easiest way to cache php + mysql

I've set up a simple blog, using a php + mysql library that i downloaded. It's a simple setup, i include the connector in each page the database stuff reads in.

I'm now thinking if it gets any decent traffic, because it's connecting each time high traffic will cripple the db and cpu.

What is the easiest way for me to set up a cache so the files are served more or less static, except for a timed updte or if i force an update?

I don;t want to use a cms / blog distro just for the caching facility. I wish to learn myself as I go.

Would this be on the apache side, db, or php side? Ideally I'd like to be able to publish out a bunch of html / php files rather than call the db each time.