This much water

When I was 5, I nearly drowned in a pool. There were probably 20 adults all supervising, but no one was really watching. It's not that they didn't care, but I guess everyone thought that "someone else" was paying attention. I was lucky that day that my teenage cousin pulled me out, but kids don't just drown in pools or the ocean, they can drown in a very small amount of water. Please, if there's water around, don't take your eyes off them.

Please take a minute to watch this YouTube video and share with as many people as you can.
If you care, share.

Our newest addition {a dog's tale}

Hi there, how have you been?

We've had a few ups and downs this week.

Firstly, the plumber dug the trenches for the stormwater drains and sewage.

They start at the front of the house, go through the courtyard and around to the backyard right next to the clothes line.

Then it rained

a lot

We're on clay here in this part of Melbourne.

So you can imagine the mud, mud, mud!!!

Mr 3P spent half the day in the pouring rain and the slop, trying to fill the trenches back in.

This is the only way from the car to the "current" front door, so when it was dug up and raining, it was insane. I came home from a cake decorating class with my friend Mrs Aunty Stage Mother and had to cross with cake in hand and I'd just straightened my hair, so I didn't know which one to "save" from the rain....the cake won. I felt like Bear Grylis in Man V's Wild.

Here's the cake. The CWA do the best cake classes.If you're in Melbourne and want to do a class you can find out more here.

I don't have a photo of my hair...

but if I did, I wouldn't show you anyway...lol

Speaking of scary, we had some creep break into our car the other night, while it was parked in our garage and stole my GPS!!! Not happy.

Freaked me out a bit. 

This was the decision maker for us about getting another dog.

We lost our beautiful border collie last year (from old age) and within weeks a fox took our chooks. It was just waiting...I'm sure.

Now, for me a dog is a family member that you commit to caring for and loving for it's life. We had been thinking about it for a long time and decided a large dog that was good with children would be best and be a deterrent for creeps.

So, with no further adieu, I'd like to introduce you to Pickle #4

Isn't he beautiful?

He's only 7 months old and weighs 27.5 kgs already!!

He had never worn a collar or lead until yesterday, so walks have been challenging, but he's getting the hang of it.

He has the most beautiful nature and we're about to start obedience training next week.

Wish us luck..will fill you in on his progress.

See you soon.

{recipe} Coconut Bread

Like a quickie?

Me too.........

Impromptu guests and nothing to feed em?

Love coconut?

This is the recipe for you.

 I was fortunate to be given this recipe from my friend Natasha. It was handed down to her from her Grandmother (and handed across to me!!) I've changed it a bit, but it's basically the same.

You can read Natasha's blog here.

 My 3pickles are hungry little guys. Pickle #2 is currently going through a growth spurt and Pickle #1 will eat a whole roast chicken on his own (if I let him). So when they get home from school, they need a snack. I usually give them something healthy like vegetable sticks, hommus and crackers. Occasionally, I'll give them a sweet treat like this coconut bread, with a tall glass of milk. When it's home made at least I know what's really in it, right?

This recipe is so quick and easy to make that you could do it with your eyes closed. 

I love quick and easy.

 COCONUT BREAD

1 cup dessicated or shredded coconut (I've used both & they work out fine)

1 cup of self raising flour

3/4 cup of sugar

1 cup of milk

pinch of ground cinnamon

Method

Mix all of the ingredients together and spoon into a lined loaf tin.

Bake at 180 degrees C (365F) for about 45-50 mins (just test with a skewer)

Remove from the oven and while still warm, top with dollops of butter and cinnamon sugar.

Cinnamon Sugar

Combine 2 tablespoons of caster sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.

 I ALWAYS forget to buy caster sugar, so I just "blitz" some regular sugar for a second or two in my little bullet machine. You can make pure icing sugar this way too, just "blitz" a little longer until you get a powder (great for making Royal Icing). Heaps cheaper too.

 Um, yeah, this shot isn't "set up"....Could have been worse

As I write this post, I've noticed that there is no coconut bread left.

:(

So, I guess blogging is the new form of dieting....at least for me.

I'd love to know what your "quickie" recipe is. Can you let me know in the comments below and if you have blogged about it, I'd love you to leave a link to share.

PS: Don't forget to eat it warm.

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Tomatoes & Tripods

 I'm super excited today as I just picked up my tripod that I have wanted for sooo long. I love shooting stuff with macro and am going to try out some long exposure stuff tonight. I had to take a photo of something the minute I got home. I've never noticed how hairy tomatoes could be! 

           ......back soon with some more experimental shots. 

Happy shooting.

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Beach Wedding {Inspirations}

We all love a beach wedding, don't we? Something really lovely about
going barefoot, all dressed up to see a special couple tie the knot.
Here's a little beachy wedding inspiration for you.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Marnie on Pinterest

Ok, so these wedding bands may not be "beachy", but they are beautiful.

Source: engagement-rings-guide.info via Marnie on Pinterest

This would look great with an ivory dress or for bridesmaids perhaps.

Source: kepdesigns.com via Marnie on Pinterest

I love the fabric in this dress.

Source: google.com via Marnie on Pinterest

Source: weddings.theknot.com via Marnie on Pinterest

Source: stylemepretty.com via Marnie on Pinterest

The beach can be a windy place, so an updo like this can be a good idea.

Source: None via Marnie on Pinterest

  

Source: aesthet-ic.tumblr.com via Marnie on Pinterest

Source: t3.gstatic.com via Marnie on Pinterest

Source: table4weddings.com via Marnie on Pinterest

This lipgloss is by MAC and is called Prrr. It is the best "nude" lipgloss I have used for a soft, natural lip. Just be careful if you're wearing a veil as lipgloss, veils and a breeze do not play nice together. Keep the gloss for after the ceremony pics or the reception. great for a quick touch up during the "afters".

Source: maccosmetics.com via Marnie on Pinterest

Source: people.com via Marnie on Pinterest

Source: projectwedding.com via Marnie on Pinterest

Source: vi.sualize.us via Marnie on Pinterest

I have always been a big fan of J-Lo's look. This hair and make-up combo is so pretty. 

Source: stylemepretty.com via Marnie on Pinterest

Fondant Butterflies

Such a busy week ahead. I'm currently making 100 fondant butterflies for some wedding cupcakes. 50 down, 50 to go...but that's just cutting and embossing....these butterflies are taking over my kitchen.

Not sure if I'll be posting much this week, but I will be hanging around Twitter, so I'd love you to come for a chat. Just click on the link to follow. I hope to see you there..........

I'll be back after the wedding with lots of photos...I hope!

Till then

Australian Wildflowers & other things that grow

It's the most beautiful day here in Melbourne. We haven't seen this weather for a while (my eyes hurt from that big yellow thing in the sky). Our garden is a bit hit and miss at the moment. The silverbeet (swiss chard) is doing really well and my tomatoes are getting stronger everyday, especially since most of the frosty mornings have gone (fingers crossed).  I haven't really grown many things very successfully from seed before, so I thought it was time to give it a go. Burke's backyard magazine had some free Santorini tomato seeds on the cover of a recent issue that are supposed to be very hardy and hopefully Mrs3P proof....hmmm we'll see. I started them off in the cold frame, along with a few different types of lettuce and some cherry tomatoes too. The lettuce was planted out last week, but they're ALL gone!! I think it might be those darstedly possums. Will have to come up with a new plan.

 Can you see the drinking straw "cast" on the burpless cucumber? Mr3P being very sweet in an attempt to save this guy who was ready to been thrown out by the Bunnings man. There's some basil ready to be planted out next to the tomatoes soon too...they make great companion plants...and taste yummy together in bruschetta......mmmm
 Will keep you posted on their progress if you're interested.

 I don't know what this plant is called (I know it's an Australian native), but we've waited for a long, long time for flowers. Very pretty....no smell

 Speaking of smells........lol  We popped down to the local arboretum after school so the pickles could spend some more time with their cousin (who flew home today). My BIL who is an electrician has been visiting from QLD and helping us with the extension (more update pics due soon)

   I'm pretty sure this is called a kangaroo paw. It looks like it's made from velvet.

    There are stacks of ducks that hang out at the arboretum, this guy was not shy at all.

The pickles and I love walking around this little lake. I have been here a gazillion times, but every time I come, I ALWAYS comment how beautiful the view is. That's the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges in the BG.

                   Another Aussie wildflower...and yep, I don't know what this is called either, but it's              pretty.... right?

When Mr3P buys me flowers, (which is usually only when I give birth) which BTW "the shop is closed" on that one. Anyway, when he does, he always gets me Australian Wildflowers...he knows how much I love them.

Now, I DO know what this is!! It's a type of Eucalyptus (gum) tree. I believe it could be a ghost gum, due to the whitish colouring. It looks like there is a big, fat ant on one of the branches...but it's a duck.

There is a "secret garden" here (not much of a secret if you ask me as there is a huge sign that tells you where it is?????????? The garden gate has these beautiful fairies carved all over it.

            I don't think I would have the patience to do this kind of work. 

I can't help wonder what the artist was thinking about while they worked patiently on this piece. If it was me, it would be the grocery list, how much washing needs to be folded tonight...I must call Vanessa...what should I make for dinner??....I wish this stupid song from that ridiculous commercial would stop repeating itself in my head

...............um, sorry...where was I?

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