Have you been drooling and dreaming over a chocolate cake?
How about a chocolate cake that has dark chocolate icing?
Well, I have the cake for you… and it will definitely give you your chocolate fix. Plus there is afree printable recipe card to download.
Ingredients
1 vanilla cake mix
1 chocolate cake mix
4 eggs (2 eggs per cake mix)
2 tablespoons of soft butter or oil for the cake ( 1 tablespoon per cake mix)
160ml of milk per cake mix (so times 2)
Whipping cream
Dark chocolate for the decorations
6 teaspoons of dark chocolate cocoa for the icing
Soft icing sugar – I used half a small bag of CSR Soft Sugar Icing Mixture
Make sure that the oven is set to 180°C or 356°F
The chocolate cake mixtureDark chocolate melting in the saucepan to use for decorating
Method
Oil or add butter to the cake pans
Mix the vanilla cake mix
Mix the chocolate cake mix
Half the cake mixtures and put a bit in each pan to create the marble effect
Cook the cakes for around 30 mins or until brown. If you put in a knife and it comes out clean it is done.
Melt the chocolate and pour the melted chocolate on a tray with baking paper. Add the tray to the fridge to set the chocolate.
Add the icing sugar, 6 teaspoons of dark chocolate cocoa. Add a little water or lemon or apple juice to make the icing mix well.
To make the cheats whipped cream simply add the cream to a blender and choose the chop option. Continue until it looks thick. It will take a couple of minutes, you will be suprised at how quick it is, oh and how simple it is too.
When cakes are cooked and cooled add the whipped cream to the middle of the cake, add the top layer of cake.
Cover the cake with the dark chocolate icing
Break up the chocolate and make sure that it is in different sizes and shapes. Stick it to the top and side of the cake.
Now eat your very chocolatey marble cake.
The two marble cakes are ready to ice and decorateSuper dark chocolate icingLooking so chocolatey and delicious
Download the FREE Marble Chocolate Cake Recipe Card
Cut up and ready to eat, don’t you think it looks yummy!
Make sure to download the printable recipe card to make this super yummy very chocolatey cake.
Post Feast Review
I found this cake very easy to make and all elements came together really well. I did cheat a bit with packet cake mixes but when are a busy mummy this does help you out.
One element that I didn’t get 100% right was the whipped cream in the middle of the cake, I added some cream to the top of the cake but should have kept it all for the middle of the cake. After adding the very dark chocolate icing it did add to the marble effect of the cake.
Having the cream helped with the double layer and allowed a different texture and taste with the bitterness of the dark chocolate.
The addition of the broken dark chocolate shards really topped off the cake visually and also from a dark chocolate lover was a fabulous addition (and between hubby and kids the chocolate on top didn’t last long)
Will I make it again?
Yes, this is one cake that I would make again no questions asked. I would change it up a little bit and maybe add raspberries to the middle of the cake or possibly blueberries.
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This post was originally published on August 26, 2021
I don’t know about you but I have been struggling with working full time and kids doing homeschooling.
It basically has been a complete mess and a disaster in our house. For me the reason is clear, 2 kids are the same age and at the same level and 1 is not. The 1 who is not is the person who wants to play, have fun, not do school work or in fact anything he is supposed to do.
We are all keeping busy at home, what about you?
This means that the 2 kids that have work to do cannot do their work due to interruptions, tantrums and very bad behaviour. When this does occur I end up leaving my work to sort it out to then have to calm this child down and distract him from his sisters. However, this never lasts and there are many back and forth disasters that have to get sorted and then the kid in question wants you to stay with him and play. I would love to do this but I cannot due to the fact I need to work and get things done too.
We are approaching the end of the 9th week of lockdown…yes we have been in lockdown for 9 weeks! And have more to come.
It is not just homeschooling that I am having issues with, it is the fact that all kids are eating everything in sight (as soon as something is purchased it is gone in seconds, I kid you not!), not tidying up and arguing when they make a mess. It is a struggle and an argument to get them to anything you ask. Maybe this is their age or could it be lockdown is causing naughty behaviour? Please let me know. I do think it is an age thing as this was happening well before lockdown.
Today the NSW, Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced the back to school plan. I personally don’t think it will happen with the rate of infections but it does look like more and more are getting the vaccine so maybe this will let us reopen sooner. I do worry that if we open up people will go crazy and socialise and then we will be in lockdown yet again.
According to the ABC Website, this is what is going to happen or at least planned:
“A staggered return to face-to-face learning will begin on Monday, October 25. Students will return in the following order:
October 25: Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 (some Year 12 students have already returned to classrooms in a limited way, but they will be back full-time from this date)
November 1: Year 2, 6 and 11
November 8: Year 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10
Currently, all of NSW is in lockdown. If stay-at-home orders are lifted in any part of the state before October 25, students will return to school then too.”
Kids don’t have to be vaccinated but it is encouraged and today the government has added kids from 12-15 years of age have been added to the vaccine rollout. However, even with this update, I cannot book my 12-year-old kids in anywhere. The booking systems are not accepting kids this age and the doctors haven’t been updated on the change, when I rang they said to try next week. Although if you have an underlying health condition that would change the eligibility for booking a child from 12-15 years in for a covid vaccination.
Although some reports online have said by the end of the year all kids in this age group should be vaccinated. Let’s hope that is correct.
Teachers need to be all vaccinated and masks are compulsory for teachers and from what I have seen a requirement for high school and recommended for primary school kids too.
I watch other social media updates from other parents and see their picture-perfect kids that have magically done every last piece of work that was assigned to them from school. It makes me wonder if my kids have done everything they need to do, and then I think of the craziness that is my house at the moment and the answer is NO, they have done as much as they can and probably not everything.
It would be nice to post these types of posts but maybe this is not my family. It could be possible that there were a few arguments behind the picture-perfect posts too that I have no idea of.
My kids have been cooking and helping around the house, helping with their baby brother and just trying to not go insane with the fact we cannot go anywhere. Our only solace is that we live in a very large LGA (Local Government Area/Council) and we can take refuge in some lovely bush walks.
So I am counting down the weeks left of lockdown and we have 5 more weeks, so that will total 11 weeks, and I don’t believe that will be the end of it.
I am sure we will be in lockdown until all the kids go back to school, possibly another 2 more months till November.
Do you believe NSW will be out of lockdown at the end of September? Do you think kids will go back as the government has outlined today? Also, when do you really think kids from 12 years onwards will be able to be vaccinated.
Once kids from 12 years on can get the jab, will they be giving it to younger kids? My little boy will then be the only one not vaccinated and he is under the age to get the jab at the moment.
Being at home with everyone constantly is very stressful and I for one am keen for it all to end. I hope you are feeling okay if you are in lockdown too.
Take care and if you wish to chat about this please send me an email.
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We are about to enter our eighth week of lockdown. Yes, it will be nearly two months until we have been allowed to go anywhere other than our local LGA (council area).
Not only are we going stir crazy and getting frustrated, but it also looks like there is a huge possibility that the lockdown that was set to end at the end of August will be extended for another eleven weeks! However, this is not confirmed but has been a rumour, especially on Twitter.
So if it is true we have another few months of lockdown. It will end around the end of October or possibly be extended for Christmas and New Year, who knows at this stage.
A holiday at a hotel just for me!
It has been rather sad as the kids have missed out on their holidays as the lockdown started during the winter school holidays and it looks like the twins will celebrate their thirteenth birthday at home if we are still in lockdown in September.
I am sure I am not the only one that has missed alone time. With everyone at home there is nowhere to be and when you do finally stop working there is always something crazy going on with the kids that means that you are never truly relaxed.
I am living in a house that is constantly noisy, crazy with activity and with kids that don’t listen.
Not only is there no break but the kids have taken over my personal laptop for their school work, so that means that when I finally get some time for me, I cannot access my own computer due to the kids using it.
One thing that would make things much easier, is if all the kids could go back to school. It is a real struggle to get my five-year-old to do any school work and the constant arguments and negotiations are so draining.
After lockdown ends I know that many will be desperate to travel and I for one am one of those people, however, I have been thinking that after a huge lockdown trapped with family members that are making you frustrated, annoyed and making you feel like retreating.
I believe that holiday retreats for parents without kids or just the mum having some time out is what is going to happen. Bring it on I say!
I am drooling over the idea of going to a hotel all by myself. I don’t need to partake in all the services offered, however would be happy if the hotel of choice has a day spa. Mainly I would just enjoy the room on my own, sleeping in, watching my own tv and doing my own thing for a change. Oh and finally being able to not be responsible for the food and bedding would be awesome too!
Have you been thinking about the holiday you would take if you were not in lockdown? Currently, I don’t have to travel that far to get a nice hotel but as it is a huge cost staying at home is the cheaper option.
I am still getting emailed newsletters about holidays I can go on throughout Australia and also overseas, although with us not being able to travel at the moment, booking a holiday is not a good idea. I do spend a lot of time staring at the photos on the travel emails and wishing that I could go somewhere with the family or on my own. However, at this stage, it is not to be.
Wishing I was in the Maldives
Are you in the same boat? Wishing you could travel somewhere amazing? Are you also getting heaps of emails about booking your next holiday?
I know it sounds crazy that I wish to be alone after lockdown but with all the constant crazy energy I am seeking some calm time out. I am also wishing it would be nice to visit family and friends but mainly I am dreaming of a hotel room for just me.
Let me know if you are feeling the same.
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We have just finished week five of lockdown, and are set for another four weeks that will end at the end of August. However, I am thinking that it might be even longer than August as Sydney have been reporting constant high numbers of daily infections.
Lockdown started with the July school holidays, well in fact it started at the end of June to be precise.
Before lockdown began, I successfully purchased a really nice second-hand car and then was plunged into lockdown and now cannot go anywhere!
A fantasy photo of what I would look like in my new car. It is not a vintage car, but this is a nice dream.
So it made me think, is it now my action of buying a car that made lockdown happen?
It is like hanging clothes on the line to make it suddenly rain?
Booking a holiday to have other forces out of your control stop you from attending?
Or possibly excited to attend a concert or event and then can’t go!
I know this is silly but you never know, right? Maybe many of us decided to finally do a few things that we were desperate to do and then BAM lockdown hits us all. Yes, it was like the universe knew we were all happy to have a little bit more freedom while living with COVID and then it said, NO you don’t have this, and stopped everything.
COVID has defiantly stopped us in our tracks at the moment. The new strain is affecting younger people and even little kids whereas before it was only affecting older people.
What have you had planned before lockdown happened that you are now convinced that if you hadn’t organised then lockdown wouldn’t have happened?
The universe saw that a whole group of people in Australia were making plans and deciding to get outside and travel and then the lockdown hit again!
Maybe we are destined to never get toilet paper ever again!
I do hope that we will get out of lockdown soon. The only time I will drive anywhere will be to finally get my Pfizer Vaccine.
Have you done something that now you think has impacted the lockdown? It could have been as simple as making plans to catch up with friends or family. Let me know.
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Emerald Fennell who is nominated for best director at the 2021 Oscars for Promising Young Woman
Two women have been nominated for best director at this years Oscars. I don’t understand why more women haven’t been nominated over the years.
Not only have there been nominations for women in this years Oscars but there has been more people of colour nominated as well, and about bloody time.
Emerald Fennell who is nominated for best director at the 2021 Oscars for Promising Young Woman
Promising Young Woman
Promising Young Woman is a black comedy thriller that is stunning to watch. I was lucky to see it at Mt Vic Flicks a while ago now.
The film was written, produced and directed by Emerald Fennell who has been the show runner for Killing Eve (another one of my favourite shows). Promising Young Woman was Emerald Fennell’s directoral debut.
Promising Young Woman received the best original screenplay at the Critics’ Choice Awards, has been nominated at the Golden Globes for Best Screenplay, Best Film and Best Director.
Carey Mulligan who plays Cassie Thomas seeks revenge for her best friends rape at medical school. Mulligan plays the strategic Cassie so well that you are in the world of revenge and you want to help Cassie get justice too. I did find it sad that both Cassie and her best mate lost their lives to a horrible tragedy with the sexual assault and rape. You find out that her friend who was raped killed herself and Cassie has been seeking revenge for her bestie ever since. Both girls were at the top of their class and could have been amazing doctors and who knows, cure a disease we have been trying to rid the world of. I do understand the anger and upset but I am saddened that something like this ruins lives and makes people drop out of school, change direction and not live the life they deserve or have been working towards. It is also sad that it shows yet again that men and boys get protected and the women and girls doubted and not taken seriously when they take incidents like this to higher channels to get resolved and of course have the boys or men charged and answer for their crimes. After seeing this movie with a girlfriend of mine I remarked that it is horrible to think that these talented girls let the boys win by taking their dreams. I know being raped and assaulted is horrible and I do agree that the men responsible needed to pay and be probably punished but losing your life to one horrible incindet is horrible too. If you have seen the film let me know your thoughts.
Chloé Zhao is nominated for Best Director for Nomadland
Frances McDormand and Peter Spears optioned the film rights to the book in 2017. McDormand saw After seeing Chloé Zhao’s film The Rider at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival and wanted Zhao to direct the
The nominations for the 2021 Oscars are….. drum roll please……
Best Picture The Father Judas and the Black Messiah Mank Minari Nomadland Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7
Best Director Thomas Vinterburg, Another Round Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman David Fincher, Mank Lee Isaac Chung, Minari Chloé Zhao, Nomadland
Best Actress in a Leading Role Viola Davis, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Andra Day, The United States vs. Billie Holiday Vanessa Kirby, Pieces of a Woman Frances McDormand, Nomadland Carey Mulligan, Promising Young Woman
Best Actor in a Leading Role Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Anthony Hopkins, The Father Gary Oldman, Mank Steven Yeun, Minari
Best Actress in a Supporting Role Maria Bakalova, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm Glenn Close, Hillbilly Elegy Olivia Colman, The Father Amanda Seyfried, Mank Yuh-Jung Youn, Minari
Best Actor in a Supporting Role Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7 Daniel Kaluuya, Judas and the Black Messiah Leslie Odom Jr., One Night in Miami Paul Raci, Sound of Metal LaKeith Stanfield, Judas and the Black Messiah
Best Adapted Screenplay Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (Peter Baynham, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jena Friedman, Anthony Hines, Lee Kern, Dan Mazer, Erica Rivinoja & Dan Swimer) The Father (Christopher Hampton & Florian Zeller) Nomadland (Chloé Zhao) One Night in Miami (Kemp Powers) The White Tiger (Ramin Bahrani)
Best Original Screenplay Judas and the Black Messiah (Will Berson, Shaka King, Keith Lucas & Kenny Lucas) Minari (Lee Isaac Chung) Promising Young Woman (Emerald Fennell) Sound of Metal (Derek Cianfrance, Abraham Marder & Darius Marder) The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Aaron Sorkin)
Best Costume Design Emma Mank Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mulan Pinocchio
Best Original Score Da 5 Bloods Mank Minari News of the World Soul
Best Animated Short Film Burrow Genius Loci If Anything Happens I Love You Opera Yes-People
Best Live-Action Short Film Feeling Through The Letter Room The Present Two Distant Strangers White Eye
Best Documentary Feature Collective Crip Camp The Mole Agent My Octopus Teacher Time
Best Documentary Short Subject Colette A Concerto Is a Conversation Do Not Split Hunger Ward A Love Song for Latasha
Best International Feature Film Denmark, Another Round Hong Kong, Better Days Romania, Collective Tunisia, The Man Who Sold His Skin Bosnia and Herzegovina, Quo Vadis, Aida?
Best Sound Greyhound Mank News of the World Sound of Metal Soul
Best Production Design The Father Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mank News of the World Tenet
Best Film Editing The Father Nomadland Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7
Best Cinematography Judas and the Black Messiah Mank News of the World Nomadland The Trial of the Chicago 7
Best Visual Effects Love and Monsters The Midnight Sky Mulan The One and Only Ivan Tenet
Best Animated Feature Film Onward Over the Moon A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon Soul Wolfwalkers
Best Makeup and Hairstyling Emma Hillbilly Elegy Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Mank Pinocchio
Best Original Song “Husavik” from Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga “Fight For You” from Judas and the Black Messiah “lo Sì (Seen)” from The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se) “Speak Now” from One Night in Miami “Hear My Voice” from The Trial of the Chicago 7
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It is so great to see more women getting nominated. Have you seen any of these films? If so what are your thoughts?
You asked for funny stories and now I’m giving you what you asked for…you might now wish for something different.
Last week I went shopping with the kids, we bought some essentials and then came straight home. I unpacked the shopping and then got dinner ready. A few days went by and I thought it might be nice to take all three kids to the local oval. They were driving me mad and I thought if they had some exercise and room to run around it might make things easier, and mean that bedtime might happen quickly due to everyone being tired…well I could live in hope.
So I went looking for my car keys to take my feral bunch to the park. I couldn’t find them. I looked and looked and still no keys.
I asked my kids to help but their looking skills are not great. They currently walk into a room stand there and stare. Then yell about how it is so hard to look for something and why do they have to help when it’s not even their keys!
One of the other kids walked into another room and just touched a few things on my desk and then walked away saying…no it’s not there.
It was all too hard to help mummy so they raced outside to play on the trampoline and to ignore my pleas for help.
I know it sounds funny but due to not having to be anywhere, no deadlines, no school and so on, I didn’t immediately notice that I had lost my keys.
Once I figured out they were lost I did a bit of a freakout, but then quickly calmed down. They can’t be outside the house, I got home, locked the car and brought in the shopping. So at the very least, the keys were somewhere in the house and I had no idea where.
I started wondering where the keys were.
I looked where I thought I put them and they were nowhere to be found.
Part of me thought the youngest had put them in the bin and by the time I had this thought the garbage had already been collected…so if this was indeed true they were gone by now.
I then started cleaning up parts of the house, making sure to look under the lounge, piles of unfolded clothes, toys and more.
Still no keys!
It had been about a week I think, not sure as I am losing days due to not having to be anywhere and staying at home. I still thought they were where I put them originally.
I had an idea they had fallen off the cabinet where we put the fruit. Yesterday I decided to move the cabinet and finally saw some keys looking at me. I reached and finally had them in my hand, and thank goodness it was my keys. They had been found.
Insert huge happy dance!
Now my keys are super safe, I put them up high to make sure that little kids cannot decide to place them anywhere around the house.
If this had happened at any other point in my life this would have been a huge disaster, however, due to being at home due to COVID-19, it didn’t matter much. Although I wanted to find them to ensure I had them from a safety standpoint. If hubby was out and I was home with the kids and something happened, at least I would have the keys to the car to go somewhere if it was urgent.
It did get me thinking…if you want people to stay home just take away their keys.
Simple really, Isolation done right.
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