Simple Pleasures
Snapshots of the highlights
When I looked back on my week I thought how fortunate we are, how privileged. I wrote down my highlights in a list, it reads almost like a poem, the simple things that made the week better.
Learning something new
Baking for the weather
Hugging Horses
A grapefruit knife
A freezing dip
A quiet drink
Walks at golden hour
Showers by candlelight
Stars
Before I get stuck in, there’s still time to order a calendar for yourself or Christmas gift giving. Thankyou!
Learning something new
Croissants might be my favourite food. This week Dara taught me how to make the laminated pastries; I’ve made them a few times before but not on huge scale and I enjoyed being outside my comfort zone, I’m looking forward to working more with this beautiful pastry. And eating it.
Baking for the weather
Festive baking is so specific, the warmth, the spice, the decadence. Delicious little morsels celebrating seasons best with chocolate, nuts, apples and mincement. We make our own Irish cream liqueur to add to creams for fillings and it makes a lovely gift for friends; based on the Smitten Kitchen recipe, here’s what we do;
In a bowl mix 1 teaspoon cocoa powder with a tablespoon of whiskey into a paste, then add 240ml more of whiskey, whisking all the time to get a smooth liquid. Next add 250ml double cream and a small tin (397g) of condensed milk. Transfer to a bottle and keep in fridge for up to two weeks.
Hugging Horses
I have to stop the car if I see a horse; next will come desperate clicking noises and coaxing words, shaking some grass to get their attention. If they eventually come over I give them a lot of scratching behind ears, muzzle rubbing, cheek patting and neck stroking and I’ve passed this little obsession on to the children.
A grapefruit knife
When I used to stayover with my grandparents in Bangor, my grampa would always share his daily grapefruit with me at breakfast. He had this beautiful bone handled grapefruit knife and a serrated spoon for the segments; his preference was yellow, though I prefer Ruby, I miss those days.
A freezing dip
Our weekly deep is getting colder and we managed a very (un)glamorous 2 minute slosh about in the shallows. Nonetheless we were pleased to be in the water in December followed by hot water bottles tucked into our jeans and hot chocolates warming our bellies.
A quiet drink
After the Saturday bake Dara and I can sometimes nip off quickly for an afternoon pint. This week it seemed so necessary to have a quiet catch up together for an hour as we’d barely seen each other. Slainte to self employment.
Walks at golden hour
The sunsets have been beautiful, this cold, clear air giving bright pink and orange glow in the sky. A couple of after school walks with the children with extra layers and wellies for obligatory muddy puddle spashing before heading home for the evening.
Showers by candlelight
There is no way I would get peace to have a bath alone in our house but I can manage a 10 minute shower. The candles lull me into a false sense of indulgence and relaxation.
Stars
I’m stepping out every night to watch the twinkly stars and listening to the children practicing their ‘Réalta, Réalta’ for the upcoming school concert.
🌚