Cork Taste Fest

Recently Josh and I, along with our friends, enjoyed some of the finest food Cork has to offer.  Cork Taste Fest was held in the beautiful Fitzgerald Park, which is located by the river.  We indulged in "bite-sized" tastings of Crab salad on a crustini and guacamole, prawns with a sweet chili sauce, prawn risotto, mini burgers, and loads of delicious desserts.  Among the feasting festivities, we also enjoyed live music.

Fitzgerald Park

My handsome man!

Various Vendors

Yum

Yum

Yum

Yum, yum, yum!

 

A Day In the Life Of... Me

Now that we have been out here for a while, the main question people want to know is what I am doing with my time now that I am no longer teaching.  There are quite a few activities that I have involved myself in to keep occupied.  Once a week I volunteer at a private school in Douglas, I help my neighbor at her shop in town (Hello Again), meet up with friends for coffee and lunches, play with the dogs and have play dates with other doggies, cooking, and roll and sell sushi at Mahon Market with friends I met in Kinsale.  I also have been reading a ton.  While teaching I only had time for teacher related book studies, but now I have been reading "just for fun" books, such as the entire Sookie Stackhouse series and Water for Elephants.  I have tried my hand unsuccessfully at crafting (knitting didn't go well and my homemade cards look like something out of a Kindergarteners classroom), although I have been having fun making earring holders out of picture frames.

I went on a school tour to Bunratty Castle with the students with whom I had been working.

Students excited for their learning experience:)

Pure Sushi!  Yum!

This was my first roll for the market.  Pure Sushi adjusts their recipes to suit Irish taste, many are hesitant about raw fish.   My roll was a pesto chicken with cucumbers.

Obviously proud to be apart of the Pure Sushi team.  I love working the Markets, people are so friendly and always willing to chat!

A new found favorite of mine is to sit in the back and read while Dax and Callie play in the sun.

Callie loves when we invite this guy over for a play date!

Buster and Dax love to fetch toys.

Mary's gorgeous shop!  I have sold a few items, but I prefer to browse her shop myself.

Side of Mary's shop.  Her very talented friend Colin Kerr created this master piece.

Earring holders!

I also have been working out and going on scenic walks around Kinsale.  I have many big projects on the horizon.  Such as my workshop in the Kinsale Arts Week, taking a drawing and pottery class, learning to sew, taking a course on integrating technology in the classroom, and starting my masters.

It's All in the Family

First, I have to say that Josh and I have been truly blessed by visitors during our stay so far in Ireland.  The newest members to our list are Bruce, Georgia, Uncle Tom, and Aunt Lesca.  Josh and I met the gang in Scotland.  We toured beautiful villages, the Edinburgh Castle, and enjoyed breathtaking countryside.  The highlight for the gentlemen was St. Andrew's Golf course, the home of golf.

St. Andrew's Golf course, simply beautiful!

St. Andrew's Cathedral is Scotland's largest and most magnificent medieval church, it stands in ruins now.  Andrew's has been a place of worship since 8th century AD.

St. Andrew's graveyard.

The hubby at St. Andrew's

Second largest train span.

The whole lot of us!

One of the small villages we stopped in.

One of the reasons Scotland looks so historic.  Loads of amazing buildings!

Bruce and Georgia enjoying the sights!

Bruce at "The Bruce."

I love a man in a dress!

View from the top of Edinburgh Castle.

It was really cold on top of the castle.

It was so rainy, these men were sliding down the rocky path.  It was pretty funny!

Changing of the guards!

At the castle, stunning!

After having our fun in Scotland, everyone came to Ireland for a relaxing visit.  We saw Blarney Castle and the surrounding gardens, toured Kinsale, completed a mini pub crawl, actually drove the Old Head grounds, and had tons of wine and good food.

The Blarney Estate.

Old Head golf course.

Old Head is a very exclusive golf course, making it almost impossible to get pass the front gate. 

Wow!

Josh and I are truly grateful!  Thank you Tom, Lesca, Bruce and Georgia for such a wonderful visit!

Laurie's much anticipated arrival!

Laurie came to visit us!  Josh and I were so grateful that she made the big trip over the little pond to spend time with us.  Laurie was up for trying new things and going new places with Josh and I, making us all tourist together!  While she was here we visited Cashel Castle, the Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle, went sailing and four-wheeling, and hiked around Old Head golf coarse.

Cashel Castle

Laurie taking in the sights on her camera!

Cashel graveyard

Friends!

Laurie on top of the fort at the Ring of Kerry

At the fort

Four Wheeling!  We jumped hills, raced through obstacles, and barely forged the raging river!

What a stud!

Laurie at Blarney Castle and of coarse she kissed the Stone!

The Castle

Old Head

Thank you again Laurie for spending your time with us!  I love you a ton!