Don’t hate me, but my weekend started a day earlier than yours. I decided to take a little time off work, get my papers sorted for my impending departure and spend some time with my family. My sister Fiona and I have a fun weekend planned in Cork with all our favourite things: shopping, pampering and eating out. We are staying at the appropriately named Garnish House- famous for their afternoon tea on arrival and choice of over 30 breakfast options!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Some exciting news…
I have some news that I can’t keep in a second longer.
In about a month’s time, I will be saying farewell to Galway and Ireland and moving to Abu Dhabi. It’s feels weird to write it because I still don’t believe it’s really happening. I get a little bit choked up when I think about having to say goodbye to all my friends and my dear family. That said, I have been itching to travel for a while now, and a new job opportunity presented itself at just the right time. I have committed to staying at least a year, and I literally feel thrills of excitement thinking about what that year might bring.
Monday, July 18, 2011
More things to be happy about (12)
The smell of newly mimeographed test papers; where writers and artists gather; falling asleep on the couch; being motioned to come and sit by someone; Nat King Cole; getting something fixed; seeing your breath exhaled as a frosty puff; Fridays; balance beams; sending someone an article from the paper, that you know will be of special interest; Ripley’s believe it or not; getting a free can of coke from a vending machine that still has someone else’s money in it; super morning showers; the part of the envelope that tells you where to put the stamp (as if you couldn’t figure it out); knife-sharpened pencils; biting into a croissant; air conditioning; organising your wardrobe; compulsive crossword puzzle doers; paint rollers.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Malted Milk Chocolate Ice-Cream
Remember this post, when I told you about what my sister gave to me for my birthday? Yes, she gave me one of the best presents you can give a sister: Ice-cream.
Please don’t be fooled. This is not just any ice-cream. This is MALTED MILK CHOCOLATE ICE-CREAM. It’s basically at the top of the world ice-cream hierarchy (that’s why I gave it capital letters). A human equivalent of this ice-cream might be Barrack Obama. Rich and smooth, but understated. Creamy-chocolately. Yummy.
Anyway, we’re getting side tracked. Back to the ice-cream. Please make this. Give it to someone you love. Package it up nicely and make no secret that it is all. for. them.
They will love you for it. They will tell all their friends how amazing you are (on their blog). The world will feel like a better place.
What you’ll need:
2 egg yolks, 50g sugar, 150g milk chocolate, 250ml milk, 2 tablespoons Horlicks, 150ml cream.
Here’s How:
- Beat together egg yolk and sugar until pale and cream
- Heat the milk (do not boil) and whisk in the Horlicks. Add a little of the warm milk to the egg mixture, then return it all to the saucepan.
- Cook on a very gentle heat until slightly thickened- like a light, thin custard
- Add the chopped chocolate and stir until melted
- Leave to cool completely with cling film directly on the surface of the custard. Once cooled, add the cream.
- Transfer mixture to your ice-cream maker, or alternatively put it into the freezer, stirring with a fork every 30 minutes, until frozen.
P.s The possibility of curdling the custard scares me too- but let’s stay calm and we’ll get through this together (Yes we can!)
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Best of… June 11
It’s here! Summer is finally here. It seems that people are celebrating by wearing stripes and riding bikes. I’m cool with that.
(My Daily Style and Hanelli)
Lots of colour = Summer (I am Khatu)
If most of your wardrobe is black (like mine), use ice-creamy nail polish shades (like Emily’s).
Monday, July 4, 2011
More things to be happy about (11)
Art galleries; the rituals people resort to, to get rid of hiccups; people who hold the elevator door so it doesn’t close in your face; shirts reserved for painting in; going out for ice-cream; cash refunds; laughter being the best medicine; pilots in uniform; yawning; clearing off your desk; Mighty Mouse; the useless pockets on pyjama tops; old newspaper clippings; delicatessens; library books; going to the same restaurant often enough to be given the same table; toasting marshmallows; odd couples; bikini season; consuming smarties by colour groups.