Dublin City

I had a meeting in town today.  As I walked home I took a few photos. The sky was surprizingly bright but Christ Church Cathedral still looked quite ominous. 

Afterwards I popped in to Fallon & Byrne.  It is a unique food store and I was on the hunt for something particular.  It sells products that you can't generally get in Ireland.  I was hoping to find flavoured popcorn toppings which believe it or not you can't find openly in Ireland.  I found lots of delicacies that you can generally not buy in Ireland, items such as Fluff, Lucky Charms and Panko breadcrumbs.  Unfortunately I found no popcorn flavorings - I'll have to buy some on my next trip to the states......til then it is plain popcorn for me!!!

Free WiFi in Dublin City!

Dublin City Council have just introduced a new initiative - free WiFi!

At points around the city you will find free WiFi zones which you will know by these tiled signs. I found a sign near to a Dublin Bike Station.

It's our new rug!

I haven't blogged about my house in awhile so here is something you might like. 

It's a picture of  a new runner we got for our kitchen. 

We bought it in Key Accents in Key West.  It is from a supplier called Company C.

It's lovely and bright and the grey edging blends well with our coloured concrete floor.

Treats for my colleagues

Some peanut butter treats for my colleagues!

Totally moreish.........they were very much appreciated.

Here is the recipe if you are interested in making them.

Yay, the hot tub is back open!

We finally got the hot tub refilled yesterday.  The weather has been terrible all week - rainy and stormy.  There was a break in the rain so we started filling.  It is heating nicely now, currently at 33 degrees.  Im going to work now but I plan to get in the hot tub tonight at 9 when I get home. Woo hoo!

It was badly missed over the weekend.  Ciaran was in a tournament all weekend and was very sore.  He could have done with a dip to ease his muscles.  Looking forward to the soak tonight!

Terenure

Terenure is a small town in South Dublin, Ireland.  It is where Ciaran's office ODKM Architects are based. 

Here are a few pics of some of the other businesses in Terenure.

Breakfast in Terenure

We went for breakfast in The Lovely Food Co. In Terenure.  It is just up from Ciaran's office and it is his favourite place for lunch.

He had the full Irish Breakfast (sausages, rashers, eggs, beans, black & white pudding) but left off the mushrooms.  I had poached eggs, rashers with relish.

Steak Saturday!

Fillet steak, fried onions, wedges & garlic bread for dinner tonight.

Homemade peanut butter sweets

I made these delicious sweets today.  So easy, just 4 ingredients. Peanut butter, icing sugar (powdered sugar), butter and then melted chocolate to cover the sweets.

All you have to do is mix the peanut butter with the icing sugar and then add melted butter. Roll the mix in to balls and then cover in chocolate.

Voila - little bites of heaven!

I should add that peanut butter and chocolate is not a common flavour combination here in Ireland. I have to travel to USA to get my fix!!!

* sorry for the out of sequence photos - the blogging app on my tablet causes this

End of a long week

After a hard weeks work we have a tired dog on our hands!

Check out Le Pichet, Ciaran went for lunch here today with the lads from his office. He taunted me by sending photos of scallops and steak to me while I was in work.

Veggies!

How delicious are these oven roasted vegetables!

Blitzed up they make a delicious soup.

Merlot & me

Watched a crazy programme the other night.  Called 'Merlot & me' it was all about Irish housewives and their drinking habits. Presented by Maia Dunphy, it was quite an eye opening watch.

A few of the ladies interviewed on the show revealed that they don't eat all day so as to save their calories for wine in the evening time.  OMG, what the heck!! What is this?! Alcorexia??!!

Another few ladies talked about going off to the bathroom to have a "vom" to empty their stomach so they could drink some more.  Mad! Booze-elimia!

I think some of these ladies need to take a serious look at their drinking habits!

Dollar dog

Dollar dog......or should I say Euro dog.

For some reason Bones loves money! Maybe it's the smell but if you leave any notes near where he can get them he will take them and very kindly shred them in to little pieces! I was able to snatch this note back before he ripped it.

Snow!

It snowed a little bit in Dublin last night.  It's all melting away now........that will hopefully be the extent of the snow for our Winter. 

Django

Just back from the cinema.  We saw "Django unchained".  It's really good! A total cinematic experience. You are in for a treat if you decide to go see it particularly if you are a Tarantino fan.

Tomorrow, I have a date to go see "Les mis" with my sister and best friend.  I'll report back how this movie is......

Draining the hot tub

I need to make a serious reminder to myself to never start draining the hot tub in the middle of Winter........Groan :-(

Lance Armstrong

Last night I watched the first part of the Oprah Winfrey interview with Lance Armstrong and then tonight I watched the second part.  I have to say I didn't believe a word he said and also found him to be quite unlikable.  It brought back feelings of how I felt when it was revealed that a urine sample from  Irish swimmer Michelle Smith had been tampered with (seemingly laced with whiskey!) - I think the whole nation felt disappointment and shame.  So shameful to dupe all of your fans and followers of the sport but most importantly so shameful to cheat an opponent out of their rightful awards and glory.

It's Friday Steak night @LPA

Fillet steak with sweet potato wedges and an ice berg lettuce wedge salad with blue cheese dressing. Steak was cooked rare and was delicious!

Pressies for Bones

When we were in Key West we picked up a few presents for Bones.  One of them was a new leash and matching collar.  Look at his collar, it is a Key West one.  It's really nice, lovely, bright and cheery. He looks so stylish wearing it!

Dark and bitter

I have always loved really dark  bitter chocolate.  As you know I am on a bit of health kick at the moment.  When I get the urge to eat chocolate I nibble on little bit of rich dark chocolate (Green & Black's is particularly good). It has really helped me kick my Ben & Jerry's ice cream habit!

Yuck

Gross!

I may never eat a burger again........

Ciaran has eaten horse in Sardinia, but it just isn't the done thing in Ireland.

Brrrr!

There's talk of snow next weekend....

I'm warming up with soup from the Betelnut.

Today it is tomato & lentil. Yum!

Lego Key West

A few Key West landmarks including Hemingway's House and the southernmost Point made out of Lego.

Home Bar

Here's a selection of liquors that are available in the LPA Bar!

I got the bar towel in "Cocktails Key West" in Key West, Florida.

Mmmmm soup!

It's soup weather!  Very cold here in Ireland with snow and sleet expected on Sunday.

Next door to my work is the Draiocht Arts Centre with a theatre and gallery.  Betelnut Cafe is based in the Draiocht and the do delicious homemade soups.  Today they have Butternut squash with coconut & lime (I chose this one!) or Leek, potato & rosemary. Delicious!

Check this baby out!

New Coach handbag - it made from such lovely soft leather.....and it is orange!!

Bought it in the Coach Outlet Store in Key West.  Coach only arrived in Ireland about a year ago (they have a concession in Arnotts Department Store) so are quite in vogue here.

I love this bag because I think it is a little bit funky because of the colour but still very classic because of the style.

Watch out!

Watch out, Bones is about!