Ciara Sims

With my birthday coming in 6 days (not that I'm counting) I thought I would share with you my birthday wish list. Now these aren't things that I am expecting to receive. I haven't actually asked for anything from my family as they are throwing me a party (excitement). Really these are just things that if I get some birthday money I will be going out to spend it on. Plus if any of you have a birthday coming up soon whether it is your own, a friend or a family members and are stuck for present ideas this may just give you some inspiration.

 

I start back at school today. My first day of year 11 and it is killing me. I dread going back to school after summer and this year its even worse. I don't struggle at school but I'm often referred to as "the thick one" in my group of friends and it always surprises them whenever I get a good grade or know how to do something that they don't. My maths teacher even called me "a dumb blonde" once at parents evening. My mum just pointed out to him that he was wrong. Not only am I much smarter than I first come across; my hair is brown. I may do things in a way that is different to everybody else and to them it may seem like madness but it makes perfect sense to me and I always get there in the end. I pick things up quickly and I learn by doing things. That means I start doing the task the teacher has set before they have time to explain how to do it. This isn't always the best thing and I am probably just making the task harder for myself, but it means that if I make mistakes I learn from them and discover things for myself. When I have learnt something new or completed the task I really do feel good and proud of myself. However it also means that when I am stuck I will sit there getting frustrated for ages until I finally give in and ask for help. All I'm trying to say is that if you too are like me and are given labels like "thick" and constantly find yourself surprising people, don't let it bother you. Make it your mission to surprise them. Some of the most successful people aren't the ones who were top of the class at school. Grades aren't a true measure of intelligence at all.

 

How do you find school?

 

Ciara x

 I'm a greedy little thing. I always have been. I've been baking with my mum since I was little. I guess my interest in baking only really started because I would jump at any opportunity to lick chocolate off a spoon or nick chunks while my mum was busy chopping them up. I just love to eat.

 

 

Ingredients:

 

For the shortbread:

 

For the caramel:

For the top:

Method:

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180'C/Gas Mark 4 and line a 33x23cm baking tin with greaseproof paper.
2. To make the shortbread mix the flour and caster sugar in a bowl. Rub in all the butter .
3. Tip into the baking tin and with the back of a spoon press it all down until it is flat and covers the whole base of the tin.
4. Prick the shortbread lightly with a fork and stick it in the oven for 20mins. Then allow it to cool in the tin.
5. For the caramel, put the butter, sugar, syrup and condensed milk into a saucepan and stir over a low heat until the butter has melted.
6. bubble the mixture gently for about 20mins stirring all the time. (It's good to make this with another person so you don't get achy arms) It may take 20mins or it may take more just keep going until it looks thick and fudgy.
7. Pour it over the shortbread in an even layer and leave it to cool.
8. Now for the fun bit. Break up the chocolate and stick it in a microwaveable bowl. Add the knob of butter too (this stops the chocolate from cracking so much when you cut it). Stick the chocolate in the microwave for 20 seconds, take it out and stir. keep doing this until all the chocolate has melted.
9. When the caramel has cooled you can pour the chocolate on and stick in the fridge to set.
10. Leave it all to set properly or it will be impossible to cut. I was impatient and cut mine a tinsy bit too early so the chocolate cracked a bit.