EmmaMaree.com YA Writer, Tech Support Girl & Tea Addict

The Secret to UK S’Mores

I've been absent this week, sorry 'bout that. This week's been insanely busy, and various attempts to chill out haven't been working. So far I'm sleep deprived, PC deprived, and tying myself up in knots with writing worries. Don't even get me started on the rising mountain of household chores, the fast-approaching money drain that is Christmas, or how frustrating it is having a dog who shows he misses you by chewing everything.

S'Mores - Don't they look delicious?

But you know what makes it all better? Having Colin D Smith answer the most pressing question I've had on my mind for a while: What's the UK equivalent of Graham Crackers?

Most Brits will be familiar with s'mores - an American treat made by toasting marshmallows, chocolate and Graham crackers over a fire. But Graham Crackers are nowhere to be found on UK shelves, and Colin (a Brit who moved to America) was quick to let me know that they don't taste anything like Google's suggested alternative of digestive biscuits.

Colin asked his British brothers to try them in America and pick suitable alternatives - they suggested rich tea biscuits, or garibaldis (if you could somehow remove the raisin layer).

Of course, there's only one way to be sure - and that's to procure some biscuits, chocolate, and a whole pile of marshmallows to test this out.

This should be a fun experiment to try... =)

Don't forget to stop by Colin's blog to read his take on the matter, which is much more eloquent than my late-night sugar experiments. I'm looking forward to a weekend of sleep, more sleep, PC hardware installations and get-togethers with friends. Hope your weekends treat you just as kindly.

Glitter Berry Grape and Cherry J20

I bought this drink entirely on the grounds of it's fun, camp advert (one minute he's V from V from Vendetta, the next he's... fabulous). I decided my Sunday wasn't nearly sparkly enough and opened a bottle of the non-alcoholic "Cherry, Grape and Winter Spice" drink.

First reactions: OH MY GOD IT'S GLITTERY LOOK AT IT. You shake up the bottle and the red drink starts swirling thickly with glitter.

But the actual taste is boring. It's like watered down cranberry juice with no trace of the 'winter spice' it claims to contain, and the grape is unnoticeable.

I have to wonder what it would be like mixed with Vimto - I may need to experiment.

For more pictures and a cocktail suggestion, the excellently named Institute for Alcoholic Experimentation has more.