This afternoon I hosted a mini tech-workshop for some of the people in my walking group. Over the past couple of months, more than one of them has grumbled about something with their cell phone (excuse me, ‘mobile’) or tablet. They all sounded like easily solvable problems, so I suggested a couple of hours at my place to work through some simple steps around email, downloads, and photos.
I figured we could have tea or coffee after – my sitting room, which is where my desk, laptop, and monitor are holds six people comfortably. I could have picked up some cookies (biscuits) to go with the tea, but I decided to make a couple of things instead. I made Scotch Teas (which are called flapjacks in Scotland) because they’re so easy and my women’s group seemed to enjoy them a few years back. And I wanted to serve something Canadian, so I made Nanaimo bars. It wasn’t easy – ingredients here have different names: semi-sweet baker’s chocolate is called dark cooking chocolate, there is more than one type of icing sugar here, and they don’t have graham crackers. They use crushed digestive biscuits for pie crusts. And any online recipe I found for Nanaimo bars was all in cups and here people use weights, so there was a lot of converting going on.
But that wasn’t the hardest part. The hardest part was that I’m an idiot. (I may have mentioned that before.) I got the crust layer done and in the fridge, and started on the custard layer. The recipe called for using a hand mixer to combine the butter, icing sugar, and custard powder. But I don’t have one. I have a whisk on the end of an immersion mixer. Even as I was putting together, I said, “Don’t do it.” I said it out loud. I’m guessing you don’t really need the photo to demonstrate what happened next. Sigh. Then, and only then, did I remember I have my aunt’s beautiful stand mixer. Twenty minutes later, Nanaimo bars all done and chilling in the fridge, and kitchen clean (well mostly – I may have icing sugar mixed in with my pepper shaker for the next few weeks). And my guests seemed to like them. I have to take their word for it; I don’t like coconut, so I’ve never had Nanaimo bars (still haven’t – sent the guests home with the extras).
The actual Why-does-my-mobile-do-that workshop went very well. Everyone seemed to go away with at least one problem solved – except Barbara – we still have to figure out what’s wrong with her Messenger. Another time.
All in all, a lovely way to spend a blustery afternoon.