Fathers' Day

It was recently Fathers' Day, which the little boys duly celebrated. Thomas gave a card which looked like a flower on the outside...

... and stomach on the inside.


He also made a wall plaque of a sauna.



While Thomas looked after the spirit, Henry looked after the body; he served coffee and some Chocolate Mint Top biscuits he had made.



For other cooks out there, here is the recipe:

Chocolate Mint Tops

Ingredients:

• 200g margarine or butter
• 1 dl sugar
• 1 dl potato starch or corn starch
• 4 dl flour

Glaze:

• 100g chocolate
• 3-4 drops peppermint oil

Oven temperature:

• 175 degrees celsius

Instructions:

• Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Stir in the starch and flour.
• Roll into small balls and place on a greased baking sheet or on baking paper.
• Make a small indentation in each ball.
• Bake for around 10 minutes.
• Cool on the baking sheet.
• Melt the chocolate in a water bath and stir in the peppermint oil.
• Fill in the indentation with mint chocolate.
• Leave to set.

Source: Sju Sorters Kakor (Swedish Cakes and Cookies)
English translation: Melody Favish
Publisher: ICA bokförlag, Västerås, Sweden, 2005, p 87

Fathers' Day

Sunday was Fathers' Day. The Chairman was in Helsinki to watch a modern dance performance so only the boys were at home. Woken at 7.15 a.m., I was instructed not to move from the bed. Two little chaps went downstairs and there were sounds of damage and destruction, interspersed with giggling. Then, true to Finnish tradition, they arrived with a tray with a cup of freshly-made coffee, Fathers' Day presents made at school, and Fathers' Day cards, see the picture below.


The dog card was by Henry, the green card by Thomas. Note also the neat arrangement on the plate - brown crystal sugar, a Marianne sweet, and a Fazer truffle which had been carefully hoarded since Christmas.

And before you ask, it is indeed an Everton F.C. mug.

Happy Fathers' Day to all!