Sunny Saturday on Killiney Beach

Since arriving in Dublin three days before Christmas the weather has been very mixed. Today, after some horrendous storms, it was the perfect sunny morning for a walk on the beach. My daughter (Sam) wanted to take some shots for a photographic project and I took my little point and shoot and took these pictures on Killiney Beach. I haven't visited this beach, since my youngest daughter (Beccy) moved and that was over three years ago.

In the warmth of the sun it was hard to believe it was the middle of winter!

Looking across to Dalkey Island some birds sitting on a rock!

Sam setting up her tripod.

View back along the beach

the river has created a channel to the sea

Birds were having a great time!

Looking across the Irish Sea

We spent a couple of hours walking from one end of the beach to the other and by the time we left there were lots of families who had the same idea. 

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Thinking about Jubilee celebrations sent me looking through an old photo album to find a picture of my girls at the time of the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977. If my maths are correct that would have been just a few days before Sam's 10th birthday and Beccy would have been 7 yrs old.

Now we are celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. In my opinion she has been a wonderful ambassador for this country can you imagine being in the public eye (and frequently criticised by media and politicians who would like get rid of the Royal Family) for so long. I wish her many more healthy and happy years as our head of state.

My flags are flying albeit they can only be seen at close quarters!

Saved by Sam

I have the best daughters in the world. As soon as Sam heard my camera was busted she sent me their old (her words) Cannon Powershot SD200. It arrived by Fedex this morning. Just to try it out, I quickly charged the battery and sneaked a picture of my mum relaxing and reading the paper.

All I have to do now is learn how to use all the settings. This is a 3.2 mega pixels my old one was 8.1 does that mean I won't get such a sharp picture-you can see I know nothing about cameras!
Thank you Sam and Fred xxxxx

Made with love!

Sam made her granny a necklace for her birthday and it arrived yesterday.

These photos don't do it justice. It's a very pretty little pink heart with a chain of little silver, pink, blue and gold beads with a magnetic clasp to make it easier for my mother to secure.

Archives:
2008: Secret Ornament Swap
2007: My secret ornament surprise
2006: Well done Sainsburys

Surprise Surprise

This morning we were waiting in, supposedly, for a package that was arriving from Sam before 10.30am. When the doorbell rang at 10.42am, Beccy answered the door and shrieked "what are you doing here" and guess who was standing on the door step? It was Sam and Fred who had travelled all the way from San Francisco to spend the weekend with us. My son-in-law had done all the arranging and unbeknown to us had taken the day off work to collect them from the airport.

It was the best of surprises as you can imagine.

Archives:
2008: Am I the oldest swinger in town!
2007: San Francisco here I come!
2006: Goodbye Dublin

Alton Towers 2009

Never having been to Alton Towers I was not quite sure what to expect. Once through the entrance and had passed a few shops this was my first view across the lake.
We walked past a pirate ship and saw a deadly shark swimming round and round maybe hoping for a casualty! The ducks weren't bothered they just went on feeding -bottoms up! There definitely more to Alton Towers than the rides, but I guess not too many people stop to appreciate the beauty.



If you need a rest the shade of a tree is just perfect We started off with a couple of gentle rides, the first a roller coaster followed by the river Rapids below..........and then the FlumeI did not drop into 'Oblivion' but Sam, Mollie and Beccy did as you can see from the official photo below.
....it is quite a drop into a black hole, Ben and I were quite happy sitting in the sun watching everyone drop by I coped much better in 'The Haunted House' Ben scored the most points, shooting the ghosts and ghouls with his laser gun. Guess who scored the least!Several of the rides broke down after we had been queuing for about 45 minutes which was disappointing and the Skyride Stations was closed due to a fire.

I do have a few more photos to show you but I'll leave those for another day.

Archives:
2008: Fun Monday-78 Show and Tell
2007: What's in a Name

D- Day Anniversary

My eldest daughter was born on a very special day. At the time I don't think I was thinking about the families who had lost loved ones on that day back in 1944.
However, today thousands of veterans will be attending ceremonies across Normandy to mark the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings. We have much to be grateful for; all the brave soldiers who fought on that day and especially to those who never returned. So today we will remember and honour them.......
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but I would also like everyone to spare a thought and wish my eldest daughter, Sam, a very Happy Birthday. She's had a tough year and I hope that things will continue to improve for her.

It's been many years since I've actually been part of Sam's birthday celebrations, but I always look back and remember some of the good times we had when she was growing up. Parties back in those days were very simple, as long as there was jelly, ice cream, plenty of sausages on sticks, crisps, chocolate biscuits and a cake children were very happy. Goody bags were a few sweets and maybe a small toy. We played traditional games, like pass the parcel, musical statues and pin the tail on the donkey. I think there was a year when I booked a magician which was quite popular at the time. It's much easier for summer birthdays where you can use the garden if the weather is fine. I do wonder if children really enjoy their parties or if the parents just think they do. I expect I'll be told!!


I know Sam is having a celebratory lunch with some of her friends but I do hope to have a brief chat with her sometime today.
Have a lovely day Sam.

Lots of Love
from Mum, Dad and Granny XXX

P.S. We are all looking forward to seeing you in August.

Archives:
2008: Happy Birthday Sam + Friday's 40-6 Entwined
2007: Witty Wednesday-8 Budweiser truck + Happy Birthday Sam

I love surprises !

This morning when my doorbell rang I saw the postman with some mail and a parcel. I was quite surprised to see the parcel was for me; it's my mother who is forever ordering clothes, which I then have to return when they don't fit or aren't suitable.

When I looked it was addresses to me! Then when I opened the parcel I found it was a gift, of two customized tote bags, from Sam. She has used significant dates and family names to create the logo on the bag. It is a really novel idea from The Craft Pantry and I love these bags. Now that I no longer use plastic bags I am getting a wonderful collection of tote bags to use instead.
These are really strong canvass bags and they are eco friendly.

Thank you very much Sam, now I need to go shopping to use them! xxxx

Archives:
2008: Meme

Hunt the Book

Many of you will know that, my eldest daughter, Sam has been in San Francisco for the past seven years. I think it is safe to say that she is very happy living there and hopes to remain there permanently. I've shipped a lot of her belongings over and some things have gone over in a suitcases as we have travelled to and fro. Despite this there are still a lot of things that has been left in storage with me. I have got one small room that is stacked practically from floor to ceiling. A few boxes of teapots belong to Beccy but the vast majority belong to Sam. Now she is very keen to have one particular cookery book that is in one of the many boxes. In hindsight I don't know why I didn't take it to Portugal when we met up there back in June!
Anyway yesterday I decided to go and look through the boxes and try to find the book. At the time I also thought I would record the search. I think this was a mistake, because it's turned out to be a fairly boring video so I'm not really expecting you to watch it.
So if you didn't watch the video~this is a photo of the storage room and the book I found
Now do you think the reason she treasures this book is because of the rather sweet inscription, written in her own fair hand!

I have an earlier version of this same cookery book that is so old and battered because it has been so well used over the years. It has been stuck with cellotape and is covered with food marks but I wouldn't ever part with it and I still use it more than all my other cookery books. I wonder if you have a favourite cook book!

Archives:
2007: Witty Wednesday #17

Happy Birthday Sam...and Friday's 40 #6 Entwined

BIRTHDAY GIRL

I remember this day so well. It was a lovely sunny day and I invited a couple of friend's with children to tea. This was the first time the paddling pool had been used. I had just got Sam out of the pool and dressed her in a little blue dress that was a present from her Auntie June. I turned my back for a second to help one of the other children and I turned around to this.......
.......straight back in the pool with all her clothes on, including her first pair of shoes that I still have! I also, still, have the bricks and walker that was her present from me and her dad.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAM
We hope you have a lovely day
Love from Mum, Dad and Granny xxx

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When I saw Robin's challenge this week I jotted down a few instant thoughts but was not seriously thinking of joining in as I already had my post for today. Then when I got a little reminder from Robin I suddenly realised that my thoughts, for the picture, actually tied in to my post for my daughter's birthday celebration!

The old and the new
Twisted and entwined
Nestled and nurtured
Forever joined
By strong family ties
That maybe cut
But are never lost.

If anyone is looking for inspiration for a post why don't join in!

Archives:
2007: Happy Birthday Sam + Witty Weds #8 Budweiser Truck

Award.........and update from yesterday!

How about this for an award........

I'm not really sure that I merit this, but Jackie, The mother of this lot over at Mother's Pride has decided to pass on this award to me as I make her laugh. I can tell you I feel like the cat who got the cream~ so thank you Jackie.

It is to be passed on to those blogs which make me laugh, cry, think or sigh; so I am passing this on to just a few of the many I could have chosen.......

Alison RDH Mom your adoption series have taken me through all these emotions.

John you make me laugh with all the pub antics and you are a star for keeping me supplied with material for my Wednesday posts :)

Merle you always have lots of amusing little stories to bring a smile to anyone's face and, I know I've said it before, but Embee loves your blog!

Terri @ My4kids because I admire you and often sigh when I read about the struggle you sometimes have to get the best services for your children. Also I am feeling really sad for all the family issues you are having to deal with at the moment. Terri also a tooth abscess which is no fun at all.

Beccy gets one because I want to tempt her back to blogging but I don't think I will succeed at the moment (sigh)

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UPDATE ON YESTERDAY'S POST

I promised you a look into Sam's suitcase and this is what I found when I opened the lid!Now I wonder if there is anything that is not needed and can be got rid of....let me know Sam!!

Archives:
2007: My Computer

Loft clearance...

The government are sponsoring a scheme to enable, particularly, the elderly population to insulate their homes better. However, when I was offered a free survey, I was still sceptical, you don't get something for nothing I said to the teenager (well that what she looked like to me) who knocked at the door. I might have been a bit intimidating with my scathing comments, as it seemed she couldn't get away fast enough. Anyway she left me with some information and I agreed someone could call me to discuss a visit. I didn't hear anything and promptly forgot about it.
Then to my surprise, a couple of weeks later, I got a call and booked a visit. The guy came on Thursday and although I could tell you this guy was what I call a smarmy salesman with his 'oh, this is terrible, I've never seen anything like this' I'll get to the crunch- because two member of the household are over 70 we get the work done absolutely free! Yes you did hear correctly I said FREE!! Then I thought about it and of course it's coming from taxes that I have paid over the years so it's not exactly free but good as!!!
All this guy's patter about the state of the current insulation was to no avail because as I pointed out, it doesn't matter, if it needs doing then that's what has to happen and it won't cost us a penny. He was clearly trying to paint a very bad picture to make me (had I been paying) feel compelled to have the work done, clearly what he does to those who do not get a full grant. The downside is the loft has to be completely cleared and they do not do this unless we pay some exorbitant fee. So I declined and said we would do it ourselves.
The conversation went something like this:

him "I can't do a proper survey with everything in the loft why don't you contact me again when it is clear". (me thinks "he is trying to wriggle out of this agreement, after all we would not be paying!)

me "how long before the work could be done"

him "Six week"

me "Six weeks, why that's plenty of time to clear everything out"

him "maybe you would like to discuss it with your husband and I will need the National Insurance number of one of the people who are over 70"

me interrupting him "my husband works better to a deadline~ and six weeks gives us plenty of time and don't worry about the NI number if I can't find it I can always ring my husband and get it (which I did in fact have to do)"

him (I felt a little reluctantly) "oh alright let's have another look and maybe I can manage to measure up for materials"

me "that sounds great" (smiling sweetly)

I was not impressed with the way he measured for material from the dimensions of the rooms below the loft. Sometimes the measure was hanging and in places he was going to ignore small areas of space ~ but I soon put him right!! I don't know about you but I get really mad when men assume woman know nothing (even when it's true~ which isn't often!)

Our kitchen has a separate loft area and that also needs to have the insulation replaced. Now one thing he did point out was that the original insulation had not been laid correctly between the joists. Now this was done when we first moved into the house nearly 22 years ago (prior to this no insulation and no dividing wall to the house next door!), and has not been effective for all that time~ no wonder our kitchen is always freezing!
The flat on the back of the house is fine as Embee replaced that roof insulation about four years ago, and is apparently the correct thickness.

With the six week deadline in mind......today we started the clearance~ below is one of the pictures I took from the top of the loft ladder. Most of the things you see in this picture belong to oldest daughter.
Below is the first carload we took to the rubbish dump!
Below is a suitcase belonging to Sam.........why am I showing this?
Well I want Sam to tell me if she can remember what interesting items are in this case and anyone else who fancies can also have a guess . I will show a picture of the contents tomorrow or maybe as part of my fun Monday post!!!

Beccy we haven't come to any of your things yet~ I know your teapots are up here somewhere!


Archives:
2007: British is Best Traditional English meal

I nearly didn't join the party....

When I read Robin was allowing late comers to join her party I decided to gatecrash~ well good parties last the whole weekend don't they!!...and I'm bringing something to tempt the palate! See what you think.

photograph copyright Sam Breach

Sam makes brilliant party food so instead of baking myself I would employ her to cook for me and this is what I would choose. Sam made these Phancy Philly Cheesesteak Turnovers for a Super Bowl Party back in 2006. If you read her post you might be amused at how she came to name them! Also if you like the look of them you will find the recipe there. I've never tasted them but I just know I would like them and as they were a success back in 2006 I'm equally sure that they would be well received in 2008!!

Keeping Sam company!

I often phone Sam while she is on the train going to work. For me this is around 4pm and for her around 8am. However, these calls have been costing her quite a lot of money, because although I always make the call she is also charged. So to remedy this Sam has set up skype on her laptop and woo-hoo! we were able to talk yesterday for free. Well I say talk, it was more whisper so as not to disturb the other passengers. This made it difficult to have a real conversation but it was nice to actually be able to see her and great fun to see everything whizzing past the windows. I even took quick picture!


Sam Auntie Jill was delighted to get her 'Menu for Hope' biscuits, she brought them to show me and I took a picture so that you could see them. It's only a very small box, about eight little biscuits, unfortunately they got a bit crumbled in the post, but they look nice and she says thank you.

P.S. I would just like to thank everyone for the lovely Birthday wishes you sent me for yesterday.
Embee came home with these aren't they beautiful! I would just say the flowers that look blue are actually purple. Oh and I think he was a bit miffed that I hadn't mentioned he is also giving me a flight to Dublin. So now I can go twice~ I think he wants to get rid of me~ while the cats away Mickey mouse will play!!!

Archives:
2007: A huge thank you and Sleeping Beauty

Proud Mother~ 2007 Food Blog Awards

I am fairly safe to share this with you as Sam is unlikely to have any time to read blogs before she jets off on holiday tomorrow. I know she won't like me boasting but isn't that what mums do!! Well this one does anyway, because I'm proud of all the family's achievements however small.
Get on with it I hear you say.... Well my daughter, Sam is one of the 2007 Food Blogger Award winners for the category Best Food Blog (City). In my opinion Sam combines her many talents by cooking and writing amusing, informative posts about food and restaurants in and around San Franciso. This, together with beautiful photography, makes for a very popular food blog, and obviously there are others who agree with me because they voted for her. You can find all the other winners listed here.

Congratulations to all the winners, and a big thank you to everyone who voted for Sam.