blueberry fields forever

Yesterday was such a beautiful day and I was feeling much better, so I pulled myself out of bed to go enjoy the outdoors.  Joined in with a group of three others to blueberry pick in the hills of Wicklow mountains.  Didn't harvest much but an enjoyable time none the less.

In Loving Memory

Another very special lady to take note of.  I think I inherited her love of food, chocolates, and Christmas (thank you for those!).  Love you and miss you dearly Grammie MacLeod.  Birthday celebrations do not feel complete without your presence. 

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.

 ~From a headstone in Ireland

Happy Birthday Nannie!

This lovely lady deserves a post all to herself.  She is kind, caring, loving, beautiful, graceful, generous, inspirational, talented, makes a mean pumpkin pie, always has time for tea and a chat, and is just utterly fabulous.

Happy birthday nannie.  Miss you crazy huge amounts on our special day.

Cake Day!

...also my birthday, but the cake part is more important to me usually. :)

Not even comparable to a Grammie MacLeod cake, but much appreciated none the less.  The only picture I have of the lovely cake my friend Simon brought over on Saturday that I so unceremoniously demolished in my drunken state.

Celebrations were started on Saturday by introducing one of the best drinking games to the Irish--Beer Pong!

The Fab team was maybe unsure at first...but after a few rounds, everyone's winning! haha.

Pure concentration face.

Doug's new job = lost ball collector.

Unfortunately, weekend celebrations were a little too hard on the body and my birthday presents to myself included precriptions and soup and lots of sleep.

And if I didn't like this admirer already, he certainly knew how to impress.  Note the size of the flower arrangement I purchased last week that I was quite satisfied with on the left, and then the size of the arrangement that arrived today on the right.

The sender of said flowers will likely be properly introduced in a subsequent posting, so keep checking for updates!  Since I cannot seem to keep up to date with my photos, I have to keep you engaged somehow--in this case by withholding interesting information. ; )

xoxo

Seasons of Love

I have not forgotten about updating, although it would appear that way.  Over the past number of weeks I have been settling into Irish life, getting trained at a new restaurant job closer to home, and attending some random city summer events.  However, this post is not focused on my adventures and outings, but on the support of friends & family.  Thank you all so much for your positivity and excitement.  I appreciate every conversation, update, and card!

Such as... this stellar postcard from Monique!  Hope nobody expects anything this cool from me...

..and an early birthday wish from mom & dad!  Sending some return birthday kisses your way <3

...and some fine news from close friends~!  Congratulations once again Sara & Rob.  Can't wait to celebrate your engagement in person. <3 <3

One of my favorites for your listening pleasure. : )

"Seasons of Love"

xo.

Ring of Kerry!

The Ring of Kerry is a scenic drive, basically the Irish equivalent of the Cabot Trail.  Absolutely beautiful!..outside of the numerous near-death experiences on the narrow roads.

Tour guide/roommates Dan and Laura.

and me, immensely enjoying the tour.

More pictures to come on facebook from these adventures in the near future. :)

Glenbeigh

Dan and Laura, sweethearts that they are, invited me down to Dan's hometown in lovely County Kerry.  Thanks for the lodgings and craic!

Rossbeigh beach, the other side of the Atlantic Ocean!

Some traditional Irish breakfast.

The whole downtown in one camera view.

Cork

Brief pitstop in Cork.  & the best fries ever.  They rival the Marsh's homemade chips.  Can't remember the name of the shop but it was right off of Washington street if you ever end up in Cork city craving chips!

Kilkenny

This is one of a series of posts taken from an accelerated tour of Southern Ireland.  First stop, however accidental it may have been, was Kilkenny.

Relaxing on the grounds of Kilkenny Castle.