Weekend Lego Masterpieces

The 3pickles have been busy this weekend, building all sorts of wonderful creations with Lego.

Now, I need to know what you think. If a Ninjago and a Stormtrooper were in a battle against each other, who would win?

{recipe} Corned Beef with white sauce (in the slow cooker)

Did I tell you how much I {heart} my slow cooker?

This recipe is a family favourite that my Grandmothers made, my Mum still makes and I cook on a regular basis (especially in winter) as my 3pickles just gobble it up! I still cook it on the stove top too, but now and then I'll pop it in the slow cooker, with the same results.

Corned Beef in the slow cooker

Place your piece of corned beef in the slow cooker

Then add:

2 tablespoons of brown sugar

1 bay leaf

1/4 cup of vinegar (malt vinegar is traditional, but if I don't have any in the pantry, then I just use whatever I have, white, brown etc...it never tastes any different to me!)

a couple of cloves (or a good pinch of ground cloves)

A peeled onion (cut it to fit in)

About 1 cup of water

Cook on high for about 1 hour, then turn down to low for another 4 hours.

Keep it in the water until you're ready to serve, then discard cloves and liquid.

White sauce

In a small saucepan, gently melt 2 tablespoons of butter.

Once melted, add 2 tablespoons of plain flour and whisk to combine (keep heat low)

Gradually add 1 cup of milk, while gently whisking to eliminate lumps.

Increase heat slightly and continue to stir until sauce thickens.

Add 1/2 cup of grated cheese (if you like it cheesy, otherwise omit ) and stir till smooth.

Add a tablespoon of finely chopped, fresh parsley (again optional)

Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Serve with corned beef and veggies.

Leftovers (if any)

If there are any leftovers, I like to make a pasta bake with them.

Chop meat and veggies into small bite-sized chunks.

Cook a some pasta and drain (I usually use penne)

Mix pasta, meat and veggies together with white sauce (I usually need to make more sauce)

Place in baking dish and sprinkle with cheese.

Bake till cheese is golden.

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Extension Update - Roof

Mr 3P and our friend  Darren started on the roof today! Yeah!! Here's a peek at how it looked mid-morning.

It seems like ages since the rafters were first erected. And even longer since building first began..

But now the first side of the roofing is finished (more photos to come).Hopefully all should be completed by next weekend.

Easter Egg Tree

About 4 years ago, I was walking past Bed, Bath & Table and spied these cute little eggs. At the time, I had no idea what I was going to do with them, but just had to have them anyways.... They have appeared in bowls and vases and last year they didn't even come out of the box! This year, I found this silver tree at Target, just begging me to take him home, the original price tag was $49, reduced to $11, but when I went through the registers, it scanned for $7.....ah, you see, it was meant to be! So he now sits on the front buffet, with some friends. Oh and even though the wall behind him is soon to be torn down to make way for a new kitchen, I still had to repaint (it was a rusty, pearlised finish), now freshly coated in Dulux -  Antique White USA.

                                                         Do you decorate for Easter?

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Smile

Just a simple photo that made me smile this week.

Pickle #3 at the beach, being his usual cheeky self and quite happy to be the poser.

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{recipe} Toffees

It's school fete time, so I made a couple of batches of these toffees for the cake stall.

Note to self: :do not leave wooden spoon in pot with dregs of hardening toffee.

Second note to self: :Buy new wooden spoon.

Makes

24

Ingredients

• 2 1/3 cups white sugar
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 100's & 1000's for decoration

• Method

  1. Line two 12-hole, 1 1/2 tablespoon-capacity mini muffin pans with paper cases.
  2. Place sugar, vinegar and 1 cup cold water in a heavy-based saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until sugar has dissolved. Increase heat to medium-high. Boil, without stirring, for 12 to 15 minutes or until mixture turns golden. Set aside for 1 minute or until bubbles subside.
  3. Quickly pour toffee into paper cases. Top with 100s and 1000s. Stand at room temperature for 30 minutes or until set.

  Notes

  • Storage tip: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
    Recipe adapted from  http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/23333/mini+toffees 
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Introducing Make-Up Posts - Beautiful Bride, Madeline.

  If you've read the little "about me" page, you would know that I have been a professional make-up artist for over 20 years (started when I was 5...lol). I thought I might include some make-up and beauty posts here on my 3pickles blog. I did start another blog solely about the topic, but find it will be easier to keep everything in the one spot.....everyone likes to play with make-up, don't they? I have some tutorials and product reviews and give aways coming shortly. If there is anything you would like me to do a post on, or have any questions or suggestions, then I'd love to hear from you. Please send your emails to : threepickles@optusnet.com.au

I thought I would start off with some photos from a beautiful bride I had the pleasure of working with for her wedding day. Madeline, thanks for the photos and the honour of letting me be part of your special day. You look radiant.

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Memory Lane - Port Arthur - Tasmania

About 6 months ago my bestie ( pickleBFF) since high school and I turned the big 40. We decided that instead of a big party, that we would meet up in Tasmania for a long weekend, sans childen and husbands (she lives in Queensland and I'm in Victoria). We had a very chilled out time(it was freezing). Sadly and strangely, we only drank 1 bottle of wine (between us!!) the whole time we were there. Oh, but there was chocolate....and plenty of it........
If you've never been to Tasmania, you must put it on the list. Such a beautiful place and the people are so lovely.
Most of the following photos were taken at Port Arthur, which was a convict settlement.
Warning: This is a VERY long post with lots of pictures (but very few words)

Hobart

Launceston

Hobart (great fish n chips)

Port Arthur

They say many people find pictures of ghosts in their Port Arthur photos. I tried and tried to get one!! This is the best I could come up with.

Inside one of the cottages in Port Arthur

Random crazy woman LOL

BFFpickle...aint she sweet?

By the way, when I got back home, the house was sparkling and the pickles were clean, happy and behaving like angels. Thank you Mr 3P, I must go away again soon!

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