McGuyver'd Puffed Wheat Squares

Sometimes recreating the tastes of the "Old Country" is difficult due to the materials just not existing here. Prime examples are Jet-puffed style marshmallows (the marshmallows in Australia don't make Rice Krispie squares at all. Just a marshmallow lump. Blech.), canned pumpkin pie filling and White Cheddar Mac and Cheese. We were fortunate to stumble onto OCanada.com.au and thus have (expensive) access to some of our faves for a treat. The other day we ran into A&W rootbeer at the local IGA and bought every can on the shelf.
We are doubly fortunate to have my parents send me care packages of Tim Hortons coffee (my weakness) CoffeeCrisp and Twizzlers. Rob's mom also sends regular Twizzlers (Rob's weakness)!

Then there is innovation where you are. I love Asian grocery stores. I recently checked out the one on Victoria street- and they had PUFFED WHEAT, labelled as "Korean cookies". So I had to make puffed wheat squares.  The corn syrup was sourced from an Asian/Italian grocery (Right next to an Indian grocery- I adore that mix!) on Shakespeare St. here in Mackay.
 Et Voila! Puffed wheat squares. Om nomnomnom.

Recipe:
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup of corn syrup
3 tbsp cocoa powder (more dependent on your taste)
1 tbsp vanilla
mix in the bottom of a large-ish pot. Bring to a good rolling boil.
remove from heat
add 5 ish cups of puffed wheat and toss to coat. Press into an 8"x8" pan (use baking paper to line ahead of time). Let cool. slice and eat! YUM.

Pimp My Ride - Bradshaw Edition

 The last few weeks Barb & I have been modifying Nigel, our 2003 Toyota Echo.  Mechanically it is in fine shape, but the Aussie sun has not been kind to it.  The paint on the roof is peeling quite badly and the damage is extending to the hood and other parts of the car.  Instead of painting we decided to do a vinyl wrap.  Our website has the full story.

Now officially a bikie

Over the weekend I took the QRide course and passed.  Today I was able to get to Queensland Transport and upgrade my license to a RE.  I then went to the Bullet Bikes and picked up my new bike.
  After supper I went for a short bike ride and ended up driving over a 110km, oops.  I drove to beach at Seaforth because I had never been there.  I literally ran into hundreds of bugs.  I don't think I have ever seen more insects flying about.
  I had a blast.  This bike thing is a good idea.

Barb is back in town

  As of Sunday, Barb has finished to 10 weeks in Proserpine.  For those how don't know, Prossie is a small town about 1 3/4 hours drive north of Mackay near the Whitsunday Island.  Barb has been working in the Emergency department.  Last night she finished her last shift.

  To celebrate her arrival back in Mackay, we went to the Emeio Pacific Pub for supper.  It is a nice little place on a clifftop overlooking the Pacific.

  It is good to have her back.

  She has now finished her last as an intern and she is now a fully registered doctor.  She now begins her job as a JHO (Junior House Officer) at the Mackay Base Hospital.

New Motocycle

On Saturday I bought a motorbike.  I've been looking for quite some time now.  It is a 2013 CFMoto 650TK (website).  Our tax refund finally came in, so we have the money for a down payment.  We have applied for financing and should hopefully know by Monday.  Next Saturday I am taking the QRide training course which means I'll be able to actually get my bike license.  Kinda excited.  :-)

Update: Financing went through okay.  Just have to sign the paperwork.

12 days of ER

In honour of finishing 12 days straight on ED....

~I present ~

12 Days of Christmas in ER

(originally from Life in the Fast Lane, December 19, 2012. Posted by Mike Cadogan, written by by Emily Adams and Susan Meegan)

 

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: A tubed patient looking at me!
On the second day of Christmas my true love sent to me: Two Full arrests And a tubed patient looking at me!
On the third day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Three Ramped patients, Two Full arrests, And a tubed patient looking at me!
On the fourth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Four Bariatric’s, Three Ramped patients, Two Full arrests, And a tubed patient looking at me!
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Five Eee/Nnn/Tee’s, Four Bariatric’s, Three Ramped patients, Two Full arrests, And a tubed patient looking at me!
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Six Drunks a swaying, Five Eee/Nnn/Tee’s, Four Bariatric’s, Three Ramped patients, Two Full arrests, And a tubed patient looking at me!
On the seventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Seven Psychs a waiting, Six Drunks a swaying, Five Eee/Nnn/Tss, Four Bariatric’s, Three Ramped patients, Two Full arrests, And a tubed patient looking at me!
On the eigth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Eight Lacs a spurting, Seven Psychs a waiting, Six Drunks a swaying, Five Eee/Nnn/Tee’s, Four bariatric’s, Three Ramped patients, Two Full arrests, And a tubed patient looking at me!
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Nine OD’s fitting, Eight Lacs a spurting, Seven Psychs a waiting, Six Drunks a swaying, Five Eee/Nnn/Tee’s, Four Bariatric’s, Three Ramped patients, Two Full arrests, And a tubed patient looking at me!
On the tenth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Ten strokes a coning, Nine OD’s fitting, Eight Lacs a spurting, Seven Psychs a waiting, Six Drunks a swaying, Five Eee/Nnn/Tee’s, Four Bairatric’s, Three Ramped patients, Two Full arrests, And a tubed patient looking at me!
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Eleven Constipations, Ten strokes a coning, Nine OD’s fitting, Eight Lacs a spurting, Seven Psychs a waiting, Six Drunks a swaying, Five Eee/Nnn/Tee’s, Four Bariatric’s, Three Ramped patients, Two Full arrests, And a tubed patient looking at me!
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love sent to me: Twelve over census patients, Eleven Constipations, Ten strokes a coning, Nine OD’s fitting, Eight Lacs a spurting, Seven Psychs a waiting, Six Drunks a swaying, Five Eee/Nnn/Tee’s, Four Bariatric’s, Three Ramped patients, Two Full arrests, And a tubed patient looking at me!