Out and about in Dublin City

We took a few days off work this week to celebrate Ciaran's birthday (it was a big one but I won't say what age he is!)

Thursday was a lovely day.  We cycled to the Fumbally Cafe for breakfast - really delicious scrambled eggs on homemade bread topped with fresh tomatoes.   

We stopped off on the way to the cafe to look at St. Patrick's Cathedral which is nearby.

As we were cycling along the canal I saw these ballerinas.  They were there for a photo call and there was a group of photographers on the other side of the canal waiting to take their picture.

After breakfast we walked along Francis Street and called in to some antique shops.  Our house is from the Victorian era but this is not a style of furniture that we would like to own. 

Among all of the antique stores we found a shop that sold mid-century modern furniture, it was XXc Antiques. We both loved this Willy Rizzo designed table from the 1960's.  

In the centre of the table is a cut out tray for setting up liquor bottles when having a party.  Very cool!! 

We continued up to Thomas Street where Ciaran needed to call to an art supply shop.  We also found the "Ferocious Mingle Market" which was a bizarre type of bazaar market.  It was a long market with lots of little cafes and stalls.  In the middle was a large screen showing a film with cinema seats.  All very strange.  At night time it then turns into a live music venue.

When we got Bones home after a long day he collapsed on the couch!  It was a busy day for a little pup.

Today we had breakfast in Door 51 and then visited the Georgian House Museum at Number 29 Fitzwilliam Street.  We had visited this house a few years ago and it was well worth viewing again.  If you are in Dublin, Ireland I recommend you visit this museum!

Wild weather

Last night in Dublin there was a high tide combined with heavy rainfall.  Met Eireann had issued flood warnings all day and boy did it get wild last night.  I could hear heavy rain all night pelting against the windows and also against the glass studio roof.  This morning when I got up there were leaves everywhere.  Luckily I am off work today so I don't have to drive through flooded streets.

I have 3 days leave from work so I am not back in until Monday.  Today I have plans to buy some large kilner jars.  I want to make some chocolate dipped strawberries to bring to dinner tomorrow.    

On Saturday, my twin sister and I are going to a play called "The talk of the town" on Saturday evening along with our cousin. It is written by Emma Donoghue who wrote the award winning "Room"  The play is set in the 1950's and is about an Irish woman, Maeve Brennan, who moves from Ranelagh to New York City and writes for the New Yorker for The talk of the town under the byline the "Long winded woman".  We plan to dress in the style of the 1950's and go for a cocktail beforehand!  Should be fun......

I should also mention that plans are afoot to finish the final things that need to be done in the house.  Dean Cooper, who made our kitchen is also making the wardrobes in the master bedroom, the bar and also a screen to cover the TV in the living room.  He called to the house yesterday to go over a few details with the builder who needs to do some remedial works.  Can't wait for these to be all finished!!  

Next job then is to to something with the kitchen table.  I'm really not happy with it.  We brought it from our old house and it is not the right colour for our new kitchen - not to mention the scratches on it from the bold Bones jumping up onto it when he was a puppy.  What a naughty boy!  I might go chat to someone in the hardware shop up the road and see if they can recommend something to cover up the scratches for the moment.  I have a nice Ralph Lauren floral tablecloth on the table at the moment but it is not complimentary to the kitchen.  I'll have to sort something out.....

Keeping an eye on the street

Creature habits.....

Bones sits up on the front window and makes sure that nothing untoward goes on in the street. He sits up here and looks out at nothing for hours on end. 

Here Bones is watching me eat a slice of chocolate cake  - he wants to make sure that I don't drop any crumbs but if I do he is right there to clean up!

I like the way the light under the bench seat illuminates him.

Christmas is coming!

We called in to Brown Thomas in Dublin City after visiting "Yo! Sushi" for Sushi Sunday.  I couldn't believe it - the Christmas Shop was already open!!  I was in my element!  Ciaran was not too impressed, he said it should be against the law to sell Christmas items before Halloween.  Here's a few pictures of all the beautiful decorations.

                                                     

                                                 

What a lovely morning!

We are getting a security alarm fitted in the house today.  I was off work so I headed off for the morning to let the engineers do their thing.

I cycled to Rathmines firstly to do a few chores and potter around the shops.  I then called to Rathmines Library where I signed up for membership.  They had a very different selection of books to the Library where I work so it was nice to browse as a "borrower" rather than as a Librarian.  Obviously I couldn't help making comparisons between my work library and this branch library!  ;-)

I then cycled into town to meet my twin sister for something to eat during her lunch break.  She took me to the cutest little place, Estling & Anders, and treated me to a gorgeous hot chicken wrap with the nicest tangiest relish.  It was delicious!

After our food we got a coffee in OCB's and took a stroll around the area near her office.  

Twin coffees for the twinnies!

Here is a picture of a little food market that was on down at the canal - Amy works just a few steps away from the Canal.  Lucky girl!

The food market was just great!  There were about 20 different stalls selling various types of food including Thai Curries, Paella, Wings, Gourmet Burgers, Noodles, Burritos and also cakes and pastries.  There were loads of people sitting on the wall of the canal eating their delicious food.  I will definitely be meeting Amy here when the weather is warmer and we can sit out and eat in the open!

Here's a picture of Miss Amy!

Great days like this make me feel very blessed to live in Ireland!

Who is it?!

Recognise this pair?!

 Painted by Ciaran

And check out this little handsomer!!

 "Bones" painted by Ciaran's Dad

Bones outside the house - he is not an outside dog, he goes out to go to the bathroom and then immediately starts to whine to be let back in - I think he thinks he is human!

We went to Tribeca.....again!!!

If you are a regular reader of my blog you are probably getting a sense of what is my favourite restaurant in Ranelagh - it's Tribeca.  We are terrors for finding a restaurant we like and then continually going to it and never trying out any other place.

On Sunday we met friends for lunch and when they asked us to make a booking you can imagine what restaurant we chose!!!

The two friends were Frank & Eilish.  They brought their son with them and also Frank's sister and partner.  Frank loved the vibe of the restaurant, he was amazed by how busy it was and how there was such a good vibe in the place.  He had been speaking to the waiter about the steak special on the menu and he loved that when the waiter was delivering the steak to another table as he passed our table he nudged Frank and pointed out what the steak and eggs were like.  Frank turned to me and said "I got the nudge - I love that!!!"  

Food came out and it was gorgeous as usual!  I also had a nice glass of house wine.  I ordered the merlot (as usual - as pointed out by Ciaran!).  After lunch we walked to our house and had coffee and cake for afters.  A lovely afternoon with friends!!

Here's some photo's of Tribeca that I found on the Internet as well as a review of the restaurant.