somethinglikethis

 Today the entire second grade in our school participated in a mock immigration day exercise that simulated the experience of entering the US through Ellis Island at the turn of the century. All the kids developed personal histories for their characters and came dressed to look the part.

There were some fantastic interpretations of early 20th century dress. In our house there was extensive lobbying for a beautiful colonial dress we have that my mother made when my sister and I were this age, and utter disbelief that it could make a difference that it was over a hundred years off in terms of style. Once the final outfit came together, though, it was ridiculously lovely – particularly with the perfect pair of ankle boots borrowed from our neighbors. At that age, I would have worn an outfit like this to school Every Single Day if I could have. 

Along with the outfit, the kids were required to pack a ‘bundle’ filled with a reminder of their homeland, something to do on the journey, something useful for the new land, a family picture and a snack. So what did the young immigrant from Ireland take in her basket to snack on? Nope, not a potato.  

A nice big slice of Irish bread – Mum’s recipe, of course – all wrapped up in a cloth. Yum.

I wonder what my Nana had in her case on that journey. I can tell you one thing, it wasn’t Pearl the Cloud Fairy or a pink polka dotted pencil.

Being married to an Australian and mother to a true coconut lover, I knew it was inevitable. Some day, I’d have to make lamingtons. Well, that day was yesterday! Everyone was very excited to try to make these beauties, particularly the coconut lover, who asked 4,523 times if they were ready. Turns out there are lots of steps to a lamington.

It all starts with a small cake, baked and cooled and then cut into cubes and refrigerated for an interminable length of time. You can guess what’s next, though – once cold enough to be less crumbly, the little cakes are dunked in chocolate and then rolled in coconut. Gorgeous. This first attempt was a bit lumpy, although the coconut fortunately masks a bit of that.

Verdict? The instigator was extremely happy. Those of us who aren’t as fond of coconut really liked the plain ones that we made. Seriously – how can you argue with a cake that’s coated with chocolate?

(Don’t be ridiculous. He didn’t eat all three! Not in one sitting, anyway.)