Thankful Thursday

Over the last few days there has been horrid rain. And it is so cold here in Ireland that it feels to me as though it's Christmas already... Brrrr... so with that I'll lead into...

1 - having hot water bottles. Letting me have that brief moment of relaxation. Oh how good it feels to be warm.

2 - Having the sunlight pour into my room at dawn. I feel wonderful when I have the start of a new day begin with a few rays of sunlight. They may be no heat, but the light to me is a positive sign. A sign that the day will be good if I want it to be. I just love to have a bit of colour in the sky, instead of the boring, grey, lifeless clouds.

3 - Enjoying a mocha with Mum
4 - Sleepover with the little English cousin, Disney movies of course!
5 - Even though I detest the phone, I did enjoy chatting to Edel. We have a friendship where it seems strange to have not spoken in so long... a week for us is long! Haa!
6 - Going round the shops with my brother. He hates town, but thankfully he came and we ended up having a well-entertained evening.
7 - I bought a few DVDs over the last couple of weeks and the one I happen to love best is 'The Mirror has Two Faces'. Peachy, (if you're reading) more movie recommendations please. It's nice to know that I'm not the only movie fanatic freak in the world!

Thanks for reading sheepies,

Much appreciated,

Thankful Thursday | Family & Food

This week was pretty fun, even though there were days when I felt blue, but gladly enough I had my family and pleasurable leisure's to keep my mind occupied. It did feel slow though, this week. A lot happened and it was all pretty random.

Last Friday evening, I had a lovely meal with my parents. Dad had his usual burger and Mum went for the pasta. My parents pay attention to each other rather than to their kids, but hey I'm happy that they're happy. At least I get free food out of them from time to time.

Afterwards, we drove to Knock Airport which is perhaps the tiniest airport you could possibly see. It's on a huge hill and is positioned in the middle of no where. The best thing about it is not having the fuss to go through all the security. It doesn't take very long.

We picked up my grandfather who came over for a weekend visit, just to collect some belongings and to see the family. Of course we stopped off on the way home to get him a pint of Guinness. It was nice to see how excited and relaxed he was with his drink. Looking forward to meeting people that he hadn't seen since six years ago. It always feels good after being away from home for so long, to return to a place that appears the same yet so different. I knew how he felt in a way, coming back and feeling pretty damn emotional.

I enjoyed spending the weekend with him and my Dad. We snuck into our relatives homes, and surprised them with great joy. No one knew he was coming over you see, all part of the fun. And as well as joy there was also a little sadness. A cousin of ours in the family has cancer and seeing the change in them has brought back memories of my gran. It must have been hard though I thought at the time, for my grandad to see them. Who knows when he'll visit next. Could be five years, could be ten? You make the most of it. The time you spend with your loved ones.

And there they were, my grandad, dad and their cousins drinking pints in the pub, getting reacquainted after so many years gone by, and there I was running after the kids, trying to keep them entertained (and distracted).

On Monday, I stayed the night in Dublin. Got around to seeing Malahide at last. Mum has been ranting on and on how one day she'll be living there. Supposedly because the celebs of Ireland (if there are any) are living there.

The town itself was cute with its many boutiques, its own Starbucks (have been away from it for too long) and lovely restaurants. We had two lovely meals there, Monday and Tuesday, because it seems the burgers in 'Scotch Bonnet' were too amazing to just have the one time.

Mum was very cheeky to have bought herself a Jo Malone candle. Was I jealous? YES!! But alas, do not worry, I myself will buy one in time. I already have my eyes on one particular. My Mum favoured the English Pear and Freesia scent, which I have to agree is a wonderful, fresh smell.

Are there any great spots for food in Dublin that you know of? Do let me know, I'm all ears. And to those of you that may enjoy Jo Malone, or as my brother mistakenly called it, Johnny Maloney, let me know of any favourite scents of yours that deserve to be put by my bedside.

Sit Down Saturday | Worries for new life in University

It's Saturday. Meaning I get to talk to you guys about what's on my mind. I'm trying my best to live in the present, but my mind wanders to the future. Full of excitement for University, new friends, new accommodation.

Finding a Saturday during the holidays to actually sit down and write this series is hard... really hard! Like right now, I'm in a pub writing this... A PUB! And yes all the auld fellas are at the bar telling tales about their younger selves and their greatest achievements such as winning the gold in the county Feis. The younger fellas are looking at me as though I'm crazy... *muttering* "Barely no mates!" Sadly I don't have my usual hot drink to accompany me with this post, but Cidona will have to suffice.

I'd like to just share with you guys about my worries for this coming year (and next). Some of you may understand these worries a young student faces.

I worry of my new (possibly) upcoming job for this fall. The idea of starting something new and messing up really frightens me. Mistakes are necessary they say, but I hate letting people down.

I'm afraid of starting University in April 2015 and knowing no one. Living in a city by myself for god knows how long. Because in all honesty I don't know when I'll be home next. I hope my accommodation is homely. I hope that I meet great people. I hope that I don't get too homesick. In London I'm living with my Aunt, Uncle & cousin so it isn't so bad. But there are good things to living in Kent next year, a new start. I'll be living by myself for the first time. I won't have a place to come home to every weekend like most students do. I won't have disruptions from my family fighting. And as well as, I'll have a beautiful city to explore. It will be an adventure.

I just hope to survive the rest of this year in London. It's wonderful, but living with people that don't see eye to eye isn't exactly a homely feeling to a house. There's no privacy or relaxation as well which doesn't exactly help.

If any of you have any advice I'd be delighted to hear it :)

Thankful Thursday

Hello All.

Doing this post pretty last minute and my excuse being: there was sun shining around all day. 

The picture above is of my Grandmothers gate down at the end of the road. On a grey day it can really brighten up the place. And seeing it brings back memories of me walking down to her house at night, or of feeding the horses over the gate.

I spent today cleaning, which is nice from time to time. I went to our churches graveyard mass, meeting the friendly neighbors and spent some time with my Mums friend, whom happens to be my Godmother, and her kids. It was just so nice being outside with everyone, grateful for the beautiful day we all happened to have.

My 'Thankful Thursday'

Midnight jogging

Tea

Going back time with old family photo albums

Listening to some old tunes with Dad at night - Elvis Costello, Aslan... the usual Dads-thinking-they're-in-a-band music.

Cafe trips with Mum

Seeing the contestants from the 'Rose of Tralee'

Audrey Hepburn Movies - Roman Holiday, Funny Face. I preferred Roman Holiday, even though it really does have a sad ending of a couple being torn apart.

Sunday breakfast in my Granduncles pub - seeing the family and holding my little cousin Maddie (when a baby doesn't cry, IT'S AMAZING!! Heehee)

I hope everyone had an enjoyable week and that you all have an equally great weekend. I myself am hoping to have a very happy weekend, full of love, cake (if I'm lucky) and quality time with my Dad and his family :) *Bring on the 'AWWs'*

Summer Delights | Cakes, Mother-Daughter Days & Moonlight Jogging

I finally get to show you some of the chilled out times I've been having lately. Trips to the beach and lazy days in various cafes.

My Mum has made it her mission to go to the beach once a week. Even when it's a rainy, cloudy, cold, miserable day. Sometimes they're the best times to look at the ocean. Comfy in Aran wholly knitted jumpers.

Since it was a hot day, I myself got an iced tea (love the jar idea) and a BLT. Most people are disgusted by its taste. Mum made some strange choking noise when she sipped it. The waitress giggled, as though it wasn't her first time seeing this experience. I however love its taste, especially on a summers day.

From one of my previous posts on 'Shells Cafe in Strandhill' I mentioned the colanders that are used for lamp shades, so I took a sneaky picture for you guys. I would love this kind of idea for my kitchen. Mother dearest had the shrimp salad. The dish itself looked so colourful and tasty, so it was necessary for pictures.

Mum took a week off from work, just for the summer. She is a hardworking women. I never hear her complain. And for an Irish woman to NOT complain, that's pretty rare I tell ya!

We spent the week, shopping, eating enough cake in cafes, you know the real girly experiences (okay well, the cake was all me!) But living in England is hard without Mum. The only times we do argue are when Dad or my brother are involved. Mum is terrible for arguing though. She seems incapable of shouting (poor soul)

We sat in 'Esquires Cafe', a usual little spot we go to, for the comfy couches and of course their chocolate cake! Mum was glad to get her picture taken... as long as she looked at it long enough, nodding that it was okay to keep. "Oh Mother I have much worse pictures than this!" "WHAT?" "I'm joking, I'm joking!" I sure do love winding her up.

It was our first time in the new cafe 'Rogue & Co. Cafe' in our nearby town Roscommon.

It was nice to look at, sure, with its pretty, vintage furniture. But the prices on the menu, jeeze! Pretty damn expensive. We shared a baileys and toblarone cheesecake, which was scrumptious in taste and looks. And a milky latte to help it go down heehee.

'Time Pieces' is this antique shop of which I love. I have bought many gifts in here. And on this day I found a lovely writing set for Peachy. She'll be expecting a letter any day now.

And I couldn't go away with not showing you my new plate, cos that's how lame I really am! Getting all hyped up over home ware. This was purchased in an Irish store, 'Dunnes Stores'. I have plenty of mugs, tea cups and trays for my tea and snacks, but the idea of putting my cake on the cupcake! *Open mouth* 

"You gotta grow up" is often said in my parents house, heehee.

But this for me is a summer delight. Listening to the thundery weather (it's Ireland people, not California) with a snugly hoodie and quilt. And happily getting lost on You tube or through a favourite movie. Carrot cake was the chosen cake for the night.

Now many of you may think, this girl sure does love cake. I do! It's a piece of happiness that I have no shame in eating and taking pleasure in.

I make sure though that some of the calories are taken away. These past few nights, we've had unbelievable dry weather and the moon has been amazing for light. My preferred time to go jogging is at night, strangely (another summer delight). If I feel upset or need to clear my head, it's the best time for it. And the bonus part of it, is that I'm keeping fit. I love starring up at the stars. Smelling the cold air, reminding me of Christmas.

What are some of your summer delights? For you cake lovers, you are not alone! Heehee!