Canoe Feel The Love Tonight?

I have less than no interest in the fact that The Apple Isle will host the 2009 Canoe Wildwater World Cup, but how could I pass up the chance for an Anna Coren segue to The Lion King???  I have never seen the film but MrsDrWho plays the soundtrack in her classroom in the holidays. We will be feeling the love in 2009!! Peri is feeling the Morning Tea love and hoping for a titbit from The GardyGardeners.

I've been meaning to blog for three days but the light has been bad, on Thursday I had my car lights switched on at 3pm, and somehow it always seemed too dark to take a photo. I have been a little busy, though not on The Pop Tartigan because I knitted a sleeve in the space of 36 hours and my shoulder was boogelly: those 5mm needles can be a killer. I have been doing other things. I have made my mum an Odessa. It is meant to reflect a crisp Spring day in Odessa, though I am not sure if that's Odessa Brazil, Canada or USA, but I like to think it's Odessa, The Film, which just makes me think of The Ipcress File, so I think I'll call this The Harry Hat!! Now if there was a choice of looking at me modelling The Harry Hat, or poking your eyes out with hot needles, MrsDrWho knows which one you should choose. So there is only a progress picture of said hat until maybe MrsDrWho models. It's on 4mm needles using almost two balls of Cleckheaton Country Silk in a blue you can't buy here anymore.

There has been sewing: a Sock Tote for Amanda from you-can-guess-where and a zippy bag for Kate:she's not keeping her Library pencils in it, but rather her socks-in-progress!!! There is also a backpack for me made from LoopyLouey's gifted fabric. I used Lotta Jansdottir's pattern though I lined it with lime green poplin. You can see some dog treats in the back pocket and also Harki's zebra striped toy. She's not very happy, I think you can see her bottom lip trembling in the picture: she's pretty sure I've taken it for good. I gave it back straight away.

My last post about The Flame Attendants et al seems to have elicited the same feeling from most people: we are very sad and disappointed at the politicisation of the Games, but supportive of our athletes. It's less than a hundred days till the Games begin: I suggest we all watch these Games instead and revel in John Howard's Apology.

There has been some cooking: a classic Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. I made it in a bigger tin and I really should have used more pineapple. I did buy more and was planning to dredge it with brown sugar and pop it under the grill, but it never happened. Recipe follows.... I have more to say - what a surprise!!, but I'm saving that for next time.

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Topping

• 2 tins of sliced pineapple rings, drained**
• 90g butter, melted
• about 1 cup of brown sugar

Cake Batter

• 120g butter
• 220g caster sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tspn vanilla extract
• 185g self raising flour
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup pineapple juice from the tin**

Preheat the oven to 180*C, and then line a 25-28cm spring-form tin with baking paper. Brush the base and sides with the melted butter and then sprinkle in the sugar. Finally  place the pineapple rings in the base of the tin. I didn't have enough. You can also put a glace cherry in the centre of each ring!!

To make the batter, cream the butter and sugar, lightly beat in the eggs and vanilla and then fold in half the flour and half the milk by hand. And then gently fold in the remaining flour and milk. Spoon over the pineapple and spread evenly. Cook for 45-50 minutes or until it is browned and springy to the touch and has come away from the sides of the pan. Invert onto plate and serve with lashings of custard or cream and ice-cream. A Classic.

PS The Jennifer Fallon series?? It's a set of four now!!! Just in case you were on a knife edge waiting for the next one. I am.

Comments

[amanda j]

My word, that is a lovely backpack. And I <3 my tote! I made an Odessa once. Did you put the beads on? My beads are slightly wonky, but I guess that's fine because I have never worn the hat! Pht.

[Debby]

I hope your shoulder is feeling better! I have never tried pineapple upside down cake but yours looks delicious.

[Monika]

I like all three bags. THe I love Knitting one is too cute. Poor Harki, how could you! Good thing you gave it back real quick!:o)

Mmm, pinapple, I like pinapple in any form.

[Rose Red]

Oooh, pineapple upside down cake! I've always wanted to make one of those...I really must do it soon!

The Games was great wasn't it.

[Larjmarj]

Mmmm, cake!

Love the blue Odessa.

Aren't the pups sweet when they pick their ears up for a treat? Chief always looks so intelligent.

[mrsdrwho]

You should have seen her in the hat...it was totally hysterical. 2paw DOES NOT have a head suited for a beanie!!!!
I am laughing at the mental picture...again.
Why does amandaj have a little female wizard as a sign on her comment?Some sort of JK Rwling typo?

[Carol]

Hee hee, once again you are making me want to eat cake for breakfast.

[linda]

oh Pineapple Upside Down cake!!! I haven't had that in years. I made it in Home Ec in high school and even though I loved it I haven't made it since!! I must try your recipe! love the hat too AND everything else you have made love that "I love Knitting" bag that's a few too many "loves" isn't it???!!!!

[Tinkingbell]

MMNM pineapple upside down cake (I made a pear and caramel one recently - it was seriously yummy!

Love the Odessa - I wore my daughter's polar fleece school hat for Agfest yesterday - but only for about 5 minutes - perhaps I should knit a hat......

[Jude]

Helloooo :)

Thanks for all the lovely comments on my blog - your gawwwjus puppies are totally making my day! Looking forward to catching up on your blog :)

[sarah]

Yummy cake! What a pretty profile pic of Peri. I'm sure she'd try to model hats for you!

[Taphophile]

I read that as "Harry the Hat" and couldn't work out why you'd be referring to a NSW criminal. Really should read more slowly. The Odessa is lovely - adore the colour.

[AmyP]

Model woman, model like the wind! Or make MrsDrWho do it. Either will be fine!

[Ann]

The hat is lovely - love the color. The bags that you made are gorgeous & so useful. My goodness, I have not seen a Pineapple Upside Down cake for a long time. My sister used to make the best ones & I have not eaten one since she passed away. Yours look so yummy.