Posts by Susan:
- Cut the cod into pieces and put into the slow cooker.
- Add the eggs, mushrooms and season well.
- Heat the butter in a pan, add the onion and fry without browning.
- Stir in the flour and gradually stir in the milk. Bring to the boil, stirring continuously.
- Add the cheese, bay leaf and cloves.
- Pour over the fish and cook for 2 – 2.5 hours on the Slow cooker’s high setting, or 3-6 hours on the auto setting.
- Remove the bay leaf and cloves and stir gently.
- Sprinkle cheese on top and arrange the tomato slices in a circle.
- Brown under a hot grill, garnish with toast triangles and parsley.
Don't take a photo of me....I'm warning you....
House for sale
The Starlings are back!
May 7th, 2012Probably a little bit overexposed, but it was quite difficult to catch this flighty little starling. There are two of them living under the eaves of the shed in our back garden, with their young chicks. They’re fast movers! There are also a couple of Great Tits living in the air vent in the master bedroom, but I haven’t had an opportunity to try and photograph them yet.
Push the button…you know you want to!
April 18th, 2012Button’s were made to be pressed, and this one in the middle of a quiet square in Belgium, is no exception. Events go from crazy to crazier, and the reactions of the people standing around are priceless! Aptly titled ‘A dramatic surprise on a quiet square’, it’s hilariously funny and extremely clever.
Nearly 25 million people have viewed this video since it was uploaded on the 11th of April.
Maybe this Youtube video should be titled ‘What a MUPPET!’
Uploaded to YouTube on the 8th of April, it shows a motorcyclist hitting speeds of 299km an hour on the Victoria Highway in B.C.
There were 455 people who mistakenly hit the ‘like’ button instead of the ‘dislike’ button.
What. A. Plonker!!
Meanwhile Monday’s ‘Hannity’ programme on Fox News is racking up the views on the video sharing website. Watch things get heated as Bob Beckel lets fly at Jennifer Stefano, and then refuses to believe he was on air.
You can read more about the incident on ibtimes.com.
Slow cooker cooking – Fisherman’s Casserole.
April 15th, 2012This is a recipe for the slow cooker that I’d been meaning to try for a while.
It contains eggs, which I’ve come across in recipes for Fish Pie but have never added because I always thought it sounded a bit….ick, to be honest.
Yesterday I decided to try out the casserole. A couple of people have asked for the recipe, so here it is:-
Ingredients
700g (1.5lb) cod
3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
100g (4 oz) button mushrooms, sliced
salt and pepper
50g (2 oz) flour
400ml (3/4 pt milk)
75g (3oz) Cheddar cheese, grated
1 bayleaf
2 cloves
Topping
50g (2 ox) Cheddar cheese, grated
2/3 tomatoes, sliced
4 slices toast
parsley
Instructions
Fish Casserole
My verdict? Tasty but I’d leave the eggs out in future. They’re filling, but even though I chopped them up into small pieces, I thought they were over powering.
Are you happy? Play the ‘Glad Game’.
April 14th, 2012Thought for today, courtesy of www.yourlifeyourway.net.
It made me think.
What about the things you can’t change? Because there are lots of things that we don’t have the ability to change.
And then I remembered the ‘Glad Game’.
Ok….before you hit the ‘x’ button and go running for a bucket, first read this piece that I found over on www.care2.com, because I couldn’t put it any better than this lady, Annie B.Bond has.
The very name “Pollyanna” has come to mean someone who is
eternally upbeat and optimistic, who spreads positivity and
good will wherever she goes. Before you decide that such
unremittingly cheerful behavior is truly nauseating and deserves
a good smack, think of this: people who take time every day to
count their blessings are truly happier (and live longer) than
those who don’t.So spread a little good cheer in the New Year with this great game that helps you to focus on the glad, not the bad. Your heart–and everyone who knows you–will be grateful. It only takes a minute.
You can play this game when you’re driving in your car, or taking a walk, or sitting at your computer–pretty much under any circumstances.
Start small: just think of ONE THING that you’re glad for. Maybe it’s the taste of the special coffee that Aunt Ruth from Winnetka sent you for Christmas. Maybe it’s the fact that the holidays are over. Perhaps you have a new love in your life, or an interesting new project to work on. Or you could be glad for your family, or your dog or cat. Really think about whatever it is for a moment. Allow yourself to smile over it. Feel your heart open and glow with gratitude for whatever it is.
That’s it. But tomorrow, try thinking of two things you’re really, truly glad for. Expand the field of your gratitude every day. Really take time to appreciate the many many blessings you enjoy. You’re alive: you have the capacity to be a beneficial and positive presence on the planet. You are needed–or you wouldn’t be here. Enjoy this life that you have been given! And be glad.
Says it all, doesn’t it? Thanks to Eleanor H. Porter for teaching us about ‘The Glad Game’. Now it’s time to play it.
The Birdman at Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris
April 13th, 2012When I was in Paris last November I saw this man standing outside the Notre Dame Cathedral feeding the birds. It was fascinating to watch the birds darting backward and forwards, swiping bits of bread from the man’s outstretched hands. Everyone who passed by stopped to watch or to take a photo.
I came across the photos earlier when I was transferring stuff over to my external drive, so I had to share. My photos only show a small amount of the birds that were there. At times there were dozens of them fighting for the few crumbs on offer.
Amazing to watch!
Birdman
Birdman
The Cat’s Bar, more sheep, and a house for sale!
April 12th, 2012I made another trip to Mount Melleray on Monday. This time Ally came with me. She’d seen my photos of the old cottage and the sheep skulls and thought the skulls would make great drawing material.
So we packed plastic bags and rubber gloves, donned our boots and rain gear and set off up the wet, grey mountains (in the car) to fetch a bucket of bones.
The last day I was there, there was a single, lone sheep in the field.
This time there were two DOZEN….at least….
….two dozen sheep who followed us, nervously, bleating loudly. I had visions of an angry old farmer in a long coat tied in the middle with baler twine, appearing out of nowhere to shake a long crook at us and tell us to ‘clear orf’ out of his field and stop upsetting his sheep.
No farmers appeared though and we were able to gather up two or three skulls and their corresponding vertebrae and ribs, before letting ourselves back out the gate, tying it securely, and making our way back to the car with our hoard.
The sheep milled around the gate and seemed a bit upset that we’d absconded with their deceased ancestors’ skeletons….or maybe they were just disgusted that we weren’t taking them (the sheep) with us. I’m not surprised. I’d have been a bit miffed too if I’d been left in that field on the day that was in it. They were soaked!
Ally and I decided we’d drive a bit further up to ‘The Cats Bar’ for some coffee to try and get the heat back into us. It’s not too far past Mount Melleray Abbey and is on the main road to Cappoquin.
The Cats Bar
There’s a billboard outside with a price list on it that would certainly entice the price conscientious traveller inside.
Where would you go wrong with coffee and a scone for two euro?
The inside of the pub was clean and bright, and there was a fire lighting beside the bar. We were greeted by the owner (Mick Power) who took our order for lattes and scones. A second fire was lit beside the table where we sat down, and it wasn’t long before we’d warmed up.
The Cats Bar is a family run pub. It was Mick Power’s wife, Tina, who served us our coffee and scones, and there were a couple of boys stocking shelves and helping around the bar, who I expect were Mick and Tina’s sons. The scones were home made and were served warm, with butter and jam, and the latte went down a treat. And there were no complaints about the price. Two lattes and two scones came to six euros. I’ve been into places where I’d pay that for one serving.
With the flames leaping in the gas coal effect fire in front of us, I could have spent the damp afternoon where I was and drank something a bit stronger than latte, but there was work to be done at home and I’d to drive too. However, for anyone interested in spending an afternoon, or indeed, an evening in The Cats Bar with a few bevvies, this website belong to Pat Kiely mentions that they do Bed and Breakfast too. The website is probably several years old though.
Of course, you could always just buy a house nearby. This 4 bed, 2 bath bungalow on over an acre comes with the appealing price tag of just €165,000 over on SherryFitz website and is a mere 2 mile stroll from the bar. Just the ticket if you don’t mind a few bothered sheep following you home.
Mount Melleray Abbey and the missing Rag Tree
April 10th, 2012Mount Melleray is a Cistercian Abbey located about 27km from Clonmel towards Cappoquin. It was founded in 1832 by a group of Irish Monks who came to Ireland when they were forced to leave their Monastery in Brittany, France, following the revolution.
It is still a fully functioning Monastery and masses are held every weekday at 7.45AM, and on Sundays at 10.00am and 12 noon.
We arrived there yesterday morning, just as mass was finishing. The right thing to do would have been to arrive before it began, I suppose, but I’m not very religious. I pray, and I light a candle now and again, but it wouldn’t necessarily be in a church.
Avenue at Mount Melleray Abbey
There are beautiful tree lined walkways around the Abbey – the perfect place to reflect and to have a quiet moment to oneself.
Mount Melleray Abbey
Mount Melleray Avenue
There’s a small little café that does tea, coffee, hot chocolate and some lovely snacks and cakes too.
The Cloisters Tea Rooms, Mount Melleray
Instagram coffee
When we’d finished coffee I walked down the long driveway in the direction of the Scout Centre. John has been on camp with the scouts there on several occasions and I wanted to take a look.
Mount Melleray Driveway
The camping field is very well looked after. Maybe next time I’m invited along I might actually go.
Melleray Camping Field
Mount Melleray
Melleray Scout Centre
There’s a small shop and a hotel just outside the gates of the driveway.
I’ve been into the hotel before. It’s good for tea and scones. The last time I was there I had a tour of the bedrooms too, which were lovely. The hotel runs Christmas parties and this would be an ideal place to stay with family as it’s so small and cosy.
Mount Melleray Hotel
A lot of people visit the Grotto at Melleray where Our Lady appeared over 30 years ago and delivered a nine day message. You can read more information on the apparitions here.
You’d almost miss the Grotto if you didn’t know where it was. The entrance from the road is a small little archway set in a wall, just off a bend in the road.
Grotto Entrance Melleray
You’d want to be blind to miss the two carparks though, although I suppose that’s as good a reason as any to visit a Holy Grotto.
Car parking at Melleray Grotto
The last time I was at Melleray must have been over a year ago. At the time I remember there being a Rag tree or ‘Fairy tree’ not too far from the Abbey – maybe about a mile or so out the road to Newcastle. But I couldn’t find it this time.
I’ve learnt so much about them though through all my searching for this one.
They’re often situated beside ‘Cloughtie’ or ‘Clootie’ sacred wells and are thought to be associated with Gypsies. I vaguely remember a few caravans in one of the fields up beside Melleray when I was there last, and I’m pretty sure it was probably the field where the cottage was that I visited yesterday, as there were signs that someone had been living there up till fairly recently. I think that’s probably where the tree was too.
It’s gone now anyway, which is a pity. It made for a fairly striking sight when driving by. Maybe that’s why there were so many sheep carcasses around though. I can’t imagine chewing on buttons and sets of Rosary beads would do the poor sheep any good.
I passed a tree down beside the Suir in Clonmel yesterday, across the road from Raheen House, and there were rags hanging from it’s branches. So it looks like Clonmel will have its own suburban rag tree fairly shortly. This is also a pity. Because, as striking as the Raggedy Whitethorn was that was up in the wilds of the Knockmealdowns, I’m not sure that a Rag Tree needs to put in an appearance beside the river in Clonmel.
I had a look for this particular tree when I got back from Melleray. Apparently it’s just out the road in Knocklucas. The picture is from the Heritage Trees Database on TreeCouncil.ie.
I couldn’t find it. The website states that, at the time, the well and the path leading to it had fallen into disrepair, and God only knows how long that link has been on the site.
Having cleared out the wardrobes here, again, I have enough rags, myself, to decorate a small forest. I think I’ll just shove them in the Recycling bank though. Like I said….I’m not very religious.
Mount Melleray Map
George Clooney in CLONMEL?
April 9th, 2012If I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes….
Stopping in en route to Cobh – a man of impeccable taste. :)
Be sure to visit www.jameswhelanbutchers.com and see, for yourself, the great selection of ‘Star Appeal’ products that are on offer.
Field of Bones
April 9th, 2012
Cottage
I love visiting old, ruined buildings, whether they be castles, monastic sites, or just old, abandoned cottages, like this one.
This cottage is on the way to Mount Melleray from Newcastle, on the left hand side, just on a corner. It’s pretty dilapidated but still interesting.
You can access it through a gate a little bit further down the road. I’d recommend using the gate rather than climbing over the dodgy wall. Just watch out for the sheep.
Maaaad at me....
I don’t particularly like sheep. There’s something about their eyes that unnerves me. I’m quite happy that they’re usually so scared of everything that they go running off in the opposite direction when I approach.
This one didn’t though. It just stood and stared….and blocked my way to the ruin that I wanted to take photos off.
He got fed up with me taking photos of him eventually though and decided to trot off.
He gave me this rather reproachful look then as I took another photo of him.
Sheep Skeleton
I think I know why he was giving me such vengeful looks though.
I found this in the grass:-
And this:-
Seeing an entire sheep’s skeleton on the ground made me feel more uneasy than the sheep that I’d annoyed.
Seeing another sheep’s skeleton really creeped me out.
Field of Bones
And then I realised the entire field was strewn with bones.
Porch area
I mean, I’d have expected a few bones with all the sheep that are in the mountains, but an entire field full of them? There are at least two skulls in this picture, plus the one from the first photo.
I also noticed that the bitter sheep had stopped following me as I got closer to the cottage. I half expected a giant sheep eating Bigfoot Yeti to jump out of one of the windows, so when two pigeons came noisily flapping from the roof area I was ready to run attack!
I was left in peace though to continue taking photos.
The next photo is the view inside when standing outside the porch area of the cottage. I’d to stand on my toes to try to get this picture as the ground outside is a good bit lower than the cottage floor. Those are more sheep bones on the window sill.
Rusty Hinge
