What is UP???
Hope you have been enjoying my wicked awesome Haiku from the heart. HA. But, really. Don't hate on them. They are fun and easy to write and usually convey in one way or another, my message on the topic at hand...FOOD.
Dang. Where do I begin? So much to say and not enough recall. The summer has surely flown by. I hope you all made some happy memories. Vacations, hanging with family and friends, getting color, bbqing, gardening, and relaxing are some of the many things I will miss as the days grow shorter and Autumn approaches. Harvested our first pumpkin this morning and it is a beauty. Totally makes me yearn for a nice, cool, crisp, Fall afternoon. Sipping cocoa with Bailey's on the back porch, watching the dog spaz out in the yard over nada, while waiting for the homemade apple pie baking in the oven. In the slow cooker, simmers deliciously, spicy, and tender pulled pork and onions. WHOAH. Tangent. But you get my point. I really do heart the fall months.
We recently returned from a fantastic two week holiday at my in-laws' villa, as I like to refer to it, in one of my favorite places on God's green earth, Ireland. Gorgeous and breathtaking are words that come to mind when looking around at the landscape and ocean views of Donegal. Over the years, I have visited different areas of the motherland and I would often joke with the hubs and family that I bring the sun to Ireland. And, when I leave the country, Ireland cries. Well, after this trip, it is a joke no more. It is fact. We couldn't have asked for better weather. Most days the sun was beaming down on us while at the beach or walking or hanging with the wee ones. I even got a sunburn. Believe that. I can count on one hand how many times I actually saw rain. Summer in Ireland is beautiful. And we were lucky enough to experience Giant's Causeway this time around. It should definitely be a Wonder of the World because it is that cool.
If you have never been to Ireland and when I say Ireland, I mean the most northern part of Donegal. Malin Head. Way, way up there. Put it on your bucket list. Like on a very clear day, from Banba's Crown, you can see straight across to Scotland. Amazing. The countryside's hills and valleys are various shades of green, dotted with colorful flowers, lambs, sheep, cows, donkeys, chickens, horses, remnants of thatched houses, modern homes, sheds, and tractors. The air is so clean, makes you sleep like a baby. Don't get me started on the clear nights with the millions of stars that light the sky. Constellations so close you swear you can reach out and grab one. Mesmerizes me every time.
The locals are more than welcoming and cordial. They are hysterical, generous, intelligent, and most importantly patient with us Yanks. :) The brogue is brilliant and at first, a bit difficult to understand. Their words are poetic and their stories are legendary. Their music is historical, rebel like, beautiful, folky, religious, and awesome, all rolled into one. The random sessions that break out in pubs are fantastic. One dude plays the guitar as another sings from his heart, others join in with various instruments and voices.
When you hear someone say the Irish love their meat and spuds. Believe it. The potatoes are so fresh and delicious. They don't even need butter or salt. But, come on. When given the choice of Kerrygold, you can't deny it. And I love me some salt. Fresh Daniel Doherty bread is my fave. Lathered with butter and raspberry jam, my snack of choice with our many cups of Lyons Irish tea. Sweeties, cakes, breads, chocolate, and other goodies were always in abundance. The tasty bangers and rashers with Galtee cheese fried up with some onions accompanied by more bread and butter...to die for. The hubs' favorite was the authentic fish and chips from the local chip van. The chips (fries) are so yummy doused with vinegar and salt. Can you say STARCH? My total favorite food group everrr.
During this trip the hubs and I enjoyed a lovely date night at a local restaurant called the Butterbean,(https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Butterbean-Restaurant-Carndonagh) in a neighboring town, Carndonagh. YUM. I ordered Merlot and a glass of water to wet the whistle. We shared the bruschetta for our starter. It was surprisingly delish, even with the small pieces of black olive. The tasty vinaigrette drizzled over crusty bread, piled with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella. MMM. I had the tender, boneless, chicken breast with garlic butter and crispy garlic potatoes with a small salad. Hubs devoured his tasty slab of sirloin beef and chips. For dessert, I enjoyed a warm piece of moist chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream AND whipped cream and the hubs inhaled the apple pie with the same. The staff was friendly and efficient and the prices weren't bad at all. Dos thumbs up. After our supper, we ventured out to the Clonmany Festival where we enjoyed The High Kings at an outdoor venue whilst drinking Smithwick's. Fantastic. And Butterbean was so good, we returned with the hubs' sister and husband for another tasty evening out on the town. Good times.
With Ireland as my subject, I could go on forever. My heritage and my husband's leads back to the very places we visit on a regular. We are blessed to have a home to stay in when we visit and a wonderful family to welcome us when we arrive.
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