Clean Sheets

Be careful out there.,.

We are off on holidays on Saturday (keep logging on to cleansheets, there are posts already to go that will be published next week) it's a skiing holiday, the irony of this is thatI have already slipped on ice an fractured my left arm right here at home while walking the hound! We're still going to go. Better to be there having my cooking and washing up done for me than here trying to do it with one arm. Pity I won't be able to ski but i look forward to enjoying the Alps and  being the support team for those heading off to ski school every day.

The local A and E was bordering on comical the first 5 fellow patients I encountered all had slings, ranging in age from about 7 to 70 all of us were victims of the conditions.

You cannot be too careful, wear your most sensible shoes, check on neighbours and just go slow - better to arrive slowly and cautiously than broken. Take it from one who knows.

Finally a tick or two on the list...

 On Saturday evening I sat down and gave new strings to all the decorations that had been languishing at the bottom of the decoration box for more than a festive season or two. The box is empty and the tree is full. This is one of the things that was on my frustrating to do list so I derived great satisfaction out of putting the box back under the spare bed and putting a mental tick beside "decorate Christmas Tree."

The novelty has worn off removing the decorations for the Happy One and the Princess, ( this may be related to my losing my cool on Saturday morning when I found decorations in many nooks and crannies not intended for them!) This was not one of my finer parenting moments, David Coleman et al. would be disgusted and it's definitely not what Christmas is all about, but I have mended my ways (for the moment.)

We spent a much more idyllic evening with my cousins in The Enchanted forest that Bishop Lucey Park in Cork City has been transformed into. It was magical and as we arrived only half an hour before it was due to close, we enjoyed it without crowds and queues. The old fashioned carousel with it's painted horses was the highlight for our two charges and if you are in the area after dark suspend your cynicism about Christmas and call in. All the better if you can bring some little people who really do believe in all things Christmas, they may even convert you.

I also made progress on the Christmas cards and they will be done and dusted tonight!

You can do it Bandon!

I was inspired by the traders of Bandon when I visited in November. Their "It's Alive" campaign was visible and created a tangible buzz in the town. The floods struck when the shops were full with stock and retailers full of enthusiasm despite the economic gloom. The background of massive effort made the floods all the more disappointing and devastating, but the muck and water are gone and from a conversation I had yesterday with a town trader the enthusiasm and atmosphere are back, and most importantly the shoppers are coming out in support of their local traders. Well done to all concerned, you deserve great success.

Breastfeeding - an article for all, even if you've no children or boobs!

PLEASE DON'T CLOSE THIS WINDOW - because If you know anyone who is having or has a baby you could be a support to them if they wish to breastfeed.

I don't want to start an arguement about breast versus bottle, we need to move on from that and make sure that anyone who wants to breastfeed their baby gets the support they need and that it becomes an option more people consider. Breastfeeding rates in Ireland are really low. This is a pity as breastfeeding provides many benefits for mother, baby, siblings and dad.

This article in the Irish Times by Sheila Wayman gets to the heart of the real issues facing mothers who are breastfeeding their children. It shows that everyone needs to look at their attitudes and make sure they are open and supportive. I am not going to repeat the benefits so well explained in this article, but here's a little slice of my experience:

It's not all about the big city...

Cleansheets recipe sheets have brought me to a few rural towns recently and I have been pleasantly surprised by each of them for different reasons.    

the Early Bird Cafe in Bandon, Co.Cork at 85 South Main Street Phone; 023 20465 is a bright airy cafe. Comfortable chairs, an area to sit outside (at the back, not on the pavement) and thoughtful features like newspapers and best of all a box of toys... I kid you not. A box of toys to buy you an extra few minutes to finish your coffee in peace. There is space to bring a buggy in and out comfortably so it's a winner with our team. Everything else you would expect in a modern Italian style cafe appears of good quality, I can vouch personally for the coffee and scones.

Objekt in Newcastlewest Co.Limerick, has some very funky furniture but don't dimiss it as a big budget item haven only, there are lots of quirky gifts to be found among the inspirational furniture. Candles in colours good enough to eat, frames that are worth seeking out great photos for, candy coloured kids cutlery and the jewel coloured plastic butter dishes pictured above (€17.95), an orange one now graces my Mum's kitchen.

Elizabelle in Listowel, Co. Kerry where I bought these lovely hooks, have got some of their Christmas decorations in and I was really impressed and unable to resist hearts made from read berries threaded on wire, they would fit in with any decorating theme and are just the right combination of natural and whimsy, that would not look out of place throughout the winter in any home.

So as the festive season approaches consider a trip off the beaten christmas shopping track and find something a little different, with cheaper parking, less traffic - both human and vehicular it'll be good for you and good for the town you visit!

Have you a little treasure chest near you that always offers something different or do you own a treaure chest store? Post a comment, I'd love to hear about it.

Retail oasis in the middle of a mad week

We are doing a lot of entertaining in the Cleansheets household this week. Dinner guests and overnighters from Wednesday to Monday next. I love it and I think I am fairly organised. So it should all go quite well. (She says hopefully!)  

Yesterday afternoon my parents kindly minded the Princess and the Happy One while I did the big food shop, and picked up a new pair of jeans (badly needed).

I had a very pleasant surprise as I strolled through a department store, as a lady from the Benefit counter asked me if I was familiar with Benefit - yes I am! and would I like a mini make over - yes I would! It took a few minutes was very enjoyable, and the results were pleasing to the eye. I felt no pressure to purchase but did walk away with a wish list which I may publish online for anyone who wishes to buy me a Christmas gift!

Next was Next to hopefully purchase similar skinny jeans to the ones I had bought in the spring and still really like. Skinny jeans were a big departure for me and one I only made after reading this encouraging article on whatshewears.ie.  A very helpful assistant asked me to give her the 6 digit code off the jeans ( I was wearing them) she checked if they were still available but alas they weren't. Undeterred she found the closest 3 pairs, I tried them on and had selected another pair in just 15 minutes or so. I was brave and bought sufficiently tight enough to allow for stretch, this is mistake I have made before to my disgust.

Happily they were only 23 euro and I had paid 39 in the spring so that was a boost for the budget!

I felt so rested and indulged after 2 and a half hours shopping alone, something I would have taken completely for granted 4 years ago.

Take a break , it need only be little one!

  

B & B - too broad a term.

A bad horrific B & B experience in Doolin several years ago scared me off that whole sector of accommodation providers but my faith has been restored. In fact I am wholly restored after four nights sans famille in Connemara with the Rugby Player, Congratulations to Emer and Shane who got married and gave us the excuse for the break!