Homemade Apple Pie

by Evin // March 26, 2012 // No Comments

Last year before the whole motherhood thing happened, I felt completely worn out with a low fever so I surmised I was battling something and rested. Two days spent cuddled up under a blanket in my PJs. I knew I... Continue reading →

What it's like to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Cork, Ireland

by Evin // March 17, 2012 // 3 Comments

There is a tingle of something in the air. It makes your toes feel like wiggling and the corners of your mouth turn up involuntarily. It’s Saint Patrick’s Day in Ireland. As you can imagine, March 17th is an exciting time... Continue reading →

Luck of the Irish? And My Family’s Irish Scone Recipe

by Evin // March 15, 2012 // 2 Comments

Until last month, I had never purchased a lottery ticket, played a slot machine, or placed a bet outside a race course. Then I felt lucky. I’ll talk about my luck then share the Sullivan Family Scone recipe I found... Continue reading →

I Want to Knit…

by Evin // March 11, 2012 // No Comments

Last year, I shared a list of patterns I want to knit and thought it would make a nice annual blog tradition so here’s the second instalment of patterns I want to knit. Tembo by Carol Feller Akoya by Carol Feller (shown below... Continue reading →

Croissant Dough Monkey Muffins

by Evin // March 11, 2012 // 6 Comments

What says Sunday morning better than a little Jazz music playing in the background while baby LB naps, hubby has a lie-in, and I smirk at the croissant dough in the fridge knowing its destiny is about to be fulfilled... Continue reading →

Safe Pickling Techniques

by Evin // March 7, 2012 // No Comments

I usually make quick refrigerator pickles, but when I want to preserve things for longer or save a taste of summer for winter, safe pickling techniques are necessary. USDA & 4-H Resources You know where to look for traditional agricultural... Continue reading →

Brilliant Things – March 2012 List

by Evin // March 1, 2012 // No Comments

Books for Baby Extra Yarn by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen Tickle Time!: A Boynton on Board Board Book (Boynton Board Books) Noodle’s Knitting – UPDATE: Got it! Boys Don’t Knit! Knitting Nell The Knitting Gorilla (World of Happy) – UPDATE: Got... Continue reading →

The Times, Daisy Greenwell, TripAdvisor and me

by Evin // February 17, 2012 // 4 Comments

The Times ran an article today written by Daisy Greenwell (if you haven’t read her articles, you’ll like them since she writes about food fairly often and in a cultural and lifestyle sense) hat discusses online reviewers and their approaches, roles,... Continue reading →

Indulge in Valentine's Day

by Evin // February 14, 2012 // 2 Comments

Saint Valentine is a person whose identity is synonymous with love and each year we celebrate his work and the bond that initially pulls and eventually tethers two people together for eternity. You can celebrate Valentine’s Day as a holiday... Continue reading →

Instant Dining Room Wall Decor

by Evin // February 4, 2012 // 1 Comment

Defining a dining space that shares walls with a kitchen or living room is just as much a challenge as making a room solely for dining feel like someplace you want to actually dine. There are many ways to approach... Continue reading →

Conquer Cable Knitting with Contemporary Irish Knits by Carol Feller of Stolen Stitches

by Evin // January 31, 2012 // No Comments

Have you heard of the knitwear book Contemporary Irish Knits by Carol Feller? Contemporary Irish Knits by Carol Feller is available from her shop, amazon.com, and amazon.co.uk as well as locally from Vibes & Scribes and other discerning booksellers. Which pattern would... Continue reading →

Making a Spanish Omelette

by Evin // January 30, 2012 // 1 Comment

For my birthday, we traveled to Barcelona and I was given the ultimate gift - an introduction to the Spanish Omelette. It is also known as potato fritatta, torilla de patatas, potato omelet, or just plain tortilla, but I prefer Mmmmm. Ideal as a tapas dish, but I can make a meal of it with a green salad on the side (think frittata meets quiche). A friend who resides in Barcelona rattled off amazingly simple instructions on how to make one ourselves and I remembered the gist of it and have successfully made it at home. By the way, his wife happens to write Cat Universe in the Kitchen, a cooking blog that is muy sabrosa and focuses on vegan recipes. Continue reading →

Everlasting Arrangements for Empty Vases

by Evin // January 26, 2012 // 1 Comment

A blank canvas, a muddy garden, and an empty vase. What do these three things have in common? Potential for creativity, expression, and color. I have four empty vases in my home and though cut flowers are nice to commemorate... Continue reading →

Baby’s First Blankets

by Evin // January 25, 2012 // 2 Comments

When my son, Óg, was born, he received many beautiful and practical gifts. Many hand knit. Some sweaters, some vests, some booties, and blankets too. One item that seemed most prevalent, yet useful and lasting, was the baby blanket. From... Continue reading →

Chefess Kate Lawlor’s Beetroot Fudge

by Evin // January 23, 2012 // 12 Comments

Last week, my taste buds enjoyed a surprise treat – beetroot fudge. It is nothing short of decadently delightful with its buttery, creamy, sweet, and PINK existence. It was a pleasant surprise after a meal at the award-winning now-closed Cork city... Continue reading →

Classic Beef Stew

by Evin // January 3, 2012 // No Comments

Anyone who has been out in blustery weather can understand that upon opening my eyes to hear wind and rain battering my window, I was determined to make a large pot of beef stew. I donned my layers, including my... Continue reading →

Brilliant Things – January 2012 List

by Evin // January 1, 2012 // No Comments

I’m thinking you may have similar taste so I’m sharing what I’m wishing for lately. Of course, if my Mom happens to read this the wish list won’t carry over much from post-to-post. OtterBox Universal Defender Case for iPhone 4 (White... Continue reading →

Easy Bake Pasta

by Evin // December 27, 2011 // 4 Comments

These days with a new baby at home, I appreciate meals that can be prepared with my brain on autopilot with a result that is filling and delicious. Easy Bake Pasta is perfect for days when I’m so tired I... Continue reading →

Christmas Tree from What I Had Handy

by Evin // December 24, 2011 // 1 Comment

I couldn’t see the point in parting with money for a Christmas tree when we don’t even have a tree stand or enough ornaments. Then I half-joked with myself that I should turn our tall tripod into a tree with... Continue reading →

Frosted Oatmeal Cookies – IFBA Cookie Recipe Swap

by Evin // December 22, 2011 // 8 Comments

This recipe is from my IFBA cookie recipe swap buddy Sharon who writes the fab blog, GunterNation. She sent me the recipe with an explanation of its origin: I was home in Austin, TX in May. Since it was near... Continue reading →