"Intervention"
This sculpture of a whale, held by a human hand, is on display at our local garden centre.
Made of stainless steel links, it glitters in the sunshine, drawing our attention to the fact that human intervention is needed to save the whales from extinction.
The sculpture was the winner of the 2014 Swell Sculpture Festival Environmental Awareness Award.
The Garden Centre is a perfect place to display such a piece.
I've been watching the Oscars. Three cheers for our four Australian actresses:
Nicole Kidman, in a column of sequins..
very nice..
Kate Blanchett, always regal.
Love her blue necklace..
Naomi Watts, always finds something unusual and stunning.
Margot Robbie, the new girl on the block, in elegant black.
It is well known I love pink, so here is my line-up of 'best in pink':
Loved Keira's maternity gown
(even if it is a bit Angelina bridal veil - ish)
and after all, if Anna Wintour wears pink, then it must be OK!
PS, I rather like that red roses on black and white look, too.
Have you ever made a mug cake?
Sometimes, like yesterday, I make us a Chocolate Mug Cake for Two:
4 tbsp flour, 5 tbsp sugar, 3 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 egg, 3 tbsp milk, 3 tbsp melted butter (or oil), 3 tbsp chocolate chips, 1 tsp vanilla extract.
Mix it up in a bowl: I just whisk it with a fork.
If you are using choc chips, sprinkle a few more on the top.
When out of chocolate, I use muesli instead.
Divide between two sturdy and fairly large coffee mugs.
Microwave on medium-high for 1 minute, then for another 30 seconds, more or less according to your oven.
It is perfectly cooked when moist and gooey in the middle.
This is a dangerous recipe to know...
you are now only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time.
However, we find it a better idea than making a whole cake for two, which leads to other temptations..
Thank you all for your kind comments on my last post.
Brisbane was spared the impact of high cyclonic winds, and thanks to the flood mitigation work of the past few years, we are fine.
Spare a thought for the many towns further up the Queensland coast who are without power, water, fuel or essential supplies. Many have lost their homes.
The army is going in to help clean up, and clear the roads to restore communication with the outside world.
This is the local creek where I walk,
with much of the footpath under water.
All is now calm, and the water has receded.
Have a lovely week.
XXXX
It's great reading about your life in Australia and love how you always mange to get a little art into your posts.
ReplyDeleteThank you Katharine, I do entertain myself looking for art work to show, and fit it around what is happening here.
DeleteI always enjoy seeing the art you post, the whale is so interesting. Didn't watch the oscars so seeing the bits you posted was fun. Glad you didn't have any water damage and that your walking trail will be usable again.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Thank you Darla. The whale shimmers in the sunlight; the polished steel links work really well. We checked our ceilings, but no water damage this time. (We have had leaks in previous storms). Walking is back on the agenda, with the added bonus that the creek continues to run and babble more than usually!
DeleteHi, Trish...the whale sculpture is really interesting. I'm going to agree with the gowns on the Australians, except for Naomi Watts' dress...not my favorite. I thought generally all the ladies were elegantly dressed last night. As for the water damage, my heart always goes out to people struggling with flooding. Water is so intrusive and can cause so much irreparable damage.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, I guess Naomi's dress was the one I liked least out of the Australians, but it is a thrill for Australian viewers to see Four of our own on the Oscar red carpet. So different from back in the old days...
DeleteHello Patricia,
ReplyDeleteWe are much relieved that you were spared the worst of the weather. As you say, many have not been so fortunate and our hearts must go out to them.
Anna Wintour in pink, now, that is something we should have thought nigh impossible. But, it just goes to show that anything is possible in the world of fashion......or fantasy.....well, they may be one and the same!
The whale sculpture is very dramatic and perfectly placed. A good way to get across a very serious message.
Hello Jane and Lance, Thank you, it was a great relief to Brisbane generally after the disastrous floods following Cyclone Yasi in 2011.
DeleteI was surprised to see Anna W in soft pink, so uncharacteristic! I am fantasising about wearing a similar shade of pink to a wedding later in the year...
I am assuming that your home is high up otherwise you would probably be more anxious when the creek floods.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do believe that chocolate cake in a mug and made so quickly is a source of great danger, but it look very tempting.
Yes, Rosemary, we are indeed high on a hill, with views to the mountains and down to the creek. The creek is tidal, flowing to the nearby Brisbane River, and therefore floods very quickly after heavy rain.
DeleteThe mug cake has become our treat on the rare Sunday afternoons we are at home - and should probably stay that way!
Hi, Trish
ReplyDeleteThe whale sculpture is art with an important message we need to take seriously! Beautiful garden too.
Your selection of Oscar dresses are so lovely. I almost chose some of them for my blog as favorites. It was hard to narrow it down to only six. I especially love Naomi Watts's dress as one I might find fun to wear. I also think Margot Robbie is a strikingly beautiful woman! Wow, wouldn't we all like to have her flawless features!! Good choices, all of them.
Cute bunny! Easter will be here shortly.
Sorry to hear of the floods. Here in America the snow is giving lots of folks headaches. A friend of mine has to redo a basement. Harsh weather caused pipes to burst, causing water damage. So now she'll need to deal with contractors and painters, etc. Nowhere in the world is anyone getting a break, it seems.
Still life is good overall!
Hi Debra, Yes, Margot Robbie is very striking, and so young, too! She comes from the Gold Coast, about an hour from here, so is very much our local Star.
DeleteThe snow over there is bad this year. I have heard about the pipes bursting, and my daughter has learned to fear this possible event. Her house is over 100 years old. Our two grandsons have not been able to run and play outside for weeks, with the temps more than -20 every day. Hope it warms up before we get there!
I am glad that you are safe from the cyclone damage, but how terrible for those who have suffered such awful damage. I think that the dresses from the Oscars are lovely for the most part. How great about the achievement with the whales, that really is amazing isn't it! What an odd set of comments! xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Amy, all is well here and we got off lightly with the cyclone. It is fun looking at the red carpet frocks, which have become a real feature of the Awards season. The blog likes to encourage a lively discussion!! xx
DeleteYes, there have been a few major cyclones over the years, that's for sure. Everyone got a bit nervous that we were in for a repeat.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Cate can do no wrong on the red carpet....so funny, I do know the shower curtains you mean: never thought of that :)
Lovely post Trish and our girls looked gorgeous! Glad you came through Marcia OK...love that choccie cake!
ReplyDeleteThank you Michelle, Wonderful to have so many Aussie's in Hollywood these days.
DeleteUse the mug cake with extreme caution :)
PS Adore the sculpture xxx
ReplyDeleteYou will have to come over for coffee one day and see it! xx
DeleteI am glad that your cyclone didn't do too much damage to you personally. And thanks for the mug cake recipe. I have been looking for something like that and will copy it out. .
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenny. Make sure you divide the mug cake batter between two mugs. It rises very high!
DeleteLovely post Patricia and so glad you have been spared the agony of the cyclone. Our thoughts go out to the many who were not so fortunate. I simply have to make that chocolate cake in a mug, it looks ever so yummy. Have a great week. P x
ReplyDeleteThanks P. Remember it is a double recipe, 2 mugs required and the cakes rise very high. Great for a couples treat! x
DeleteI'm glad the damage wasn't worse in the cyclone. The mug cake sounds delicious, I've always wanted to try making one but was skeptical that they actually worked. Thank you for sharing what looks like a great recipe. :)
ReplyDeleteMug cakes definitely work, at least in a microwave, Jennifer. I like that this makes a treat for two. Or four, if you do it twice over :)
Deletethe sculpture is very nice.. and Kate Blanchett.. very nice lady , very elegant and charming !
ReplyDeleteThank you Massimo, I am sure you would photograph the sculpture much better than I could :)
DeleteI've been working in the emergency/disaster recovery Call Centre since Friday (my 1st day off today). The people in Yeppoon and Rockhampton and other Central Queensland districts still have no power after 6 days. So difficult.
ReplyDeleteOh dear, six days is awful, and hardship really sets in. So sad re the floods from the Callide Dam. I am sure we will hear a lot more about it once communications are restored. At least the disaster relief money started quickly.
DeletePatricia, I didn't see the Oscars, but I have to say that Gweneth's pink dress is so stylish and elegant. Wow, look at all that flooding! I'm glad that your area is doing ok now. I've never heard of mug cakes before, that's interesting. They are yummy little cakes for one.
ReplyDeleteTake care, Patricia, and hope you've seen the last of the storm.
love, ~Sheri
I like Gwyneth's pink rose dress even more now that I have seen a few more photos. It is exquisite. Mug cakes are a funny and naughty idea, designed for a quick fix!
Deletexx
I am so happy to hear your survived the storm unscathed my dear!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely round up of glimpses into your life … especially the lovely recipe you shared … I might even give it a try!
Thank you Tamera, the sun is shining and it is a beautiful day here!
DeleteI've never made mug cake, but may have to change that......it looks absolutely delicious!
ReplyDeleteThey are a decadent habit - best use with caution!
DeleteLove the sculpture, and you're right about that cake being dangerous... nom nom xx
ReplyDeleteThe sculpture has a lovely feeling of safety and serenity! x
DeleteOOOh I so want to make that cup cake but I don't have a microwave!!
ReplyDeleteWell you are safe! No chance of being seduced by the wicked mug cake :)
DeletePatricia, I love the whale sculpture - very striking and thought-provoking. That tempting chocolate mug cake recipe is now in my recipes folder for when Lent has ended. :-) Your weather has indeed been turbulent and like you I feel for those who have lost so much.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the whale sculpture, it was a worthy winner. Mug cake for Easter, then? I am off chocolate too, but forgot to count cake - oops.
DeleteAMAZING Patricia - I feel an affinity to whales/dolphins and elephants, so this sculpture appeals to me. The garden centre looks lovely - where is it?
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for the great Aussie actresses - all beautiful women and oh so clever. Cate Blanchett is my favourite!
I've just had my best friend from Brissy staying, so I'm up with what's happening in your neck of the woods now! We had the best time!
THAT cake is perfect for us - no other pieces lingering in the cake tin - thank you!
Shane xx
Glad you enjoyed the sculpture, Shane. It is at the Brookfield Garden Centre, Moggill Road. What fun having your best Brissy friend; you will know it all. Share a mug cake with a friend, I say! xx
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