Make a Friendship Cake

Hi Readers,

This month’s Chirp is all about neighbours. Do you have any neighbours that are your friends? Then why not bake a friendship cake and share it with them? Here’s a yummy Friendship Cake recipe. It takes a long time to make, but it’s worth it!

Part 1: The Starter

1 (29 oz.) can peaches with juice
1/2 package dry yeast
375 ML (1 1/2 cups) sugar

Combine peaches, juice, sugar and yeast in a glass gallon jar. Loosely cover with waxed paper. Stir daily for 10 days. On the 11th day, add 1 (29 oz.) can pineapple and juice, and 625 ML (2 1/2 cups) sugar. Stir this new mixture daily for 10 more days. On the 11th day, add 1 jar maraschino cherries and juice, and 2 1/2 cups sugar.  Stir daily for 10 days. On the 11th day, strain mixture. Press any remaining fruit, then discard. You will use 375 ML (1 1/2 cups) of this liquid to begin your Friendship Cake. Give the remaining starter to a friend and tell them to make a cake too, that you both can share!

Part 2: The Mixture

375 ML (1 1/2 cups) starter liquid
625 ML (2 1/2 cups) sugar
1 (29 oz.) can sliced peaches with juice

Combine starter, sugar, peaches and juice in a glass gallon jar. Stir well. Cover loosely and stir daily for 10 days. On the 11th day, add 1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks with juice and 2 1/2 cups sugar. Stir daily for 10 days. On the 11th day, add 1 (10 oz.) jar maraschino cherries, drained, 1 (29 oz.) can fruit cocktail with juice, and 2 1/2 cups sugar. Stir daily for 10 more days. On the 11th day, measure 375 ML (1 1/2 cups) starter for yourself. Give 375 ML (1 1/2 cups) of starter to two friends and tell them to make the cake, too.

Part 3: The Cake

1 yellow cake mix (without pudding in the mix)
1 box INSTANT vanilla or pineapple pudding
4 eggs
150ML (2/3 cup) oil
250 ML (1 cup) pecans
375 ML (1 1/2 cup) fruit mix (starter plus fermented fruit mixture)

Preheat oven to 350 F . Using an electric mixer combine cake mix, pudding, eggs and oil. Beat according to package directions. Gently fold in pecans and fruit mix. Bake in greased Bundt or angel food cake pan 45 to 55 minutes. Share with friends in your neighbourhood!

If you are allergic to any of these ingredients or would like to try a healthier version, there are lots of other Friendship Cake recipes online.

Happy snacking!

Jackie, Chirp Editor

Cool Costume

Hey readers!

Did you have a spook-tacular Halloween?

chickaDEE reader Alison, 9, sure did! She dressed up in the creepy Magical Medusa costume as seen in the October 2011 issue of chickaDEE.

Check it out!

Isn’t that cool? Alison won first place in a costume contest for her ghoul-ish getup.

Nice job, Alison!

Send photos of your costume to chickadeeblog@owlkids.com.

Talk to you soon!

Melissa

Assistant Editor of chickaDEE

chickadeeblog@owlkids.com

Fiesta Time!

Hi readers,

In the November issue, we gave you tips on how to throw a Mexico-themed party with your friends and family. Here is a traditional Mexican party song you can add to the festivities!

1. Hang your piñata in an open space.

2. Line your friends and family up from youngest to oldest.

3. Blindfold the first player and turn them around three times. The player then gets three chances to hit the piñata with the stick.

4. While hitting the piñata, you can sing this traditional song:

Go, go, go
Don’t lose your aim
Because if you lose it
You will lose the path.
You hit it ONE
You hit it TWO
You hit it THREE
And your time is over!

If you want to try it in Spanish, here are the words:

Dale dale daleno pierdas el tino porque si lo pierdes, pierdes el
camino
Ya le diste una
Ya le diste dos
Ya le diste tres
Y tu tiempo se acabo

5. Each player gets a turn until the piñata breaks open!

Have fun playing,

Mandy

Editor of chickaDEE

chickadeeblog@owlkids.com

Sky School

Hi readers,

In the November issue, Dr. Zed showed you how to explore the sky like the ancient Maya did.

Here are two websites that will help you spot more planets!

1) Earth Sky shows you what planets are visible today. Click HERE to see for yourself!

2) Space Centre updates its sky charts for the month you are in. You can even print out a PDF of the night sky and bring it outside with you! Check it out HERE.

Enjoy exploring the night sky!

Catch you later,

Mandy

Editor of chickaDEE

chickadeeblog@owlkids.com

Spooky Craft

Hi Readers!

Turn an apple into a spooky treat this Halloween!

1. Scoop two small holes out of a peeled apple. This is where the eyes will go.
2. Spread cream cheese in the holes.
3. Stick a cherry or a large raisin into each hole for eyeballs. Yum!

Jackie, Chirp Editor