Lazy bank holidays, what are they? Oh, yes, they are the things you have BC (before kids) where you curl up in front of the fire (for winter bank holidays) or head to the beach or lounge in the garden under the beating sun with a book and a glass of something nice.

Isn’t this shot fabulous (from Rue magazine). I spotted it over on the CreamyLife blog – what I like to think beach visits could be like – in another universe!

Yes, it was the Irish August bank holiday this weekend and true to form, it did rain. Sunday was a bit of a washout here so we did have a lazy afternoon, reading Harry Potter and rehanging a curtain pole. We planned to go to the Tinahely agricultural show on the Monday (a firm favourite with the children), I was dreading trudging through muddy fields and tents but there was only the very occasional quick shower and then the sun came out again.  The children especially enjoyed the ‘chariots of fire’ display.

It seems as though most of Ireland is glaring across at the UK which is enjoying a heatwave and smiling smugly back at us!

So, am I recharged and reinvigorated after my lazy bank holiday?  Errrm, somehow days out can often be more tiring than days working – why is that then?

These ‘wild poppies’ that look a little like little peonies were spotted beside our sandpit in one of our fields. The seeds must have been dropped by a bird and they managed to grow, beautiful blooms in the middle of a green field and arid sand pit. These are a tad blowsy from the rain but I plan to visit again and collect some seeds – I’d love these to grow in the garden next year. And of course, the ‘ Down with this sort of thing’ which was inspired by those Father Ted episodes, is available here.

Hope you managed just a smidgeon of laziness over the weekend

Hope you all had a lovely Easter, with the weather being so good here, we couldn’t help but have a good time. We met friends with similarly aged children at Rancho Reilly’s and they had a blast while we sat in the middle of them all and caught up.

We had a lunch picnic in a field as Brian was too busy to come home for lunch:

We searched for fairies along the Slaney walk at Altamont Gardens and ran races by the river.

We visited friends and friends visited us and a good time was had by all. Did you notice any mention of any decorating? Hmm, I didn’t either.  Like a school report – need to work on that for next week!

Megan, one of our goats, had quads last week and I can’t resist showing you photos of her cute kids.  One of them was dead and they were really tangled up inside her but the 3 that were alive are all doing well.  Soot is the boss of the 3, the biggest kid at birth and by far the heaviest already, probably taking the lion’s share of the milk. Megan developed mastitis when she was dry during the winter which means one half of her udder is out of action so the 3 of them are suckling from one side, which can get a tad competitive!

Clay and Soot

Clay is the other boy and we have only one girl which is a shame. Kate has named her Katie which is extremely original seeing that she already has a cow named Katie Lou and a calf named Katie too! Katie was the smallest and wasn’t taking that much milk to start so I’ve been giving her some by bottle. While she seems to be standing up to the boys more now, I’m still giving her 2 bottles a day, partly because I enjoy sitting down with her on my knee for a cuddle, she is gorgeous!

Katie

The 3 of them sleep in the tightest spot in their shed, there is an old cupboard there with some boards behind it and the 3 of them snuggle in there as tight as tight can be – it must be a little like being in the womb together again!

Clay

Poor Megan has really aged in the week! Giving birth to triplets and then keeping an eye on them all is hard work!  I had been letting them into the back garden so I could keep an eye on them but yesterday, the kids were skipping and gambolling all over the raised vegetable beds (which didn’t really matter as there isn’t much in them) but Megan started nibbling at all the strawberry plant leaves so they’re banished to the field now!

The 2 Ks

And I couldn’t leave out a picture of the cows – taken the other evening as we were bringing them in to be milked.

Back tomorrow with a ‘Wallpaper Wednesday’ post

Karen from Emerald Interior Design posted a review of her year of which she found the prompting questions here and as my memory isn’t what it used to be either, I decided to use the quiz too!

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before? 

1. Partially finished a photography course (snow prevented me getting to some of the classes)

2. Started a book!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? 

Last year I resolved to -  

• Eat healthy
• Get fit
• Decorate my whole house

 Of which I’ve succeed at none!  

 This year I resolve to -  

• Eat healthy
• Get fit
• Decorate my whole house!

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Not this year but who knows in 2011, there are a couple of close friends who will hopefully have babies in 2011  

4. Did anyone close to you die?

No, thank goodness  

5. What countries did you visit?

England and France

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010? 

Good health, was okay in 2010 but could have been better – and lots of energy! 

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

No dates are memorable – gosh, this is turning out to be a bit of a squib of a year isn’t it! I was on TV twice on 2009 so 2010 seems to pale in comparison!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? 
 

Launching the new online shop for Garrendenny Lane – 6 months of consideration went into it (given the current economic climate) but I’m delighted to have taken the plunge. I got much more PR in Irish magazines and newspapers with the business this year which was great.

9. What was your biggest failure? 

Not sure I had any, but if I did, I am sure I learnt from it and moved on! I don’t have failures just steep learning curves!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? 

No injuries but have had bouts of bad eczema and allergies that affect my energy levels considerably

11. What was the best thing you bought? 

Our car – I love it, lovely to drive (this is a huge compliment from a woman who describes cars by their colour rather than their make!)

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration? 

My husband Brian – considering he used to be a scientist, he is a brilliant farmer and the EBI of our dairy herd is improving in leaps and bounds. My daughter for being the best daughter in the world and my son for being the best son in the world!

13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

The Irish Government and the banks.  They have broken this little country of ours and not one of them has been held accountable. 

14. Where did most of your money go? 

I wish I knew.  All I do know is that it goes….. . One of the worst things about both of us being self employed is that the accountant tells us how much we made and how much tax we have to pay but there is never any money left to pay the tax as we give way too much to the bank!

15. What did you get really excited about? 

I always jump around when my kids win the ‘star of the week’ badge in school

16. What song will always remind you of 2010? 

Gosh, can’t think of one.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: 

– Happier or sadder?  Happier – more contented and realise just how blessed I am to have such a lovely husband and two fabulous and healthy children
–Thinner or fatter? well, I never weigh myself but think I have put on a bit!

– Richer or poorer?  oh, crikey, poorer – after investing in new website for the business.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Walking – one of my resolutions is to get fitter this year.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Sleeping

20. How did you spend Christmas?

At home with the family – really relaxing 

21. Did you fall in love in 2010? 

Stayed in love – does that count? 

 22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No. I don’t waste time on hate, just move on.

23. What was your favourite TV program? 

Downton Abbey

24. What was the best book you read?

I’ve read quite a few good ones this year, loved the Stieg Larsson trilogy, The Reader and there was another one I can’t remember the name of!

25. What was your favourite film of this year?

I rarely go to the cinema now except for the occasional kiddie film. Can’t think of any,

26. What did you want and get?

Good Health and Happiness

 27. What did you want and not get?

The usual – new kitchen, new old house, riches beyond my wildest dreams ….

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

My birthday is 3 days after my daughter’s and 3 weeks after my son’s so we tend to be all birthdayed out by the time we get to mine but we all went out to lunch and to Altamont Gardens. I was 41, ouch!

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Making my first million…… maybe next year! 
 

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?

Well, now that I’ve changed the business to concentrate on online sales rather than interior design consultancy, I am dressing much more casually and increasing my number of jeans and shirts! -

31. What kept you sane?

I’m not sure I am  

32. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? 

I’m a respectable married woman – plus I don’t have time to think about other men!

 33. What political issue stirred you the most?

Anglo Irish Bank. Full Stop.

 34. Who did you miss?

Everyone that is most dear to me is here – thank goodness

35. Who was the best new person you met?

I met Marie Ennis O’Connor for the first time in March having corresponded by blog, FB and twitter for almost a year before that – now a great friend.

36. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010.



Live life to the full and enjoy it – we’ve only got one of them. Appreciate the little things.

37. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.



You’re simply the best.

Well, I have seen so many ‘snow’ photos around that I just had to join in – rather late considering we’ve had snow since Saturday but if you can’t beat them, join them! Snow may be inconvenient but there are many beautiful photos out there. I’m doing an 8 week beginners photography course at the moment (missed last night’s class though due to the snow) so hopefully mine will improve!

Here’s a few of mine:

Our garden at Garrendenny

Our tractor which is almost as old as I am!

The infamous Garrendenny Lane!

I intended to have the tree in the right in the foreground in focus but didn’t think the tree in the background would be so out of focus!