Gifts & pressies

I had a 50th & 60th birthday celebration over the weekend which was a lot of fun.  Here's the two gifts I got for the birthday boys all wrapped and ready to go.

And speaking of pressies, look what my super twin sister brought for me when she called over to my house before the 60th party on Saturday for nibblies and drinks.

It's this really cute serving tray from Laura Ashley.  As you know I love Humming Bird prints (check my Jennifer Rothwell dress out here) so I was thrilled by this little gift!

Kasey brought me an early Easter gift! Gorgeous truffle egglets and praline-filled soldiers from Hotel Chocolat.  

I feel quite spoiled by Amy and Kasey! 

The theme of the 60th Birthday on Saturday night was "Travel" as my uncle was a great traveler and lived all over the world including London and San Francisco before coming home and settling back in Ireland a few years ago.  

Here is his amazing cake which is shaped like a suitcase.  It was made by Candylane Cupcakes (which just happens to be owned by my cousin!)  

Nibblies

Kasey and Amy called over to my house before we all went to our uncle's 60th birthday party.  

We chilled out in the hot tub before snacking on a selection of nibblies from Lidl.

Below are tempura prawns with a sweet chilli sauce and scallops with garlic and parsley butter.

We also had vol au vents with a selection of fillings.

This is a new Philadelphia product - cream cheese filled with a sun ripened cream flavouring.

I served drinks in bottles with paper straws which are great fun!

Campaign to stop Out of Control Drinking

A new campaign to change the mindset and behaviours of Irish people has recently been launched by Fergus Finlay.  It is the Campaign to Stop Out of Control Drinking.

At the public workshop the main speaker was Clinical Psychologist Maureen Gaffney (author of "Flourishing") who my sister very much wanted to hear speak so she invited me to come along.

There was refreshments available which was great as I had come to the event straight from work.  Lots of varieties of sandwiches - my twin sister got a great giggle as I commented on each sandwich "Oh there is a big chunk of brie in this one"!

After the talk there was a brain storm type part with a facilitator at each table and 3 questions to consider.  This was quite interesting - we wrote on the paper tablecloths - here are some of the comments from our table.

After the workshop, I was left with more questions than answers.  How do you change a behavior that is ingrained and wrapped around ones "Irishness".

However there have been changes in Ireland in the past that we probably thought never could have happened, examples include:

* Smoking Ban.  No smoking is allowed in workplaces - which included pubs!

* Plastic bag levy changed the habits of Irish people.  Plastic bags are levied 22cents by the government so most people bring cloth bags to the supermarket.

* Drink driving - complete change in acceptance of drink driving - no young people tend to drink if driving.

This is a really important issue so I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

Rathmines Post Office

Needed to get a small packet in the post this morning so I visited Rathmines Post Office before work.

I like the post office in Rathmines - it was built in 1934 and it's got an old atmospheric feeling in it.  Oh and it also has a Starbucks close by so I knew I could go for a coffee after I got my package in the post.

As you enter in the door there is a name plate to the left of the post office.  The Irish version is written in the old Irish alphabet.

They have slotted in a modern stamp vending machine in the space where presumably an older stamp vending machine used to be.

This is what it looks like inside.  It had old features that are sort of masked by the modern fixings needed to operate the post office such as the security screens on the counter.

The front door is great!

And  I noticed this funky looking vent cover.

Outside there are two postboxes - green of course!!

I blogged about the Rathmines Post Office before - click here to see what the external building looks like.

Molly Sterling - Playing With Numbers: Ireland's Eurovision entry

On Friday night, Ireland chose their entrant for the Eurovision competition during Eurosong.  The winner was Molly Sterling with her song "Playing with numbers".

While I think it is a good song, I don't think it is a Eurovision winner and I even think we may struggle to get out of the semi-finals in to the final.

Either way I am looking forward to the song competition in May!

Spring has sprung.....or maybe not!

We went in to town today to get some Nespresso capsules and also some food to watch the rugby game (Ireland v England).

As we walked through M&S on the way to the foodhall I noticed all the Spring fashion.  In my head I thought "ah yes Spring is here" as it is the 1st of March today.

But when we got out on the street we saw that there was hail and sleet.  This is our kitchen window when we got home.  My sisters also texted me pics of the snow where they live.

The weather didn't stop us nipping in for a little sushi before we went home.

While we were in Marks & Spencers I noticed that they have a new extended Gluten Free range. If you suffer from Coeliac Disease it might be worth checking out.

Big Breakfast!

Well after an eventful night where I got barely any sleep I got up and cooked a big breakfast for two of Ciaran's squash friends.

Last night was bad because I didn't get to bed until about 1am when Ciaran came home.  Then close to 2am I heard someone attempt to break in to the Smart Car.  I looked out the window and saw someone run away.  I shouted out the window something like "The guards are coming" or "I've called the guards".

I then rang the guards who took all details and said they would ring me back shortly.  I got back in to bed but about half an hour later I got a call from the station to say there was a plain clothes guard outside my house and would I have a word with him.

I went out and chatted with the guard.  We reckoned it may have been a homeless person looking for somewhere to stay or looking for valuables in the car (we live about a mile from the city centre so this seems reasonable) - they were hardly planning on taking the car for a joy ride given it's size and distinctive look!!

I felt kind of bad for the homeless guy.  Guard said that they had a good look around and that there was no one around.  He checked I was ok and then assured me that I could call the station again if there was any further disturbances.  He then left and I went back to bed.

I had forgotten to silence my phone and so at 6.30am my sister who lives in Oman (different time zone) texted me.  I was so panicked and on edge because of the earlier incident that I rushed for the phone and would you believe I fell out of my bed!!!  I l knocked my head on the locker beside the bed but didn't hurt myself  too bad (found a small bump on my head when I was in the shower) as I put out my arm to break my fall.  Quite funny.  I don't think I've ever fallen out of bed before!

And then I got up at 9am and cooked eggs, beans, rashers and sausages for the lads.  I was glad to be up and active.  Below is Cleo who came over to play with Bones.  What a cutie!