Chocolate in Disguise

Magic Chocolate Cakes

Prep: 15 minutes

Cook: 50 minutes (less if making smaller cakes)

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/2 cup milk

1 packed cup (100g) grated raw pumpkin or carrot or a mix of both

1/2 cup premium quality cocoa powder, sifted if lumpy

1/2 tsp mixed spice

1/s tsp ground cinnamon

100 g butter, softened

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp natural vanilla essence

1 Tbs golden syrup

2 cups self raising flour

1/2 cup strong, boiling hot coffee

Preheat oven to 160 degrees C. Line a 23 cm round cake tin with baking paper or prepare 2 x 10 cm tins (recycled tuna cans are perfect) or 10 muffin tins (using 1/2 cup of mixture per muffin tin). Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and mix until combined, about 30-40 seconds (or place ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric beater). Pour into prepared tin and smooth the top. Bake until risen, no longer wobbly in the middle and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. One large cake will take about 50 minutes, for 2 medium cakes allow about 40 minutes and for muffin sized cakes allow 20-25 minutes. Cool in tin and cover with frosting. Store in a sealed contained in a cool place for 2-3 days or wrap and freeze.

Mini Campervan Adventure

Our family campervan adventures continue. This time we decided to explore a bit closer to home. We spent the first night in the campground in Albert Town, a mere 5 minutes down the road. In the morning we had the pleasure of watching the fog burn off the Clutha River, an awe inspiring vision.

The next day we travelled down the road to Cromwell and went swimming in the community pool and wine tasting at

Wooing Tree Winery. From there we traveled around to Queenstown, with a pit stop at another winery. We spent a lovely afternoon in Queenstown soaking up the gorgeous afternoon

sun and playing at the park.

After a night in Queenstown at a holiday park (with a required refuel of a Ferburger) we spent the morning being total tourists! I hiked to the top of the gondola while the boys took a ride up. At the top all three boys thoroughly enjoyed their thrill seeking trips down the luge.

All things said we had a fabulous mini getaway and we were never all that far from home. We're enjoying our campervan adventures and look forward to our next trip.

Rocky Mount

I've been saying all summer that I was going to do the Rocky Mount hike again and all of sudden summer is gone. I saw a window of opportunity today and challenged myself to do the hike on my own, something I'm not known for doing. I am so thankful I did it! Check out this view.

Fall

Fall is here. Ben down at the Clutha River in Albert Town.

Fire fighter day

As many of you know Josh has been into fire engines for awhile. Today he decided he wanted to wear his entire fire fighter outfit, helmet included. He wore the costume to swimming lessons, the library and the grocery store. (He must be taken tips from his superhero costume loving older brother). In honor of my youngest's enthusiasm for fire engines I donated to a friend's fundraising event for the Fire Fighter Sky Tower Challenge.

Josh makes sushi

My little helper in the helping spot. He helped, sampled and generally made a fairly large mess.

Superhero Hits the Road

SuperBen decided to take a road trip last week. Here are a few of my favorite photos of his various superhero outfits throughout the South Island.

On the jumping pillow at the holiday park in Christchurch

Batman Ben takes on Cathedral Square, Christchurch

Tire swing, Hanmer Springs

Spiderman shows his younger side kick how to leap into the air

Batman braves the cold and visits Fox Glacier

Batman takes a hike to Lake Matheson, here he is crossing the swing bridge on the way back