WHAT’S NORMAL, ANYWAY? LIFE IS A LUCKY DIP....

 

 

 

“My mom always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get.”  Most people recognise this quote from the much-loved movie, “Forrest Gump”. 

Lately, I’ve been a grump.  There’ve been times I’ve not been able to see the forest for the trees. 

Mrs. Gump, I do understand your point about life being similar to a box of Cadbury’s Favourites variety pack.  Life isn’t always a picnic.  Often it’s a rocky road full of twists.  When life crumbles, it’s ripe for a boost.  It’s a delight to dream...to help ginger it up a bit!

This year has been a wizz fizz one filled with all sorts of sticky, testing periods.  It’s been a real clinker.  Often drowning in a bounty of distressing, sometimes frustrating moments, we wish lifesavers were at our beck and call. 

I imagine you’d not be a fan if I added my tales to the long list of 2020’s antics.

 Life can also be described as being like a bag of mixed lollies consisting of soft, hard, sweet and sour, coming in every shape and size under the sun.

This may appear to be a lot of humbug, but believe me, cobbers, life trundles along like a wagon wheel.  Life is filled with smarties, freckles, killer pythons, sneaky snakes, frogs, witchetty grubs, fads, gummies and bullets.  Life consists of more flavours than Allen’s Party Mix.  It has more colours than a rainbow. Life is as complex as the Milky Way. 

Many reach out for a few sherbets to help deal with it.

Stop blowing raspberries! I know I waffle on worse than Polly.  Life on Mars wouldn’t be as interesting as life on earth, I am sure.  It’s enough to make one tingle.

 It might surprise you to learn, even though I love watching movies, I don’t roll Jaffas down the aisle.  Because I do my viewing within these four, humble walls, if I rolled Jaffas it’d me who’d have to pick them up. Where’s the fun in that?  My two furry kit cats would chase the Jaffas around the room believing it was a great game created especially for them!

The Rascal Flatts sing “Life is a Highway”...the lyrics of which include...”Sometimes you bend and sometimes you stand...Sometimes you turn your back to the wind...”

 Into each life some rain must fall; into each heart some tears must fall. That’s life.  You can’t always get what you want. You can’t have it all. You have to give a little...take a little.  Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow.  Times, they are a-changin’.  Put a little love in your heart. Everybody hurts. Don’t stop believing...don’t worry, be happy.  Be humble and kind; keep your head up; dream, baby, dream.  Show respect.  Whatever is burdening you...let it go.  To everything...turn, turn, turn...there is a season...turn. turn, turn....and a time to every purpose...

Hey, Jube...I mean Jude....you may snicker...I know my pearls of wisdom are a mixed bag, and make me sound like a flake.  That’s okay...we can’t all be heroes.

I admit to nicking them....the “pearls”, not the lollies.

By golly!  I paid for the lollies. I’m not fudging! Check with the lass at IGA’s checkout.  She’ll vouch for me! 

I’ve said previously that the lock-down didn’t affect my every day by-choice reclusive lifestyle, but after my above nonsensical ramblings I know you’re thinking I should be locked up.  You could be right. 

However, the lads in white jackets have to catch me first!  It’s time for me to twirl and skittle!  Run, Lee!  Run!

Fruit Jelly Squares: Line baking dish with wrap. Soak 6 gelatine leaves in cold water for 5mins. In saucepan, mix 1/2c fresh fruit juice (e.g. cherry, grape, orange) with 1/2c water and 1tbs lemon juice. Stir in 2-3tbs sugar; bring to boil; reduce heat. Thoroughly squeeze the gelatine leaves; one by one, dissolve in juice-mixture; don’t boil. Pour jelly-mix into dish; set in fridge 6-7hrs. Cut into cubes. (For easier slicing, spread cutter/knife with some oil).  With a pastry brush, coat jelly with a thin layer of oil; toss in sugar (optional).

Rocky Road: Line 10x20cm loaf tin with baking paper. Cut 1/3c Allen’s raspberry jellies and 3/4c packed marshmallows (15 medium) in half. Cut 5 small shortbread biscuits to small bite size pieces. Finely chop 200g milk chocolate and 50g dark chocolate; combine in bowl. Melt and stir until just melted.  Don’t over-heat.  Add chopped lollies. shortbread and 1/4c peanuts to chocolate; mix well; tip into tin. Chill 2hrs to set firm. Cut into slices.

Black Cherry Jubes: Puree 400g tinned black cherries; strain puree for a smooth liquid. Place half of puree into small heavy-based saucepan with 3c white sugar. Heat gently; stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to boil; boil rapidly 5mins. Use wet pastry brush to dissolve sugar crystals sticking to inside of saucepan above syrup.  Place remaining puree in small bowl; mix in 3tbs powdered gelatine. It’ll thicken quickly into a solid mass. When syrup has boiled for 5mins, remove from heat; add gelatine mix; stir until totally dissolved. Lightly grease 8x8 inch tray with oil spray. Pour mixture into tray; chill 3-4hrs. Set mixture will be springy and stretchy and pull away from edge cleanly. Sprinkle chopping board generously with caster sugar; carefully turn mixture out onto board. Sprinkle more sugar over top; rub in so it’s all coated. Use a lightly greased knife to cut into squares; coat each in sugar; air dry for a few hours or overnight. 

 

PS...My apologies to my Northern Hemisphere readers....some of you may not be familiar with the names of our Aussie lollies/candy and chocolates, which I've woven into my above sweet tale!