Avoca Love.

I am starting to get excited about some work that will be commencing soon on our house. We are sorely in need of some more space here. Has anyone noticed how children just keep on growing! Thankfully, I don't think it will be as disruptive as it might have been, as we are more reclaiming space than anything else. 

So on Monday I took myself off to meet Lisa in Avoca for some inspiration. It's not hard to find inspiration in Avoca. For those of you who have never experienced it I am not quite sure what to compare it to. Any suggestions anyone? Anthropologie maybe? Anyway, put simply, it is a shop that is choc full of absolute gorgeousness from clothing, to kitchen and home wares, food, books, gardens, childrens toys and clothing, I could go on. But the environment is what makes it so appealing. Below are some photos taken in one of the cafes, The Ferntree Cafe. Our friends John and Caroline recently had their new kitchen modeled on it and it is gorgeous. 

 

We won't be doing anything quite like this but I still need inspiration right? 

They have the most amazing array of mis-matched tables and chairs which of course go beautifully together.

The chandeliers! Oh my...

I think this table is my favourite. 

So anyway, this is my way of saying be warned! There may be an excess of interiors stuff going on here over the next few weeks. Yes, you may recall me saying this a few months go and then nothing came of it. That's because nothing came of our plans at the time. But now it is actually starting next week and I am hyperventilating with excitement if I think about it too much. And now I can indulge my house-love finds. 

Watch this space!

Something Lovely.

Ok. I am too excited to wait to do this post. I just have to share this with you. This here is a cover of the MGMT  song Pieces of What, by Irish band The Valentinos. The reason I heard about it is because none other than my dear friend LISA is singing on it! How proud am I? 

But it gets better. This wee video below was also made by her. (The only part I have in it is that my house features in it! Little did I know, Lisa!)

So, a big hand to the multi-talented Lisa, and of course The Valentinos for a sweet version of a lovely song. 

I hope you like it!

What I Owe John Martyn.

On Saturday evening,

as light slants in the windows, and the house is quiet,

with only the murmur of the tv drifting up from the sitting room.

I'm going out tonight.

In the hallway, I pause at the mirror.

Behind me, in the kitchen, a quiet song, this song, is playing,

has crept into my ear.

In my mirror, this is what I behold.

Jay is doing his magic.

He hums along quietly, 

rocking to sleep,

our child, 

pulled into sleep,

a song that tugs my heart,

a scene that tugs my heart.

I step out of my heels,

and into the kitchen.

Reluctant to leave.

***

Spencer the Rover.

This tune was composed by Spencer the Rover
As valiant a man as ever left home
And he had been much reduced
Which caused great confusion
And that was the reason he started to roam.

In Yorkshire near Rotherham, he had been on the ramble
Weary of travelling, he sat down to rest
By the foot of yon' mountain
Lays a clear flowing fountain
With bread and cold water he himself did refresh.

With the night fast approaching, to the woods he resorted
With wood, vine and ivy his bed for to make
But he dreamt about sighing
Lamenting and crying
Go home to your family and rambling forsake.

Twas the fifth day of November, I've reason to remember
When first he arrived home to his family and friends
And they did stand so astounded
Surprised and dumbfounded
To see such a stranger once more in their sight.

And his children come around him with their prittle prattling stories
With their prittle prattling stories to drive care away
And he's as happy as those
As have thousands of riches
Contented he'll remain and not ramble away.

Sunday At The Fair.

This week was one of those weeks that my camera had a little camera-holiday. It stayed in it's bag and had a rest. I was so busy haring around all week that I'm sure it felt all abandoned. Does that ever happen to you? 

But then I woke up this morning with plans in my mind for the day and it was the first thing I thought of popping in my bag. And together we made up for the quiet week. 

We went to a Vintage Fair in our hometown of Dun Laoghaire. It's really only up the road from where we are now but it's so rare that I'm in the town itself that it does always make me a wee bit nostalgic. 

Here we are walking through Clarinda Park which is where myself and Jay had our first flat together. (Picture taken by My Only Girl).

The fair was delightful. And if I'd had money I would have come home laden. As it was there was too much to see, with a good portion of the crowd dressed for the occasion.

There was even a dance floor which was a real treat to watch. People who knew how to dance! It's a secret yearning of mine to be able to dance. Proper old-fashioned swing-your-partner like you were two parts of a single fluid entity sort of dancing. This sweet couple stole the show for me!

These next two pictures were taken by My Only Girl as well. I love the repeated stripes in this one. She's been dropping heavy hints about a cat for her birthday. Hmm...

I love this picture she took. I love her outfit, and the composition of her with Jay and The Smallest in the background.

And finally, I couldn't resist the evening light here. Oh how I'm loving the stretch in these evenings...

I hope you had a lovely weekend too!

Something Lovely For The Weekend.

Here's to a happy weekend to you all! Hope you have something lovely planned and the sun shines for you. 

I thought I share this sweet and funny bit of nostalgia with you. My brother Chris emailed it to our Dad with a tag line saying how it's exactly the sort of thing he would have made with us when we were kids. 

It's a silent one this time, which you can leave as such if that's your fancy. But I'm such a music muppet that I couldn't resist putting on  a song from one of my all time favourites, Iron & Wine. I'm sure there's an easier way to do it but this is what I've got. Just press play on both and enjoy!

Something Lovely.

It's been a couple of weeks since I shared Something Lovely with you. I've been on blog sabbatical recently which is all Stephanie Meyer's fault as I had to read all the Twilight series to make sure they were suitable for The Eldest and My Only Girl.(Ahem. Well. That's what I started out saying...)  I'm halfway through the last one (which they won't be reading) and trying to drag myself back to blogland. So let's start with someone I've wanted to share since I discovered her a few weeks back. 

Meet the wonderful, talented Lisa Falzon. She is an artist originally from Malta and now living in Co. Cork here in Ireland. The minute I saw this particular picture I fell in love with it. I think it's because it reminds me so much of My Only Girl. Or maybe Her in a few years. And I have to say even the expression on occasion is very Her! (I'm sure any number of you with daughter's know that look!)

Napoleon Wrapped Around Her Finger.

Lisa makes her work digitally, and if you are interested in finding how she makes these amazing images you can find out here.

The Constant Gardener.

Description: ... Loved her, even when it hurt...

even MORE when it hurt...

Her work has a mystical yet playful air that I just love. With enough romance, history and mystery to make up all the themes I love. 

Her Etsy Shop includes pendants, pocket mirrors and bookmarks, as well as postcards and prints of the original works. This below is a jointed paper doll which has stolen my heart.

My Valentine Joyride.

Do take a wander over and say hi. I'm sure you'll find something to make you smile!

A Week Of Pictures.

Twilighting Tweenies.

Washed Clean.

"Do it 'gain Grandad!"

Hooray!

When the sun came out, we had to go back.

Treasure Hiding.

Out early this morning. What I spied in the garden...

My view.

Thoughts of Rain.

It's been raining.

April showers. To finish the holiday.

We've had days of driving rain,

the dried out reeds like wet gold

stitched in zig zags across my window.

The cold seeping in between the pane and frame

pooling there like a melancholy sigh.

And then it softens to a ghostly whisper,

barely heard on the rooftop.

A faint mizzling that somehow drenches. 

It bleeds the colour from sky and stone and field.

Yet rests lightly on me

a gentle hand.

I am overcome, on days like these,

with wonder and quiet joy. 

Soothed with the silence it brings, the promise of peace.

And in the morning, a moment of light, a brightening shade,

a nod.

Oh. I am patient. 

Twilight Fever.

So, I survived Easter. Not a speck of chocolate passed my lips. It was easier than I imagined it would be. I just tuned it out of my consciousness. (And it helps when your SuperMum makes a cake with you in mind). A few of you asked the reason I can't eat it, and the reason is Candida. A nasty advanced form of it that I usually try not to talk about, simply because I have no doubt my friends are bored silly, as it comes up again and again. Any time I sit down with friends and there's food involved in our gathering, it comes up. I get bored talking about it too. 

So in a nutshell: no sugar, gluten, dairy, yeast or caffeine. I struggle with caffeine these days, but I'm getting there. The rest is possible. Most days.

So before you feel sorry for me just let me say it doesn't work that way. I feel so awful when I eat any of the above that it's just not worth it. But there are always days when it truly is a struggle. But my treat to myself is the not eating it. It's really the only way I can think about it.

So I was amused by something that came to mind over the last week. The older two discovered Buffy awhile back, and I've really enjoyed reliving that with them. But more recently we have been taken over by *Twilight* fever in our house. Between endless watching of the movie, to fighting over who gets to read the next book, it's been all-consuming. To the point where today I sent them out into the sunshine for a change and what do they do? They don baseball caps, find a big stick and a ball and set to playing baseball. Vampire style. They even cranked up the stereo and had that song from that scene on loop. For an hour. (Sorry. No links for either song or scene as they were all dreadful...)

It's very sweet. 

But what came to mind as I watched the movie, yet again, was how I sympathised with poor Edward. There I was, the scent of chocolate filling the room... oh I was tormented. But then I considered how he struggles with his desire to kill and taste the blood of his beloved Bella, yet he loves her so completely. I felt better. Honestly...

(And if you haven't seen the movie, or read the book, then do. No matter what age you are.

 If you've ever been in love. 

Do...)

Happy Easter!

The Chocolate begins...

The Wolf In The Forest.

Easter cookies.

The Greening.

First dip of the year.

The Pool.

This years tree.

Where I dream of...

If stones could speak.

Rain.

How can such beauty be?

We're Going On An Egg Hunt.

Yesterday, the sun did shine for us, and as we were dropping My Only Girl to her friend's house in Glenealy we decided to call into nearby Kilmacurragh Arboretum for our annual dose of splendor, in the form of Rhododendrons. And as we hadn't managed to organise an egg hunt with friends this year, we thought we'd include a little one for the wee boys in our house.

A glory for mine eyes. 

I think I'm going to have to post some more photos later...