Who Knew???

First thing first, I need to give you some context here which will explain my title and lack of posting lately.

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Lori came up with a brilliant idea. Our community centre is hosting a craft & bake sale and she suggested we go splits on a table and sell some stuff. Without hesitation, I thought 'why the heck not, I can make crafts and I could use some cash.' I agreed.

However, what you may or may not know is Lori is a natural at 'whipping' things up plus she has an unlimited supply of craft stuff. Leslie is not so good at 'whipping' things up. Leslie has no supplies. Leslie doesn't make fudge. And Leslie is short on time.

Nonetheless I press on. I have had to aquire my goods (shh don't tell Steve $$$) and have attempted to create some things worthy to sell. Now I need to make back the money I spent and then some. So, I have been up into the wee hours of the night after work is done, homework, reading, settling kids, making lunches, doing laundry etc etc. to create some fancy treats. I have a couple of novel cookbooks and it seems that everything I go to make I am short at least one ingredient...argh!!!

I did find an 'easy' microwave peanut brittle recipe. I tried it...twice. The first batch was smoking in the mic and became peanut 'burnt'le. Before throwing it out (I didn't buy many peanuts) I let Steve and Lori taste it. They suggested I sell it anyway and call it 'roasted' or 'toasted'. I obliged, feeling sorry for the poor chap who buys it. On my way back to my car, I happen to drop the brittle (which was very brittle) and it smashed and became definitely un-sell-able!

Later that night I decided to try my hand at fudge....oh boy! In case you didn't know it, fudge is extremely tricky! My book said the secret to good fudge is a candy thermometer. So, what do I do? Das right....got myself a candy thermometer! And let it be known, my book lied! My fudge became crumbs. Dry crumbs!

Becoming weary and discouraged (sort of, not really) I thought I would end up with nothing to bring. I didn't give up though and I managed to pulled off a few successful items. Almond bark is extremely easy.

After looking through my book again, I thought the safest thing for Leslie to create would be layered dry mixes in fancy jars, fun stuff. Again, did not have all the ingredients. One of the dry mixes I am attempting to make is a fancy coffee drink. This required instant coffee granulars that I don't have...(eww instant coffee).

Today after picking the kids up from school, we went to good 'ol Wal-Mart. They received some birthday money in the mail and wanted to spend it. While there I thought, 'hmmm...I will grab a jar of instant coffee and can make my 'craft' when the kids go to bed'. If you have ever shopped with three kids, you know that you grab what you need as fast as possible and get the hee-loi outta there!

I found the coffee aisle scanned the jars and grabbed the unknown brand because it was 50c cheaper. Got home and again, after homework and reading and cleaning up, I gathered my things to make this mix. I had barely enough cocoa powder. I layered everything nicely and was quite proud. The last layer was instant coffee. Pleased as punch that I now had all necessary ingredients, I went to the pantry and got my new jar of coffee. Opened it up, poured it in and admired the finish product.

When putting the lid back on, I took a closer look at the 'coffee'. It didn't look right, or smell right. What the heck?

I looked at the ingredients and noticed it contained roasted barley, rye, chicory and beet root. "That is so weird", I thought. "why would they put those things in coffee?" Finally I realized that there was no coffee in the coffee! Beautiful, just beautiful!

I turned the jar around and read, "Caf-Lib", "the UnCoffee" grain beverage.

And to this I ask, "who knew?" Who would even know such a thing exsisted?

There goes that idea, I am out of cocoa and coffee and NOT going back to the store!

Tired and frustrated, I am going to bed!

Lori, you know I love you but I just don't measure up. Next year I will cheer you on.