Mario Monday! - Hammer

Along with Mario and all the things trying to kill him. There are tools in the world meant to help Mario along on his journey. This month we are going to release graphs for these items starting with a Hammer. The Hammer is used in the Mario Maps to break rocks that block Mario's path to the next levels.

This graph is 20 x 20. Most of the graphs that are just items will be 20 x 20. 

This graph requires: 

                                   - Brown

                                   - Black

                                   - White

                                   - Background Colour (Any colour you choose)

Mario Monday! - Lakitue Cloud

Today we are sharing the Lakitue's Cloud graph! This is seen in certain levels of Super Mario 1. You'll notice that it is slightly different from the Super Mario 3 version. 

This graph is only 20 x 30 however it can be made longer to fit a side. 

These graphs requires: 

                                   - Green 

                                   - Light Orange

                                   - White 

                                   - Background Colour (Any Colour you choose)      

Sunday Cooking - Crock Pot Pulled Pork

Pulled Pork Sandwiches make for a great meal and are surprisingly easy to make. They come in different types of flavours even though they may all seem the same. There are a few sweet types of pulled pork, a few BBQ types and some that are mustard based to give a little kick. This recipe is very versatile so whatever type of Pulled Pork you like, you can make.

What you'll need:

Rump Roast (Pork)

5 TBSPs of Brown Sugar

2 TSP of Salt

2 TSP of Pepper

2 TSP of Paprika 

2 TSP of Garlic Powder or Onion Powder (Any garlic or onion seasoning will do)

1-2 Bottles of Stewarts Root Beer (any Root Beer will do - or soda)

2 Onions

1 Bottle of BBQ Sauce

Buns (We use Pretzel Buns with our Tangy Pulled Pork, but any buns will do)

Other Possible Options

-More Brown Sugar (Sweet Pulled Pork)

- Mustard (Tangy Pulled Pork)

- Hot Sauce (Spicy Pulled Pork)

Water (depends on thickness)

Slaw (depends on taste)

Step one: 

We are going to start with the rub. In a small bowl add all the dry spices plus 2 TBSPs of Brown Sugar. Coat the pork well with the rub (you can substitute with any rub you like, adding the brown sugar to that is optional).

We use a crock pot for this but sometimes we also use a rice cooker so if you have either or that is perfectly fine. In the bottom we place a sliced up onion, 3 TBSPs of Brown Sugar and the Root Beer (If you are using a rice cooker, it only has a high temperature and you will want to use two bottles/cans.) If you are cooking low and slow you will use one bottle/can of Root Beer if you are going to cook it high you will need two. 

Cooking on low: To start you will want to cook the pork on high for one hour, then change the setting to low for the next four and a half hours. 

Cooking on high: Start from high and cook for two and a half to three hours. Making sure to stir regularly. 

Finishing it off: 

At this point your pork should be cooked. Remove from the cooker and shred. To the remaining liquid, add the BBQ sauce, and any add ons you wish (mustard or hot sauce or more brown sugar). 

Return the meat to the cooker and let cook for another half hour on high. In this time the liquid should thicken up. If you find it hasn't thickened up you may need to leave it a bit longer. (Keep in mind that Pulled Pork should be thick and not soupy.)

Serving: 

We serve our mustard Pulled Pork on a Pretzel Bun.

We serve our sweet Pulled Pork on a Sour Dough Bun with sweet pickles

We serve our spicy Pulled Pork on a plain bun with a mayo-based Slaw

Book Club - Chapter 16 (Cinder)

The sixteenth Chapter of Cinder is a hard chapter to read but it is one readers saw coming. In this chapter, Prince Kai's father passes away. We get to see the toll this takes on Kai. We also get to see the responsibility that Kai now has to take on because of his loss. The "Evil Queen" Levana is also introduced more in this chapter and her presence and role in the book. 

1) What similarities to Cinderella do you see? 

2) What do you think Queen Levana's plan is?

3) What do you think Prince Kai will do?

4) Do you think Prince Kai is ready for all the responsibility?

Toum (Lebanese Garlic Sauce)

Today we are sharing our recipe for Toum (Lebanese Garlic Sauce)! This sauce would usually be found in Lebanese restaurants on potatoes or in a wrap. We recommend it on shwarmas or on simple garlic potatoes! 

What you'll need: 

4 Cloves of Garlic 

1/3 Cup of Oil (We use Olive Oil)

A Splash of Lemonade (This is our personal twist)

2 Egg Whites 

Salt 

Directions: 

Make sure all things are room temperature or you risk your Toum splitting. 

Chop garlic or add to food processor and let blend until garlic is paste. Once the garlic is pasty, start slowly adding the oil. Slowly is key here or the sauce may not come together. Once about half your oil is in the mix, add the Lemonade (we use lemonade because it is sweeter than lemon juice and cuts some of the garlic taste. You can always add lemon juice and sugar instead). Add one egg white and let everything blend. Once the egg is blended add the remaining oil. Should you see the sauce isn't as thick as you'd like, you may need another egg white. 

Pumpkin Bars

Continuing this week, we are sharing posts on how to make that boring old cake mix a masterpiece. These recipes will be real simple recipes that take a cake mix and add one or two ingredients to transform it into something new. 

(Please note, we are not claiming these as our own recipes. These recipes have been floating around for a long time and are in most cases common knowledge.)

This week we are transforming a Spice Cake into Pumpkin Bars.. 

You'll Need: 

1 Box of Spice Cake

1 Can of Pumpkin Pie Filling

3 Eggs

Optional: 

Whip Cream (we use this as a topping/frosting)

Directions: 

Dump all ingredients in a bowl, blend together until everything is mixed well. Bake according to box instructions.

Better than Sex Cake

This week, we are starting a series of posts on how to make that boring old cake mix a masterpiece. These recipes will be real simple recipes that take a cake mix and add one or two ingredients to transform it into something new. 

(Please note, we are not claiming these as our own recipes. These recipes have been floating around for a long time and are in most cases common knowledge.)

This week we are transforming a Chocolate Fudge Cake into Better than Sex Chocolate Cake. 

You'll Need: 

1 Box of Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix (plus the ingredients it requires)

1 Can of Sweeten Condensed Milk 

Optional: 

Whip Cream (we use this as a topping/frosting)

Directions: 

Very simple, just make the cake as you normally would. (For this cake we recommend you do not try to make it "A Bakery Cake". Often people choose to add an extra egg, change the oil to butter and water to milk, to make the cake moister. In this case the milk will make it moist. If it is too moist the cake will fall apart.)

Once the cake has baked, poke holes in it. To do this a great way is to use a fork first and then the end of a wooden spoon. (Make sure the fork goes all the way to the bottom.) Finally, pour the milk over the cake, smooth it out trying to make it even. 

Place in the fridge to cool and top with whip cream.

Movie Madness: A Preview of Avengers Infinity War

Today we are going to look at the most anticipated movie of 2018: Avengers: Infinity War; debuting on April 27.

The next installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Infinity War takes places two years after the events of Captain America: Civil War where the team is torn apart when they learn Thanos is back and after the Infinity Stones which will allow him to destroy the Universe. The Avengers must work together along with the Guardians of The Galaxy to stop Thanos.  

The Avengers: Infinity War has an extensive cast: Robert Downey Jr,.Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Josh Brolin, and Chris Pratt. It is directed by Anthony Russo and Joe Russo.

It is also noted that Avengers: Infinity War pre-sold more tickets in 24 hours than any other movie. The official trailer below has over 165 million views on YouTube as of writing. It is expected to become one of the top-grossing films ever. I personally will be there opening night and will most likely go multiple times throughout its run in theaters. 

Geometric Design - CAL - Week 16

This next page had me excited. It reminded me of octopus, or some kind of sea creature. So I stuck with purples and blues for that. Also keeping with the sea idea, I used greens for the background and a soft grey to make it all pop! As I said last week my markers dried up so I stuck with all pencil this week. 

This next pages looks similar to one we coloured a few weeks back. I am just going to keep this simple. The stars will be yellow, and just random colours for the background to make everything pop. 

Mario Monday! - Koopa Troopa

Today we are sharing the Koopa Troopa graph! This is seen in certain levels of Super Mario 1. You'll notice that it is slightly different from the Super Mario 3 version. You may also notice that there are different Koopa Troops, this one is green but could be red also.

This graph is only 20 x 25 however it can be made longer to fit aside. 

These graphs requires: 

                                   - Green or Red

                                   - Light Orange

                                   - White 

                                   - Background Colour (Any Colour you choose)  

Book Club - Chapter 14 (Cinder)

The Fifteenth Chapter of Cinder follows Cinder after she leaves the clinic. and returns home. It is a shock to her family and friend to see her back and it seems to anger her "step-mother". Cinder has a plan she wants to put into play and she has a few loose ends to tie up. We learn more about what her thoughts are and what she is thinking about and how her outlook on the whole situation may have changed slightly. 

1) What similarities to Cinderella do you see? 

2) What do you think of Cinder's plan?

3) Do you think Cinder will return?

4) Do you think Cinder will be able to get the car fixed?

Mario Monday! - Fire Flowers

In May we talked about all the different styles of Mario and Luigi there are through out the game. Now we are going to look at some of the things that give the characters their power. This power up has been around in a number of games also. It gives Mario the fire power. But there are a few different flowers. There is the red one in Super Mario Bros 3 that gives the fire, there is also an Ice Flower, in the ice levels. There is also a Flower in a mini game where you have to try and build the three pieces to finish the picture. We have a number of different flower graphs you can choose which you like best.

French Dip Sandwiches

This recipe is quick and simple to make. It has many alternatives and you can easily adapt it to fit you or your family's needs. You can also substitute with cheaper cuts of meat since it is going in the crock pot. 

What you'll need:

Thinly slices Steak or Beef (We used Fondue Beef, anything sliced thin is fine. Or a large steak or cut of beef would work well if you choose to slice it yourself.)

2 Cans of Onion Soup (If you prefer a more Beefy taste you can replace one can with Beef Broth or Consumme). 

Mozzarella or Cheddar Cheese (any melting cheese)

Bread or Baguette (We used a bread from the bakery sliced to the size we wanted - keep in mind the beef will not be thick so you want a good meat to bread portion)

Butter

Step one: 

Add the cans to the crock pot (you may need more liquid depending on how much meat you use (this will depend on the number of people you feed). Add the meat and let cook on low for two hours. (You may need longer if your cut of meat is thicker. Meat can take up to 6 hours in the crockpot, keep this in mind.)

Once the meat is done to your liking. Butter both sides of the bread and place on a cookie sheet. Keep in mind you need two slices per sandwich. Bake in a 350-degree oven, until golden (we are looking for the same effect you would get on a grilled cheese). Once the underside (touching the baking sheet) is golden, remove from oven and top half the bread with meat. 

Top with cheese (optional). Set the oven to broil and place back into the oven until the cheese is melted (less than one minute). Top the sandwiches and serve. 

Au jus problems: 

You will notice that the Au jus is cloudy with beef particles. This is normal and will happen. You have a few options. You can serve the juice as it is. This is the easiest way and it doesn't change the taste at all, it just doesn't look as pretty. You can also strain the juice, using a fine strainer or cheesecloth. Or you can create a new Au jus by bringing the liquids you used with the meat to a boil in a saucepan.