Another dinner party?!

You know the old saying, "If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes"? I have decided to amend it for the Irish climate/mentality as follows, "If you don't like the weather, leave." Everyone who can afford it spends their summers in the south of France or Spain. I even had someone tell me that if I wanted a colder winter Scandinavia is an easy plane ride away. I do enjoy a bit of icy weather, but something about chasing it down seems just plain wrong. It's been raining, misting, or overcast for about the past two weeks by the way.

Even so, spring is definitely on itsway. I've seen hundreds of daffodils poking their way out of the mud, but despite brave attempts at outdoor frolicking, Keith and I have lately been housebound. So, we have dinner parties-- usually with Keith's friends and families. They have been pretty fun and stress-free for the most part. Keith does the main course and I'll usually do a side and dessert. I really wish I could show you some pictures of the amazing desserts I've made, but I always get too excited about serving them and cut them up before I can take any photos. Just picture a flourless chocolate cake, a blackberry and meringue roulade, a strawberry galette with basil whipped cream. I think I'll make apple pie next because the Irish have it ALL wrong. Aside from the clean-up involved, I'm glad I'm the one hosting the parties because it gives me an excuse to hide in the kitchen away from the guests, which as Colleen can attest to, is probably my favorite part of having people over. It might not go over well to try that out at someone else's home.

Non sequitur. The other day Keith and I have a picnic by a river and we saw this.

What do you think is wrong with this duck? Is it a glandular thing? Did a mallard breed with a goose?

Food

Now that Keith and I are living independently we've been able to do a lot more of our own cooking. I had been missing this aspect of our liveswhile in Dublin. So now we're back to oatmeal for breakfast and finding new recipes in cookbooks for the remaining meals. I also baked chocolate chip oatmeal cookies in celebration of our new freedom. I do love some of the food I've had since I arrived in Ireland, but some of it is just bizarre. Here are some of my more memorable food items:

1. Crunchies-- A Cadbury candy bar made of a caramelized sugar center and chocolate exterior. The secert is adding baking soda so that the sugar fizzes and develops air bubbles, so it has a light texture. I saw a recipe for something similar in Martha Stewart, so I will probably be attempting to make them when my supply runs out.

2. Mushy Peas-- Exactly what it sounds like-- peas whirled up in a blender. I first had these in Harrods in London with my fish and chips, which is the traditional pairing. Some people are totally opposed to mushy peas, but I loved them. Peas are also way easier to eat when you don't have to chase them as they roll all over your plate.

3. Full Irish Breakfast-- Fried eggs; fried mushroom; fried tomatoes; sausages; bacon, aka rashers; black pudding; and sometimes baked beans. I can't resist all that salt, sorry.

4. Breakfast Roll-- This falls under the bizarre category. It's basically a variation on the Irish Breakfast, but without the eggs, vegetables, and the need for a fork. Keith bought this for me when he went into a market to get me a coffee and a "snack." He said he bought it just so I could see this crazy thing people eat forbreakfast every day. If he enjoyed it as much as I did, I think he may have had other motives.

5. Potatoes-- Yeah, the Irish really do love their potatoes. No matter what you order in a restaurant, it probably comes with some sort of potato side dish. You are better off with fries or mashed potatoes than with coleslaw though, becausethat seems to just be a bit of cabbage mixed in with a load of mayonnaise.

6. Beverages-- Guinness really is better here. Hot whiskeys are delicious and taken liberally as medicine for colds and flus. Irish coffees are not bad either. Here I am enjoying one.

And here is Baz when he got a feather stuck up his nose.