Uke can be anything you want to be

Last week we had a VERY special parcel arrive in the mail from one of my readers.

It wasn't for me.

It was for my 12yo.

It is my 12yo's courage to speak out loud and live from the heart that inspires this reader.

A while ago he emailed about wanting to do something for him - a gift.

Sometimes when others speak out, that in itself is a gift to others.

Sometimes it is the reading of words that reminds us of something we feel strongly about.

Someone else's words help put into perspective our own thoughts.

Help clarify things.

They can help us act on something that we have lingered on or not quite had the courage to go forward with.

This parcel and the really heartfelt letter that accompanied it (that we very nearly missed as it was tucked away inside!!) reminded me of how powerful speaking out loud is.

Of how great the community of readers out there is.

This talented reader had designed a tee shirt especially for my 12yo.

My 12yo was thrilled.

He said to me "Wow you never really know how you might affect someone else hey?  Kind of like that Lollipop moments thing...."

I have shared Drew Dudley's 'Everyday Leadership' here before where he talks of the Lollipop moments that my 12yo was referring to in his TED talk - if you haven't seen it, take a look here . It is MAGIC.

Here is the tee shirt. How GREAT is it?!

UKE CAN BE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO BE.

What a message.

The power of words.

A great reminder to be you. Just you. You are enough.

NB: I have had MANY people ask me if they can buy one since seeing it- he hasn't taken it off!
 The link to purchase your very own is here.

GOURMET GIRLFRIEND'S POMEGRANATE SYRUP CAKE:
When we moved into our house nearly 6 years ago each of the five boys chose a fruit tree to plant.  My 12yo chose a Pomegranate tree. I was so thrilled.
Last year it fruited for the very first time.

Pomegranates just seem like the most magical and exotic of all fruits to me. I will never forget seing one of them opened for the first time and that delicate floral perfume as the seeds dropped like jewels out of it's tough pink leathery exterior. I was and still am intoxicated by their beauty.

 I used this recipe as a guide but made a few changes.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:

• 200g soft butter
• 200g raw sugar
• 3 organic eggs
• seeds of half a vanilla pod
• 140g SR flour
• 100g plain flour
• zest of one lemon 
• 2 teaspoons Pomegranate Molasses (available at Middle Eastern grocers or good delicatessen)

PREHEAT oven to 145C.

Mix butter & sugar in a mixer till soft and creamy.

Add eggs one at a time.

Now add vanilla seeds and pomegranate Molasses & lemon zest.

Now add the flour and mix well till all combined.

Pour batter into a greased springform tin 20cm. 

Bake for 50 minutes

FOR THE SYRUP:

• 1 pomegranate (juice and seeds- i find the most effective way to deseed is to cut in half and whack the top with a wooden spoon, the pearlescent beads just fall into the bowl. you may need to pluck the last few carefully out of the skin)
• 2 tablespoons Pomegranate molasses
• seeds from the other half of the vanilla pod
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar

Put all ingredients (except pomegranate seeds) into a pan and cook over medium heat stirring until sugar dissolves.

Now turn heat to low and cook until the liquid is reduced and syrupy.

Add the pomegranate seeds and take off heat and set aside.

When cake is cooked (test with a skewer), remove from oven and set aside for 5 minutes.

Make holes in cake using skewer.

 Now pour syrup and seeds evenly over the cake.
Serve warm.