So, the news is out – it’s my birthday. And, well, it’s kind of a big one. I’m not depressed about turning 30, not really, I just sort of worry that maybe all the fun is over? Ah well, I’ve tried not to give it too much thought.
However, I have found myself thinking over the last few weeks about the milestone events in my 20s, and wow, there were a lot of them! I could list them all out for you, but I don’t really need to. There is a particularly happy one I’m happy to tell though, and as you will see, it is one that has also shaped my low-key birthday celebration plans.
Me and a few of the girls from our TRI-S Italy 2004 group posing on the Ponte Vecchio in Firenze
In my senior year of college, I took a TRI-S trip to Italy with a group of about 20 students and faculty from AU. During those 10 fabulous days, my friend, Katie, and I were lucky enough to stay with an Italian family on the outskirts of Ostia.
As we went out each day and saw the amazing sights of Rome, Florence and Pompeii, we returned every night to a warm kitchen with an open fire burning and the television set to the latest soccer match (there was a fierce rivalry between Roma and Napoli at the time… although I’d wager a guess that things have always been that way). Our hosts, Maria and Luigi, would be smoking cigarettes and sipping espresso as we all politely smiled at each other and tried to converse, despite none of us knowing how to speak the other’s language. They had three handsome sons – Antonio, Rafael and Vincenzo. Their extended family of sorts included several curious neighbours who, instead of using the front door, simply knocked on the window overlooking the dining room table and, when admitted, climbed in through the open glass for a visit. These visitors sort of perpetuated my American ideas of Italian men… they were the sort who drove fast cars and wore gold crucifixes and snuck cheeky grins at each other while they pinched an unsuspecting ass. (And I sort of liked it. OK, I really liked it. 
)
Little 21 year-old me, surrounded by Italian men and loving it.
I loved nearly every minute of staying in Italy, but it was those comfortable evenings in Maria’s home that made me want to stay forever and ever.
Our last night there, Maria insisted on cooking us a real Italian dinner. It is seriously a meal that will live in memory until the day I die. Katie and I sat down at the table and were soon blown away as our host brought out course after course of incredible food. First, there was a creamy seafood risotto – I had never eaten risotto before and wasn’t entirely sure what creatures had been stirred in to the rice, but it was lovely. Then, a platter of fresh tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, prosciutto and salad was brought out. Still a picky kid, I didn’t care much for tomatoes, I’d not had a lot of cured meat in my time and I was somewhat lactose intolerant… but I tried everything to be polite. Wow. I’ve never turned down a tomato since (or prosciutto! or fresh mozzarella!) Then came a roast, I think, or some kind of unctuous meat course. I think there was then another course, but I can’t quite remember? We were washing all this down with some of the nicest white wine I’d ever drunk, and it came from a barrel on their back porch! They brought it to us in a large water pitcher and I think we went through at least a few of those pitchers a night. As I got up to take some plates into the kitchen, I caught Maria with her back to me, bending over a tray. Her son, Rafael, was practically dancing around her in his slippers and gave her a big passionate kiss on the cheek.
It was Tiramisu. Oh dear God, it was an amazing, fresh, lovely, creamy Tiramisu. Maria brought it out and served up generous portions in front of our glowing faces – guests first, then family. It wasn’t exactly ike any Tiramisu I might have had in the States – it was a softer set, more gentle and homey and less sweet. It was lovely, and an amazing way to end the trip of a lifetime.
30th Birthday Tiramisu
So… for my 30th Birthday and as a goodbye to my own Roaring Twenties, I’ve made a real Italian soft set Tiramisu. This is something I’ve always wanted to try and while it’s relatively easy, it can also be tricky. It’s also an adults-only dessert really, as it’s full of raw eggs and booze. Mine turned out a bit sloppy, but it tastes amazing, a coffee-and-cream lover’s dream. I hope Maria would approve.
Birthdays should always be delicious, don’t you think?
Note: I wish I had more pictures to share of that wonderful trip, but the album containing all my originals is locked away somewhere in the USA. These are the few I was able to find in the meantime.
Filed under: Uncategorized
If you’re a regular to this blog, you might have noticed I’ve changed the background theme a few times in recent weeks. I’m looking for something fresher, but it’s been tricky to navigate through the offerings and find one that will work. Some are really slick but don’t work with my photos. Others don’t make room for my links on the side. I’ve tried a few and am still not 100% satisfied (sure wish I would take the time to learn web design properly, then I could do it all for myself!). Anyway, all this to say please give your input if you find one or another more aesthetically pleasing, harder to read, confusing to navigate, etc. I liked the last one I had up before the current set up, but for some reason it seemed to develop glitches for which I couldn’t find an easy solution. So here we are. You’re the readers, let me know what you really think!
Filed under: America, Food and Drink, Ireland in General, UK | Tags: Hall & Woodhouse Brewers, Huyghe Brewery, J.W. Lees, Porterhouse Brewing Co, Shipyard Brewing Co, Wells & Youngs, Whitewater Brewing Co, Wychwood Brewery
As promised, here are the beers we tried over the last two weekends and our corresponding reviews. Slainte!
Contenders 1 – 5
Contenders 6 – 10
1. Banana Bread Beer - Wells & Youngs, Bedford, UK
Light perfume of banana on smelling with a subtle sweetness of bananas mixed with a light ale, a bit like Newcastle. Little bit of artificial aftertaste. Frank says, “When you burp, it tastes just like banana bread.” Nice, thanks Honey. This was nicer than I thought it would be and not sickly sweet. I would definitely get it again, but I wouldn’t drink more than one or two in a single sitting. M – 8/10, F - 7/10
Wychwood Lid
2. Ginger Beard - Wychwood Brewery, Oxfordshire, UK
I was a bit afraid this one would kick me across the room with its promise of fiery ginger, but it was more sweet and smooth than spicy. Smelled lovely and fresh, with a nice head on top. Not what I expected, but not bad. If you’re going purely by the label (or the website), this beer is very exciting to drink. I think it’s probably what hobbits drink. And Dumbledore. M – 7/10, F – 8/10
3. Clotworthy Dobbin - Whitewater Brewing Co., Northern Ireland
A strong, russet coloured ale that rivals Smithwicks and comes out with a nicer, more dominant flavour. This was one of my favourites because it is just the kind of beer I most like to drink. It was named after an actual 1800s brewer from the area. M – 9/10, F – 7/10
Once upon a time, I had a friend named Kevin.
The Magic Brew
It was one of those friendships you forge when you’re young and living alone in a city, far away from family, paying off college loans, watching many of your friends get married off and secretly wondering what the rest of your life is going to look like.
Kevin was my best ever drinking buddy.
He was a high school physics teacher by day, and a liquor store worker by night. But not just your run-of-the mill dodgy corner lot – no, Kevin worked in a massive superstore of wine, beer and, of course, the hard stuff. But he was a beer drinker. Not actually a drinker, really – more of a beer auteur. Beer was his hobby and his joy. He tasted and tried and critiqued everything they sold in the shop and was always excited to get something new when he travelled or when friends travelled and brought it home for him. I have no idea how many kinds of beer Kevin has tried, but I’d bet it’s close to 1000 by now… and that includes the stuff he now brews himself in tubs at the back of his closet.
Less than two hours ago I was moaning to Frank that I wished I could go back to college for a few more degrees, not because I need them for a career but simply because I miss learning.
As I went about my business with the rest of this rainy Sunday, I started re-thinking my complaints and realized that I actually have learned a lot in the years since college, and am continuing to learn. Duh, right? But stick with me for a few minutes…
Post college was learning how to live on my own, pay bills, get a car fixed, work a steady job, plan my retirement funds, and try not to kill the sporadic selection of boyfriends that came in and out of my life. That kind of learning actually sort of sucks.
Then it all went out the window when I met Frank and moved here. As I’ve said before, I really learned how to be a better cook when I hit these shores, and mostly out of necessity. Going along with that, here are a few more valuable (albeit housewifey) things I’ve learned along the way.
1. Vinegar and baking soda are not only pantry staples but brilliant cleaning solutions. After all the countless dollars (and euros) I’ve wasted on fancy spray bottles of harsh chemicals that do nothing to remove lime scale or heavy grease, I have fallen a little in love with the cheap, honest power of vinegar and baking soda.
2. My cast-iron skillet is my best friend. It’s virtually indestructable – even if it rusts, I can wipe it out, work some oil into it, and it’s good as new. I can fry, bake or roast in it. I can use it as a weapon. And it even gives me extra iron in my food when I use it – woo hoo! No wonder you could always find one in a covered wagon in amongst a family’s few prized posessions.
On our last full day with The Car, we took a drive through counties Louth, Meath and into Cavan. Frank’s dad, Anthony, is a great cyclist and told us this was a pretty part of the country (though really, what parts of Ireland aren’t gorgeous?), so we took his advice, packed a lunch and headed off to someplace new.
Ireland Map for Quick Reference
We got caught in a Spring rainstorm in Kells, had tea and cake in Cavan (the town), drove around some of the lakes (including Lough Inchin, pictured below), walked around the bright green countryside a bit, and stopped off to buy some of my favourite wine in Navan on the way home. All-in-all, a laid back and lovely day.
First off, some pictures of the famous graveyard at Kells, Co. Meath, with its incredibly old and significant High Crosses and Round Tower. If you want the fun version of the story, you should watch the brilliantly animated The Secret of Kells, which was nominated for an Oscar a couple of years back. Unfortunately, Kells did not seem to have much else going on, at least not yesterday, and we were drenched in a downpour, so we got back in the car and headed down the road to Cavan.
Filed under: Food and Drink, Holidays, Ireland in General, Irish Outdoors, travel
Happy Easter, everyone! Hope you had a nice day yesterday and, if you’re in our part of the world, that you are still enjoying your time off today!
We’ve been keeping it light and simple the last few days and wow, it’s been great. Just the kind of thing we (I) needed!
Because I work in a solicitor’s office, I also got a few extra days off while the courts are closed, so we decided to rent a car for the week and just enjoy doing the things we rarely get to do sans wheels. We haven’t gone anywhere too far away, and that’s actually OK – why waste good money on a hotel and eating out when you can’t predict the whims of a 2 year-old? Instead, we’ve stuck close to home and have just been soaking up the simple pleasures. We’ve gone to the beach a couple times, done a good bit of shopping (including Smyths Toy Store for Evey!), and, my favourite, a visit to Newbridge House and Farm.
Newbridge Farm Peacock
Evelyn is of the age where she’s learned the names of all the animals and can even remember long bits of songs and poems, so I was delighted to get her “up close and personal” with real birds and beasts. Newbridge was so cool – a huge Georgian mansion (which we’ll have to go back and see), an historic working farm, beautiful grounds and even an Adventure Playground. We saw a truly extensive variety of chickens, pigs, sheep, geese, ducks, turkeys, game birds, cows, goats, horses, donkeys and, as above, peacocks! I have been to farms and petting zoos before, but never in my life have I been in such close contact with turkeys before – they are such impressive creatures! I think I even liked them a bit better than the showier peacocks.
Nice turkey...
Caroline, Maryann & Bonnie
I was just thinking, I don’t know if I’ve ever formally introduced you to my two sisters and their blogs… yes, we are all definitely a writing sort of family, though my mom and brother are a bit less public with their musings and my dad contributes to more traditional mediums such as newspapers and magazines. (Although I’m sure one of these days he will join the blogging club with his thoughts and opinions. God help us…hee hee! 
)
If you like good writing and unique journeys, then we three will keep you supplied (although I do think my sisters are still just a bit cooler than I am!).
Bonnie (my oldest sister) and her husband and three children live in Eatonville, Washington. They are currently in training to become missionaries, with Gabe (an ex-Air Force helicopter pilot) now learning the ropes of all manners of airplane mechanics and repair to assist in their new vocation. Bonnie is a registered nurse and full time mom. She also just had her third baby, Asher, and is homeschooling my nephew Sammy and niece Ciara.
Caroline (the next oldest sister) and her husband live in Nairobi, Kenya. They just got married last July but have been friends for many years. Dave works with World Vision and Caroline is in charge of Alumni relations in a local international school in Nairobi. Before Caroline moved to Kenya to be with Dave, she lived in Beijing, China for a few years, working with an amazing orphanage and charity for babies with special needs – New Day.
Anyway, I would encourage you to take a peek at what they’re up to from time to time, even if you don’t know them! They’re very special to me (obviously!) but more than that, I am so proud of the really inspiring and touching things they have to say. Love you girls!
Filed under: Ireland in General, Parenting, Religion | Tags: Noah's Ark, toys
There’s been a lot of stress floating around the atmosphere lately… work, money, kids, should we go here, should we do that, and how will everything fit together in the end are all questions on the collective Kelly mind.
Well, except for Evelyn. She is content with the sunshiny Spring days and a world of adventures yet to be discovered.
She doesn’t mind that we haven’t been on holiday in over a year and she never seems to notice that most of her toys and clothes come second-hand. She delights in what she has (mostly – she does throw a good fit when we’re not inclined to give her cookies before dinner).
Noah's Ark
One of her newest toys – and one that I have to admit I’m loving as well – is this small Noah’s Ark we bought at the Enable Ireland charity shop this week. I love Noah’s Arks anyway, but I have never seen one like this before. It’s not particularly unique, but it’s just really cute, measuring smaller than a loaf of bread. It’s a bit scuffed and not all the original animals have made the journey, but the ones that have are still smiling their plastic smiles. I think it might be retro - I’m guessing 1980s. I wish I could find out more about it to see if I might score some replacement beasts, but the only indicator of make and model is the typical “Made In China” impression on the bottom. Ah well – we love it, rough bits and all, and it’s a fun addition to the toy family.
Filed under: Food and Drink
Frank likes to tease me about the lengths to which I will go to save money where groceries are concerned. Maybe I’ve just heeded the advice of my best cooking mentors, or maybe it’s all those years of working in restaurants, or maybe I’m just obsessed with the crime of waste, but either way, I have picked up some funny habits in my (nearly) 30 years.
My new glass-topped cooker... a thing of beauty!
1. Saving Energy. When the oven is hot, especially when it’s up to a really high heat, I like to make the most of it. I try to time things closely, especially with my teeny-tiny Irish oven, so that each dish goes in for the right amount of time at the right temperature without leaving any long spaces in between. If I’m making a roast, I try to take advantage of that heat and cook my veggies in the oven, too, and later I might throw in a dessert or a tray of cookies after the main course is done.
I do tend to take this too far on occasion… and I’m used to the eye rolls of my husband when I’m “throwing together” something to use up some more of that hot oven’s energy… but have somehow forgotten that my own dinner is sitting cold on the table or the fact that it’s now past Evelyn’s bedtime. Just because the oven is on doesn’t mean I need to make everything NOW, as if a nuclear disaster is mere moments away.
