Review: BigTrak

by 4 Comments

When a parcel arrives containing an item for review, it is usually The Boy or Me who squeals with delight at the contents. This time, I actually heard my husband inhale sharply.

Inside this box was a product which he only craved as a child. Inside was a six-wheeled tank with a front-mounted blue photon beam headlamp, and a keypad on top. Inside, was a BigTrak!

I'm handing over to him:

Back in 1979, the concept of a 'home computer' was still a rarity, and my own (ok, it was probably my Dad's) Commodore PET was still a year or two away from being delivered.

So when  Milton Bradley (later known as MB Games) launched the BigTrak, it caused quite a sensation. Most toys of the era could emit simple beeps and make small movements, but here was a vehicle that could have a complex set of actions programmed into it.

Fast-forward 32 years. Computers are everywhere, with capabilities that weren't even dreamt of in the 1970s and… the BigTrak is back! Made now by Zeon Tech, the new BigTrak is an exact replica of the original version complete with original sounds and programming interface.

Not having experienced it personally the first time around, I was quite surprised how simple it was to use; within a minute of reading the (brief) manual it was scooting around the room, firing its phaser at random items then heading straight back to me. The angles and distances aren't completely accurate, and as a result it can quite easily overrun the intended destination, but that's part of the fun. The only thing missing is a volume control – the reviewing had to be done through several closed doors to make sure I didn't disturb the Boy's sleep!

With childrens' experiences with computers more about getting the highest score in the latest game than treating them as a tool to be wielded, anything that can spark an interest in programming can only be encouraged. The BigTrak can provide that spark, and make it fun at the same time!

So he's happy then! Why not get a BigTrak for your secret-geek this Christmas and make his time-travelling day?

I was provided with this product by Find-Me-A-Gift for the purpose of the review. Our opinions are honest and unbiased.

Competition: The Big Party with Justin Fletcher

by

I have said this before and I will say it again, on a child's first birthday every parent should be given a voucher for childcare. Just one hour, that's all I suspect that they will need, but what an hour! And that hour should be provided by one Mr. Justin Fletcher MBE.

Can you imagine how amazing that would be?

It's not going to happen though, because there are too many parents in Britain that require his services. However, I can provide five of you with the opportunity to have 72 minutes ot sanity, combined with fun and laughter, giggles and happiness. Snuggle down on the sofa under a blanket with your little ones, get a bowl of marshmallows, apples, popcorn, crisps, raisins, whatever you want, insert the disc and enjoy the fun and games that is 'The Big Party Live Show'.

[Read more…]

Recipe Shed: Butternut Squash (& Blue Cheese) Risotto

by 7 Comments

When I saw that this week's Recipe Shed theme was 'vegetarian', I knew it would be rude of me not to take part. This recipe is one of our favourite meals, we don't normally have it with blue cheese but I have some in the fridge which is in danger of being more blue than cheese, so I'm bunging that in too!

Depending upon which degree of vegetarianism you subscribe to, this may need altering to suit your requirements. For example, I have a Bachelors in Vegetarianism: I don't eat meat or fish, but don't sift through the cheeses to find rennet-free types in the supermarket. Life's too short to stuff a mushroom, ya'know. If you have a Masters in Vegetarianism, then you may want to substitute the single cream for something like Alpro Soya, likewise the cheese. If you have an HND in being a Veggie, then you need to realise that eating fish makes the rest of us have to say "no, I don't eat fish because I'm a vegetarian!" so thanks for that!

Ingredients

  • handful of mushrooms
  • one leek
  • 2 handfuls of arborio rice per person
  • half a butternut squash
  • a stock cube
  • 2 (ish) pints of hot water
  • 100ml of Single cream
  • blue cheese
  • Parmesan
  • unsalted butter

1. Cut the butternut squash up into small chunks and cook for ten minutes in 2 pints of hot water and a stock cube.

2. While that's bubbling away, thinly slice the mushrooms and leeks. As The Boy is sharing this with us, I cut the leeks up very small. As neither of us like the texture of mushrooms then these also go very small. Sweat them down in a generous knob of butter.

3. After five minutes, add the rice to the pan of butter, mushrooms and leeks. I can't remember why, I think it's something to do with coating and sealing each grain of rice with the butter, but I could be making that up! Leave it for a minute or two, stirring halfway through.

4. Transfer two ladles of stock (not the butternut squash though) into the pan with the rice and stir through. This initial water will disappear quickly so give it a stir and add some more.

5. This is the bit which requires constant attention and judgement. The risotto will need stirring every minute or two to stop it sticking, and the second the water has been absorbed into the rice, you need to add another ladle of stock. This is why I am typing this up on the iPod Touch while I'm busy watching the rice (in fact, I was so busy explaining then I forgot to stir and my rice stuck in one section!). This will take about twenty minutes on a low heat. You might need all the stock, you might not. Transfer the butternut squash across at the end.

6. When the risotto has plumped up and absorbed most of the liquid (apart from a small amount around the sides), taste it to check. It should have a small bite to it and not be slushy. However, chewy risotto isn't right so possibly add a bit more water and cook it for a few minutes longer.

7. Add the single cream and the cheese and stir through. Keep on the heat for a further minute to make sure the heat has melted the cheese.

8. Serve with a sprinkling of Parmesan on top.

Pop over to Reluctant Housedad's Recipe Shed to check out the other veggie delights by pressing this linky doo-dah malarky!


Recipe Shed

Maternal Love

by 16 Comments

This morning I went out shopping with my mum and The Boy. It wasn't a massive trip anywhere special, we weren't after anything specific, and no amazing bargains were purchased (apart from the Christmas cooking book that we bought in Matalan, and the cherry liquers in Marks and Spencer).

I've come home and I'm exhausted; it's a grey, Wintery day and it's cold. The thermometer on my car dashboard said 8°C but I think that was it's goal rather than reality. The Boy is currently nestled soundly asleep in his cot upstairs, I should be taking the opportunity to have a nap, and the dishwasher is whirring away in the background.

I know you're wondering why I'm telling you all this but I've just opened my inbox and seen a post notification from someone that I genuinely consider to be a friend, were it not for technological and geographical confines. I scanned it briefly to get a gist of its contents before I've opened it in a browser to read and comment on. However, I'm in tears already. In this post, she talks about the pain of losing her mother, and that is one of my greatest fears.

Fear, or acknowledged eventual outcome?

I dread the day that my mum doesn't turn up with a loaf of bread and some milk because "I thought you might be short of them". Or phones and says "come on, let's go to Matalan." Or rings because she wanted to rant about something that my father has done (normally breathing to be honest). My mum is one of my best friends and as much as I may groan about the fact that she gave The Boy fishfingers for lunchtime instead of ham, I cannot imagine how it would feel to not have that in my life.

We're inordinately lucky that my mum looks after The Boy while I work and never once have I ever thought it to be about the money. In all honesty, if she couldn't have him then I wouldn't work. That's for various reasons of which I won't go into now, however I'm lucky that that's never been an issue. It was always assumed on everyone's part that she would look after him and she does it brilliantly.

She is the one who taught him how to do a jigsaw. She's the one who taught him how to draw a 'kiss'. I don't have a problem with any of it. And despite me inwardly groaning at the mess when I get home at 5pm and find my 66 year old mother on her knees pouring imaginary cups of tea, I also smile and don't mind because it means they've been playing all day long.

The Boy adores her. She adores him. Rightly, I adore her because she's my mum.

And I don't know where I'd be without her.