Sunny Sunday

Today was absolutely beautiful so we headed out around noon to Howth. There is a lovely farmer's market that is great for finding seasonal organic veg plus delicious fresh baked bread. After loading up on graffiti aubergines, zucchini, blueberries, cherries and strawberries we walked out along the pier eating shish kebabs made of grilled chorizo, halloumi and olives. YUM! Cupcake has the amazing ability to time her naps just as we are getting some where exciting (zoo, playground, pier with jumping seals). Or rather we just happen to time fun things when she is due for her nap! Totally powerless to resist the warm sunshine and the cool sea breeze we decided to have venison burgers to prolong our lazy time. Earlier we had agreed that we would clear out the garage for an upcoming junk collection. I will do everything and anything to avoid cleaning, so I was happy to spend more time out at the market. Then on the way home we picked up two beautiful rhubarb plants which have been planted next to my rosemary. It was a nice way to spend some family time this weekend. Too bad every day couldn't be like today!

Spring is in the Air

Well it is that time of year again. I am feeling inspired to plant. Every year I take a stab at planting my vegetable garden in the back. I don't have a huge back garden but I have been able to successfully grow a variety of fruit and veg, that is as long as the dogs/snails don't get to them first. Last year I had the best intentions and even went so far as to organise my seeds and a tentative planting schedule. But pregnancy, birth and recovery from a c-section got in the way and before I was really ready to get outside and enjoy the sun I didn't make any effort whatsoever. For a couple years now I have had a pretty well established red currant bush, a pear tree and of course the ever present herb garden - mainly consisting of the 'easy' ones - chives, mint, rosemary, parsley, lemon verbena (or lemon balm? I can never remember which one) and thyme. I tend to grow basil on the kitchen windowsill as there isn't great sun in the garden. I also grew coriander a couple years back but I haven't been as devoted to it. In 2007 I branched out, growing salad leaves (so easy and so tasty from the garden), purple sprouting broccoli (39 weeks from seed to harvest - husband ripped them up at 14 weeks thinking they were weeds...) rocket, baby carrots and in our makeshift 'greenhouse' tomatoes and peppers. The tomatoes and peppers were coming along nicely until I went on holidays and then apparently there was a 2 week hot spell. Even though they were being watered with the green house 'door' closed they withered.

I've decided that this year I want to spent a lot of time outside con mi hija and that playing in the dirt with her will be fun. I have always made the effort to grow organically, it is really important to me. I am a big tree hugger at heart and really feel strongly about the environment and preserving it for our future generations. I find organic so expensive here in Ireland, so I am constantly going from Tesco to Dunnes to Superquinn to the Farmers Market in an effort to find the best prices. I have spent the last year making all organic baby food for the little one and it is nice that she is eating more in line with the meals that I am preparing for the adults. I am thinking about trying out some of those potato tubs I saw at Atlantic two weeks ago. I am definitely going ahead with the potatoes, I mean they are like a national institution right? I can't ever be Irish until I grow potatoes right? On a side note someone once told me I could never been considered a Dublin woman until I made a good coddle. Hmmm a big pot of boiled salty meat? Think I'll stay a California girl.

P.S. the picture is not recent. This is what the garden looked like when we first put the sleepers in Fall 2007!