Chocolate Biscuit Wedding Cake for Kate and William

Prince William requested a chocolate biscuit cake for the Royal Wedding Party, it is a childhood favourite of his.A huge version of this recipe was made for the wedding by McVities the biscuit manufacturer.
This is a nice recipe for Grandmas to make with children, there is no baking, it goes in the fridge.

Chocolate Biscuit Cake

200g plain biscuits such as Rich Tea, Digestive,Marie
100 g butter cut into cubes
70 g (1/4 cup) golden syrup
300g good quality chocolate

Method

1. Line a shallow 20cm tin (square) with cling film or parchment paper leaving plent hanging over the edge .
2. Put the biscuits in a plastic bag  and crush then with a rolling pin until they are the about the size of 10p ,(quarters) pieces.
3. Melt the butter and golden syrup in a large bowl placed over a pan of simmering water.Add the chocolate. Everything should be melted and smooth but NOT boiling.
4. Remove from the heat and gently stir in the biscuits until they are well coated with the chocolate mixture.
5. Put into the prepared tin pressing the mixture down with  the back of a spoon and smoothing it out.
6. When cool cover with the flaps of cling film and place in the fridge for at least three hours.
7. Turn out the cake gently, (wrap in a warm tea towel if it sticks) remove the cling film.
8. Trim off the edges to show the inside. Cut into small squares.
9. Keep in an airtight tin in the fridge

note : 25 grams =1oz
       a handful of raisins or chopped pecans can be added if liked.

Table Top Computer

Today Grandma saw a very desirable new thing-- a table top computer. This was being used in some research conducted by the Open University in Cambridge on ways of recording information found externally ( in this case a grave yard) and relaying it via ipads and phone cameras to  the computer inside .
The table top computer made it easy for a group of people to look at the information we had recorded- much easier than all staring up at a screen.

Family History and Grandmas

Most  of the history we studied in school  was written by old white men.
Yes, we need a structure on which to base our research and provide a time line but  your family history is your personal account of how and where your ancestors lived, their work, loves, lives and wealth. Not just a list of names but a social and economic account to pass down to your grandchildren.The black sheep as well as the martyrs.
Grandmas I urge you to start recording what you know now.
If you are downsizing try to keep some of those old photos,jewellery, pieces of fabric from significant dresses , label them.Have a treasure box so that when you die someone in the family can be its guardian and add to it.

Grandmas can be very interesting- two of mine