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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Swedish Meatballs & Strawberry Rope

I get quite excited when I go to IKEA and today was no different. Mr3P & pickle #3 came with me to the new IKEA in Springvale. We didn't go right in, however, but just had a hot dog and shopped the grocery section on the outside of the checkouts. The whole purpose of our visit was to buy coffee beans (we have a slight IKEA coffee addiction), plus a few little extras.

We have tried A LOT of coffee and this one is really, really good and only $3.99 a bag!!

I stocked up, so they should last us a little while. :)

 The strawberry rope is a new favourite and as you can see didn't make the trip home, unopened.

The jar contains IKEA's famous Lingonberry jam.

I must say, even though we only went to get coffee, I found it a little difficult standing outside of the checkouts,eating my hotdog and sipping my coffee and watching person after person coming out of the store with trolley loads of "stuff". I think I might have strained a muscle in my neck, trying to sticky beak at their purchases.

It was like being in the middle of the ocean and not being able to have a drink of water!!!

Guess what I'm making for dinner tonight?

I'll let you know how they turn out.

{easyhow to } Halloween Special Effects Make-Up

Please don't be scared of my beautiful little pickles, they just start to look like this if we let them play the Wii for too long. I call it "Nintendo rage"

If you've read my blog before, you may know that besides being a Mum, I'm also a make-up artist. I used to do plenty of gory make-up and casualty simulation stuff and A LOT of scary vampire movies (sorry not with Edward & Bella). 

Anyhow, if you're looking for an easy, peasy effect for Halloween, then you've come to the right place. The make-up is called Gel-Skin and is quite "old school"(used on shows like The X Files). This stuff is a snap to make, easy to apply and a breeze to remove )your skin feels really nice afterwards too.....bonus!)

 The items you need are listed above. Now, you'll notice in the picture that the "face paints" I have used are a professional, water based, make-up/body paint by Kryolan. You don't need to get these, it's just what I had. Most discount stores and costume supplies will have little face paint kits especially for Halloween (usually only a couple of bucks), just pick the colours for he effect you want. For pickle #1 (vampire/thingy), I used white, black, maroon (Kryolan altrot). For pickle#2 I used the same colours and some green and yellow. Ok....here's how you do it................

 (Protect your clothes with an old shirt or towel) With a bit of sponge (I tore bits from a new car washing sponge), but you could use a dish sponge (make sure it's new). If your using water based face paint, then dampen your sponge and apply colours to the face using a stippling motion until you get the desired effect. Do the same if your using an oil based make-up, but don't wet the sponge. This is now your underbase. Next take the COOLED Gel Skin (recipe to follow) and with a sponge, apply it to the face, covering the face paint (it will be clear and the colours will show through). While still wet, I applied bits of 1ply tissue to some areas (it will stick to the gel skin) to create lumpy skin. Then apply more layers of gel skin until you get the look you're after. Don't worry if it gets in your hair, it just washes out (and it can look cool, if you play around with it)!!

 To make the Gel Skin:

Ingredients - 5 parts water, 5 parts powdered gelatine, 4 parts glycerine (which I got from the supermarket near the band-aids and first aid stuff).
(I used tablespoon amounts as my "parts" and it made more that I needed for 2 faces)
Method
Get a saucepan and dissolve the gelatine in the water.
Add the glycerine and stir well.
Gently heat on the stovetop, but do not boil.
(At this stage you could colour it intrinsically, but I kept mine clear as I was doing different looks).
IMPORTANT: You must allow the mixture to cool before applying to the skin or it will burn you!!!!!!!
Gel skin can be reheated (stovetop or microwave...use common sense) if it sets too quickly, or if you want to make ahead of time.

 You can see in the above pictures where I have made the gel skin thicker on the red painted cheekbone. I let it set and then "cut" through the gel to create a scar...DON"T USE A KNIFE,  I used a palette knife, but a toothpick of orangewood stick would be good too...JUST BE GENTLE.
I then added depth to the wound with black face paint. Uggh...I need a mani STAT!

 I hope this doesn't sound too complicated. It's very simple once you have all of your stuff and you can practice on the back of your hand before using willing "victims".

 If you have any questions or comments, I love to hear them. So, please don't be afraid to ask.

Wishing you a Happy Halloween.

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Quick Sourdough {recipe}

Hi there! I've been in the bread making mood today, but I didn't want to spend forever in the kitchen, so I've made my very easy, very quick sourdough bread. Traditional sourdoughs can take a couple of days to make, but I thought I'd share my shortcut.
I make the dough in the bread machine, but you could just as easily make this with your electric mixer with the dough attachment.

 Ingredients

1 cup + 1 tbsp water
1/2 cup plain yoghurt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons oil
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon sugar
4 cups plain flour
1 1/4 teaspoons yeast


1. Add the ingredients into your bread maker in the order listed, set to a dough setting and press start. Alternatively, add ingredients into a large mixer bowl and with your dough attachment knead till elastic.

2. When cycle has finished (mine takes 1 1/2 hours), turn out and shape onto a pizza tray or baking sheet that has been lined with non stick baking paper.

3. Using a sharp knife, make slits through the top of the bread like in the picture. I covered it with a clean tea towel and let it rise a bit more. I actually went to watch my kids at school swimming, then drove home and it was ready to bake. (The school swimming part is optional in this recipe). In fact, you don't have to make slits in the bread either, but I think it looks rather nice.
Bake in a cold oven that has been set to 190C for approx 45 mins.

4. Tap the bottom of the bread and if it sounds hollow, your bread is done. Place on a wire rack to cool and dust with a little flour. Enjoy!

Keep an eye out for a special Halloween SFX make-up tutorial in the next few days.

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Choc Chip Cookie Update

I don't know how long these have been in the supermarket, but I only saw them this week. I had to try them in my Choc Chip Cookie Recipe.

Thanks Cadbury...love from the 3pickles (and me)

Stayed tuned for a special Halloween SFX Make-Up Tutorial next week!

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