Merry Christmas
Thank you all for your support and company this year – it is very much appreciated. Wishing you a peaceful and happy Christmas and wonderful things for 2014.
June. Read more
Posts tagged ‘country life’
Dec 25
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Christmas Plans
What are you doing for Christmas? It’s a question that most people in the western world can answer from about mid September, perhaps even earlier if you have family living overseas. By this stage, December 21st, you will have ordered the turkey, made the cake or pudding, put up the decorations, done most of your gift shopping, sent cards, scoured cookbooks for alternatives to the dreaded mushy sprouts and are wondering how you ever allowed yourself to buy such a small fridge – will the smoked salmon survive in the cold of the pantry? Read more
Updated “About Me” Page
As regular readers of this blog and the associated Facebook page will know, the content of the blog has changed slightly in recent months to reflect our decision to buy a home in Lithuania. The blog is still, ultimately, a blog about my journeys with food – now focused on growing and producing it myself. As this is something I haven’t done before I am liable to hit some bumps along the way! Read more
Life’s Wonderful Mistakes
During one of our summer barbeques one of the neighbours’ kids walked into the kitchen where I was preparing food. “Can I have some ass?” he asked. Excuse me?! I could tell by the sincere look on his face that he wasn’t saying what I thought he was.
“Sorry?” I replied. “Can I have some ass?” he repeated earnestly. Hmm. Something was clearly getting lost in translation here. Read more
There and back again
A 5,000 km road-trip from Lithuania to Ireland and back in 10 days is pretty tough going. Especially when you’re living, eating and sleeping in a Ford Galaxy. But it was necessary. Having left Ireland in May with just summer clothes and the bear minimum of possessions, we needed a trip home to collect some winter woollies and other belongings. Read more
Creepy Pumpkin Cupcakes [Recipe]
As Halloween is just around the corner (where on earth does the time go?!) I thought I’d share these creepy and delicious pumpkin cupcakes. Making the spiders is fantastic fun and will keep the kids occupied for hours! Read more
Quick Homemade Pickles [Recipe]
As part of my ongoing quest to make everything on my plate I recently started to make my own pickled cucumbers. We had been given a huge bag of organic cucumbers, maybe 2 or 3 kilos, and it was about 30 degrees outside so I needed to move quickly to preserve them or they would wither & be wasted. I had never made pickles so I did a quick search for recipe ideas, then threw together a quick brine & hoped for the best. Read more
Lithuanian Cold Beet Soup | Šaltibarščiai [Recipe]
Growing up I was never a big fan of beetroot. I think this was due to the highly acidic pickled stuff you get in jars, which was pretty much the only type of beetroot available back then. My grandmother used it on all her salads and everything else on the plate would be tinted purple and tainted with its earthy, sour taste. Read more
Walk first, then run
At least, that’s the theory. I’m not sure I’m going to be allowed that luxury. Everything is so new and everything seems to be on a clock, so I’m just going to have to roll with the punches – and get running. Read more
New beginnings – a good life
Sometimes dreams really do come true. This time last year I was sitting in an office feeling exhausted and dejected, despite having just completed a major project. There was little or no thanks, no recognition of the tremendous effort required by all involved to complete the project on time. Instead, there was criticism and blame. The focus was on the 5% that was not complete rather than on the 95% that was fully complete and performing well above all expectations. Something was clear to me – I was in the wrong place. Read more
My Food Odyssey 