The Haar, happy things and Fool

There’s thick cloud where the mountain should be, haar where we usually look out to the houses nestled in Church Bay on the Island.  For days we’ve been shrouded in this mist, low mizzle hiding our landscape, cloaking her distinctive features.  It’s disconcerting, a little oppressive, friends are complaining of tiredness and migraines.  We are captive under this blanket, this boundary above us, we’re trapped in the haze waiting for a glimpse of the clear horizon.

Beautiful capture of the haar ‘wave’ by our friend Judi, looking towards Kinbane and Ballintoy

I wonder if there’s an analogy in there, is Mother Nature being intentional?  Sometimes we can feel restricted or influenced by factors beyond our control or maybe feel a little lost in our direction, with no clear path? Or maybe it’s an invitation to let it be; to rest, look inward.

I for one have felt these things various times throughout my life; it’s normal, natural.  People with ambition, strategy, an end goal and beautiful brimming self-confidence are admirable, though perhaps slightly intimidating. I feel more like I’m ambling along, half distracted, pensive but sceptical (hello, imposter syndrome).   I have dreams and ideas but I don’t always know how I’ll get there and I’m happy to accept a diversion. I knew I couldn’t be in the local cycle club because I’d be stopping to inspect the hedgerows too frequently, I leave the emails read but unanswered and forget about the washing on the line in the rain (for consecutive days).  I try to organise myself with to do lists scribbled on loose paper scraps, which inevitably, I lose, I write a message on my hand which I wash off and my phone always teeters on the brink of battery life.  But so what?  I’ll get there*

Summit of Knocklayde under the cloud

I prioritise the children, friends and food.  I let myself have time.

*Dara bought me a Filofax, mum bought me a new notebook. 

The mist is clearing, finally we’re out in the garden in the bright May sunshine, forgetting about the days before.  It’s warm; I fill the paddling pool and make drinks with ice cubes.  I feel like eaing salad and a simple dessert.  All the simple pleasures of the week make me smile; I think of this beauty by Nikita Gill and feel it’s relevance to today and everyday;

In 150 Characters or Less

Everything is on fire, but everyone I love is doing beautiful things

and trying to make life worth living.

and I know I don’t have to believe in everything,

but I believe in that.

Things like this;

My friend deciding to start running and loving it, another signing up for a triathlon and raising money for Palestine, a friend checking in (thanks K).  My dad getting his pictures ready for an incredible exhibition of his work, a friend on location for a photo shoot for her first book, recipe testing with Irish beans, the kids and I making crowns out of old carboard boxes and spring cleaning.

And all these beautiful things…

Eating warm, ripe strawberries from the polytunnel.  A customer gave me this plant after we’ve been giving her the used tomato tins from pizza nights.

A glorious early morning walk before the mist came, collecting fresh flowers in the hedges for decorating cake.

This pretty cake with Irish hazelnuts and Irish flour, highlighting the fact we have this amazing produce is always a simple joy to me which I love to share with others.

A very showy sceach gheal, the hawthorn blossom is tied to my soul, my season marker.  I love this hardy, gnarly but beautiful tree. 

Swimming with my Farraige girls and mum; the weather is getting better and the sea temperature is rising, just slightly. We stay in for longer, playful splish splashing and having our breakfast on the sand afterwards.

Fresh mint tea and a rocket and herby aioli sandwich, my home grown produce might be slim pickings at the moment but delighted to make a snack and a drink out of it anyway.

My brothers released a new single and I love it, always feel so proud of them.  Literally to the brim! Listen here.

Sea pink or Thrift on the lichen covered basalt with a blue sky, the beauty in this could bring a tear to my eye.  My coastline is everything.

Rhubarb Fool for 4

150g rhubarb-about 3 stalks

40g caster sugar

200g double cream

150g Greek style yoghurt

20g icing sugar

Mum used to make fool with rhubarb from the garden, or when the time was right gooseberries.  I love the simplicity, letting the fruit shine, a fleeting moment to appreciate the delicate flavour in delicious pillowy cream, though not overly sweet.  This reminds me of sunny barefoot days in the garden, mum spooning this out in ‘fancy’ crystal dessert bowls

Method

First cook the rhubarb and sugar in a small pan over a medium heat for around 15minutes until squishy. Set aside to cool completely. Mash up a little-I prefer this than pureeing to keep extra texture.

Whisk the icing sugar and cream to soft peaks then fold in the yoghurt and the rhubarb.  Serve in an appropriate vessel, whatever suits!  I made some very simple shortbread biscuits with wholemeal spelt flour but it’s perfect on its own too.