Nathan Carter - Wagon Wheel - My guilty pleasure!

I can't decide if it's just the song I like!

Saturday & Sunday Funday!

After a burger in Bunsen we watched the Ireland / New Zealand game in the Gingerman pub. Unfortunately we lost.  After the game we headed home on our bikes stopping off at the shops to buy logs for the stove as it had gone VERY cold. As well as lighting the stove, we planned on warming up in the hot tub. However, when we lifted the lid, we didn't see steam rise. This was an indicator that something was wrong.  The power to the tub was gone. When we checked the switch board, we could see that a switch had been tripped. So it was no hot tub for us...and we will have to get an electrician out to look at the issue.

So instead we watched "The Holiday" which is a great holiday romance movie.  I love it!

During the week, my twin sister sent me a text with details of a pop up Hot Chocolate Cafe in Arnotts Dept Store. We made plans to visit on Sunday and I was looking forward to it all week.

It didn't disappoint! Very tasty Hot Chocolate in a lovely Christmassy setting.

After cycling home from town I warmed myself up with a bowl of Crab soup which I added cream to. Tasty!

Don't you hate when you lose 1 earring???

I've been wearing these earrings for the past while - and they were turning in to a favourite of mine. 

Well no more.  When I got home I discovered one was missing :-(

Vinyl Haul!

On Sunday I visited with my sister and her family. My twin sister had spoken to her earlier about some records that she knew my older sister had in her garage.

Here's the few that I took from the large box of records she had.

As you can see I chose a Dolly Parton album. I can tell you, even as a Dolly fan, I don't recognise a single song on the record.  I am currently listening to the album and it's not too bad!

One of the albums that I was pleased to get was Elton John's "Yellow Brick Road" which has the song "Benny and the Jets" - that's a favourite song of mine. It reminds me of holidays to the States as I first heard it when Ciaran played it on a juke box in the USA. It's kind of our holiday song.

At the front of the pic you can see an album of love songs.  Side 2 has Dionne Warwicks "All the love in the world" which I'm so happy about. I've seen Dionne in concert numerous times and she is a super performer. I look forward to listening to it.

Christmas Movie Time!

If you've been a long time reader of my blog you will know that my top two favourite Christmas films are "The Family Stone" and "The Holiday".

However, you may not know that my third favourite Christmas movie is "Four Christmases" with Reece Witherspoon and Vince Vaughan. 

We watched "Four Christmases" tonight (I borrowed it from the Library), not because we wanted to watch a Christmas film but because we wanted a laugh.

It was so funny and had me laughing out loud in parts!

What I find funny is that Ciaran and I both laugh at different parts of the film - I don't think we find the same things funny at all!

If you've seen this movie, let me know what you think, or let me know what your favourite Christmas film is.

What a super weekend!

All good things have to come to an end!

Ciaran's first solo show "I Find You Fascinating" closed on Saturday the 12th of November. It was such a success but I still felt sad when it finished up.

Here he is wrapping up one of his pieces to go to a new owner.

For the next while his work is available to buy online from The Kemp Gallery.  There are both originals and prints available.

"Fascinating" has found a new home for the moment in Campbell's Jewellers in Donnybrook - do call in and see it if you are interested in purchasing.

Later that evening we went to Forest &  Marcy which was lovely.  Food was excellent and the atmosphere was brilliant. This restaurant is just around the corner from us and I think it may have overtaken Brioche to become my favourite neighbourhood restaurant!

This was one of my favourite dishes.  It's not dessert!!

I'm currently typing this blog post on my new mini laptop (a birthday present!)  and I have to say it is just super. It's got a cute little keyboard, that takes barely any effort to type on because the keys are so close together. It's also micro enough to bung in my handbag and take to work or local coffee shops. It's brilliantly convenient in comparison to the large home laptop I have been using up to this.

What I'm doing....

What I'm reading.....

eComics and Graphic Novel on eBook are now available from my library.  Yesterday I downloaded and read Dilbert.  I found it funny!

What I'm drinking...

So the red cups are here!!!
It would be rude for me not to have a Fudge Hot Chocolate which is one of the new "Festive Favourites"

What I'm watching....

I happened upon this story about possibly the oldest flight attendant in the world - isn't Betty great?!

Hot Tub Weather!

The weather has turned here in Ireland. It was a very mild October but November is definitely saying Hello!

With temperatures heading towards minus numbers at night, I got out my Winter boots from last year. They are great, all black and pull on's with no laces. However, I then bought a second funkier looking pair with laces - I also bought a pair for Amy.  They felt so warm when I walked in to town on Saturday and Sunday. Next buy might be a pair of ski trousers if it gets much colder!!

We hot tubbed after the cinema yesterday (went to see The Accountant - we enjoyed it!) and then when I came in from work this evening, the first thing I said to Ciaran was "Rack it up".  The trousers I was wearing were so thin and the cold had got in to my knees.  But once the hot tub lid was racked up and I was in the hot steamy water all was well in the world again!!  Bliss!

Paint off in The Kemp Gallery

Saturday was a brilliant day!

Pigsy & Kemp worked on some collaborative pieces which was so interesting to see their processes. In some ways it was such a juxtaposition seeing Kemp's structured stencil work as opposed to Pigsy's free flowing loose approach.

The Kemp Gallery is a really great space to work in - there is a massive roof light in the centre of the room that sends light streaming in to the gallery. It is a great showcase for all of the amazing art.

While the paint activity was ongoing, beverages from O'Brother Brewing were enjoyed by the artists and all of the visitors to the gallery.

Amy and I enjoyed the beer and art too!

Look at the amazing results of the day!
Here's the before and after of one of the pieces.

The response online and off has been incredible - look at this instagram post

Oh and did I mention that he sold 2 more pieces yesterday?!!

The exhibition is in it's final week so do get in and see Pigsy's before it finishes up. However, if you don't get to make a visit you can always visit online on The Gallery Kemp website.

For more info about Ciaran's work, see here.

Tracey Emin's bed - Tate Modern, Liverpool

One of our plans when visiting Liverpool was to go to the Tate Modern where we knew that Tracey Emin's bed was on public display.

It has to be seen to be believed.

To be honest as I walked in to the room I mused as to whether it was art but once I came upon it I didn't have to consider that anymore.

It is art and more....

It evoked some serious feelings within me. It repulsed me and I don't think I will ever forget how I felt as I surveyed the scene. It is said to be controversial and a conversation starter and boy have I not stopped thinking about it and talking about it.....

Up close it is quite vile with stains on the covers and tissues and rubbish strewn around the bed.

I am so glad to have seen this installation.....it is quite possibly one of the most famous modern art pieces in my life time.

The Beatles Story

Liverpool is the home of The Beatles so we planned to go to a few Beatles sites but in particular The Cavern Club.

On our second day, we went to The Beatles Story which is a Beatles museum that tells the story of how the fab 4 met and how they became the biggest band in the world.

Pictured above is the club that they performed in while in Germany. Below is a recreation of the entrance to the original Cavern Club.

The original Cavern was on Mathew Street and the new one was built with many of the bricks from the old one.

Here is the recreation of the stage in The Cavern Club.  It's tiny!

And here is a video of The Beatles performing in The Cavern Club.

On our last day we went down to Mathew Street and went down the steps in to The Cavern where we were greeted with a performer and a guitar singing Beatles songs. We spent a little time there, taking in the atmosphere and enjoying the music. It was one of the highlights of the trip for me!!

Novotel Hotel, Hanover Street, Liverpool

I arrived back yesterdat from a city break to Liverpool for 3 days after the bank holiday.

We stayed in a super hotel called Novotel in a great location on Hanover Street near Liverpool One.

Our room was on the 10th floor and we had a lovely view of Albert Dock. However, what really impressed me about this hotel was the superb buffet breakfast. It was laid out really nicely and a lot of space was given over to it.

We had a fry every morning and it really set us up for the day!

Along with a selection of pastries and bread there was cheeses, cold meats and yoghurt.  The hot food consisted of rashers,sausages, black pudding, hash browns and beans along with mushrooms and eggs both scrambled and fried.