European Adventure pt 1 ~Ireland~
Posted: March 7, 2011 Filed under: europe | Tags: aran isles, cliffs of mohr, Europe, European Adventure, ireland 1 Comment »
So, when I was 23, my brilliant idea was to go to Europe for a while and just wander around, stay in Hostels, take in the museums and scenery and have a good time. Most of which came true. I bought a giant backpack and a few books on Backpacking in Europe and booked a flight to England for early September, 2001. The scariest day of my life was the day I went to the airport, by myself, to go to Europe for 4 months with nothing but whatever nonsense I had packed in my bag. I was seriously hoping my flight would be cancelled, or delayed. Anything so that I could really get prepared for this adventure (if that was possible). I hadn’t even booked a place to stay for that evening yet! EEEK!
To my dismay, my flight was right on time. We boarded and I took a seat next to a nice German girl who talked to me for most of the flight. Thank God! I was so sick on this flight. I thought it was nerves…but really it was a migraine (before I knew what that was and that I had had them my whole life.) We had a flight transfer in Germany and then on to England…where my bag did not make it on the flight. So now I am sick in the Heathrow Airport with none of my stuff, a killer headache and half a day to kill waiting for my bags.
One good thing came of that…I went and booked a room for the night at a hostel.
Now, technically Ireland should be part 3 of my backpacking adventure in Europe. However, I shipped home the film rolls from England (part 1) and Scotland (part 2) and the beginning of Ireland to lighten my load. Since I left for England a few days before September 11, 2001 and shipped the package with the film probably mid-October, the package was torn apart by the postal service during the Anthrax Scare that followed 9/11. None of the items in the package ever arrived to my parents house, they only received the letter accompanying the package and detailing what was inside and who each item was for.
In 2001 Digital cameras were not around yet, so I had to pack and carry all of my film with me for the whole trip. I was disheartened when I found out all of my photos from the first 1/3 of my 4 month trip were gone as well as all of the gifts and souvenirs I had picked up and many of my CD’s that I shipped home because I did not want to carry so much.
Ipod, what’s an Ipod?
We didn’t have those in 2001 either. Boy how fast things change! Had I been taking this trip now, I would probably have some sort of laptop and not need to stop at pricey internet café’s, I might even have a cell phone or smart phone with me. I would definitely have a digital camera and a huuuge SD card, eliminating the need for film altogether. I would also have some sort of E Book reader, eliminating the need to carry a couple of bulky novels with me. Or I would have something that combined all of these things into one. It’s coming…It’s only been 10 years since I went on this trip and SO MUCH has changed already. Incredible. Anyway, back to what actually happened…
Stupidly, I stopped taking photos for awhile. Seriously. I had a mini meltdown over the missing photos and I convinced myself that I didn’t need photos anyway to enjoy my trip. Which was true. I didn’t. But I still wish I hadn’t stopped taking photos for a few weeks. Not so smart. So I spent a month in Ireland and only have the photos from the last 2 weeks there. Better than nothing. It’s amazing how a photo can take you back to a time and place and everything you were thinking, feeling and doing.
Originally I had a plane ticket out of Ireland 6 days after I arrived and a Eurail Pass for travelling all over mainland Europe. I didn’t get to use either, since I tore all the ligaments in my right ankle hiking, or rather, jumping out of a tree during a hike, the day I arrived in Ireland. I have a thing for climbing trees…lesson learned.
Apparently doctors are not quite as prevalent in Rural Ireland as they are in the states. I had to wait overnight to get a taxi to the nearest Doctor who was 45 minutes away. The Doctor told me he could do nothing but wrap my ankle and get me a taxi to take me to the pub…it was 10 am. Apparently the best way to fix a problem in Ireland is a stop at the Pub. I, being stubborn and willful, decided I could walk myself to the hostel. Um, you can guess how well that worked out for me. I’m surprised it ever healed with how much I walked on it.
Aran isles
Doolin and the Cliffs of Mohr
Cobh
Dublin
Making Furniture
Posted: February 28, 2011 Filed under: Art | Tags: furniture, furniture making 4 Comments »
oh, way back when. I don’t have a lot of photos of my furniture building days, but there are a few floating around and I plan on getting more soon. it almost feels like a former life, it was so different back then. Back then I looked like Pig Pen everyday. if I clapped my hands together dust would come out of nowhere. my jeans were ripped, my hair was messy, and makeup was unheard of.
I was tougher too. I used to pick up furniture and tools like they were nothing. If only….
sigh, what a desk job will do to you. Now im clean, my hair isnt messy, I (sometimes) wear makeup and I have a lot more clothes in my closet…none of which have holes.
my favorite part of furniture making was actually not making furniture, but carving it.
ball and claw feet. reliefs. anything that required a sharp set of chisels. I cant understand why I can sharpen chisels but not kitchen knives…but that is a different story.
everyone asks me if I still make furniture. um, no, I don’t. at least, not the kind of furniture I used to make. that kind of furniture requires some dedicated space, time and money that I don’t have right now. Instead, I spend my free time fixing up an old old old house…that is constantly falling apart.
someday maybe. but really, I preferred carving (which I suppose I could still do because it doesn’t require much space or tools…but is time consuming.) I also prefer repairing furniture…which I also never seem to have time for. you know…the cobbler’s kids have no shoes.
currently I spend my free time reading, resting, and cooking. I never understood the value in resting before…but let me tell you, resting is amazing! I think I have logged more hours sleeping in the past 3 years than in the rest of my life all together (insomnia will do that to you). And I love it!
Ode to Lenny
Posted: February 25, 2011 Filed under: Pets | Tags: Lenny 1 Comment »
Yes, I know. A face only a mother could love. But Lenny was with me for 8 years. He went everywhere and did everything with me. And yes, I know that its weird to take a 4 foot lizard with you to the park, but seriously, lizards need sunshine and nature too. It’s not right to keep them locked up in a cage all the time, they really weren’t meant to be kept as pets. He really enjoyed basking on the warm rocks at Tyler Park while I did homework. And yes, people are incredibly squeamish around reptiles, so he was on a “leash” most of the time. Do leash laws apply to reptiles too?
(Guys…I wouldn’t really recommend using this as a pick up tool at the park. Most girls don’t want to fawn over an iguana the way they do over puppies.)
He was a spoiled Iguana. His “cage” was actually a huge glass door china cabinet that I converted into a home complete with real logs, running pond, sunshine hot spots, and an open door so that he could come out anytime he liked. This is where I would often find him when I got home from school…on my heated waterbed buried beneath the blankets.
I guess things haven’t changed much. Emma and Hank are just as spoiled.
(Funny I just realized that I recently gave that gray comforter to Hank, whose care requirements include to be covered every night. Either completely covered, or at least his nose covered. Trust me on this, it’s easier to just cover a 125 lb Ridgeback than to be woken up in the night with one of those paws hitting you, or a Beast climbing onto your bed.)
oh, and yes, I sleep with a stuffed Tiger on my bed. And I’m 33.
Nursery Light
Posted: February 24, 2011 Filed under: Baby R, Old house | Tags: baby, lights, nursery 2 Comments »
The new light.
I have been eyeing these lights forever. Our house was built in the 1700′s when people were apparently much shorter, and also did not have electricity…and therefore no ceiling lights. Our doorways upstairs are only about 6′ high. So our upstairs comes with a warning…please watch your head! Because our ceilings are low, our light fixtures need to be 10″ or less in order for the guys to walk beneath them. Finding decent old fashioned Candelabra style ceiling lights that mount flush to the ceiling is next to impossible for under 200 bucks. Thank God for sales!
The old light. Still in use throughout the upstairs.
A few weeks before our wedding we bought a couple of these cheap outdoor lights for all of the upstairs rooms. We had about 5 minutes to decide on new lights for the whole upstairs when our electricity went out and we had to have emergency electrical surgery the whole house rewired to fix it. These worked in a pinch and looked good in the rooms…but they give off the worst dim light ever. They all need to go! Too bad since they make an amazing light pattern on the ceiling that I love.
So here is the new light installed on a dimmer in the office.
Eventually this will no longer be a man cave office, it will be the nursery. The office is moving next door to the larger room to be a guest-office-playroom. At least that’s our thought anyway. This is also the room that my Father In Law grew up in, so it makes him happy that it will be the baby’s room too.
Baby R says Thanks MomMom and PopPop for the new light!
Peek A Boo
Posted: February 22, 2011 Filed under: Pets | Tags: Hank 1 Comment »
So it’s really no surprise when I say he is spoiled, right?
I think my sister is a little upset by this
because this was her baby blanket
and I wrapped my dog in it
But, I swear, Lida, that this only happened once!
cause these pictures are just too cute!
Black Bean Chili with Dark Ale
Posted: February 15, 2011 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: beans, chili, soup, vegetarian Leave a comment »
- 2 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce, drained and minced
- 2 Tbs. olive oil
- 2 Tbs. ground cumin
- 1 large onion, finely chopped (1 1/2 cups)
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced (1 cup)
- 5 cloves garlic, minced (5 tsp.)
- 2 14-oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 24 oz. gluten-free dark beer
- 1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup fresh or frozen corn
DIRECTIONS
Heat oil in 3-qt. pot over medium heat. Add chipotles and cumin; season with salt, if desired. Cook 1 minute, or until fragrant. Stir in onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté 5 to 7 minutes, or until vegetables are soft. Stir in beans, beer, tomatoes, and corn. Bring chili to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, 45 minutes, or until thick.
For the love of a sofa
Posted: February 11, 2011 Filed under: Decor, Old house | Tags: furniture, sofa, TV Room Leave a comment »If it is at all possible to be in love with a piece of furntiture, I am in love with this one. Happy Valentines Day to my new sofa. Ashley Furnitures’ Brando 3 piece sectional.
You fit perfectly into our TV room. I was quite worried you would be too big or overwhelming, but I was in luck.
Now to learn to like watching TV more so that I can lounge on you more.
Chia Pudding
Posted: February 11, 2011 Filed under: Recipes | Tags: vegetarian Leave a comment »
Basic Chia Pudding (yields 3-4 servings)
3/4 cup chia seeds
2 cups almond milk
Tiny dash salt
Stevia and vanilla extract to taste
Simply mix the ingredients together, and let them rest for a few moments. Stir the mix well with a fork every five minutes or so. At first, it’ll seem far too liquidy, but over the course of thirty minutes the chia seeds will plump up, till the pudding resembles tapioca pudding.
Sweet Potato Fries
Posted: February 10, 2011 Filed under: Recipes | Tags: Fries, sweet potatoes, vegetarian Leave a comment »
These have been showing up quite frequently lately at our Friday Night Food Fests.
Sweet Potato Fries
Ingredients
House Seasoning:
- 1 cup salt
- 1/4 cup black pepper
- 1/4 cup garlic powder
- Olive Oil, for tossing
- 5 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch long slices, then 1/4-wide inch strips, using a crinkle cut knife
- Oil
- 1 tablespoon House Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
For the House Seasoning:
Directions
Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Line a sheet tray with parchment. In a large bowl toss sweet potatoes with just enough oil to coat. Sprinkle with House Seasoning and paprika. Spread sweet potatoes in single layer on prepared baking sheet, being sure not to overcrowd. Bake until sweet potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes. Let cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Lentil Nut Loaf
Posted: February 9, 2011 Filed under: Food, Recipes | Tags: lentils, vegetarian Leave a comment »
Seriously, the ketchup on top of this makes it amazing. Don’t skip the ketchup!
We live in a house built in 1797, that used to belong to my husbands grandparents. Renovating, decorating, and loving life. Lots of work, and lots of fun!
