Blog-a-thon

Announcing the very first ‘Send Kent and Mel to the US of A’ Mega-Fundraising-Blog-a-thon

As many of you know, Kent and Mel are planning a trip to the USA in July.

Kent’s cousin Adam Quick (point guard for the new South Dragons franchise in Australia’s National Basketball League) is marrying his sweetheart Amy Botto in Santa Barbara, and we’re once again setting off around the globe to be able to celebrate a wedding! Adam and Amy met while they both played college basketball for the University of Portland, but they plan to live in Melbourne. After the wedding, Kent and Mel plan to hit New York for a few days of Central Park in summer!

There’s only one hitch – technically, Kent and Mel can’t quite afford it. In real terms, they’re still paying off their last overseas jaunt to a wedding. But don’t cry too hard for us, because….

This is a situation so dire it has caused a major creative idea to hatch.

The idea? A Mega-Fundraising-Blog-a-thon.


Like a telethon – but through the miracle of blogging technology – you can help poor, struggling Kent and Mel to wing their way to the land that gave us ‘The West Wing’ and Krispy Kremes!

Make your pledge today!!!

But wait! “What do you get in return?” I hear you cry.


For a $50 pledge, you will receive:

• a postcard from your US coast-of choice (East or West)
  AS WELL AS
• one bottle of the following wines,
  lovingly kept since its birth in Kent’s cellar, (see below for wine details)

For a $100 pledge, you will receive:

• a postcard from your US coast-of choice (East or West),
• one bottle of the following wines,
  lovingly kept since its birth in Kent’s cellar, (see below for wine details) AND
• a selection of (legal) treats such as chocolates
  and other gourmet goodies from the USA.

For a $150 pledge, you will receive:

• a postcard from your US coast-of choice (East or West),
• one bottle of the following wines,
  lovingly kept since its birth in Kent’s cellar, (see below for wine details)
• a selection of (legal) treats such as chocolates and other gourmet goodies from the USA, AND
• Mel's fiercly-guarded chocolate fudge recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For a $300 pledge, you will receive:

• a postcard from your US coast-of choice (East or West),
• one bottle of the following wines, lovingly kept since its birth in Kent’s cellar, (see below for wine details)
• a selection of (legal) treats such as chocolates, lollies, and other edible US goodies,
• Mel's fiercly-guarded chocolate fudge recipe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND
• the privilege of determining the
  ‘Kent and Mel photographic challenge’
  
  (see below for conditions on this challenge)

Or, if you’re as financially challenged as we are and can only afford to raid your children’s or neighbours’ piggy banks….

For a $25 pledge, you will receive:

• a postcard from your US coast-of choice (East or West).

Kent’s Open Cellar!

If you've chosen a $50 pledge,
we’ll give you one of the following wines:

• 1998 Dorrien Estate Bin 7 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz
  (Barossa Valley, SA) (1)
• 1999 Vasarelli Shiraz
  (McLaren Vale, SA) (3)
• 1999 Rohrlach Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz
  (Barossa Valley, SA) (1)
• 1999 Capel Vale Shiraz
  (South-Western WA) (1)
• 1999 Dorrien Estate Bin 7 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz
  (Barossa Valley, SA) (1)
• 2001 Katnook Estate Riddoch Sparkling Shiraz
  (Coonawarra, SA) (1)

If you've chosen a $100 pledge,
we’ll give you one of the following wines:

• 1997 Hardy’s Anniversary Shiraz
  (McLaren Vale, SA) (2)
• 1998 Bleasdale Winemaker’s Selection Shiraz
  (Langhorne Creek, SA) (2)
• 2000 St Hallett Union Church Cabernet Sauvignon
  (Barossa Valley, SA) (2)

If you've chosen a $150 or $300 pledge,
we’ll give you one of the following wines:

• 1998 Maglieri Cellar Reserve Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon
  (McLaren Vale, SA) (2)
• 1998 Bleasdale Winemaker’s Selection Shiraz
  (Langhorne Creek, SA) (2)
  
  
  
  
  ‘Kent and Mel photographic challenge’

The concept: You set a photographic challenge for Kent and Mel
It could be anything from a famous landmark,
or finding the ugliest dog, to
wearing a wig on the steps of the MET.
You set the challenge!

The setting: Anywhere on Manhattan Island

The limits: Nothing illegal, immoral or resulting in likely
deportation.
We have set aside 6 hours in New York to complete
the challenge, so your challenge must be
reasonable to complete within that timeframe
The task set must not cost more than AUS$50 to
complete.
Kent and Mel must accept the challenge before your
pledge is complete.

The outcome: One framed photo of Kent and/or Mel at a NY
location of your choice



To make your pledge, leave a comment with your email address in the Comments section or contact Kent and Mel and home, or by email (without spaces) at : thecrawfords @ optusnet.com.au

Worlds Greatest Caramel Slice

Worlds Greatest Caramel Slice recipe

OK, I’m going to have to admit that this recipe comes from the Ladies Fellowship at Engadine Uniting Church.  When I first tried some I swore it had to have been professionally made, especially with corners you could measure an exact 90 degrees from, but they generously shared the recipe with me


Base

1 cup self raising flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup dessicated coconut
125g butter

Sift flour into bowl, add sugar and coconut, and stir until combined.  Add melted butter to ingredients and press the combined mixture into a greased ‘lamington tin’ (remember the source of the recipe).  Bake in moderate oven for 10 minutes, remove from oven.

Caramel

1 440g can of condensed milk
30g butter
2 tbsp of golden syrup

Place these ingredients into a saucepan and stir over low heat until caramel has thickened.  Bring slowly to boil then remove from heat.

Spread over base.  Return to oven for further 10 minutes, then remove.


Topping

Place 130g chopped dark chocolate and 30g copha in saucepan over hot water.  Stir until melted.  Pour over base and caramel.

Place in fridge.

To cut into squares when set, dip knife into very hot water, wipe dry, and just cut through chocolate topping first, then cut through whole slice.

remember that short from monsters inc?

the one with the goofy bird and all the little chirper birds.

so easy to identify with the goofy bird. so temporary to feel the sting in the accusation that i might actually be one of the little chirpers.

still, great short.