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} Low Fat, Hot Chips (and truckloads of taters from the garden)

Guilt-free, hot chippies! Yum!
Peel your potatoes and slice into thick chips. Dry on absorbent paper and place in a large mixing bowl. Add 2 tablespoons of oil (I use either Canola or Olive). Sprinkle with sea salt and toss to combine. Place on baking sheet that has been lined with baking paper. Cook in a hot oven (turning once) for about 30-45 mins or until golden  (depending on your oven...just check them from time to time).

A few years ago, pickle #2 planted potatoes in our garden. Now every year we get a bumper crop...truckloads in fact!!!!

Home grown potatoes taste SO MUCH BETTER than from the shops. Especially if you mash them. But then, doesn't everything taste better when you grow it yourself? We don't use pesticides or chemicals (except for our garlic and chili spray to get rid of pests). We also compost, have a worm farm and use our chooks' poo on the garden.

Pickle #1 and #2 replanting the smallest potatoes for next year.

Dirty work....and they love it!

Linking up to these parties:

http://craftomaniac.blogspot.com/
http://www.allthingsheartandhome.com/
http://www.abeachcottage.com/
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
http://itsablogparty.com/
http://paisleypassions.blogspot.com/
http://www.thefrugalgirls.com/
http://mizhelenscountrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://www.whipperberry.com/

Spring Onion & Friends

Just  few photos of bits of our garden and some friendly visitors.
Our garden makes me happy.
I'm linking this post to Sarah's Good Life Wednesday
at A Beach Cottage.

This rose smells like lollies.

Plum blossoms.

Playing with RAW and hue sliders.

Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree.

Merry merry king of the bush is he.......................

The girls having a roam with Pickle #3

Farmer Pickle.

Have a great Wednesday

x Marnie


linking to
A Southern Daydreamer

{recipe} Spanakopita - the 3 Pickles way

This is my "skippy" twist on the traditional Greek Spanakopita (Spinach and Cheese Pie).

Traditionally made with filo pastry (lots of butter) feta and spinach. In my version I use silverbeet (I'm told by my American friends that this is also known as Swiss Chard) as it grows in abundance in our garden. I sometimes use the filo, but today, I used regular, ready rolled puff pastry. For the cheese I used an Australia feta and fresh ricotta, but you can use any type you like. It's very quick and easy to make. My measurements are general guides, as I see this recipe as "a bit of this and a bit of that".

3 Pickles Spanakopita

1 Bunch of silverbeet (Swiss Chard), washed, chopped and steamed

200g (about 7oz) Australia feta

150g(about 5oz)fresh ricotta

3 eggs

1/2 brown onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

3 sheets ready rolled puff pastry, partially thawed (I used Woolworths Homebrand)

Method

Pre-heat oven to hot (about 200 C) or (400 F) After steaming silverbeet, allow to cool. Drain off any excess liquid.

Mix all ingredients (except puff pastry) together in a large bowl, making sure to breakup big lumps of cheese. 

Divide mixture and spoon down the centre of pastry sheets.

Fold over long sides

Spray with olive oil or brush with a little milk.

Place on baking sheets that have been lined with baking paper. And bake for about 20 - 30 mins till golden and puffy. Times will vary with different ovens, but you can see when they're ready by the golden colour.

Let cool for a while and so the egg sets.

Slice, serve and enjoy.

This recipe was brought to you today by : Our veggie patch and.....

The girls..............

I'm linking this post to 
Friday Fun Finds at Kojo designs.
 How to - The Lettered Cottage
The Friday Flair - Whipperberry
Mouthwatering Mondays _ A Southern fairytale
It's a blog party