Blanchardstown Library - offering so much!

Blanchardstown Library - a fantastic space for the Dublin 15 Community in Fingal

Great to see Blanchardstown Library has reopened after being refurbished. I worked here when it first opened about 20 years ago and it was a fantastic place to work and I enjoyed every minute of it.

It was always a busy branch that was constantly evolving and innovating and offering new services and resources to borrowers.

Check out all that it offers these days in this informative video featuring current library staff (I recognize some of my former colleagues!)

Flu You!

Flu, who?!

Flu Season is upon us again. After not getting the flu jab last year as I was living in Spain, I got the vaccine this year through work. It was quick, painless and convenient (I got it just before I started work at midday on my late shift) and I feel great knowing that I am protected from getting flu this year.

Ciaran sorted himself out with his flu vaccine by calling in to a chemist in Ranelagh. He asked them did they have the vaccine available and the pharmacist came out to say that he could give it to him straightaway. He jumped at the opportunity and after filling out a short form he got jabbed in his left arm and was out of the pharmacy in minutes. 

Great piece of mind for both of us - particularly as I am hearing that this year the flu may be a particularly bad strain. 

Are you vaccinated against Flu?  Do you get it from the doctor or the pharmacist? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy Halloween!

 Halloween Spooky Cycle with Dublin Cycle Campaign

We had a fun morning, taking part in the Dublin Cycle Campaign's "Spooky Cycle" along Sandymount Strand. It was a glorious sunny October day and everyone was in great spirits as we cycled slowly along the road. Led by Gardai from Irishtown and Donnybrook Garda station there was a mix of people with families and children of all ages. There was a mix of cargo bikes and regular bikes and we spotted another couple on Brompton's with theirs being red and cream while my Brompton is black with Ciaran's being raw lacquer.

Here's a few pics before the cycle got underway.

Hola! Back at Spanish lessons again

Back working at the Spanish

We always planned to continue learning Spanish on our return from Malaga. Since we are back in Ireland, we have been doing Duolingo on a daily basis. But further to this we also planned on starting lessons.  

Well guess what!

We started back at it this evening. Our new Spanish teacher came to our house and we thought she was great. The lesson was a lot more structured than our previous lesson in Malaga (which was really more of a meet up for conversation with a teacher) - we even got homework too!

It was really great to speak Spanish again and I am looking forward to continuing with it here in Ireland.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Chocolate strawberries - home made and delicious.....and fun too!

I made some chocolate dipped strawberries and gave them as gifts to neighbours (one neighbour bakes us the most amazing apple pies and the other neighbour gave us a parking pass when we were caught out without one recently). 

The chocolate dipped strawberries are easy to make and fun too. I used a mixture of milk, dark and white chocolate and I also put some coloured sprinkles on a few of them. I never used sprinkles before but I enjoyed using them. 

My neighbours enjoyed their strawberries and I enjoyed eating some too - have you ever eaten them, aren't they just divine?!

Meal prep works!

Meal prep for the week

On Sunday, I meal prepped for the week. I can't say it was fun but it kept me occupied for a few hours. And the result was dishes that included Keto Shepherds Pie, Cauliflower Cheese (Mock & Cheese, if you will!), Butter Chicken and a big batch of meat balls.

So then during the week, all I've needed to do for dinner is heat one of the prepped dishes in the microwave. Very convenient for sure, and definitely makes the few hours of prep on Sunday worthwhile.

Super size Steak

I should also mention that aside from the meal prep we have been eating well in recent times. Check out this Tomahawk Steak that I got from Supervalu in Ranelagh. I had a chat with the butcher and she gave me advice on how to cook it. So tasty and I highly recommend it because it looks so neanderthal which makes it a fun thing to cook at the weekend!! 

Tom Parker - what a brave person

Tom Parker - Stand Up 4 Cancer

I've never been a fan of The Wanted but I happened upon the Tom Parker documentary yesterday evening after watching for a few minutes I was gripped. I vaguely recall hearing that a member of The Wanted had been diagnosed with a brain tumour.

That was the only thing I knew when I switched on the programme. Within, minutes I was in tears. What an amazing guy. Incredibly brave an absolute tower of strength with a beautiful personality. 

I wish him the very best in his "Stand up 4 Cancer" and I hope he can beat this terrible disease.