My Couple of Words

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Nessa's Family Kitchen.......




You have to check out Nessa's blog, she has some fabulous recipes for all the family and she is one of the "Taste Factor" finalists.  Taste of Dublin has teamed up with Philadelphia to launch "Taste Factor - the search for Ireland's Best Amateur Chef" on TV3's Ireland Am.  Nessa travelled to the TV3 studios last Friday to cook her dish, Mushroom Brioche with Creamy Philadelphia, live on television with chef Edward Hayden.

The voting lines are now open, so you can vote for Nessa - text TASTE4 to 53141.
 

Babies don't keep......

Found this on Lay Baby Lay, how cute is this:


You can download this at Lay Baby Lay.  It would be lovely framed and in a baby's nursery.  It is also in blue.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Live, Laugh & Love...



This is a layout I completed recently using Websters Pages, 'Ladies and Gents'.  Love these papers and while browsing Websters Pages website I came across a lovely layout using these papers, so here is my take on it.  I also used some prima flowers and ribbons I had from my stash.





I love these photos of my daughter with her Nanny and Grandad.  I love how she loves her grandparents so much.  These photos were taken of her First Communion seven years ago and imagine I'm only scrapbooking these pictures now.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

It's All Happening Here....

Last week we had The Queen on a 4 day state visit and this week we had the US President for a visit.

The Queen arrived in Dublin on Tuesday, May 17th for the start of a historic four day state visit.  Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh met with the Irish President Mary McAleese at the Aras an Uachtarain for a Welcoming Ceremony.  It was then onto a wreath-laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance and a visit to Trinity College, Dublin.


Source: PA



On Wednesday, the Queen made a visit to the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, to the Government Buildings, the Irish War Memorial Garden at Islandbridge and to Croke Park.  They also attended a State Dinner in Dublin Castle.



The Guinness Storehouse
Source: Getty Images
 

Croke Park
Source:EPA


Being presented with a Hurl and Sliother
Source:EPA




I have to put this photo in.  It is not really related to the Queen's visit but it is a picture of my son running out onto to Croke Park where he played for the first time in an All-Ireland Vocational Schools final, which they won!  I was one proud Momma!!!


My Son (in the yellow boots) running out onto Cork Park


On Thursday the Queen paid a visit to the Irish National Stud, in Kildare.  Then on Friday they paid a visit to the Rock of Cashel and then onto The English Market, in Cork. 




So the following week, President Obama and his wife Michelle arrived in Ireland on Tuesday, 24th May.  They first went to Aras an Uachtarain where they were welcomed by the Irish President, Mary McAleese.  President Obama planted a tree in the gardens of the Aras, just a few feet away from where Queen Elizabeth performed a similar duty last week.  They then moved onto Farmleigh House where the US President held a meeting with the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny.


President Obama and his wife Michelle arriving in Ireland
Source: EPA


President Obama planting a tree in the Aras
Source: EPA


Irish Taoiseach, Enda Kenny presenting a Hurl to President Obama
Source: EPA

After his meeting with the Irish Taoiseach, the president then had a quick stop in the American Embassy and then it was off to the village of Moneygall, Co. Offaly.  It was here that the President went to visit the house built on the site of the home of his great-great-great-grandfather Falmouth Kearney.  He then went onto have a pint of Guinness in Ollie Haye's Bar.


President Obama and his wife enjoying a pint of Guinness!
Source: EPA


After President Obama's visit to Moneygall, they then returned to College Green, in Dublin for a public celebration following an open-air concert.  The president rounded off his visit with a hopeful message of determination to fight adversity to the Irish people,

"This little country, that inspires the biggest things - your best days are still ahead.  Our greatest triumphs - in America and Ireland alike - are still to come.

And, Ireland, if anyone says otherwise, if anybody ever tells you that your problems are too big, or your challenges are too great, that we can't do something, that we shouldn't even try - think about all that we've done together.

Remember that whatever hardships the winter may bring, springtime is always just around the corner.  And if they keep on arguing with you, just respond with a simple creed:  Is Feidir Linn.  Yes, we can. Yes, we can. Is Feidir Linn".


President Obama in College Green in Dublin
Source: EPA


Tuesday, May 24, 2011

MMM....Hot Chocolate and Marshmellows!






This is a double layout we completed with Annamaire of The Scrapbook Store.  We used Restoration, Crate Papers and embellishments.  Still have more of this paper in my stash so you will probably see more of it here.

Monday, May 23, 2011

A Layout of Rosie.....







This is a double layout we completed with Sandie at a class in An Siopa Bui a while ago.  We used K & Co. Jubilee papers and embellishments and some lovely ribbons.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Real Results.....

On Saturday we spent the day in The Hudson Bay Hotel, with Karl Henry for a full day of workouts and lectures.  Karl is a fitness expert on Operation Transformation on RTE 1.




We also got a complimentary copy of his new book - 'Real Results' - The Ultimate Health and Fitness Guide.  His book covers Nutrition, Excercise and Motivation.  It is having the motivation to start and staying at it is the hardest part.  So here's to a new and Healty & Fit Lifestyle!!!!


Sunday, May 15, 2011

Happy Birthday Grandad.....




More Restoration Collection papers.  No doubt there will be more to come!  Love this quote from John Lennon - 'Count your age by your friends, not by your years.  Count your life by smiles, not by tears.'  This layout is of my father in law's 80th birthday, pictures of Grandad and Granny, the Grandkids and of his sons and daughters.


Saturday, May 14, 2011

Another Layout...





Absolutely love these papers - Restoration Collection from Crate Papers.  This layout is of our 'darling daughter'.  Came across this quote 'Use what talents you possess; the woods would be silent if no birds sang except those that sang best. ~ Henry Van Dyke.  Really thought it was quite appropriate as Chloe is presently taking singing and guitar lessons.

Friday, May 13, 2011

To Cute For Words.....






A recent double layout we completed at one of Annamaire's Scrapbooking classes. 
Annamaire holds a scrapbooking class and crop once a month in the Athlone Springs Hotel.  She also brings her shop with loads of scrapbooking goodies!!  In this layout we have used My Mind's Eye, Fine and Dandy papers and embellishments.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

YOU at 16.....





This is a layout I did recently of my son.  It is based on using scrap paper, punches (Martha Stewart) and stamps (Taylored Expressions).

Over on Two Peas in a Bucket there are all sorts of free montly classes including Scrapbook Stamping, Products U love every which way, Stretch your sketch and 4 x 6 Photo Love.  Go check them out!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Hello May...



Hello to sunnier days, brighter evenings...