The Late Late Toy Show!!

The Late Late Toy Show is on tonight!!

If you are Irish, you'll know all about this.  If you are not Irish you may not be aware of this show.  RTE's Late Late Show is the longest running TV show in Irish TV history (and it is also the longsest running show in the World!!).  It has been presented by 4 presenters Gay Byrne, Pat Kenny, Gerry Ryan (presented 1 show when Pat Kenny's mother died) and is now presented by Ryan Tubridy.  It is broadcast every Friday night and includes interviews with celebrities and light discussions about current affairs along with performances by musicians.....you get the idea!

Every year on the last Friday in November, the Toy Show version of the Late Late Show is broadcast.  Have a look at the RTE website for the type of thing that will be on the toy show.  The other thing about the toy show is the Christmas Jumper that is worn by the host who normally wears a suit - there is always big speculation as to how hideous the jumper will be this year!

It is a tradition for Irish people to stay in and watch the show.  Children are allowed to stay up late for it and adults devise drinking games to make it a bit more watchable!!  My twin sister and I intend to get in to our PJ's, mix up some nice wintery cocktails and enjoy some nibblies while watching the show.  Can't wait!!

The show can be enjoyed Internationally for the Irish Abroad, RTE will be streaming it live here on the RTE Player 9.35pm, Irish time.

You know the Christmas Season has arrived once you've watched the Toy Show!

Will you be watching?!!

Marvel at the marvellous things!

The Marvel Room is back!

Every Christmas, The Marvel Room is opened in Brown Thomas.   The nicest gifts are chosen and put in to The Marvel Room.  It is such a nice experience to take a wander through the store and marvel at the marvels!

                               Marvels for him!                             Marvels for her!

Non-compliant puppy

Every year I photograph Bones for our Christmas card.  Over the years he has posed in various Christmas accessories.  This year, however, is different.  He has not been compliant at all!

First off I tried him with two little antlers.  No good, he shook his head until they flew off.

Then I bought a little mini clip on santa hat.  This had pretty much the same result as the antlers. 

Next up was a little Christmas jacket.  He just sulked in this one.

I had to enlist Ciaran to bribe Bones with some ham for the final outfit and we managed to get one usable picture.  I won't show the picture so that you can get a nice surprise if you receive a card in the post from me!!!

Here he is ignoring me and refusing to sit up! 

Pre-dinner canapes

Here's a few pics of some nibblies I prepared for my guests the other night.  They were so tasty!

I served a selection of cheese on my Grey Goose platter.  A blue, a creamy Lancashire along with some brie. I also got to use my star fish encrusted cheese spreader that I picked up in Key West (in the now gone Fast Buck Freddies) on my last visit.  

Even though I had already organised dessert, Ciaran  stopped off in The Butler's Pantry in Rathgar for an apple tart.  It's his favourite and it went down really well with all the guys! ;-)

Christmas Films

I know I blogged about watching "The Holiday" a few weeks ago but I thought I would let you know of another favourite Christmas film of mine.  It's "The Family Stone" starring Clare Danes, Luke Wilson & Sarah Jessica Parker.

It's such a lovely film (and also a tear jerker - be warned!).  I find Sarah Jessica Parker's character Meredith to be highly annoying but I overlook this because the movie is so good.  

Have you seen this film?  What did you think of it?

Planning my menu

We have a group of friends coming over on Saturday night and  I am currently planning what food to serve.  

I am going to have canapes and cocktails for our guests on arrival.  I will serve my usual taste explosions of blini's with smoked salmon, red peppar hummus in pastry tarts with sun dried tomatoes along with bruschetta and a selection of cheeses.

Then for the main meal I am going to heat things up with a mild fish curry and a pot of both korma and tikka masala served with rice.  I decided on the above to keep things casual and informal.  

I am going to offer two desserts one hot and one cold.  The cold dessert will be a deep dark chocolate mousse served with a shot of milk (!) and the warm dessert will be an apple strudel.

I will probably make a jug of cosmopolitan and make caipiroska's to order along with a beer selection and wine.

Luckily I am off work tomorrow so I can go to the shops to gather everything I will need.  

Pictures of the completed food to follow shortly!

Photo Shoot No. 2

Today we had another photo shoot.  Freelance photographer Sasfi Hope-Ross came with Declan from ODKM to do another shoot.   

It will be interesting to see if these photos make any Irish magazines and if they do I will be looking forward to seeing how different or similar the photos look in comparison to the ones taken yesterday!

Declan changed up the scenes when instructed by the photographer.  The Calligaris chairs were taken out of the shot but the amazing Jan Kath Rug was left in.  

At this point the photographer moved upstairs but I was unable to stick around to see her work as I had to go to work - which was a real pity as I found it terribly interesting to see how it was all done!