Green to be seen in on St Patrick's Day

 Lots of green clothes available in Dunne Stores, just in time for St Patricks Day.

What I plan to wear for St Patrick's Day is a Joycean costume celebrating the 100 year publication of Ulysses.  I hope to be cycling in the national parade with the Dublin Cycling Campaign. Watch this space!

Keto Peanut Butter Cups

Homemade Keto Peanut Butter Cups

I landed on this recipe for Keto Peanut Butter Cups  when I was browsing Youtube.  They seemed easy to make so I did a batch this afternoon, using a mix of Green & Black 70% and Lindt 90% chocolate.

I'm not sure if I got the ratio of chocolate to peanut butter centre right but here's what they look like

I used cupcake cases and made them in a baking tin

I'm looking forward to tasting one after dinner this evening - and I'll let you know what they taste like 

Edit - here's my verdict!!

These Peanut Butter Cups are sooo good! A perfect after dinner treat - they have everything going on with a creamy peanut butter centre and a dark chocolate shell. Not too sweet but sweet enough to kill cravings for a sweet treat. Just divine!

Sunday hosting!

Hosted a little Sunday get together this morning.

Fun time with coffee, pastries and chats.  

Here's pics of what I served which included, Devilled Eggs, Smoked Salmon on Brown Bread, Pain au Chocolates and Croissants. Along with brioche filled with chicken mayo, bacon and melted cheese. All just delish and just lovely to have people in our house like before the pandemic!

Served casually in the front room (with Bones surveying the scene)

Frozen pastries cooked really easily in the oven

Water melon too!

All washed down with tea, coffee and Orange Juice. 

What a really nice morning and a relaxing mini-brunch to do of a Sunday.  

Look what libraries offer!

Libraries offer way more than books!

Did you make a new year's resolution to visit the library more? Hopefully you have stuck to your resolution and have visited the library a few times over the month.

If you haven't visited the library in a while (or ever!) have a look at just some of the things that many libraries offer.

The first video is about Acorn Tablets which are are available for loan from Dun Laoghaire Libraries.

And then this video which shows what is in a Codema Home Energy Savings Kit which are available from most libraries throughout Dublin and beyond in other counties in Ireland.

Did you know about these type of things being offered by most libraries?! 

Let me know in the comments any of the unique  services or resources that are offered by your local library service..... and also do tell me what country your library is in!

Here's another video which explains further about the Home Energy Savings Kit

PIGSY - In the Studio

Check this video out!

Great video all about PIGSY, his work and what he gets up to in his studio

Read more here about PIGSY

There's a blog post on the PIGSY website all about the background to the video.

January - surprisingly a good month

No January blues in 2022!

January can sometimes be a tough month after the high of Christmas and New Year Celebrations. 

However this year it's been a good one. We saw restrictions end in Ireland and the weather was fairly mild. 

The days are getting longer now so we know the dark days of Winter are behind us. Who knows what February will bring us (it can be a really cold month some time) but for now all is good, I'm in great form and I'm enjoying life a lot.

As I mentioned before, simple things like the commute to work on my bike give me great pleasure and our regular trip to Dillingers at the weekend is always something I enjoy. Other things that make me is happy working on the business side of PIGSY's art (social media and website, etc.) and seeing his art being appreciated,

Cocktails and great food in Dillingers

The above is a picture of us in Dillingers in Ranelagh when the restrictions ended. We made a 7pm booking and stayed out til nearly 10pm(!) which felt very strange after having to adhere to the 8pm government mandated closing times for a while before this. As you can see I ordered a Brandy Alexander to celebrate!

PIGSY Painting now Sold!

And here's a pic of the most recently sold PIGSY art work - read more about it here.

Ireland is opened up!

Ireland is open and restricted no more

After being one of the most restricted and locked down countries, Ireland has scrapped most Covid restrictions. With a high vaccination rate, Omicron has spread rapidly through the country but the high infection rate has not led to high hospital or death rates.

The good news also is that when you look back over the excess death rate over the past two years, Ireland has a much much lower excess death rates than most countries in the world. Restrictions worked and vaccinations are now doing their job. Ireland is on the up!

Covid Certs no longer needed for pubs

Taoiseach Micheal Martin announced the changes yesterday after the government made decisions based on NPHET advice. 

From 6am today:

• Any number of people can gather with no more restrictions on household visitor numbers
• Restaurants and bars can stay open beyond the restricted time of 8pm
• Sporting events and fixtures can have 100% attendance (good news as there are lots of big upcoming rugby games)
• Indoor events and weddings will have no restrictions on numbers
• No contact details need (Goodbye Covid Cert) to be given in restaurants, cafes and pubs
• Social distance rules are gone and sitting at the bar is allowed in pubs again

Masks

For the moment masks will still need to be worn on public transport, in shops and other settings. Also Covid Certs will still be needed for travel.

With the changes in Ireland, the country will drive on and of course still continue with the vaccination programme. Over 5 year olds can receive the vaccination now and with take up being low in this section of the population I imagine the government will probably heavily promote it with advice to contact your GP for guidance if you are unsure whether to bring your child for vaccination. Boosters are also available for all who are due to get one.

Ireland has done well but Covid has not gone away - I intend to continue to take care and will consider whether I consider situations I find myself in to be safe. If I think certain situations sound unsafe, I won't attend. Spring is also coming, the evenings are getting brighter and spending time outside is probably the safest option. 

It's a positive move and although life has gone on for the passed two years it is a great boost to see most restrictions going. 

Ireland is moving onwards and upwards - we are resilient and we prevailed!