It's beginning to look a lot like....

The Christmas lights and decorations were put up the day after Hallowen in the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

It really is beginning to feel like Christmas is coming!

Especially now that the Red Cups are here!!

Christmas blend - seasonal offerings from Starbucks 

Here are few more of the decorations (these ones are near the cinema)

Day trip

I'm on a course in Malahide today.  I chose not to drive.  To get to Malahide, I got a lift from Ciaran to the closest Dublin Bike Stand and collected a bike.  I then cycled to Pearce Station and waited for a train for 15 mins.  Once I got to Malahide (25 mins on train) I walked about 1 min to my destination.

On my way home, I will get the train back to Pearce and then cycle to yoga in Drury Street.

Pictured above is the "Dart" Train - Dublin Area Rapid Transport

At lunch I went to Starbucks - first day of the red cups!!

Porridge and pumpkin seeds

The weather has turned colder here in Ireland.  It's time to start eating porridge to warm me up in the morning.

This morning, after a walk with the dog, I'm having porridge with pumpkin seeds. Yum!

Funday Sunday

Ciaran and I stopped off for a quick Starbucks on the way to Dublin Airport.  He went off to Manchester to watch the Squash British Open Final.  It is a flying visit - he will be back home tomorrow.

I then met my sister and had a browse around the Swan Centre.  I bought some Christmas napkins with matching plate chargers.  I also bought some really traditional looking tin Christmas ornaments for my tree.  I plan to put my tree up in early December this year!

Pirates Bounty

I am doing a Pirate themed scavenger hunt in work for Library Ireland week.  This morning I went and bought a load of chocolate coins.  This is what the children will win when they get to the end of the hunt!

Marks & Spencer's are currently offering 3 for 2 on Christmas chocolate including chocolate coins.

Trick or Treat!

Its Halloween!

We won't be home this evening so I left out a bowl of chocolate bars for any children who call.

There are only about 10 children on our street and I don't know if any will call - some are quite young.

Traditionally when you call looking for sweets at neighbors doors in Ireland you would chant "Help the Halloween Party". However over time (and probably seeing it in movies) children have gradually started saying the American "Trick or Treat".  I grew up saying "Help the Halloween Party" - I miss the kids saying it! 

What did you say as a child when you called to houses at Halloween?

Wreath making - on the cheap

Normally I buy polystyrene rings for the base of my wreaths.  However, the more wreaths I made the costs were beginning to add up.

I decided to consider more cost effective options for the base of the wreath.

I had read on blogs about people using pool noodles from the dollar store for their wreaths.  

You can't really find pool noodles here in Ireland so I considered the alternatives.

I went to Woodies DIY and bought insulation tubing for pipes.  It was only 1.49 euro for a strip!! I cut it in half and taped it in a circle.

A wreath base for 75 cents in comparison to 3.50 euro.

Every year there is a sale of crafts in my workplace for charity so I am currently working on wreaths for this.

Do you have any alternatives to polystyrene rungs?