Friday, June 28, 2013

Christmas in July Recipes and Craft Ideas

Hello Beach Dwellers

I have noticed some people over here searching for Christmas in July recipes and crafts and I thought I'd put this up to make it easy for you.  I absolutely love the Christmas season.  It's when my blog comes into its own and I find it great fun to create content.  Funnily enough, as a mum I find the whole season completely daunting, but as a blogger, I love it because it is at that time of year I feel the most creative.  So if you are after some cute and easy ideas for your Christmas in July celebration.  I hope this helps you out.

A Rustic Christmas Mantel




























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Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Raspberry Jam and Coconut Slice and the Happy Hooker

Raspberry Jam and Coconut Slice
So for anyone interested in looking at Mr Beach House's version of the Happy Hooker, here I am.  It's a little bit mutton dressed as mink and man does my regrowth need a retouch, but I went to a girls vintage fashion party last Friday night which was a lot of fun and I was told by another women at the party, I looked glamourous.   Maybe she was just being nice, but it's funny how men and women see things differently isn't it?



I can now get back into this red velvet number too, which I wore pre kids. That kind of thing makes me very 


And for those against the wearing of fur, I have to say I am with you, but this baby was made back in the 1940's for my grandmother, so what's the point leaving it in a suitcase to rot. What's done is done.  It is a beautiful piece which kept me very warm and check out the quality of the workmanship from a time where pride in one's output was of the essence.  I must say, it took a bit of confidence to wear this into a restaurant the other night too on Mr Beach Houses's arm.  But what the hell, I did it and it felt good.  And he did pull me closer as we were leaving the restaurant, which rarely happens so at least he took notice, which felt good.


In other news I've been baking alot.  Lets call it Winter shall we?  The weekend was rainy and cold so I made some stuff for us all to eat as we devoured the box set of Band of Brothers.  I love military history and those servicemen where just incredible people in incredible times.  I kind of have a philosophy where I let my boy be exposed to the horrors of war, so he will never join up. So far he says he will never be a volunteer and I hope that is the case. 

I am sure that is offensive to some people, but I fail to see why a beautiful boy who has been raised up through thick and thin should have his life snuffed out on a political whim.  I think those in power who create wars, should have to go first.  A sure way to end war I think.


Anyway, even though I am a political animal, this is not the place I usually discuss that.

Raspberry Jam and Coconut Slice

For the Base
125g or 4.5 oz butter at room temperature
1/4 cup caster sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1.5 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup milk

For the filing
1 cup raspberry jam (any red jam is fine actually)

For the topping
100g or 3.5oz butter at room temperature (I microwave mine for 10 seconds to soften if needed)
2/3 cup caster sugar
2 eggs
2.5 cups desiccated coconut
1.2 cup of plain flour


Preheat the oven to 180C or 350F

To make the base  

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract and stir to combine.  Sift the flour and baking powder into the bowl and stir in with the milk.

Flour your hands and press into a greased and lined tin 20x30cm or 9x12 inch tin. You can do this with a knife as well.

Spread the base evenly with jam using a knife.

To make the topping

Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and beat until combined.  Stir in the coconut and 1 tablespoon of sifted flour, then stir in the remaining flour.  Spread the topping evenly over the raspberry jam.  Don't worry if the jam moves towards the edges, just allow it to pop through the coconut mixture as it will.

Bake the slice for 35 minutes or until golden.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin for 15 minutes.  Then cut into squares to serve.

The Beach House Brats loved this one.  It's a goody for school lunches too, because there are no nuts.


If you want more recipes,  I've got lots of easy and delicious baking and dessert ideas here
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Monday, June 24, 2013

Black and White Beach Cottage



Good Morning Beach Dwellers.

Although I showed you this lovely beach cottage once before, when it was featured in a magazine, happily for some lucky person it is now on the market.  The photos are a little different and the styling is definitely worth another look.  Only a few steps away from Snapperman's Beach, it is a beautifully appointed beach cottage. I have a thing for exposed roof trusses and bead boarding and this lovely cottage has both those in spades. Come on in and have a look around.  If you are in the market for this kind of home, check out her details here.












Have a great week Beach Dwellers and if you would like to keep up via newsletter, you can sign up here
Today I am linked up here
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