Catching Up

We've had a pretty mild winter this year in Ireland, all things considered. I haven't really minded being back in the world of grey skies and rainy streets because I love the contrasting warm fires and hot stews, not to mention misty mornings and lovely sunsets.  If anything, I would have liked to see a …

An Irish Christmas

It's dark and quiet as I sit and listen to the clock tick this early morning while I drink my tea. I'm back in the corner of the couch in the kitchen I've sat in a thousand times before, contemplating Christmas, family, and jet lag. We're home in Ireland for Christmas!! This is the first …

Winter.

Many Irish folks I know are obsessed with the weather.  Funny, perhaps, since the weather (in my view) doesn't seem to change all that much around here.  Rain, drizzle, downpour, bit of sun, drizzle, rain, drizzle, fog. Still, I have conversations about it on a daily basis with the people around me.  Seems they watch …

Leaves, Rain, Love

(falling.) Any seasoned spouse will tell you it's important to spend quality time alone with your significant other... be it a weekly date night, a shared hobby, or even a night away once in a while.  It seems Frank and I don't get enough time to do this (probably most people would say the same), …

5 things to know before you move to Ireland.

While there are thousands of Irish folks emigrating each year, it seems our fair isle still tempts many to move this direction and occasionally people ask me for my thoughts on moving to Ireland.  Whether it's a life-long dream or a spontaneous whim, and regardless of how long you plan to stay, there are a …

Winter Daydreams

Round about this time of year, now that Christmas has passed and Easter is  months away, folks in Ireland get to feeling antsy. We find ourselves daydreaming a bit over a cuppa tea as we gaze out the window across soggy hills and grey streets.  Perhaps we're wishing that Spring was closer, but more likely, we're …

Stollen Glances

Our home is perfectly silent right now; completely still apart from the hum of the refrigerator and the creaks of the heating system settling into the joints of the house. The washing machine is done. Evey is napping. Frank is holed up in his office. Even Georgie is sleeping on the chair without snoring. It's lovely. …

Chocolate Empress Cupcakes

How many times as a kid did I say, "I'll never _____ when I grow up." One of those was always, "I'll never drink tea." I was determined that it looked and smelled gross, and only coffee would suit me when I was old enough to have it. If only I could have seen myself now! …

Fitting In

Like it or not, we humans are creatures of habit. We fall into routines and learn to find comfort in them. Although my circumstances have changed a few times since I moved to Ireland 3+ years ago, I've still been gently coaxed into the daily routines of my neighbours in Drogheda. It's just a natural progression. …

Bright, Shiny and New

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me! And I'm feelin' good.  - Nina Simone  Being the third of four kids, and the third daughter, I got lots of hand-me-down books, toys and clothes. I didn't really mind - it was kind of cool seeing my sister wear something I …