tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post8431808180141761521..comments2023-10-28T05:33:15.060-05:00Comments on The Writing Playground: Guest Blogger Natalie AndersonMarilyn Puetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16073134550080890157noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-28165713398004019152010-10-20T17:38:18.251-05:002010-10-20T17:38:18.251-05:00Smarty Pants - I hadn't forgotten! here's ...Smarty Pants - I hadn't forgotten! here's the recipe for the PAV - hope you get to making it one and and enjoy it :)<br /><br />The Kiwi Pav<br /> <br />The pavlova is an icon in New Zealand. You'll find it served as the centrepiece dessert at every BBQ, summer wedding, Christmas celebration and every other special occasion there is. Every family has its own 'special' recipe and this is ours (Actually, it's Aunty Margaret's - but she makes the best ones). The end result is a wonderful crunchy meringue on the outside and a wall of soft marshmallow in the middle. Don't worry if it 'cracks' when you transfer it to a plate - you can cover any imperfections with lashings of whipped cream.<br /> <br />4 egg whites (no egg yolk at all!)<br />1 dessertspoon cornflour (cornstarch in the US?) <br />4 tablespoons boiling water<br />pinch of Cream of Tartar<br />2 cups caster sugar <br />1 dessertspoon white vinegar<br />1 tsp vanilla essence<br /> <br />Preheat oven to 230C (450F). Line a baking tray with baking paper (do not preheat the tray).<br />Put all ingredients into a bowl and beat with an electric mixer for 10 minutes until thick, white and glossy.<br />Pile into a high heap on the prepared tray and smooth into a cake shape.<br />Turn oven right down to 120C (245F)(most important!) and put the pav in. Bake for 60 minutes. When completely cool, transfer to a plate, cover with whipped cream and arrange sliced kiwifruit on the top. Strawberries or raspberries are another option as is passionfruit pulp or shaved chocolate. Slice and enjoy!<br /> <br />Note, in NZ: <br />1 teaspoon = 5 ml<br />1 dessertspoon = 10 ml<br />1 tablespoon = 15 ml<br />1 cup = 250mlNatalie Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865508188630650384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-56300616458292481852010-10-19T23:55:42.297-05:002010-10-19T23:55:42.297-05:00Yummy! Cookies, bar cookies, pies and cakes are my...Yummy! Cookies, bar cookies, pies and cakes are my favorites at Christmas. Snickerdoodles, powdered sugar rum balls, lemon bars, and upside down cake are what are remember my mom making for Christmas. As for the calories, what calories? This is a free holiday where we can eat what we want, right?<br /><br />Love the cover on your book!Michele L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15827059770508809460noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-16743694564698310082010-10-18T19:10:00.255-05:002010-10-18T19:10:00.255-05:00Smarty Pants- I can either email or post it here,...Smarty Pants- I can either email or post it here, just got to forward it to myself from the computer in the other room... but before that got to pick up the twins from preschool - give me an hour or so.<br />Meanwhile... take half a dozen eggs out of the fridge... ;)Natalie Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865508188630650384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-18320452319561153292010-10-18T19:08:40.444-05:002010-10-18T19:08:40.444-05:00Angel - I've never had red velvet cake - is it...Angel - I've never had red velvet cake - is it good???? It is true that it's beetroot that makes it red??<br /><br />those 7 layer things sound AMAZING - I'm drooling too! :)Natalie Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865508188630650384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-18816647111767167202010-10-18T19:07:12.006-05:002010-10-18T19:07:12.006-05:00Chey - how do you whip shortbread?????Chey - how do you whip shortbread?????Natalie Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865508188630650384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-55942685187074301692010-10-18T19:06:31.402-05:002010-10-18T19:06:31.402-05:00Catslady - i love that about your party AND the ho...Catslady - i love that about your party AND the home-made decorations - home-made decorations feature in my book actually :)<br />I love the different rituals/shared experiences families build at festive occasions :)Natalie Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865508188630650384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-26890280777006650862010-10-18T18:55:57.245-05:002010-10-18T18:55:57.245-05:00Natalie, I would, actually. If its too long to pos...Natalie, I would, actually. If its too long to post, you can email it to me at smartypants@writingplayground.comAndrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13518751514879244662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-32677350618507435142010-10-18T18:55:10.926-05:002010-10-18T18:55:10.926-05:00Robertsonreads - I've looked at them too. Ki l...Robertsonreads - I've looked at them too. Ki love them. We have a tradition where the kids get to choose a decoration and put them away for their own tree when they're older. They have the oddest collection already! But so cute :)Natalie Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865508188630650384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-77015012537573041622010-10-18T18:53:49.132-05:002010-10-18T18:53:49.132-05:00Kelly - here in NZ they've been out all month ...Kelly - here in NZ they've been out all month already - the instore Xmas stores open at the start of October... those chocolate advent calendars are out too... like they'd last in our house????Natalie Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865508188630650384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-66853194875893749792010-10-18T18:52:34.727-05:002010-10-18T18:52:34.727-05:00PlayGround Monitor - you can have all my lamb!!!!!...PlayGround Monitor - you can have all my lamb!!!!!<br />You know, we have a zillion pumpkins here but we don't make pudding with them - eat them roasted as a vegetable, or in a veggie lasagne or something. I've never made pumpkin pie - just seems too weird!Natalie Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865508188630650384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-26179798256738317252010-10-18T18:51:09.600-05:002010-10-18T18:51:09.600-05:00Smarty pants - love it. We have a bit of that too ...Smarty pants - love it. We have a bit of that too - always make too much food to make sure everyone has something they like!<br /><br />You have to try a pav. They rock. Let me know if you want a recipe :)Natalie Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865508188630650384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-67398487135167137782010-10-18T18:49:42.341-05:002010-10-18T18:49:42.341-05:00Maureen - yep, its the desserts all the way. But p...Maureen - yep, its the desserts all the way. But pity us over here in NZ - it's the middle of bikini season!!!!Natalie Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865508188630650384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-46359485206946260192010-10-18T18:48:53.808-05:002010-10-18T18:48:53.808-05:00Oh Jean - you have me giggling at the 'becaus...Oh Jean - you have me giggling at the 'because it is so bad for you' - love it. A MUST at Christmas then!!!!Natalie Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865508188630650384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-71031695974269043132010-10-18T18:48:10.183-05:002010-10-18T18:48:10.183-05:00Problem Child - standing up can be SO good ;)Problem Child - standing up can be SO good ;)Natalie Andersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08865508188630650384noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-1564155640649780592010-10-18T18:30:11.699-05:002010-10-18T18:30:11.699-05:00Ooohhh, a tree trimming party sounds like fun!!! I...Ooohhh, a tree trimming party sounds like fun!!! I wouldn't want to do anything fancy, but I bet we would enjoy snack/party foods (we usually trim the tree midday). <br /><br />At Christmas we always make cheese cookies. Kind of like our southern cheese straws but these are done in drop cookie form. Love them!!! The kids, hubby and I eat them pretty often between Thanksgiving and Christmas. <br /><br />My favorite holiday cake is red velvet, and though I'm not a fan of chocolate cake, my sister makes an awesome Hershey's chocolate cake with cream cheese icing. We also make Hello Dollies during this time (commonly called 7 layer cookies--graham cracker crust, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, sweetened condensed milk--I don't add the coconut or nuts).<br /><br />Now look what you've done, Natalie!! I'm drooling over a meal that's over 2 months away. :)<br /><br />AngelAngelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17010424240956906870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-27362770392801988872010-10-18T16:58:08.723-05:002010-10-18T16:58:08.723-05:00My favourite Christmas treat is whipped shortbread...My favourite Christmas treat is whipped shortbread.cheyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09028962586999938567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-15417793478807026072010-10-18T15:50:06.402-05:002010-10-18T15:50:06.402-05:00I started a tradition of a tree trimming party and...I started a tradition of a tree trimming party and now my one married daughter is doing it too so we have 2 parties. I make a fancy dinner afterwards but there are plenty of snacks and drinks and laughter as we trim the tree. I've collected ornaments for many years and from many travels and also have them from parents to homemade ones my kids made ect. We all get a kick from two paper angels made by my two daughters in kindergarten. We use to take turns but now I get a double top for them both. We tease my one daughter because her angel looks more like a lady of the night with her big red lips while my other daughter's angel is prettier (she is now an artist) lol.catsladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06375770995988927860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-24375888041713065322010-10-18T15:11:14.909-05:002010-10-18T15:11:14.909-05:00Welcome back Natalie,
Good one SP. I like your th...Welcome back Natalie,<br /><br />Good one SP. I like your thinking. <br /><br />I can believe and have even looked (don't hate me) at Christmas decorations already. So pretty.<br /><br />I enjoy watching my Christmas trees turn, with the lights out. I just sit there and drool.<br /><br />My family generally has the same meal at Thanksgiving and Christmas except for the meat, otherwise we are good to go. The menu is already printed out and just need to sigh up for something.robertsonreadshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09030659336161679069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-65009494214596585232010-10-18T14:22:10.470-05:002010-10-18T14:22:10.470-05:00I can't believe they have Christmas decoration...I can't believe they have Christmas decorations out at the store already.KELLY FITZPATRICKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04738502576190460531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-44355898585253482682010-10-18T09:50:48.083-05:002010-10-18T09:50:48.083-05:00I'm looking forward to pumpkin pie. Last year...I'm looking forward to pumpkin pie. Last year some natural disaster wiped out the pumpkin crops and you could not find canned pumpkin at all. I'm stocking up early this year. ::grin:: <br /><br />Just let me know what time you're eating because I'll be there for the roast lamb. I'll bring along a jar or two of the mint jelly I made this summer.Playground Monitorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07444337591281145863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-46558856320125209022010-10-18T09:50:24.411-05:002010-10-18T09:50:24.411-05:00The calories don't count if you're standin...The calories don't count if you're standing up and eating out of the container with the fridge door open.<br /><br />There are so many choices at Christmas, especially since with my family, no one likes the same stuff. We have apple pie or yellow cake for DB, pumpkin pie for me, pecan pie for the father in law, red velvet or coconut cake for the mother in law... then all the cookies and candies I baked for extras... Christmas uncomfortable is right.<br /><br />Intrigued by the idea of the Pavlova, though... as though I need another dish to add.Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pantshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13518751514879244662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-30946350978082514792010-10-18T09:44:21.861-05:002010-10-18T09:44:21.861-05:00I enjoy the desserts the most at Christmas from th...I enjoy the desserts the most at Christmas from the cookies and brownies to the apple pie.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16392692656456938856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-66150784791624359092010-10-18T09:42:16.139-05:002010-10-18T09:42:16.139-05:00For me, it's the German chocolate cake, which ...For me, it's the German chocolate cake, which isn't German at all. Mine is the best because I toast my pecans and coconut before making the frosting. <br /><br />I also make this really rich cheesy potato soup and sour cream corn bread to have after church on Christmas Eve. It's the only time of year I make it because it is so bad for you.Alicia Hunter Pace (aka Jean Hovey and Stephanie Jones)https://www.blogger.com/profile/13844329805282121486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18688033.post-54231494253568970722010-10-18T09:38:44.000-05:002010-10-18T09:38:44.000-05:00What is it about leftover sweets eaten standing up...What is it about leftover sweets eaten standing up... I do that as well!Problem Childhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01456049865200737618noreply@blogger.com