USS Fort McHenry

Wow Dublin is full of Americans for the Notre Dame v. Navy!  There is loads of events going on with a pep rally in Temple Bar this morning before the game this afternoon.

The USS Fort McHenry is docked down at the port  and through a lottery held by the US Embassy I won tickets to go aboard  on Sunday!!!  So excited to see this! 

We have been given instructions to make our way down to the East Wall at the port.  We will then be taken on a bus to the ship.

Photos to follow......

Sex & the City - Kristin Davis

While in New York my sister Amy went to see a play called "The Best Man".  Starring Kristin Davis and John Stamos, Amy was very lucky to get meet them and get a photo!

Check it out....

Amy with Kristin Davis!

           John Stamos (of ER and Full House fame) with Amy

Amy said that they were both so nice.  She chatted with John and he told her how he had visited Ireland as a child.  He was in a marching band and he agreed with her that he visited Ireland to be in the St. Patricks Day Parade.  She told him that he should come do theatre in Dublin and that Al Pacino was in Ireland doing "Glengary Glen Ross".  He told her that this play was coming to broadway.  Amy was very much starstruck and said that he had a "million dollar smile".  Gorgeous!

Barefoot Contessa - my favourite cooking show!

It's lashing raining here, I had planned on going for a cycle before work but it is just to wet.  Instead I am catching up on my favourite cooking show Ina Garten's "Barefoot Contessa".  I record all of her shows and then watch them when Ciaran is not about.  Today Ina is cooking clams on the beach for her friends - it is another world and it certainly helps me forget about he dreary weather outside my door!

While she was prepping the food for her guests she asked a friend to set the beach up for a simple beach party.  "Simple" does not seem to be in this man's vocabulary! He is a florist so he planted 4 palm trees on the beach along with bringing some fabulous beach blankets and a bench and a grill.  It was all finished off with some hydrangea's and glass vases filled with sand, shells and candles - it looked amazing.

After clams and burgers topped with caramelised Ina's guests were treated to "S'mores".  I always see S'mores in American films but have never tasted one, they look delish - might make some next time I am in Key West and using the bbq!  

Next up she is cooking swordfish with a garlic and ginger marinade!!!

PS. I should mention dinner yesterday in my parents house.  My mother cooked Pulled Pork for the first time using a recipe given to here when she was in New York with my sister last week.  It was amazing!  She got up at 6am to put it on to cook.  Wow, it was worth it!

Gobble gobble! Turkey time!

My twin sister came back from New York on Monday.  She brought Bones a new toy.  It's a turkey!

We are driven insane by him, he loves it.  I've never seen him pounce on something with such gusto!

For fun we put it up on the mantlepiece - he goes wild for it.  All of his toy chickens have been relegated, the turkey is his favourite.....for the moment ;-)

Tall ships in Dublin

We just got back from the Tall Ships festival.  It was great, town was really buzzing and all of the pubs were packed with people.  Most of the pubs had put on entertainment which really made the atmosphere fantastic.  We also heard The Undertones performing Teenage Kicks which was cool!

We cycled into the city but walked back home which was not so great for Ciaran given that he had played a few hours of squash today :-(  

Smart Car Belfast

A year ago my twin sister and I organised a "Smart Car Rally" in Dublin.  14 Smart Car owners from all over Ireland (and one lady from England) joined up for a great say out.  We met in the Phoenix Park where we had coffee and cinnamon buns while we checked out each others Smart and talked about them.  We then set off to Dublin City Centre and then on to Howth.  After that we made our way back to to the Hole in the Wall Pub which it on the wall of the Phoenix Park.  There we had some food and drinks and then finished off  the rally with some amazing cupcakes courtesy of "Lydia B Cupcakes". Of course the conversation revolved around all things Smart!!

We were able to link up and find Smart Car owners through the power of the Internet as well as diligence by Amy and I - every time we saw a Smart Car in Dublin we left a note on the car about the rally and the Facebook page.  It is great to have met all of these owners - they have proven to be a great resource whenever you need anything done to your Smart there is always someone who knows where the best place to buy the part or get it done it.

In September the Smart dealership in Belfast is organising a rally in aid of the Ulster Cancer Foundation.  Hopefully we can meet up with a lot of our buddies who went to our rally at this event!  

                         My car and Amy's 1967 MG.

If you have any questions about Smart Cars, feel free to email smartcarrally@gmail.com or join us on the Smart Car Rally Facebook page.

Stay safe my Key West friends!

It seems that Isaac will be popping in to say Hello to Key West on Monday.

Stopping off in Cuba and possibly Haiti this hurricane looks like it may cause serious damage to places that haven't even started coping from the last big storm.

I'll be keeping an eye on this one over the weekend but in the meanwhile I urge my friends in Key West to either make plans to get off the island or to stock up on necessary supplies.

My thoughts will be with you it if hits........hopefully this is not the big one that is expected after many quiet years after Wilma.

Update, Isaac is expected to hit Key West about 8pm tonight (Sunday) as a Category 1 hurricane.

At one with nature....

We just saw a fox on the wall at the end of our garden.  Wow!  It was amazing looking.  Gorgeous red coat and a sharp pointy noise.  

The other day I saw a squirrel in the tree in my neighbours garden.

For such a built up area it is quite amazing to see this type of wildlife in such close proximity.  

UFO's? No, it's Peter Zumthor's Lenticchia....!

The large Peter Zumthor Lenticchia lights were fitted in the hallway and the landing today.  I love them!

                            It fits so well with the surroundings.  

It is a white light but it diffused strangely when I took the picture and looks like a coloured lamp.

      Below picture is the smaller sized one in the bedroom.

They float so beautifully and look like they are suspended in mid-air.  Like a UFO's!

If you are interested renovating a home and like these lights feel free to contact ODKM for supplier information.

Rugby!

I've just been reminded by a colleague that Leinster v. Munster rugby tickets go on sale this morning in 2 hours time.  Hopefully they don't sell out too fast and I get my hands on two.  Fingers crossed!

They are playing in the Aviva Stadium which is only a short walk away from us (seems like I am constantly saying this!).  I'll report back later......

Katie-mandu

My sister called to me yesterday.  She is just back from Nepal where she was doing volunteer work in a nursing home for old people.  It sounded so sad.  The home was run by 3 nuns along with help from volunteers.  

It was tough hearing how it was like a home for the elderly unlike anything you would see in Ireland.  The old people sit on the ground all day and only get bathed once a week.  What a terrible existence. Nobody deserves to live like this.  Hopefully volunteers will always continue to go and help these people because  without these people from the West they would have no one. My brother in law also helped out in this home and then in the afternoon they taught computers to ladies in the village.

Katie seemed very inspired by this trip.  I thought she was so upbeat and positive.  I think the trip was good for her!

Her photos were great - she uploaded over 300 of them to Facebook.  

Katie also told me how she went to the cinema while in Katmandu to see the Bollywood movie that was filmed in Dublin (mainly in Trinity College).  The film is called "Ek Tha Tiger".  She thought it was great, a must see!

Here is a clip of the movie - Enjoy!

In the Navy! Notre Dame v. Navy

Big excitement is building for the Notre Dame v. Navy Game which is going to to be played in Dublin on Sept 1st.

Even more exciting is that the Navy Squash team will also be playing in Dublin.  Two teams are lined up to play against them over the weekend.  Ciaran has been asked to play for both teams!    It will be a big event and it is great that Ciaran is involved.

I can't wait - there should be a lot of great squash!

There is a lot of nautical events on in the coming weeks in Dublin, the tall ships are even in town this weekend.  We'll probably go in and check this out.

Sun sun sun!

What a glorious day today!  

We sat out in the garden just about the whole day - it was beautiful and sunny. (I should also mention that I read a book on my kindle - awesome!)

Later on we cycled in to the city went for a bite to eat in Captain America's and then had a cocktail in TGI's followed by a lovely stroll home.

What a perfect day!

When the sun shines Dublin really is the best city in the world to live in...........Life is good!!

By the way - did you know that August 16th was "Dublin says Hello" day! Here's some more info about the concept.  Pretty cool, I think!

Kindle gift - librarian goes to the dark side

I am a little unsettled about something and I don't know quite what I feel about a matter. 

What could I be concerned about, you wonder?

Here goes.....

I got a Kindle.

I didn't choose to get it. Ciaran bought it for me.  

As a librarian, I feel a little subversive - like I have gone to the dark side.  

But as a reader, I love it!!!  

I may never read a physical book again........but having an ereader has made me seriously consider the future of libraries and bookshops considering the ease and convenience of the kindle.  One thing is for sure, my library job will be very much changed in the next few years and in a decade it will probably be unrecognisable in relation to what I do now.

Tomorrow.....

A few things are happening tomorrow.  Ciaran is heading out to the upholsterer to choose fabric for the conversation pit cushions.  We had chosen one together when the upholstery guy came to take measurements but he had a think about it for a week or two and then decided he should choose a different sample.  Go figure!

The Gathering! It's all about Ireland in 2013....

Have you heard of "The Gathering"?

The Gathering is taking place in 2013 and it is a year long celebration of Ireland and all things Irish.  

If you live in Ireland, you can get involved by inviting everyone that you know from all over the world to come to Ireland and take part in events that are being organised all over the country throughout year.

There is some more information here and there is also a Facebook page that you can follow.

If you live abroad, why not stick Ireland on your bucket list and come visit us in 2013 for The Gathering!

Don't you just love a glass cantilevered stairs?!

Glass stairs

Floating stairs!

Decorative plaster feature at the bottom of the arch leading up to the staircase.

These are the light switches - I'm still learning how to turn the lights on!!!

If you have been following my blog you will know that this was a complete refurbishment of a derelict Victorian property.  It was a long process to design and rebuild but the results are amazing.
If you are contemplating a remodel of your house or are building a house from scratch you can contact ODKM Architects on 01-4991510.  They also do commercial as well as residential work so no matter what size your project is they will be able to meet with you to discuss your plans!

Chilled out weekend in Ranelagh!

Took a little walk up to Baggot Street for a coffee in Donnybrook Fair.  This is a deli style shop that sells some really nice stuff.  The original Donnybrook Fair is located in Donnybrook of course.  This is a short walk from us also - it is in the opposite direction to the City.  We walked that direction when we went to the Bruce Springsteen concert in the RDS.

On Saturday we had breakfast in "Door 51" which is a cafe in Ranelagh.  The lady who served us was so nice - she brought us out a sausage for Bones!!!  He loved it!
I had a bowl of porridge topped with Baileys Irish Cream - wow, it was delicious!

I called up to Redmonds Of Licence to browse their spirits selection.  Check out their window!
They sell lots of different beers and they even stock the new Guinness Black Lager.

                               "Galway Hookers" for sale!!!!

We had Sunday dinner for my family.  Here's a picture of my Mother, Father, Nana along with Ciaran and my two sisters and also my Uncle.  It was the first time my Nana saw the house and she said she thought it was just great!

What does it mean?!

We went for a walk in Ranelagh this evening.  Walked around the place, made our way to the Luas Station then called in to Mortons and then to Superquin at the triangle and then back home.  It was 2 miles in total.  I should say that I do really like Morton's.  I feel like Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) shopping in the Hamptons when I am in this shop for some reason!

                       Here is a picture of the Luas Station:

              Not long after we set off I saw this  strange sign:

                              I have no idea what it means!!

                    Who are the Pembroke Commissioners?!

Edit - Here is some info about the Pembroke Commissioners

Best Bikram Studio ever!

I practised Bikram Yoga in the LPA Studio (at the top of the glass stairs) for the first time today.


Wow!  It was great!


The sun was shining even though it was not very warm outside.  The sun shining through the glass roof really heated up the room (Ciaran calls it the studio as it is where he plans to paint,  I like to call it the Solarium when I go up and lounge like a lizard in it!) and it was just perfect for Bikram yoga.


The glass floor was cool underneath but was surprisingly not slippery. The best part of practising in this room was getting to look up at the clouds in the sky during "Dead Body Pose".  Pure bliss!


I just went through the poses myself (took about an hour) but I plan on buying the CD of Bikram doing a class and then I will practise to this for the full 90 minutes.

Shadowlight!

Patrick Kerr from Shadowlight called to the house this morning with a few lights, bulbs & transformers that needed to be fitted.

Patrick is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about lighting that I highly recommend meeting with him if you are updating and modernising your house.  A good lighting plan is essential for highlighting good design and making your new house a beautiful place to live in.  

After an architect, a lighting consultant is the professional you need to hire. Seriously!

I was very lucky to have full access to all of the resources provided by ODKM Architects and I also feel very lucky to have had ShadowLight on board too!

                                   Light in the front room