Cake Up Your Mug

It took me a while to come up with this blog title, it's not even that great but because I don't want to waste it I'm going to explain it - though I am sure you are all understood it's layered meaning ;)

1. It's a cake in a mug so you are literally caking up your mug.
2. Mug can refer to your face and unless your planning on giving it to someone else (highly doubtful - it is delish) you'll be caking up your mug (face) as well.

This is the result of studying English Language for two years at college, I have a greater appreciation for language and its potential so I try to exploit it as often as I can.

But you're not here to hear me, but to have the recipe!

I was feeling peckish so I just typed in on the internet "cake in a mug recipes" my sister has made quite a few before and they didn't look that difficult. Results in seconds.

I chose this one: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/2405644/microwave-mug-cake. It's very simple and quick.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons self raising flour
• 4 tablespoons caster sugar (any kind)
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons milk
• 3 tablespoons oil (vegetable/sunflower)
• 2-3 drops vanilla essence (any flavour you want really)
• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips

I didn't have all the ingredients, the ones in bold are the ones you really need - the other are extras and not necessary for the cake!

Method:

1. Choose a pretty big mug - mine was one of those low but really wide ones and it filled it completely. Probably you don't want the mixture to come up more than half of a regular sized mug. It will explode in the microwave otherwise.

2. Put the flour, sugar and cocoa in the mug and mix together.

3. Now add the egg. Mix it into the dry ingredients - there isn't enough to get the whole mixture wet so don't worry just stir as much as you can - it will become a little stiff.

4. Add the milk and mix it in - stir well make sure all the dry ingredients are covered and the flour and cocoa lumps are gone.

5. Add the oil (I thought 3 tablespoons was a bit much so I just put 2 in and it turned out okay). Stir well and make sure the mixture is all stirred together.

6. At this point add any flavourings and the chocolate chips if you want them. Mix them in well.

7. Put your mug in the microwave. It takes between 3-5 minutes depending on how well cooked you want it. It will rise pretty fast.*

8. I poured cream on mine, tastes even nicer but that's your choice!

*I put mine in for four minutes but the middle was a little dry - I would say stick it in for three pull it out and check it with a spoon down the middle. If it is too sticky put it back in for another 30 seconds - a minute.

The Sixth of October Two Thousand and Fourteen.

Today, otherwise known as my birthday started at 12.00am this morning when I was still lying in bed trying to sleep, turned over to look at the clock saw it was nearly midnight and so decided to see the sixth of October in.

After doing it I decided I really ought to get some sleep as I had a lecture at 9am that morning. I managed to grab some sleep but of course woke up excited at 7am. Made myself sort of presentable then google hangouted my family to open the presents and cards (normally we do it all together at home) which was fun. William wanted the balloon and got upset when he realised it was impossible to have as it was with me in  Leicester and he was in Wakefield. I got some lovely cards from friends and family and gifts too it made a lovely birthday morning.

Even google said happy birthday to me!

Had to get ready sharpish after that to catch the bus to university. It started raining surprise surprise thank goodness I had bought an umbrella the other day. Incidentally when I bought the umbrella the guy from the shop said I sounded like I wasn't from around here and when I said Yorkshire he said oh yes I can tell, but when I'm in yorkshire people say the opposite they say I don't sound northern. Strange.

Not having any practical shoes for the rain I had to go out in canvas pumps - bad decision my feet were freezing - I think I shall be investing in some kind of boot. Arrived to university in one piece though wet and cold.

Lecture was really interesting it was the Introduction to World Archaeology BC and we looked at the palaeolithic age - interestingly palaeo means old and lithic means stone. We did a bit on when did we become human? But instead of spouting the "we evolved from monkeys" they took the "we had a common ancestor long ago" which I find more believable but still weird. But thinking about if we all come from the same maker (God) then of course there will be similarities in every species. Anyway that was a side topic, what we actually looked at was stone tools and when they started to be first used. And whether use and creation of these tools began to show the Hominins (humany creatures but not human) were becoming human.

After that I had a nice break until 4pm where I had a study skills lecture until 6pm. It was on things like how to get the most out of lectures, how to manage time efficiently and stuff like that. We have it for the whole of this semester I'm not sure about next. It was okay but so annoying to have such a big gap between 9-10am and then nothing until 4pm. Still it's all useful and it was a good presentation.

But until 4pm I went home and watched The Proposal. I had intended to stop watching dvds so I could study but I thought as it was my birthday I would extend it until today. It was a lovely movie to watch again and I had a nice laugh at it!

After study skills a call from Grandma B and then a bus home and then ordered dominos in for tea. As it was my birthday for a treat and I had so many vouchers from freshers to use up! I was going to give one set to my family when I went up but on the terms and conditions it says valid in Leicester stores only which is  shame. The offer was buy one get one free but you had yo do it on medium or large so I got two medium knowing I would not be able to eat it all. The remains are in the fridge for me to take to uni tomorrow for lunch!

Then I had my birthday cake! Although I bought a battenberg my mum sent me a me to you one in the post with some other goodies which was lovely and some candles so I used that! And did it over google hangouts so they could see it and sing to me.

All in all it was a fairly good day. Uncle Simon and cousin Zak came round and surprised me this evening with a gift and card and Zak told me about his day at nursery! Despite being away from home for my birthday it was still pleasant and I rang my family enough to make up for not being there.

Absolutely shattered, and tomorrow is a busy day two lectures, a film and a tutorial but I'll be done 3pm. I like these shorted days college was such a drag. It makes me feel much more inclined to study when I get back when it is still light and warm(ish).

Every year people ask me "how does it feel to be 19?" or whatever age I am. I don't feel any different to last year. But it's weird to know I'm getting older and I feel like this next part of life is going to go very fast.