But back to the Jelly Cups and the strange things I am learning from them.
If I can just do this one hard thing, everything else will fall into place.
Firstly I'm learning that I have a wonky way of seeing myself. I seem to think that if I can conquer rainbow jelly cups for my daughter's party, then somehow I will manage absolutely everything else. Interesting in theory.
I'm busy doing this one hard thing and don't want to stop.
I'm also discovering that I'm obsessed with these jelly cups. I am having to stop myself from losing all perspective and force myself to attend to other party needs. Perhaps having lost the passion fruit jelly today, only to find it much later, and then discover that it isn't purple at all, its YELLOW. Not helpful when you're up to the "indigo and violet" end of the spectrum! Having stalled in the jelly construction has at least given me time to continue the cleaning. Which brings me to another party realisation.
Facing facts - I'm extrinsically motivated.
No matter how much I try to develop intrinsic motivation, or to appreciate whatever is intrinsic, the bottom line is I'm extremely extrinsically motivated. Excessively so even. I'm finally having a party, my daughter's best friend is coming over for the first time, and I suddenly have the guts and wherewithal and all tools needed to tackle that dusty pile of messy stuff on top of the stereo. In the past 2 years is there really a reason I couldn't have found this ability for myself? Apparently not. When I do things for myself the time frame is slower and infinitely more painful. This extrinsic stuff really pumps my juices. Extrovert anyone?
And talented at layering cold fun stuff.
But wait, there's more to this blog and more realisations. This one's a quirky one. Apparently I'm good at making layered cold stuff. I should try more of it, for the Mumma ego boosting qualities. Logical reasons why layered cold stuff ought to be challenging are that you have to spend a prolonged period of time devoted to the construction, which also seems to involve technicalities around the exact timing versus what you're trying to achieve. Apparently I kick arse at this. So far my repertoire is rainbow jelly and frozen 'discovery' icebergs.
Just in case you desperately need to know -here's how to make Rainbow Jelly Cups. (pictured above minus the infuriatingly not present purple jelly)
How to make Rainbow Jelly Cups
1. Buy plastic cups and 2 packets each of red, yellow, green, blue and purple jelly. My layers are uneven because of differing amounts of jelly. Plus if you stuff up its always good to have backup. You could also try simply buying orange jelly and sticking to one packet each. It depends whether you like the blended look between my red and yellow better than the neat layer between my yellow and blue.
2. Make up your red (or purple) jelly and pour into cups evenly. I made 12 cups from one packet of each, but I think I'll need 2 packets for the top layer as the blue is a little thin.
3. Wait for it to set. If you are layering to blend colours, make up a new jelly (in mine I did red then yellow) and when it cools to just warm, pour over the red and refrigerate quickly. The red and yellow will blend to make orange. I then did a new layer of yellow. If you are not blending colours, leave the new jelly to cool to room temperature and add to the layers in the cup. Repeat for all colours.
or you could go to the source of my Jelly adventures at Pink and Green Mama and see if her version makes more sense :)
Its simple really isn't it? I have taken 3 days to make these, but I'm in no hurry. While I'm making jelly I'm not worrying about the other million party preparations. Its supposed to be fun,right? Well apparently jelly cups are my idea of fun :)
Yes, I know the blog doesn't actually mention the meaning of life, but hey, it seemed like a good idea to tweet it as #meaningoflife at the time.
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