&mpers&nd

Lollyg&gging

2011-05-17T12:51:00.000+01:00

If I sped through life, this is what I would miss.

The Last Day of My 49th Year

2011-03-02T18:05:00.000Z

I got my hair cut and colored today. And I bought a new dress yesterday. So I feel like a new woman entering my next half century (please God) tomorrow!

I know they are a bit passee now, but I had never tried French Macaroons and had mentioned that I was going to try some for my birthday. My friends were so thoughtful and surprised me with a rainbow colored box of them! They tasted as pretty as they looked. I'm not so sure about the rose flavored ones, but I am very sure I like the mojito, chocolate, pear and chocolate, and the salted caramel ones. Yum!

Now I need some ideas for a birthday cake. I'm thinking chocolate (maybe a bit of chili as well) ganache. Any suggestions?

Making Memories

2010-12-01T22:17:00.000Z

I've lived in Ireland for 12 years now and it has never snowed in November here. But memories are made of this.

The kids and their friends have built an igloo. It looks so cosy, until your bottom gets wet. Such fun!

& Autumn & the Turning Inwards

2010-10-17T11:54:00.002+01:00

I know it has been a long hiatus from Blogville.

Well, really there's not much to report. Just the usual things. Getting back into school life, chauffeuring kids back and forth, finding a balance, especially a bank balance!

I'm a member of a choir in Dublin and we have been having a lot of fun rehearsing for our concerts coming up. We usually don't practice much for Handel's Messiah in the National Concert Hall, which we do every year at Christmas, but we are working very hard on the choral score for a film screening of the Lord of the Rings to be performed in the Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin in February and Karl Jenkins's The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace which we will perform with Karl Jenkins conducting next April. I'm very excited as I enjoy singing, especially in a choir.

Okay, I'm done with the plug for our choir.

I wanted to share a picture of a turtle I made as a birthday present for my daughter's friend. Finding money in the bank account has been very difficult this year. But we are managing to keep our heads just above the flood. And a lot of people are worse off.

I used the Henrietta Turtle pattern from Heather Bailey. I used the Forest Pressed Flowers fabric from the Daisy Chain collection by Amy Butler.

I'm obsessed with fabric at the moment, especially Amy Butler and Heather Bailey. I need more. When I'm older and crazier, I'm imagine that all the rooms of my house and my hallways with be stacked high to the ceiling with bales of fabric. Better than too many newspapers and too many cats, right?

I hope she appreciates it.

& Oblivion

2010-09-07T12:57:00.001+01:00

Yesterday the heavens opened up and my mind shut it out

A dark day for thoughts turning inward

For contemplating pleasant summer memories

Oblivion was dancing around in my head

And made me strangely happy.

Camping My Style Encore

2010-08-20T00:19:00.001+01:00

It has been a summer of lots of ups and downs. Broken boiler, which seems to have miraculously healed itself after 2 months. Hooray!!! We will have heat this winter (I am actualising it....feeling the radiators heating up...Ouch! They're hot!). A skimmed bank account, which the bank reimbursed us. No one has been sick at all. Not even the dog.

I've heard people around me complain about the weather this summer, but I think it's been pretty fine. I've had 5 swims in the sea this year. Once I'm numb, I'm fine! I'm making up for lost time. I think I only had one swim last summer.

We've been camping three times this summer, although two trips were for only one night.

Last weekend we went camping at Silver Strand with our good friends Sally and Daren and their kids Harry and Daisy and my son's best friend Shane. We're going to go again in September, if we're lucky with the weather!

Join us!

My Place Near the Sea

2010-08-10T00:00:00.001+01:00

I was born in Minnesota, in the heartland, a state with 10,000 lakes. Now across the Atlantic I live near the Irish sea. Betwixt and between I flourished in the Arizona desert. And someday I will return to that great sandy sea.

But today, my favourite place is the sea. When the sun peeps out, we madly dash to this cherished spot and bathe in its warmth, even if the sea is cold.

Camping My Style--Thank God for the Children's Allowance

2010-07-18T12:42:00.001+01:00

You know I love life. Sometimes you just have to laugh. I'm grateful that I can still see the rose coloured sky in most days. Even after the past week. And what a week it has been!

Some fecker decided to skim all the money from our account last Friday. The bank has been great and we will get it back.

Thank God for the my mother! Someone to freak out to when my man is gone on a walk and never brings his mobile. Freaked out with him when he got back. Would be lost without him. And I'm thankful I check our bank balance every day. I have to since we always live so close to the edge. Broken boiler, too, don't forget! Just another sign that I have to learn how to save money.

And thank God for the Children's Allowance! When that came we knew we could go camping with our friends. Monday, we camped for a night in Hidden Valley in Rathdrum which was a blessed relief from sitting around the house pennyless.

Maybe if I didn't waste good money on unnecessary items like these wellies from Avoca, but aren't they pretty?

& A Day of Independence--Free Me from the Oppression of House Possession

2010-07-04T14:11:00.000+01:00

Happy 4th of July to all my American friends and everyone else! I wish I could be celebrating back home with friend, family, fireworks and macaroni salad. And who was to bring the Swedish Fruit Salad.

Alas, I'm chained to the Old World and hankering for the New World. Starting to think about buying a cemetery plot.

No party this year, but will be having our own barbecue. I would be baking, but no. The wiring and oven are absolutely F+%ked this year. As you know, the boiler has packed it in and now it seems that the fishy smell I have been smelling in the kitchen for the past 3 months is not the fish I baked 3 years ago (those of you who know me know I don't cook fish, but would like to start), but is the electric wires going haywire. Would be no problem at all, just call an electrician and fork out 3,000 on a new boiler, except we don't have a red, white, or blue cent at the moment.

Himself and son are cleaning the Velux windows in the kitchen to let in all the beautiful sunshine that we have been enjoying (let's not jinx it now). I've cleaned the patio door windows of cobwebs and dog scratching.

Enjoy some pictures from last year's party.

Happy Summer Solstice!!! Longest Day of the Year---Now The Nights Start to Get Longer

2010-06-21T21:48:00.000+01:00

Okay.

Problems aren't gone yet. It will take ages for me to lose weight and pay off our debt. I don't know how we're going to buy a new boiler. But everything does seem to work out. And we're all healthy.

For now the sun is shining--the sky is still bright until late; the youngest child is playing Edelweiss on the piano, happy papa is completely immersed in the World Cup. Eldest son is contemplating everything Japanese, and oldest daughter is making a birthday gift for a friend. I'm making good progress on my latest knitting project.

Here's a song for me today.

List of Priorties

2010-06-21T16:49:00.000+01:00

Where do I start?

Busted boiler

Oven that doesn't heat properly

Getting fatter

Maxed out mastercard

Living 3,700 miles away from home

I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow. Tomorrow is another day.

Burrowed In

2010-06-20T13:41:00.000+01:00

A beautiful breezy day. We nestled into the dunes to catnap and watch the world go by.

A blue sky to help me forget that I'm blue.

Happiness is a Warm Pub

2010-06-08T11:47:00.000+01:00

We have been having some pretty fine weather until yesterday. Rain or shine, we all need a walk. We drove up to Glendalough, but the car park (the free one) was full and we just wanted to walk the dog. We drove back and took the big U-turn to drive up to the Glendasan Valley.

I think this rock looks like an ancient grindstone.

It was very drizzly and a bit chilly. Little Red Riding Hood didn't bring her rain coat because she didn't think we'd make her get out of the car for a walk. Although she is a great walker, she doesn't care for it.

The reward was to call into the pub in Macreddin Village. Little Red and Little Yellow Riding Hooded girls will walk for chips and coke!

Isn't this snug?

Who moves first, salt or pepper?

Euro Vision Tonight

2010-05-29T15:39:00.002+01:00

The 2010 Euro Vision "Song" contest is tonight as all of us know who are living in the European Union. But for my North American friends, you can click here for details.

I'm a music lover--classical, country, gregorian chant, rock, indie, jazz, most anything. And I'm a "Gleek" as well for those of you in the know, so I love even the tackiest musical event! And this has to be one of them. BTW I have watched American Idol and X Factor, but not very often. Even though, I'm not proud. I don't know why I haven't bought a Karoke machine yet. Hope I don't turn you all away :)

Ireland has won seven times, more than any other country (Source: Wikipedia). We're still trying to figure out why we haven't won again lately.

We are having a party with friends and neighbours because we only need the flimsiest excuse here for a get together! I wish you could all join us for the festivities.

Abba are still my favourite win in Eurovision.

Enjoy!

A Splendid Day

2010-05-25T09:44:00.001+01:00

Dear friends,

Good morning! As you know I'm a very infrequent correspondent generally. & today I have more excuses to not be sitting here at my computer pondering lovely things to share as this beautiful day outside is beckoning me.

Just for a moment enjoy this lovely photo of my first poppy of the season and other shots of my front garden:

Now let's go outside!

See you later! (Excuse the many exclamation points. I tend to shout a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

How I Kept the Home Fires Burning!

2010-05-01T20:09:00.002+01:00

After a day of steady housework & gardening, I decided to cook up a storm to keep the bellies full & fired up.

I made some Walnut, Parsley, & Pecorino Sauce to eat with Spinach & Ricotta Tortellini. I've used this recipe many times in the past, but not recently. Its from one of my favourite cookbooks "Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone" by Deborah Madison

& Recipe:

1/2 cup walnuts, roasted & finely chopped

2 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted in a small skillet & finely chopped

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup chopped flat leaf parsley

2 tablespoons butter, melted

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup grated pecorino Romano or Parmesan, plus extra for garnish

Combine & pour into the bottom of a large bowl and add the hot tortellini to the bowl.

& dessert was a Rhubarb and Mixed Fruits Crumble I made:

Himself has lit the fire in the grate & we're going to watch Dr Who while I finished knitting my youngest the other gauntlet. Her she is wearing the one I've finished:

We were in Mullingar last Sunday & saw the poster for the Festival of the Fires. I wish we were going, but we felt like staying at home today & burn our home fires. Happy Bealtaine!

The Sunday Drive

2010-04-29T20:47:00.051+01:00

I hope every family has a Sunday routine. Even if every Sunday is different. Some Sundays, it could be reading the Sunday (insert your favourite paper here), or getting the garden in order. Sometimes it can be washing the car and the children and the dog, or making the big Sunday dinner.

Because I'm a tourist at heart, we had to have our Sunday drive and promenade last Sunday. And I had to go somewhere new.

With our picnic in hand (sandwiches and crisps which we ate on the side of the road near the bog in Westmeath), we headed for Belvedere House in Mullingar. You can read all the dry bits here. Some of the story of this house is juicy, such as the rejected young wife being "imprisoned" here because of alleged adulterous behaviour with the owner's brother.

Ringfort

The Jealous Wall, one of the Follies

Converse Triptych

The Victorian Walled Garden

Family portrait

The dining room

View of the terraces

Himself

The view of Lough Ennell from the terraces

My Brush With Greatness!

2010-04-20T08:46:00.001+01:00

Last night I attended a school performance of Thorton Wilder's "Our Town" in which my friend's daughter was acting. She was absolutely brilliant as Emily Webb and easily brought a tear to my eye.

As I was leaving I drove past DANIEL DAY-LEWIS. He looks just like himself. I knew he lived in Wicklow as well as Sinead O'Connor and hoards of others.

I waved at him as I drove past. If he could have only seen me. Oh well, it was a thrill anyway.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_LBYQ-7KF8

My Dream Boulder...I Mean Home

2010-04-18T11:54:00.000+01:00

Still looking for that elusive dream home that's big enough, in a warm location, FREE, and Green. Why not live in a boulder in the Joshua Tree National Park.

Check this out.....

Do you see it? If you want more details of this W. Garrett Carlson designed house, click below

http://www.greenhomesforsale.com/listing.php?id=19007

Okay, the wide open spaces are big enough, but it only has 2 bedrooms and I want 4. And it's not exactly free.

What To Make Next. Inspiration

2010-04-17T22:32:00.000+01:00

I have been inspired all week to make something else after I finished Ellen's apron. I want to make one for me, but I was too busy to get my fabric out and cut it out. Too much work. I finished all the wool on my Noro cowl scarf, but need a bit more and can't get any until next week. I have some wool I picked up in Michael's in February when I was visiting my parents.

My kids would like some knitted gauntlets and I was looking for some inspiration on the web (what did we do without the web?) and I found some lovely ones in awkward's shop on etsy pictured below:

you can see more here

I also found that if I sign up to Lion Brand's online shop, they have a lot of free patterns to download.

I'm going try Lion Brand's free pattern for the Phoenix Gauntlets pictured the second one down.

Now I think I have to learn how to knit in the round.

See What I Sew!

2010-04-11T17:51:00.001+01:00

Necessity is the mother of invention and we can sure feel it now that the credit crunch is on. And I do think it's for the best in most ways. So with the family coffers dipping low and because it was my dear friend, Ellen's birthday last week, I wanted to make her a something handmade this year.

So I dipped into my stash of fabric and used some of my Amy Butler hoard to sew an apron for her. Here it is first modelled by my daughter and then on its own.

My friends know that I'm absolutely in my fabric phase. Ireland has some wonderful fabric--tweeds and linens, but I wasn't inspired by much of the fabric I was finding in the shops here. And then I went home to the States to visit my parents in Florida in 2008 and everything changed.

I discovered Amy Butler.

And now I am head over heels in love with Amy Butler's fabric and other designs, which you can see here, if you've never heard of her. For the main apron panel, I've used her Blue Gothic Rose. For the pockets, waistband, and ties, I've used Joel Dewberry's Orange Sunburst pattern. His fabrics are wonderful, too and you can see his new line Modern Meadow 2010 here.

I am enthralled with this new love for the eclectic modern take in fabric design.

I also love Heather Bailey's designs which you can see here.

I'm going to make myself an apron which I promised myself last year. But which fabric shall I use? Or do I need more?

A Birthday Cake for My True Love

2010-04-02T22:58:00.001+01:00

We are celebrating Ruairi's birthday today. He went out to the pub with his friends last night in Dublin and had a bit too much to drink, missed the last bus home, and called me. So I happily sped towards Dublin and brought him home. I'm just relieved that I didn't have even a glass of wine last night, because the Gardai were out in Donnybrook checking everyone leaving town.

Himself had to go to work today, so I tried to find a nice cake to make for him. I asked him what he wanted and he said just a cake with strawberry jam and cream. So I made him a Classic White Layer Cake with Strawberry Swiss Meringue Buttercream. I've never made this icing before and broke my hand mixer in the process, because I didn't wait until my butter was room temperature. I think it turned out splendidly, although I think it's a bit too buttery tasting, but himself thinks it's lovely. Looks really good, though!

The little sugar flowers were handmade by my friend Ellen and I think they're lovely.

What I'm Doing Instead of Housework

2010-03-31T18:45:00.001+01:00

I've been trying to improve my knitting. I didn't learn how to knit until after my first European tour in 1983 when I was 22. I was so impressed with the handarbeiten cafes in Munich, I was determined to take up knitting. I did make a bottle green mohair sweater for myself with one big needle and one smaller one. I wore it through the rest of the 80s and then tired of it. I wish I still had it.

I went down to Ashford today for an improver's class. Stephanie was very helpful and she is starting by helping me change my style of knitting. I don't know what my style is called, but I think I'm too slow. She got me started with the Continental style of knitting, which is was all the speed knitters use, and I think I'll soon be flying along!

I've decided to make this project from Martha Stewart (my nemesis and quasi idol) cowl scarf . So far it looks like this:

I bought the yard from Stephanie at the Yarn Room. It is by Noro Wool from Japan

Next I'm going to make gauntlets (fingerless gloves for my kids).

March is out like a Lion--What Does That Mean for April?

2010-03-30T16:07:00.000+01:00

So I didn't get out into the garden on Sunday like I had planned. I was going to weed and prune and crawl around in the soil. But instead, I did a bit of laundry, threw something in the slow cooker, and sat around and read and wasted my time on FB. Procrastination was my God that day. And it doesn't pay. I knew I should have ran straight for the garden.

Yesterday, the sun just disappeared from view behind big wet clouds. And today, the temperature was 1 C and a bit snowy.

To remind us what Spring was like last year at this time, here's a picture.

The cherry trees are nearly bursting through, but not in abundance. I don't mind the rain so much as it is very chilly today.

Oh well, I'll think about that tomorrow.

Making Excuses

2010-03-27T17:29:00.001Z

I need a really believable excuse.

For the second year in a row, I've been responsible for my youngest daughter to miss performing in her stage school end of year show. Just from my sheer inability to decipher rehearsal schedules? If she misses any of the rehearsals, she's out. Last year I misread the time for the dress rehearsal and she missed it. And she was out of the show. Today, I drove her to her usual class time thinking that was all she had for today. It was all quiet in the car park outside the church hall, so we thought there was no class because of Easter holidays.

No. The car park was quiet because they had been there for 2 hours already. Of course, I didn't know this until we got home and I read the schedule. And the schedule was in my husband's car the whole week completely forgotten by my daughter and me.

It doesn't even matter that she's wanted to quit the show for the last month. She didn't even like the song she was performing. It doesn't matter that I was worn out this week from my own rehearsals for the choir's performance last Sunday of Bach's Mass in B Minor.
It doesn't even matter that I didn't really want to waste my weekends driving her to and from practise when she was rather reluctant. What mattered was that I was trying to teach her that she has to finish what she starts. I was trying to teach her important and valuable life lessons. If you say you're are going to do something, you do it.

Instead, what have I taught her? That we can change our minds and reneg on our promises. Well, it's done. It's over. I've sent the email to the teacher telling her that my daughter does want to be in the show any longer. That our dog ate her rehearsal schedule and that's why she wasn't at rehearsals today.

Do you think the teacher will buy it?

BUT, she's so happy! She's glad to be released. AND, so am I. She can spend her Easter school break happily buzzing around on her scooter with her friends.

I've Been Gone a Long Time

2010-03-26T21:46:00.002Z

Well, I'm back or least I'm trying to be. I've been trying to upload pictures for this new post and it seems that I have no more room in Picasa?????? I thought it was limitless????? Foolish me. So I bit the bullet and paid to increase the storage.

It has been a busy winter for me. I've been busy with all the usual tasks and pleasures that running a household entails, endlessly practising Bach's Mass in B Minor with the choir, working part-time, plus battling winter bugs and all. After 3 rounds of antibiotics (can't believe I did that), I finally know what it is to feel normal again. I'm so grateful I never took up smoking!

And I need a new camera. My Canon PowerShot A80 seems to be wearing out. Anyone have suggests for a new one?

Here's a picture I took up near Lough Dan in the Wicklow Mountains. It's a beautiful day, but not very green yet, is it?

What have you been doing this winter?

A Snowy Pardon

2010-01-06T19:32:00.002Z

Just when we were getting geared up for school starting again tomorrow, the heavens opened and cast down a snowy reprieve. There will be no school this week for most of the kids in Ireland.

The drive between home in Bray and school in Greystones would looked a little more beautiful than usual. What you don't see is the traffic that is waiting for me at the roundabout after I get over Bray Head. Let's enjoy what's before us now.

A quiet field.

The Little Sugarloaf dusted with a snowy sugar coating.

No post will be leaving here today.

The beautiful fields of the Lord and Lady Meath's Kilruddery Estate. I don't remember the name of this field. Does anyone know?

We have the rest of the week off to relax and enjoy the comforts of home and family. Time for a little Converse skiing....

And I just dodged this snowy attack!

Now, I hope I don't have to work tomorrow, but I will manage to get in if I have too.

Blue Moon New Year's Eve

2010-01-03T22:50:00.000Z

What a way to start a New Year! I booked a family outing to see "A Christmas Carol" at the Gate Theatre in Dublin on New Year's eve. We don't usually sojourn out on New Year's eve, preferring to stay home and relax most New Year's eves. We made an exception this year as I wanted the kids to see this play. We had a lovely stroll from the Southside of Dublin across the Ha'penny Bridge above.

We walked up O'Connell Street and waited for the eclipse to begin.

It was a partial eclipse and also a Blue Moon. We seemed to be the only ones who were interested, which made it more interesting somehow, like it was our own little secret. Mind you, it was only a tiny penumbral shadow. Wikipedia states that the next total lunar eclipse will be 21st December 2010

Then we drove home through snow and arrived in time to toast in the New Year with our friends.

The kids are always so much fun at parties! I think parties would be rather dull without them. They entertained us with an impromtu crazy fashion show.

Let's get 2010 started. I think I'll clean my fridge...

Out of Hibernation---Gingerbread House the First

2009-12-17T12:17:00.030Z

Here I sit at the computer imaging all the lovely things I could create, if I would just get off the computer. New slip covers for my old beat up sofa; wonderfully imaginative, yet healthy vegetarian food to tempt my family out of a carnivorous existence.

But for the last two months I've been in cyber hibernation playing computer games. Has anyone else EVER been as bad as this at using the computer as an avoidance tool? I do have a part-time job. But I haven't been reading; haven't been sewing; haven't been exercising. I have been doing the essentials, but not much more. I don't think social welfare officers will be beating down my door.

What a waste of time.

To make up for my slothfulness, I decided that this was definitely going to be the Christmas that I made a Gingerbread House. So I did. What do you think? Not bad for a first attempt.

Art Project for the Birds (or Monkeys)

2009-11-10T11:28:00.000Z

This is my eldest daughter composing the following photos for her drawing art project. How does she come up with these? I love the idea of reading books in trees.

Samhain 2009

2009-11-09T12:07:00.003Z

I know, it's the middle of November and I'm only now posting about our Halloween party. We had a great time but it wasn't without heart ache and pain. I always experience a bit of madness on the day, no matter how hard I try to be prepared, I never am. Why do I do it? I always think that my parties will be more organised (a la Martha Stewart--my inspiration and my Moriarity). They never will be.

I had too many expectations (as usual). Invitations inspired by Martha (again) were mostly finished the week before, but only handed out the day before. I spent most of the mid-term break week before the party sewing 2 costumes--one which I finished (cape and dress for the Soul Seeker), and one Masquerade Party Girl (which I nearly finished, but didn't, so said brave and gracious, but disappointed girl wore her Chinese pyjamas instead).

While I was trying to finish said costume (see picture below of nearly finished splendor), the family rallied around to frantically clean and do the setup.

After a few tears and a hug from a dear friend (Daren), another dear friend (Sally) making a cake and the lovely Halloween-y wreath and flowers for the party, and again another dear friend (Jeni) who helped me finish organising the last minute food preparations, a Halloween party was had.

Maybe next year I should try a different character idea instead of a jellyfish.

Roll on Christmas!

"Thistle Be Fun!" - Glen Nevis, Glenmore and Back to Inverness

2009-10-10T22:56:00.009+01:00

More pictures of our trip to Scotland last summer. I thought I should finish this post before next summer. Enjoy!

Up 3D

2009-10-10T22:31:00.008+01:00

I have been waiting to see this film for so long. I had been expecting that it would have been released during the summer, but it was only released in Ireland yesterday.

We went to the cinema after a quick stop at the shop to buy toffee popcorn and drinks (which we had a lot of fun smuggling into the cinema under my big new navy Gap cowl neck jumper. I hope I don't put the cinema out of business. Well, we did buy some chocolate covered raisins, candy necklaces, and popcorn and another 5 pairs of 3D glasses (we forgot to bring ours) anyway, so I don't think we did. I know, I know. Some of you can go to the flicks without any illicit goodies, but I must have too may years of subliminal advertising under my ever expanding belt to do without entirely.

I have to say that Pixar have outdone themselves again. Not only is the animation utterly fantastic, the story is so heartwarming and funny. I really wanted to know what would happen even though I would know that it would have a happy ending. I won't tell you the whole story line here, but if you want to know more, here's a link to imdb.com.

I would give this film 5 out of 5 stars.

"Thistle Be Fun!" - Isle of Skye

2009-10-10T21:29:00.004+01:00

[3rd installment of our trip to Scottish Highlands in July]

The Isle of Skye was stunning & the sky was beautiful and blue (in the mornings and evenings)

Here's a view from the campsite in Uig.

Another view of the Uig Bay campsite

Olive bursting at the seams

A view over Uig Bay on our way to see the Fairy Glen (Glen Conon). The glen is a natural miniature landscape. See for yourself. It does indeed look like a place where fairies live

Olive happily resting in the fairy glen while we go exploring

Maybe the fairies can be found here....

Or swimming in the fairy lake

The fairy lake with a view to the tower-like formation known as Castle Ewen (where the king and queen of the fairies must live)

Driving around Skye we found a holy well or spring, Loch Shianta

& a series of stone markers in gaelic (but I can't translate)

Isn't this a beautiful orchid; it's the Common Spotted Orchid.

& here is Loch Shianta

The water was an absolutely amazing bluey green colour and so clear

A view of a cottage nearby

Couldn't see the peaks (the Quairang?) on our drive to Portree for some lunch

Portree looks like a postcard

A view from Cafe Arriba over the bay at Portree

Saw Eilean Donan castle through the window on our way back to the mainland. Can you believe the kids didn't want to stop and see it?

On our way back to the mainland and onwards to Glen Nevis

Winter Nearly Underfoot

2009-09-17T16:43:00.010+01:00

Winter is a comin' and I want to be warm and toasty. Had the boiler serviced for the first time in the 10 years we've lived here. Not good. Most of my neighbors have already had to replace their boilers, so I'm not going to be surprised when it kicks the bucket. The service man said it is in poor condition, but might last another couple years. You think that a boiler should last a lot longer than this considering we bought our house new off the plans 10 years ago. They don't make things the way they used to.

I need rugs to keep warm this winter, too, & I have my eye on this Amy Butler rug:

Here's link to the rest of these rugs. I can't choose just one.

&I can have them all when I shop in virtual reality.

"Thistle Be Fun" - Train to Inverness - Camping with Olive

2009-09-12T23:57:00.003+01:00

A picture of one of the stops on our way to Inverness

After two days in Edinburgh, we took the train to Inverness to collect the 1974 VW Camper. Her name is Olive (I should call her Miss Olive). Meet Miss Olive:

Isn't she a sweet little thing. We hired her from a great guy, Douglas Wilson, and drove around the Highlands for a week. First stop was Dornoch north of Inverness.

& there was a pipe band in Dornoch announcing our arrival on our first night camping with Olive.

A cute little village where apparently Madonna and Guy Ritchie were married. I didn't take a picture of the church so you can visit the Cathedral here if you wish.

We ate at a restaurant above a pub here & we were lucky to get food as it was rather late, it seemed, but the less said the better about that.

We set up our awning in the wind and rain and the next morning we were waking up to the same. But we were cozy in Olive. We had set up the awning for the teenage son to sleep in since Olive only sleeps 4, but we ended up all sleeping in Miss Olive. Bless her soul!

We were snug and cozy, and enjoying a cup of tea

Then we were off to the Isle of Skye via Loch Ness and Fort Augustus

Beautiful & misty Loch Ness and no sight of Nessie

Next morning we woke up to another beautiful sunny day in Fort Augustus

Went over this lovely stone arch bridge on our way

& we picnicked by Loch Cluanie

& here's Skye with the blue sky above.

& A Beautiful September Day--The Sun Beat Down Upon Us

2009-09-10T12:28:00.010+01:00

Enjoy the day that is.

You never know when it will rain. No wait, perhaps I can predict rain. As soon as I put the clothes on the line to dry, the clouds will burst their seams even if there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I've seen it rain in front garden & have it bone dry in the back garden.

Which is I why I don't put the washing out often. Hoping against hope that we can have a good stretch of days like this one. You see, I'm not a very good Irish housewife watching the skies & rushing home to take in the washing. I use a tumble dryer. I don't iron much either. Yes, I admit it. I've come out of the ironing closet. Wash & dry, that's me.

I'm sure I'm personally responsible for global warming. I hope Ireland stays green in spite of me.

But the sun is "beating" down upon us today. Insects wheeling around in the still warm air. Blackberries & guelder rose berries are ripening a bright red, too. The wasps & crane flies are seeking shelter in the house joining my pet spiders company for dinner.

Everything seems to be in its place & time & there are smiles all around me.

From my youngest

& even from Bambi

"Thistle Be Fun!" - First Stop Edinburgh

2009-09-09T22:18:00.009+01:00

It's been two months since we went on holiday to Scotland, but here's the post I meant to publish ASAP after we returned.

We had never been to Scotland before. Carlisle is the closest I had ever been to the Scottish border.

So this year with all the rain in Ireland and our neighbours, why not try camping in the rain in Scotland. They speak English (I think) and we speak English (I think) so we decided it would be fun (it was) and cheaper (it wasn't) to go on a camping holiday to Scotland. A rainy camping trip to Scotland seemed more fun than a package holiday on the Costa del Sol (which I've never tried so I don't really know) with the rest of Ireland, laying around the pool by day and drinking and karaoke by night. Don't get me wrong, I love Spain. Someday I want to go back, si Dios quiere, but maybe Florence or Madrid or Barcelona again. I'd even try the seaside in Spain, if I could find a bit of a quiet beach.

The plan was to start off in Edinburgh to see the sights for a couple days, then take the train to Inverness, pick up our camper van (Olive) for the week, then back to Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is a wonderful city! We got off the airport bus on the Waverly Bridge and while we were consulting our map to find our hostel, a lovely woman asked us if we needed help and gave us directions to our hostel. I was completely bowled over by her offer of help so shortly after getting off the bus. At the same time I was wondering if we looked particularly lost and pathetic?!

We just enjoyed a few days walking around Edinburgh in the sunshine and taking in the sights.

Here's a few shots of Edinburgh.

A view up the Royal Mile in the Old Town.

Down the steps. Old Town Edinburgh is all up and down little wynds and closes and steps! You never know quite where you are!

A view of the Old Town from Prince's Park.

Family photo (except for Ruairi who's taking the picture)

Self-portrait with child!

A display of sisterly affection.

A view behind the Scottish Parliament

Wheeeee!

Dynamic Earth - A geology exhibit. We didn't actually tour this exhibit; we just picnicked outside because the sun was blazing down and couldn't stand the idea of being cooped up inside.

View down Waverly Bridge. Plenty of pipers piping for their supper.

A ghost tour of Greyfriars graveyard.

Ellie laughing it up.

Eoin explaining something about swords and weaponry. His favourite pasttime.

Beautiful sunset over Edinburgh.

Next stop Inverness and meeting Olive!

Barbecuing in Ireland

2009-08-30T13:40:00.004+01:00

Barbecuing in Ireland in the summer. You know, it's still fun!

Glimpses at Summer's End

2009-08-22T15:00:00.013+01:00

We anticipate summer for so long and then it's over. Where does time go?

We enjoyed a delightful and warm day on the Silver Strand where we saw many things under the blue sky.

Glimpses of our future

Of loved ones

Glimpses of pirates and imagined buried treasure.

Glimpses of beauty

Of quiet

Of joy

and butterflies (even if only temporarily)

Independence Day

2009-07-07T01:22:00.005+01:00

Happy 4th of July everyone! We had wonderful weather for a barbecue and celebrated it madly into the wee hours with our friends and neighbours and a passle of kids and it was so much fun!

Thanks to my good friend Sally for surprising us with flowers from her garden that she arranged for my front door (my daughter added the flag!) Isn't Sally talented?

Peek-a-boo to the 3 littlest ones in the group. They were so sweet and not shy, running around holding hands.

The kids deserve all the applause we gave them and more for their wonderful impromtu performances.

Now and Then

2009-07-05T12:17:00.000+01:00

My first born is nearly a man. He may look and sound like a man, but not yet a man.

Eoin is 16. I can't believe it because even though he looks like this now...

Still dressing up. Still playing with swords. Still sifting his way through all the joys and pains of what he means to be.

Only yesterday, he looked like this....

He told me he was the "Statue of Liberty"

Happy birthday my sweet young man! Im proud of what you have become so far on your journey. You are warm and compassionate and very funny. You are such a pleasure in my life.

I Fancy This...

2009-06-30T16:33:00.009+01:00

I found these plastic cup chandeliers in Julianne's Atelier shop on etsy. These chandeliers are so beautiful and sparkly. I want one...or...two...or three. They're nearly better than a room full of balloons. Definitely gives you that party atmosphere!

I can't resist these lights! They remind me of the Berger fountain in Loring Park, Minneapolis where I lived for 4 years in the 80s. The original fountain designed by Robert Woodward is in Sydney, Australia.

I Fancy This...

2009-06-16T22:15:00.006+01:00

Stumbled across these "surface graphics" (stickers for grown-ups) from blik. I fancy these graphics for my kitchen walls.

Maybe they'll make "Twilight" quotes or a lifesized sparkly Edward for my bedroom wall. Soon. I can only hope.

Down the Burrow

2009-06-14T22:24:00.009+01:00

Sunny-day, a beautiful day to pack up the car and head to Rosslare and catch crabs down the Burrow.

To feel the warm, squeaky sand between our toes.

& see a Curlew Sandpiper...

& a loving demonstration of sisterly love!

Just to drink our tea and look out at the sea and ponder.

I'm a Crafty Mom--To Tie Dye For!

2009-06-08T09:56:00.013+01:00

I always wanted to be the coolest and craftiest and cleverest mom around. That was before I had children. Then reality hit me. It's hard and messy to be the craftiest mom all the time. And moms do most of the cleaning up. It's not like Martha Stewart who has minions under her thumb who do all the boring bits. And TV programs where they say "here's one I did earlier and doesn't it look so easy?"

And yes, you can have too many art and craft materials. Where do you store them all? Do I really want my kitchen to look like an artist's studio? Sure, I'll just move aside the burnt sienna and the easel to make burnt toast.

When will I use all the glitter glue I bought in every shade and when am I going to use all my calligraphy pens and gold ink on the illuminated manuscripts I was going to show my kids how to do? And honestly, where do I put the loom?

Every year when summer rolled around I found myself telling my kids "hey, let's tie dye t-shirts this year and won't that be fun!" I even bought a book from Amazon about tie dying and batik, which had too much information (and no colour pictures) if all a person wants is the shortcut version. But it never happened.

But finally this weekend after much pleading by Niamh (okay, I'm a soft touch) we had a tie dying party on Saturday. I spent Friday night looking for white t-shirts that would fit everyone, salt and buckets which I got at Tesco's. I bought soda ash and dye at the Fabric Gallery in Bray (thanks to all there who were very helpful).

We had mixed results and I'm not sure I really understand why some shirts and pants are darker than others, but here is some of our handiwork...

We tie dyed pants and socks as well (except the lovely Rainbow ones)

After all are hard work (and dyed hands) we made homemade pizza and watched Twilight. Finally I get to watch Twilight with teenage girls! That is so fun! We also had to watch the MTV Awards highlights on youtube as well.

I have to especially thank Ruairi. All this fun would not have been possible without him.

I think I might try it again.

A Bloomin' Beautiful Day in Dublin

2009-06-01T11:48:00.011+01:00

In Ireland, these hot sunny days are very rare indeed. We wouldn't like to have too many of them or then Ireland wouldn't be the Emerald Isle any longer.

These are the strawberry and cream days. The happy merriment that comes to us on a rare long weekend when the nature gives us what we desire the most.... to worship the sun. Then we relish it.

We went to Bloom Festival in Phoenix Park to start with. We have never been to it before and it was fun, except we don't really enjoy the madding crowd.

Here's a surprising family portrait below in the funhouse mirror. See if you can pick me out in my flowery top, Niamh's plaid Converse high tops, Eoin's upturned face, and Ruairi enjoying the shade.

After we left Bloom, we stopped at the docks along the Liffey to check out the tall ships (and get a '99') in the Maritime Festival.

Below is the new Samuel Beckett bridge that they are constructing to join Macken Street on the south-side of the River Liffey, to Guild Street and North Wall Quay in the Docklands area. When they first tried to moved it through the East Link bridge a couple weeks ago they had to abandon it due to high winds. But they managed to get through the next day when the tide was high enough.

Here's the Jeanie Johnston, which is a replica of a 19th century sailing ship that is now a famine museum.

We even saw some cheeky pirates.

Twilight Fever Movie Night

2009-05-29T01:16:00.005+01:00

Thanks to Ciara, Lisa, Lucy, Jo, and Ellen who bravely came to my Twilight cult film showing. I think we all had fun, even Ellen the "newbie" in our group who didn't know what she was getting into.

We are definitely all on Team Cullen now, since Jo got us all badges that say "Got Twilight". So cool. Thanks to Jo.

I laughed through my umpteenth watching of this film with my friends, but wishing I was Bella the whole time. What is it that attracts mature(ish) women to Edward?

Go team Cullen

Life is Good!!

2009-05-23T16:38:00.019+01:00

I hope all my friends and family will ignore my previous post, where I acted in a peevish manner lashing out at the world. A bit of sunshine and warmth and a party with friends over the weekend was all I needed.

Okay, now that's off my chest, here are some pictures from the last couple weeks that warm my heart.

Ruairi and I brought all the neighbor kids to Greystones beach and they had a mountain building competition.

Meabh's communion party at her grandmother Betty's house in Bray. Such great craic! The only problem is that I haven't been able to get Joe Dolan songs out of my head since Saturday!

Elinor helping chop carrots for the vegetable soup. She is such a great helper!

Niamh getting ready for a birthday disco party. So cool!

Bird stealing grapes at the Happy Pear!

The hall at Holy Cross College in Clonliffe where I auditioned for Our Lady's Choral Society. Cross your fingers!

A visit to Dublin City where Niamh and I visited Dee's great shop Lucy's Lounge. (Dee, I promise I will show you my hats soon!)

Grumpy

2009-05-21T10:14:00.002+01:00

I'm grumpy today (what's new?). I really have nothing to say so I don't know why I try blogging anyway. I'm not nearly as creative and clever as I wish I were. Or the social butterfly I wanted to be. Work and cleaning. That's all there is at the moment.

I love my better half and our kids, but I hate housework so really I'm useless. I can cook, but it just makes me fat. Even the dog is whinging at me.

I hate living in this small 3 bed semi-detached house that has been home to me for the last 9 years. Did I really sign up for this? (But then again, I'm thankful that it's warm and I'm not on the streets). It's not that I wanted to live in a mansion. I just want more room about me without the neighbors sharing walls with me. Not that they have every done anything to be other than be perfectly neighborly.

I want to be a hermit in the woods where I own all of the trees for miles around so I don't have to worry about them being chopped down.

I want to be a long haul trucker on the road again.

Push My Buttons

2009-05-19T16:25:00.016+01:00

Lately, I have been trying to become re-inspired to start some of the projects that I planned to do, but haven't attempted yet. The aprons for all of us girls in the family with the Amy Butler fabric I bought last year. But I keep trying to figure out which ones to put together. Or that dress and shirt I was going to make for myself.

Then I decided that I wanted to try to find some buttons to go with these projects. And I went a little auction mad buying buttons (and watch parts for Eoin to play with).

Take a look....

Vintage Deco Green Glass Buttons

Rhinestone Buttons

Black Bakelite Dress Clips

Watch Parts

Now back to the drawing board to get to work.

Lori Leaves for Africa

2009-05-12T09:40:00.005+01:00

My blog friend Lori Ann leaves for Africa tomorrow. Check out her blog and you will see pictures from her previous trips to Africa. I am so thrilled for her and looking forward to seeing Africa through her eyes. I will have to be an accidental tourist this time until I attempt to visit Africa myself . Someday.

Here's a painting of a giraffe that my daughter Niamh painted and I thought I would share it with Lori Ann as a reminder of Africa.

Good luck Lori and I wish you a safe journey. Bon voyage!

A Week of Pictures

2009-05-06T21:50:00.004+01:00

Oh To Be Seventeen Again (Not)

2009-04-30T09:49:00.006+01:00

Another mizzling (I learned this word from my friend Ciara!) day in Wicklow. A perfect day for some solitude.

No work today. I'm going to go live in a fantasy 'Twilight' world. I'm going to get cozy on the couch in front of the fire in my new stripey pyjama bottoms from Dunnes, wearing my son's Minnesota Wild Hockey hoodie (don't tell him), with my bagel and yogi tea (okay, Diet Coke too), and find out if Edward is coming back to Bella?

Today, I'm seventeen again and I have no responsibilities except to myself and the whole world is ahead of me. Yes, I will do it all over again and go for the Bachelor's degree in Music and Art History I should have. Then travel the world singing for my supper. Then when I've sung all I could sing, become a milliner and ultra fascinating professional party guest!

What do I care if the dog tracks in mud all over the floor. Or if the laundry piles up. Or if the house falls down around me.

I won't know. I'm not actually here.

Not until the kids come home at 2:30.

Russell Crowe in the Morning

2009-04-28T17:08:00.011+01:00

I love going to movies. And I've have fallen behind lately and have not been able to kept up with the most recent releases.

So this morning I decided to join the buggy brigade and catch a film in Dundrum during the Reel Parents showing of "State of Play". It was so much fun! I sat there at 11 o'clock in the morning chatting away to the mom next to me (Hi Fiona and little 2 month old Conor from Shankill!) with my popcorn and chewy toffees (I know, I know), getting my dose of Russell Crowe.

State of Play was taken from the BBC series of the same name, which I had never watched. For a full summary here's a link to imdb.com.

All in all I think this film is average. We've seen it all before. Corduroy jacket wearing, wised up, pigheaded yet old-fashioned journalist but will put himself in danger for a friend and to expose corporate cover ups meets new ambitious idealistic political gossip blogging journalist. Still, I was happy keeping up with the story, wanting to know what happens next. But I felt that there were a few implausibilities.

But also, I kept getting distracted by the way the sets and costuming were so formulaic. Oh yes, the older, wiser reporter wears corduroy jacket, drives an old Saab, is a slob. They try to bring in the All the President's Men theme by filming around the Watergate building. All the congressmen are just evil political beasts. Just suits.

I do think that the acting was very good. I have to keep my eye out for Rachel McAdams in the future and Helen Mirren is always good. Colin Bateman was great as a louchy PR guy. But I just really didn't see anything new.

Of course, Russell Crowe will still be a box office draw for me. At least two of his previous films are in my top 10!

How Can I Keep From Singing?

2009-04-19T13:38:00.004+01:00

I am so excited!. & nervous! & Rusty! Nevertheless I am so excited!

I am going to audition for a Dublin choir in the general auditions in May.

I haven't sung in a choir for so many years, but it must be like riding a bicycle. You never forget how. But will my voice and breathing really be up to the task?

I better start getting my voice in shape.

Easter Fun

2009-04-11T21:43:00.020+01:00

I was glad for break today. A break from work and school and a break from the clouds. I have to say I was a bit tired of it all. Recession talk and other messages of gloom and doom. But the sun and the girls' enthusiasm perked me up.

& my pink tulips actually came up this year...

& Elinor had fun camping with the Tracker Scouts in Powerscourt Demesne.

& I have a thing for old wrought iron gates and stone walls around Powerscourt and other Big Houses in Ireland! It's the details of the craftsmanship that intrigue me and how they age.

& we dyed our Easter eggs.

& decorated the house for Easter.

& what a beautiful Easter Sunday it started out to be & the hunt was now afoot.

Happy Easter!

& Brooch

2009-03-29T11:33:00.006+01:00

Two posts in one day, what can I say. I just wanted to share this little thing I created inspired by Heather Bailey and Amy Butler. I call this brooch "Wednesday Addams's Summer Camp Nightmare", inspired by the film "Addams Family Values".

I made some fabric yo-yos with Amy Butler fabric using Heather Bailey's instructions and recycled buttons!

& In Praise of Arboreal Inspiration & Creativity

2009-03-29T10:07:00.014+01:00

People are so amazing and clever. The things they think to do.

I love trees. They are very special to me & I have a lot of memories related to different trees that were important to my life, such as the Palo Verde tree that grew outside my childhood bedroom in Tucson Arizona. Every spring it would burst into yellow blossoms hanging down like a willow tree, yellow blossoms to the ground. It was a refuge for me. It looks like this:

But I would have never thought of trees as inspiration for a crocheted garment, but look at this....

I found myself drawn to this artscarf which I saw on etsy & I think it's so beautiful. This is from creative redhead's shop on etsy. I heart her art.

& Mothering Sunday

2009-03-22T12:52:00.009Z

I woke up to breakfast in bed & a beautiful card from Elinor & a beaded bracelet she made just for me.

& hugs from all of my children, Eoin, Niamh, and Elinor.

Ruairi, aren't we so happy to be parents? Thank you.

A Belated Happy St. Patrick's Day

2009-03-19T21:39:00.010Z

The day dawned bright and beautiful on Ireland's patron saint's day. We went to the local parade to enjoy and applaud our friends and neighbors displaying their civic and patriotic pride.

My shy, but proud little Tracker!

The Past

The future

But there are still a few shenanigans left in all of us.

Don't drink and drive!

Lucky Friday the Thirteenth

2009-03-13T09:15:00.004Z

Today is a lucky day. But yesterday the twelfth was not. While I was seasoning a pot of Mexican pinto beans I dropped the cast iron enamelled pot lid and broke my new ceramic hob that will only be two weeks old tomorrow.

I cannot find polite and tasteful words to express my disgust and anger.

But I move on and decide that as always the "thirteenth" will be lucky. It will be lucky because the sun will come out from behind the clouds today; my husband is employed; my children are happy and healthy; and we find comfort, warmth, love, and fun with each other.

I shall find today to be a lucky day.

Les volailles de Genevieve

2009-03-12T19:12:00.008Z

A beautiful cool spring morning, I went to visit my friend Jeni in Rockbottom on the way to Roundwood. Driving up & down hills past beautiful stone walls.

We had a nice ol' chin wag in her homely kitchen while she made chocolate muffins (with chocolate sprinkles!) for friends and passel of kids that were going to be visiting over the weekend!

Then she had to go give the ducklings fresh water. In a few days they will be able to go out to the pond. Aren't they cute?

& keeping the little chicks warm in her greenhouse until they can roam around with the older chickens.

& see the proud cockerel and hens.

Hail Spring!

2009-03-08T18:45:00.008Z

The sun is shining down and we're ready to get started. A big day ahead of us in our house. We're all full of hope for this day. Some of us are hopeful of clearing up leaves in the garden and getting a few seeds started in pots and some of us are hopeful of playing outside with our friends.

So my youngest gets her wellie boots on to go to the garden to play with the dog....

Then the Irish weather decides it is winter again and it starts to hail.....

It starts to cover the ground

Let's go back inside and read a book with a cup of tea and brownies in front of the fire, shall we?

The Past Week

2009-03-01T11:19:00.014Z

Over Mid-Term Break Niamh spent a few days in Bastardstown
with her cousin Fia and their friend Evie and took some nice pictures....

Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Tuesday/Mardi Gras

I went with some girlfriends to Duke Special concert in Greystones Theatre.
He was great!!!!!!! I can't do him justice--you'd have to be there.

The Happy Pear with Elinor

What Did We Find?

2009-02-21T21:44:00.028Z

Today was a beautiful day. There's still a bit of snow on the mountains, but the sun is beating down. The kind of day to get out of the house, walk in the woods, and to sit on warm granite rocks basking in the sun.

So a walk in the woods was planned. Up we drove through Enniskerry to Cloon Woods. In Gaelige, Cloon means "meadow in the clearing of a forest."

On up the path we first found a spiral on a stone. Do you see it?

& it is really a clearing now since they have recently done a clearcut of the pines.

I wonder what changes will bring this summer? New saplings? Foxgloves? Purple Heather? Brambles?

Up the path we go enjoying the blue sky with hardly a cloud in the sky at midday. What did we come across next?

Frogspawn. & we saw the frogs guarding their spawn, but they got away.

We came to a small stream with a fallen tree and...

& There was an old stone wall...

& A brotherly helping hand...

& We left nothing there except a friendly message in the grass...

& We took nothing home with us except a warm glow.

& If I Built A House.....

2009-02-05T21:37:00.013Z

I would love to build a house. Some place very unique and...me. But what would it look like? There are so many architectural choices to draw on for inspiration.

Maybe I would build in a eco-friendly straw house; or maybe an old country cottage in Connemara. Or I would renovate an old world pile somewhere. I grew up in the desert of Arizona in an adobe 1950s ranch house. I could live there again. You never know where inspiration can come from.

But if I could design a whole house around a set of taps................?

When Niamh & I went to London last August, we were walking to Harrod's & came across this shop--Lefroy Brooks. These taps are the most wonderful taps! They are modeled after the tail fins off of a 1950s Chevrolet Bel Air. All streamline and space age-y. But they are also very art deco, aren't they. If I were to live in a 1950s modern house worthy of Hollywood? Or an 1930s art deco house worthy of an Agatha Christie novel?

& Bibelots

2009-01-22T15:30:00.002Z

Was browsing online the other day and I came across this beautiful bracelet. I love the jade colour of the beads and the branch. I found it in lillyella shop on etsy. She's based in Ohio. I just love it!

For me, there is something completely appealing about watery colours like jade and aquamarine. These colours just really set my heart alight!

Do you think it might have something to do with me being a Pisces, which is a water sign..............?

& Australia

2009-01-18T12:07:00.003Z

I love film, but I haven't been to the cinema enough lately. So it was hard for me to choose a film to see when there are so many I haven't seen. Should we see "The Wrestler"? No. The theme is too macho for me today. Maybe next week. How about "Che. Part I". No. Too serious. Perhaps "Slumdog Millionaire"? No. Too hyped at the moment, plus already sold out in Dun Laoghaire Cinema tonight.

So we went to see "Australia" directed by Baz Luhrmann starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. Beautiful aerial shots of Australian landscape, beautiful people, cinematic drama. Well, if you have seen other Baz Luhrmann films you would recognize his style. Completely unapologetically romantic, overally melodramatic, and playing up audience responses to the set ups. No surprises there. No suspenseful moments because you know the hero and heroine will kiss, will get together, the beautiful boy will not come to any harm, and that good will triumph over evil.

With that in mind, I just go with the flow and enjoy the ride!!!! Being a red-blooded female I have to say that Hugh Jackman is my fantasy cinematic hunk of man flesh at the moment as The Drover. He looks good sweaty; he looks good cleaned up; he rides horses; has a softer side. Doesn't get too macho at the same time. Reminds me of my favourite Australian film of the 1980s---"The Man From Snowy River" starring Tom Burlinson. I loved that film so much that I went to the trouble to get Tom Burlinson's autograph when he visited Minneapolis. I was so young!

Anyway, I would give it four stars for a good time. A good film, but not a classic.

A Perfect Day in The Kitchen

2009-01-03T17:12:00.000Z

A lazy Saturday after the rush of the Christmas season. It's perfect day to make soup--Vegetable for the kids and French Onion for mom and dad.

& A perfect day for baking. I am attempting to make Croissants for breakfast using my Julia Child French Cook Book...The dough is on its first rise for 3 1/2 hours...It's been 3 1/2 hours and not much is happening...I used a new brand of yeast and I think my kitchen is too cold today.

& As a fall back, I am making my Cinnamon Rolls, just like my mother used to make. So far, so good!

A New Year & A New Apron

2009-01-03T00:54:00.000Z

& A happy new year one & all! I didn't make any new posts for Christmas as I was too busy enjoying the festive season or too tired from nursing loved ones who were ill!

& I don't make resolutions, at least I wouldn't dream of committing them to the written page--too much like a contract that you are bound to break.

But I am resolved to make this apron. I am anxiously awaiting this new Amy Butler Domestic Goddess pattern (and new fabric Daisy Chain--Pressed Flowers--just like in the photo--which is in my favourite colours) to arrive which I ordered on ebay so that I can make my luscious new apron. I don't think the apron will help me be a better housekeeper, but I'll look really good trying!

Baking......................

2008-12-03T22:39:00.000Z

I have been frantically baking for my first bake sale ever. The Christmas Craft Fair at St. David's. My friends Sally and Ellen are also working hard on their wares.

Sally is making a lovely assortment of wreaths, fresh and dried and saltdough ornaments.

Ellen has made lovely beaded start ornaments and clothes peg Christmas fairies and angels. She has also made some lovely gingerbread snowflake ornaments.

I was inspired by snowflakes this year, so I made homemade marshmallow snowflakes among other things (inspired by Martha Stewart as always). I think they were lovely. My kids are marshmallow experts and they say that they tasted good, too.

Films

2008-11-23T22:16:00.001Z

Lars and the Real Girl

As my friends know, I am a movie fiend. I love all genres of film. But I don't get to indulge in going to the cinema as often as I used to when I was young and single. But how I love film! I would love nothing better than to sit through a whole night of film until dawn (like I used to when I was younger). As long as there is plenty of popcorn and chewy toffees.

We've joined Screenclick so we rent DVDs delivered to right to our door (saves alot on late return fees!!). This week we rented "Lars and the Real Girl" It's about a delusional young man (Ryan Gosling) who has an anatomically correct doll for a girlfriend. All his family and townsfolk are very supportive of his new "relationship". From the description of the movie, it sounded like the humour might turn a bit sophomoric and slapstick, but it was very sweet and poignant. I really enjoyed it.

I would give it 3 1/2 stars out of 5. I would see it again, but it still isn't knocking anything out of my top 10! If I could only decided what really is in my top ten! Maybe top 100!

Next week is Mirrormask.....

First Post--My Inspiration..........

2008-11-22T16:30:00.001Z

I was inspired by my friend Ciara (at Milkmoon) to try my hand at blogging. So much so that I just couldn't resist dedicating my first posts to her.

Here is a link to her wonderful blog http://milk-moon.blogspot.com/

My mother is my other biggest inspiration. She is so artsy craftsy. And such a good cook! She's painting at the moment. She painted this one for me. I love it! The flower is a Gardenia which is the flower I chose for our wedding nearly 16 years ago.