAAAABFk/McH57RdL-mAkHb55Zgyb0ha7xxleDMapgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XdBdbcnfngw/WEEqPB98NJI/AAAAAAAABFk/McH57RdL-mAkHb55Zgyb0ha7xxleDMapgCLcB/s400/IMG_2758.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "american typewriter";"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">I prefer using rolkem
powder color or gel color when I color my butter cream. But any color you prefer
to use will suffice. Just be careful when adding color that you do not add too
much (unless your goal is a dark vibrant color).</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "american typewriter";"> 5. If you are going to work with fondant here's a handy hint: sprinkle cornflour on the work surface and not confectioner's sugar. The general rule is rather use confectioner's sugar since the fondant is not going to be baked and if you use cornflour it will "sit raw" on the decoration. My reason for using cornflour is that the confectioner's sugar gets sticky and makes it difficult to work with the fondant.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oftn_rqtrgo/WEFtaSdK_AI/AAAAAAAABGQ/trIyDQ3gB_I70Q5NObhRhmKnrRegE3kDwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oftn_rqtrgo/WEFtaSdK_AI/AAAAAAAABGQ/trIyDQ3gB_I70Q5NObhRhmKnrRegE3kDwCLcB/s320/DSC_0503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MtRyCGXfqlA/WEFtX6_uMnI/AAAAAAAABGM/P4-k-csQCG89LIpeGpejeIKREgE4WSTIQCLcB/s1600/IMG_5478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MtRyCGXfqlA/WEFtX6_uMnI/AAAAAAAABGM/P4-k-csQCG89LIpeGpejeIKREgE4WSTIQCLcB/s320/IMG_5478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNpbgZFQ-wU/WEEsiMJjO3I/AAAAAAAABF4/u7xeKdtqHL0U9B4-L0iQLTstgnPpVNlxwCLcB/s1600/IMG_0363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rNpbgZFQ-wU/WEEsiMJjO3I/AAAAAAAABF4/u7xeKdtqHL0U9B4-L0iQLTstgnPpVNlxwCLcB/s320/IMG_0363.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "american typewriter";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "american typewriter";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;"> 5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">If you want to transform
the vanilla cupcake into a strawberry, lemon or whatever other flavour, do not
add vanilla seeds or essence. When I
make rosewater cupcakes I add about a ¼ to ½ teaspoon of rosewater to the
batter instead of vanilla and about a ¼ teaspoon to the frosting. When working with rosewater rather add a drop
at a time and taste, otherwise the taste may be overpowering.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "american typewriter";"><br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">6.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">Do not be afraid to whisk
your butter cream. The more you whisk it the better it will be. You want a light fluffy consistency. I prefer
to use Stork Bake in my butter cream. The butter cream can be frozen. Once
thawed, whisk again and use to decorate. (Helpful link to demonstrate different decoration methods with butter cream: </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;"><a href="http://www.wilton.com/flower-gallery-cupcakes/WLPROJ-8292.html?crlt.pid=camp.MCC3yd3Gg0Tq#q=Flower-Gallery-Cupcakes&start=1">http://www.wilton.com/flower-gallery-cupcakes/WLPROJ-8292.html?crlt.pid=camp.MCC3yd3Gg0Tq#q=Flower-Gallery-Cupcakes&start=1</a> and one which demonstrates how to make the perfect butter cream swirl: </span><a href="http://bekicookscakesblog.blogspot.co.za/2011/07/cupcake-swirl.html">http://bekicookscakesblog.blogspot.co.za/2011/07/cupcake-swirl.html</a>)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;"> 7.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; text-indent: -18pt;">I include Martha Stewart’s
Cloud Frosting recipe hereunder. It is
super easy to make and tastes like marshmallow. The recipe will cover about 36
cupcakes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter";">Cloud Frosting<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Hebrew Scholar";">2</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">½ cups sugar<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">6
egg whites, room temperature<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">½
cup water<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">½
tsp cream of tartar<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">1
tbsp vanilla<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">In
the bowl of an electric mixer, combine sugar, egg whites, water and cream of
tartar.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Whisk
until foamy.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Set
bowl over a pan of barely simmering water and whisk until sugar is dissolved
and mixture is warm to the touch, about </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Hebrew Scholar";">3</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">
to </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Hebrew Scholar";">5</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";"> minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Transfer
bowl to stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Beat
on high speed until frosting forms stiff peaks, about </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Hebrew Scholar";">12</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";"> to </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Hebrew Scholar";">16</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";"> minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Add
vanilla and beat until combined.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r4wpG8X_KXU/WEEqnyiXvlI/AAAAAAAABFs/CjihZiw-na4hdRLKpN7NGjylmS0RzrACgCLcB/s1600/IMG_2246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r4wpG8X_KXU/WEEqnyiXvlI/AAAAAAAABFs/CjihZiw-na4hdRLKpN7NGjylmS0RzrACgCLcB/s320/IMG_2246.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cloud Frosting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 115%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";">Now, you have no excuse whatsoever. Start
baking cupcakes. Please let me know how it went!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 18.0pt; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "american typewriter"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Lucida Grande";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AtLU21EguTA/WEFuN59RbTI/AAAAAAAABGo/yLoaHVRzKUISYgx9smklSnimAQKDEjvogCLcB/s1600/DSC_0243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AtLU21EguTA/WEFuN59RbTI/AAAAAAAABGo/yLoaHVRzKUISYgx9smklSnimAQKDEjvogCLcB/s400/DSC_0243.JPG" width="350" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>JA</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
<w:UseFELayout/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="276">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div style="mso-element: footnote-list;">
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1" style="mso-element: footnote;">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5562739157906916568#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" style="mso-footnote-id: ftn1;" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-special-character: footnote;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12.0pt;">[1]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></span></span></a><span lang="EN-US"> Quote from: BestFriendsForFrosting.com<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5562739157906916568.post-34890280721764861042016-11-16T22:55:00.000-08:002016-11-17T21:11:59.678-08:00VANILLA BISCUITS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVlQG24xkXk/WCxeS39GSdI/AAAAAAAABB0/fEz02juJR9Uym7s4R6Xo0Ks4RC00ep-MQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVlQG24xkXk/WCxeS39GSdI/AAAAAAAABB0/fEz02juJR9Uym7s4R6Xo0Ks4RC00ep-MQCLcB/s640/DSC_0363.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I love baking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the smell of freshly baked cake and
biscuits wafting through the house. With Christmas nearing, my mind always
inevitably turns to baking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bake to
relax and I bake to give away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I bake
when I should be writing or working on my new novel. Which led me to this post
and all the others that will follow (hopefully).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This will be a series of easy to follow, delicious
recipes. Baking is not only for a select few. Everyone can bake and create
memories with flour, sugar, butter and eggs. As simple as that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Sandra Lee (American television chef and author) once
said that “Baking cookies is comforting, and cookies are the sweetest little
bit of comfort food. They are very bite-sized and personal.” I agree with her.
Therefore, as my first recipe to share with you, I have selected a very old
family recipe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My mother and grandmother
used to bake this every Christmas, since me and my sister were little girls.
The dough is so delectable we ate spoon fulls of it until our stomachs ached. I
still do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>This is comfort food at its best. Vanilla is the
second-most expensive spice after saffron, because growing the vanilla seed
pods is labor-intensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same cannot
be said about this biscuits. And you do not need to use real vanilla extract or
the pods for this recipe (though I am a huge supporter of using just that).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vanilla essence will suffice.</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"> <i><b> Look out for the tips and tricks at the bottom of the post.</b></i></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jjSoSqUPJNw/WCxgdLsOhdI/AAAAAAAABCA/9iAlZoxTzT0jI8vjEmAQ-zO4mQbI4PxsQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jjSoSqUPJNw/WCxgdLsOhdI/AAAAAAAABCA/9iAlZoxTzT0jI8vjEmAQ-zO4mQbI4PxsQCLcB/s320/DSC_0351.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">VANILLA BISCUITS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Ingredients</span></u></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">5 cups
self raising flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">1
teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">4 cups
sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">4
teaspoons (20 ml) vanilla essence<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">2 cups
cake flour (all purpose flour)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">454
grams butter (or margarine)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">4
eggs<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4 tablespoons
(60 ml) milk</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Method</span></u></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify; text-indent: -36pt;">Sift the
all purpose flour and set aside.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 54pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -36pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -36pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 54pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -36pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">Sift the
self raising flour and salt together.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"> </span><span class="MsoEndnoteReference" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "symbol"; mso-ascii-font-family: Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-no-proof: yes; mso-symbol-font-family: Symbol;"></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 54pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -36pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -36pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 54pt; text-align: center; text-indent: -36pt;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">Cream the butter and then add the sugar slowly.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -36pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -36pt;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">Add the 4 eggs, vanilla essence and milk to the sugar
mixture. Mix.</span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">
</span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">You
can now add the self raising flour and salt. Mix.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">Lastly
add the all purpose (cake) flour. </span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">Leave
in the fridge for one hour.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">Roll
out and use cookie cutter to cut shapes. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">This is the fun part. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">If you are in a
hurry simply roll little balls and press down. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">Decorate with “Hundreds and
Thousands”.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;">Bake
at 180°C (356°F) for about 10 minutes until golden brown and baked.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="text-indent: -36pt;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">Helpful hints, tips and tricks</span></i></b></span></div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">i) If you do not have self raising flour at hand you can make your own by adding 7 ml of baking powder to every 250 ml of cake flour.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEH6xnRDpXo/WC1JHbRryGI/AAAAAAAABCs/H2KqkBSbdGsfEXGThttMKRTfS4bjI_7egCLcB/s1600/DSC_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mEH6xnRDpXo/WC1JHbRryGI/AAAAAAAABCs/H2KqkBSbdGsfEXGThttMKRTfS4bjI_7egCLcB/s200/DSC_0329.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ii) The recipe calls for butter but if you do not have butter it works just as well with margarine. I have successfully used both. I have even on occasion used half the amount of butter and half margarine. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2eRyhNDSrU/WC1KT2VdsaI/AAAAAAAABCw/giJeu5giDmM3V5BbaBnPFDZq4KT6rMbmwCLcB/s1600/DSC_0324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J2eRyhNDSrU/WC1KT2VdsaI/AAAAAAAABCw/giJeu5giDmM3V5BbaBnPFDZq4KT6rMbmwCLcB/s320/DSC_0324.jpg" width="193" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">iii) The recipe mentions that <span style="text-align: start;"> some more flour must be added, if necessary, but usually this amount is just enough. It will depend on the size of the eggs that you have used. However: the dough does not work well at all if you use it immediately, it is to soft to handle if you are going to roll it out and cut shapes. It will work well if you plan to roll balls though.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NiwNOJZ2DQs/WC1KnmCvTNI/AAAAAAAABC0/dX15s3MqKS0ivo1-V1nA2yCKkSQnyzmdgCLcB/s1600/DSC_0358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NiwNOJZ2DQs/WC1KnmCvTNI/AAAAAAAABC0/dX15s3MqKS0ivo1-V1nA2yCKkSQnyzmdgCLcB/s200/DSC_0358.jpg" width="153" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">iv) The recipe states that dough should be left in the freezer for one hour. If you plan to cut shapes it may loose shape when baked. It works really well if you place the shapes on a cold plate and leave in the fridge, until you put it in the oven.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z7hkOscsUsA/WC1BTR-nETI/AAAAAAAABCQ/T1bqXVhFChQdI2_ySptj1yVfVoe5oiDgACLcB/s1600/DSC_0344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z7hkOscsUsA/WC1BTR-nETI/AAAAAAAABCQ/T1bqXVhFChQdI2_ySptj1yVfVoe5oiDgACLcB/s200/DSC_0344.JPG" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: start;">v) This dough freezes really well. I double the recipe, roll it in long cylinders (about 5 cm in diameter) and cover with glad wrap. When you need biscuits for a special treat you simply take one roll out of the fridge, cut it (in approximately 1 cm ) discs and bake it.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> You can still cut shapes. Just leave the dough for a few minutes on the workspace and roll out once it has thawed. Below is a picture of the biscuits, cut into discs. Instead of sprinkling the decoration over the biscuits I rolled the little wheels in the decoration before baking.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--I5pBh9qGjE/WC1N-aKft5I/AAAAAAAABDE/CpoqfAAr7HI6lP_h2L0vZVTwB16ZETr1ACLcB/s1600/DSC_0498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--I5pBh9qGjE/WC1N-aKft5I/AAAAAAAABDE/CpoqfAAr7HI6lP_h2L0vZVTwB16ZETr1ACLcB/s320/DSC_0498.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">vi) </span><span style="text-align: start;">I have on occasion used a small brush to brush each biscuit with a bit of water and then sprinkle the decoration. You can also use egg white. This gives the biscuit a bright sheen. Just beware that if you use to much water, the colors of the decoration might "bleed". Which is not what you want.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hletbtQyvLY/WC1H5waTgDI/AAAAAAAABCg/PBduvK1luu4xB-Iy1ixur9Rwf9T97ickACLcB/s1600/DSC_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="188" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hletbtQyvLY/WC1H5waTgDI/AAAAAAAABCg/PBduvK1luu4xB-Iy1ixur9Rwf9T97ickACLcB/s200/DSC_0359.JPG" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What you want is for the cookies to look like these, in the picture below. What I did was to simply sprinkle the decoration on the shape before I put it in the oven, without brushing with water or egg white.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XmJP9bXYndU/WC1LLI8dxiI/AAAAAAAABC4/BHALffpT6xQLCBV9pXZ37Q92ZmpaySs_ACLcB/s1600/DSC_0369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XmJP9bXYndU/WC1LLI8dxiI/AAAAAAAABC4/BHALffpT6xQLCBV9pXZ37Q92ZmpaySs_ACLcB/s320/DSC_0369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "\22 arial\22 "; text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText" style="line-height: 115%;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Thank you for reading this. Now all you have to do is collect everything you need and bake you own vanilla biscuits. Please do let me know how it went. Enjoy your day and your comfort cookies. I look forward to sharing some more recipes with you over the next month. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yA44TFKAXhw/WC1OuYv4T8I/AAAAAAAABDI/6bhg4TAWnhcG-QC4KopJpMbKoSb6hF-MQCLcB/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yA44TFKAXhw/WC1OuYv4T8I/AAAAAAAABDI/6bhg4TAWnhcG-QC4KopJpMbKoSb6hF-MQCLcB/s320/DSC_0348.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5562739157906916568.post-51414113341854745502015-04-09T02:06:00.000-07:002015-04-09T02:06:03.077-07:00Food of the Gods<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXc06mAhmug/VSY7bTG23WI/AAAAAAAAAg0/BtEt2xMwfqE/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SXc06mAhmug/VSY7bTG23WI/AAAAAAAAAg0/BtEt2xMwfqE/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My freshly baked chocolate cupcakes, decorated with confectioners' sugar.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i>"More than any other food, chocolate delights and enchants, tantalises and comforts."</i> (From: <b>The Ghirardelli Chocolate Cookbook)</b> Which is why, when I had to select a quick and delicious treat to bake yesterday morning, I chose to not bake vanilla cupcakes, but chocolate cupcakes.<br />
<br />
I am a firm believer that however nice you decorate a cupcake, the secret will always be to make sure that it tastes even better than it looks. My alltime favorite cupcakes is plain vanilla, with a soft color frosting and hundreds and thousands as the only decoration. That being said - nothing can compete with a delicious chocolate cupcake with dark chocolate frosting or plain with only a sprinkling of confectioners' sugar.<br />
<br />
The Cacao Tree's name was given to it by the Swiss botanist, Carl Linnaeus in 1753. <i>Theobroma</i> means "food of the gods". Apt. It takes about 400 cacao beans to make half a kilogram of chocolate. The Aztecs believed chocolate to be an aphrodisiac. Although this isn't excatly true, chocolate does contain phenylethylamine (PEA), which creates a chemical reaction in the brain similar to that of falling love. (The Little Chocolate Book, Woolworths)<br />
<br />
Which is why chocolate is one of the best sellers in all shops. Linda Grayson once said that <i>there is nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate.</i> That being said, however, Milton Zelma said that the <i>giving of chocolate to others is an intimate form of communication, a sharing of deep dark secrets.</i> <br />
<br />
"Chocolate is the answer ... who cares what the question is?"<br />
<br />
Have a wonderful day dear reader.<br />
<br />
<br />Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5562739157906916568.post-403540905992133582010-07-09T00:48:00.000-07:002010-07-09T01:33:55.118-07:00Cupcakes<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/TDbe0SSQpPI/AAAAAAAAAP0/Df7grw_GaFM/s1600/Junie+2010+023.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/TDbe0SSQpPI/AAAAAAAAAP0/Df7grw_GaFM/s320/Junie+2010+023.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491821785467888882" /></a><br /><div>Sometimes we forget what life is about, what is our purpose and what we initially set out to do. This picture is a gift I gave to someone, and when I saw the picture this morning, I realised that I forgot what my blog was all about - cupcakes and sunflowers and ladybirds and all things nice. And I immediately uploaded the picture. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Yes, bad things, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">awful</span> things do happen in the world! Sad things happen to good people and <em>vice <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">versa</span></em> but this last week I just again realised something. Life is about the choices you make. I make a choice to try and be a good Christian, and do my best to make the rest of my choices in line with that. </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Two people close to me has <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">been</span> diagnosed with cancer the past month. And I was upset (to put it <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">euphemistically</span>!) And I was more upset than they! They were positive, and grabbed life with both hands and both came through it with flying colors. Wow!</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Which brings me back to cupcakes and sunflowers and ladybirds.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Who can ever resist a cupcake? I cannot! Sometimes you see a cupcake that looks just to delectable to eat - and when you take the first bite it does not taste as good as it looked. But hey, do you stop eating it? Life is like a cupcake. Sometimes it looks better than it is. Other times it is much much better than it looks!</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">French</span> believe that when you are troubled and a ladybird sits on you, it will take away all your troubles when it flies away. How can you doubt that? It is a good thing to believe in!</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>And the way sunflowers lifts their pretty yellow heads to the sun - almost as if they are worshipping the Lord of the Sun - why do we not more times turn our heads to the sun and thank God for all the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">wonderful</span> things He gives us - without us asking for it or even deserving it? </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>Dear Reader - eat a cupcake, pick a sunflower and look for a ladybird in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">everyday</span> life. I wish you all a happy and wonderful day!</div>Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5562739157906916568.post-20453058860430838582010-05-27T08:57:00.000-07:002010-05-27T09:14:23.594-07:00Dreams ...<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/S_6Wv3u7FBI/AAAAAAAAAPs/jCZGICHJ8rs/s1600/mei2010+056.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475979946087879698" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/S_6Wv3u7FBI/AAAAAAAAAPs/jCZGICHJ8rs/s320/mei2010+056.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><p><em>"The child is the father of the man."</em> Wordsworth. </p><p>Think on that! </p><p>Children are the future of a (our) country. Children treated badly <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">will</span> treat others badly and so forth.</p><p>The difference between a bad citizen and a good citizen can many times be found in the childhood.</p><p>Children should have dreams, and believe in fairies and never never land and have sweets for dinner and cupcakes for breakfast. Children should believe everything to be possible and children should hear they are wonderful, clever and beautiful creatures. That will make them <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">believe</span> they can do anything and be anything.</p><p>The French had a proverb in the late 14t<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">h</span> century which said that <em>"Children and fools tell the truth".</em> I do not have children, but my sister has two lovely girls (of which the one beliefs that she is a princess and the other beliefs she can be anything she wants to be!) and from experience with them, I know this proverb to be absolutely true.</p><p>And then I hear about a baby girl left between garbage on a winter's night, unwanted, and about a baby girl abused by her mother, unloved, and about children who do not have enough to eat, who are sold and hired out to others for the purpose of begging and of children who do not have books to read. If they do not have books to read, how will they know about big dreams? How will they know that there is a life and a big world out there, where they can be anything they choose to be?</p><p>And then I saw them - the three black boys, neatly dressed in their school uniforms, sitting around a table in the bookstore - and they (small as they are) are discussing a storybook with pictures. And my hope for our children is restored by three beautiful black boys in a bookstore - the future of my country. And I smiled at them , but they were to busy to notice me, to busy with the important stuff of growing up and reading books.</p><p>Maybe the grownups should remember all about their childhood dreams and hopes and while living that out make time to teach their children to hope and dream ...</p><p>May your dreams come true my dear Reader. Have a wonderful day.</p>Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5562739157906916568.post-71585826550924486642010-05-10T09:17:00.000-07:002010-05-10T09:46:37.772-07:00No more twist!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/S-gyDP9XhAI/AAAAAAAAAPk/BLRSCRBtFQk/s1600/JANUARIE+2010+131.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469676778846389250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/S-gyDP9XhAI/AAAAAAAAAPk/BLRSCRBtFQk/s320/JANUARIE+2010+131.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Beatrix Potter once wrote in the <em>Tailor of Gloucester (</em>1903) that <em>"I am worn to a raveling ... I am undone and worn to a thread-paper, for I have NO MORE TWIST."</em> And when I sit here writing tonight, after a long absence, I feel the same. The same .... worn thin and without twist.</div><div> </div><div>I have been extremely busy this past year - and then someone (I do not even know!) in passing remarked that maybe I should manage my time better! And then I thought - but I am managing my time and I am still at a complete loss. There is just so much to do and so little time in a day!</div><div> </div><div>And then I look at the picture above (which I took <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">last</span> year at Cape S.t Francis in South Africa) - and this bird is sitting there as if the whole world belongs to him (her?) unperturbed by the wild waves breaking at his feet, laughingly splashing him in white spray. Unperturbed ....</div><div> </div><div>And the answer came to me - do what you can, when you can to the best of your ability. Anything more will result in chaos (which according to an old student friend of mine is not so bad, because chaos is another form of order - if you want to be philosophical!). Today I had a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">horrific</span> day because my patience gave out and I shouted at at least two people. The result - I feel horrible and did not get so much done as I could have.</div><div> </div><div>We, as people, must start to realise that the world does not belong to us, but us to the world. We were put here for a purpose and many times we simply ignore our purpose and fight our way open to meet our own ends. The way of the world ...</div><div> </div><div>In stead nature sits unperturbed, doing what she can, when she can to the best of her ability and everything proceeds as normal ... As soon as we interfere - chaos!</div><div> </div><div>Dear Reader, thank you for your patience and for the many requests I had inquiring when I will write again. I want to say welcome back, but it is not you who were gone, but me ... I will leave by saying, hallo. Have a wonderful day.</div>Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5562739157906916568.post-35282026106505810042009-12-01T00:11:00.000-08:002009-12-01T00:58:32.770-08:00A Fairytale ...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/SxTVf9FreuI/AAAAAAAAAOc/0XlsVTEyWi0/s1600/BLOMME13-10-2006+(12).jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410183797329853154" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/SxTVf9FreuI/AAAAAAAAAOc/0XlsVTEyWi0/s320/BLOMME13-10-2006+(12).jpg" /></a><br /><div>Today I write to feel better. Today I hope my message will make those who read it also feel better. Today I hope I have a message! </div><div> </div><div>My inspiration I found in "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Tabletalk</span>" by John <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Seldon</span> (1689). <em>"There never was a merry world since the fairies left off dancing ..."</em> And we shall never have a good life if we forget how to laugh and how to dance and how to sing. And how to grab with both hands whatever life throws at you - even if this can sometimes be a dubious gift. We can never allow ourselves to become to serious and miss out on wonderful experiences. It has been said many times - It is no use crying over spilt milk. </div><br /><p>While I am a stern advocate of living life to the fullest we must do this in such a way as to not hurt people - those near to us as well as the others. Embrace what life hands you - make the best of it and move on.</p><p>There can not be a more sad situation than looking back on your life and have to admit that there were so many things you wanted to experience, so many opportunities you allowed to slip through your fingers - but you were afraid to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">pursue</span> them. </p><p>Play a game. Next time you have the opportunity look at people's faces - faces are storybooks under cover. Some faces tell you about the sad sad life of the person it belongs to. The eyes are sad, the mouth is sad and the skin is sad. It tells you about missed opportunities, experiences allowed to pass him / her by and absolute <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">devastation</span> at the thought of the present situation. We can never allow ourselves to become that face.</p><p>Take life with both hands and squeeze it, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">until</span> the last drop of juice has been squashed from the piece that has been handed to you. But also be strong enough to accept the consequences of your decision and embrace your choice. Because life is a living thing - the more you want, the more you <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">will</span> get and to practice this belief of living life to the fullest you must be strong, positive and responsible.</p><p>Now, <em>"Do you believe in fairies? Say quick that you believe! If you believe, clap your hands!"</em> J.M. Barrie in Peter Pan (1928) Act 4. And do not say that you do not see even one fairy when you clap your hands - because then you are not looking hard enough. There are fairies all around us in every special moment, beautiful smile, good deed and hearty laugh. <em>"Every time a child says 'I don't believe in fairies' there is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">a</span> little fairy somewhere that falls down dead! </em>(Peter Pan, 1928 Act 1).</p><p>So stop being sad and serious and upset with your situation. Everything is never what it is but you make of it! And you can make it great if you have courage!</p><p>Have a fabulous day my dear Readers. I wish you all to see just one fairy today - and if you do look for the fairytale that goes with the creature!</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5562739157906916568.post-14599880969871587392009-11-11T04:11:00.000-08:002009-11-11T04:48:13.273-08:00Naturam expelles furca, tamen usque recurret.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/SvqyQyOZrFI/AAAAAAAAAOU/JJ28MXqQAIY/s1600-h/oktober+2008+003.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402826704414157906" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/SvqyQyOZrFI/AAAAAAAAAOU/JJ28MXqQAIY/s320/oktober+2008+003.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/SvqrkcewgcI/AAAAAAAAAOE/ir11sXM4Lwo/s1600-h/SEPTEMBER+2009+115.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 5px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 1px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402819345593172418" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/SvqrkcewgcI/AAAAAAAAAOE/ir11sXM4Lwo/s320/SEPTEMBER+2009+115.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div>The Latin heading, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">directly</span> translated means: "You may drive out nature with a pitchfork, yet she'll be constantly running back." [Horace] My question is: For how long will Mother Nature be this insistent?</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>I am a member of Greenpeace International. Today I received an email requesting us to post <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">love letters</span> to the future. The one hundred best letters will be placed in a time capsule and read in one hundred years. And that made me think. What will the world be like in one hundred years, keeping in mind pollution and destruction and wars. Will it be like that horrid science fiction movies? All bleak and grey and sad?</div><br /><br /><br /><p>Everybody knows that Mother Nature can take only so much - yet most of us shrug and go about our lives as before. Who of you still <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">throw</span> away used batteries with your other trash? WHY???It is destroying our Earth! Due to development (what a terrible concept this must be for Mother Nature!) the Koala bears in Nieu <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Zealand</span> is facing extinction, the tigers of India faces extinction and the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">rain forests</span> of South <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">America</span> and Africa are almost extinct together with all their inhabitants! </p><br /><br /><p>All we have left of yesterday is memories. Today we face with a smile and devil may care attitude and where does that leave tomorrow? Bleak and gray and destroyed? Devoid of any green, any delicate flower, any precious animal, any blue sky? </p><br /><br /><p>Think before you act. Think who will pick up your used cigarette butt, who will remove the tin can from the ground where you left it after you enjoyed the soft drink, what does plastic do to your <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">environment</span>? </p><br /><br /><p>Plant a tree, eat a freshly picked strawberry, stroke a dog (or any animal for that matter, excluding people who act like animals!), lie on your back on the sweet smelling grass and look at the stars, sit near the sweet peas on a warm summer's afternoon and smell their wonderful scent! Listen to the frogs singing after the rain, the birds early in the morning and watch the slow progress of a snail - leaving behind his silver trail - and imagine a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">world</span> without them.</p><br /><br /><p>The world is the snail's silver trail - tomorrow it will not be there anymore ...</p><br /><br /><p>Be a responsible citizen of the world. Appreciate what has been given and treasure it while you are here - and remember today is all you have to make a difference!</p></div></div>Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5562739157906916568.post-4565594138595495412009-06-12T06:23:00.000-07:002017-02-14T23:13:23.345-08:00The Power of a Candle's Flame<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/SjJdI86cM-I/AAAAAAAAANU/eF4aUYozLVs/s1600-h/DESEMBER+2007+114.clip.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346438116013781986" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/SjJdI86cM-I/AAAAAAAAANU/eF4aUYozLVs/s320/DESEMBER+2007+114.clip.JPG" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 204px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_mtBUEHbl9NY/SjJXXzpxq6I/AAAAAAAAANM/RKv2Avxa4JM/s1600-h/DESEMBER+2007+114.jpg"></a><br />
<br />
<div>
I own a real <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">kitsch</span> glass and cast iron candle holder. Fake crystals are attached to the cast iron protrusions. I hide this monstrosity in my personal bathroom - so it will offend no-one and I can secretly enjoy it.</div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Then one evening, while soaking in the bath and staring at this object (with candles lit in it) I realised something. The fake crystals come to live when the light of the candles gently caress it and the monstrosity turns into a fairytale object with many possibilities.</div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Then I had to place <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">candles</span> in our church for a special event. I took all my candles and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">candle</span> holders to church on that evening - the monstrosity(which I now thought of as a fairytale candle holder) was put right in front of the little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">church building</span> - where everyone could see it when they walked in and sat down. And there it stood, proud to be the centre of attention and doing its job magnificently - not once was I ashamed of this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">candle holder</span>. And I realised that with a bit of attention and creative efforts I can utilise this decor item for many things!</div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
And then it hit me. So many times there are people who hide themselves away because of constant negative <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">criticism</span>, because they feel that they are not good enough, that they are not important to anyone or because of emotional and / or physical abuse <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">that</span> they are monstrositiesto be hidden away - so as not to offend the rest of the world! And I was sad.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Have you ever noticed how only one candle can light up a room?</div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Please look around you and find these <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7"> empty </span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">candle holders</span> - light candles in them by lavishing attention on them, place them in an important spot and see how they will shine. I promise you - Jesus will see these good deeds. <br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Dear Reader, if you are one of these <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">candle holders</span> who needs attention to shine - be sure, to Jesus you are of the utmost importance - seek guidance from Him and in no time at all your candle will burn brightly and what was once fake crystals dangling from your cast iron arms and legs will come alive with His word. You will light the world with your candle flame. It is possible.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
Be a candle of hope and positive spirits in today's world of negativity, sadness, neglect and economic recessions. </div>
<br />
<div>
</div>
<br />
<div>
Have a nice day my Dear Reader.</div>
</div>
Gerda Du Plessis-Snymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10827164118363905395noreply@blogger.com2