Recipe: Woman Crush Wednesday

May 26, 2016November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220 ~ 1 Comment

If there is a foodie heaven, it is here on earth, at this very moment!! The epicenter is Ireland. This past weekend I had the pleasure of attending the Ballymaloe Lit Fest, as I mentioned in the last post. And I also met the amazing Yvette van Boven who is this week’s Woman Crush Wednesday. Though she won’t be surprised when she finds out. I mentioned it when I saw her at the Lens and Larder talk in which she participated. This is actually the first time since I started this series that I have told the chef in advance of their honor. Which to recap, Yankee Doodle Paddy has seen 30 gorgeous gourmet gals grace this blog with their culinary expertise.

What I find so incredible about Yvette is that she is not only a chef and cookery book writer, but also a sought after food stylist, illustrator and magazine contributor. She is oozing with creativity that is quite inspiring. Her book Homemade is world famous for its tasty recipes, sensual food photography (by her husband Oof Verschuren), along with whimsical drawings and lettering. It is beyond just a cookbook, it is an adventure that leaves you wanting more. Lucky for us she has followed that up with other books just as delectable and there is even a companion notebook to guide the dedicated fans along the journey!

And for today’s #WCW journey I am going to re-create Yvette’s Sweet Potato Soup with Buttered Cashew Nuts recipe. So let’s get to it then shall we?

Ingredients:

1 onion, diced
2 leeks, washed and cut into rounds
3 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 garlic cloves, chopped
dab of butter
1 glass white wine (236 ml)
4 cups veal or chicken broth also called stock, (946 ml) I used chicken
1 bay leaf
pinch of cayenne pepper, to taste (I didn’t have any so used mild chili powder and some chili flakes)
1 can of tinned (14 oz. or 425 g) chickpeas also called garbanzo beans
a few sprigs of fresh oregano (I couldn’t find any in the shops so I used fresh thyme)
Garnish

4 tbsp. cashews
5 tsp. butter
Sea salt
1 tbsp. crème fraîche per bowl (I used Glensik Greek Yogurt instead)

Instructions:

Braise the onion, leeks, sweet potatoes, and garlic in the butter and add the white wine. Blend in the broth as well as the bay and cayenne pepper. Simmer on low heat for 25 minutes.
Remove half of the vegetables from the pan and purée the other half with a hand blender. Replace the removed vegetables and add the chickpeas and a few leaves of fresh oregano.
Serve the soup in individual large bowls, each with 1 tablespoon cashew nuts (briefly fried in the butter and sprinkled with a little sea salt) and a generous dollop of crème fraîche.

Can I just tell you how delicious this soup is? I was really delighted with how it turned out and will surely be making it again for my Hubby since he is at home in London as I write this. I am in Dublin, which if you watch on snapchat you’d know (my username is blissbakery) as I did the tutorial live here in my friend’s house. Anyway, this soup is light and at the same time filling. I love the textures in it, with the crunch of the cashew nuts and the chunks of veg. It isn’t too complicated and can be made in no time at all. And there’s plenty for a hearty family dinner if served alongside some crusty bread (I served it with sourdough). Perfect for a nice lunch too. I am a massive fan of sweet potato and it has so many health benefits.

As part of Woman Crush Wednesday, I always make a recipe that I haven’t made before. So while I have made many of Yvette’s other fab dishes, I especially love her lentil and apple salad, I decided a nice soup was in order since I am in Dublin. It is the soup capital of the world I think! Even in summer it can be cold here and having loads of soup recipes in one’s arsenal is important. So thank you Yvette for providing me with my new fav!

While I don’t have my own copy of her book with me, I do have this photo (below) to share. I used the book at a foodie themed rehearsal dinner party that I put together for my son and daughter in law. I used it as one of the centerpieces. It’s quite substantial and I love the colors of the book cover too. I would recommend the book to anyone wanting to learn how to make things from scratch but needing the proper guidance. Yvette goes step by step (and her drawings are very helpful along with the photos) on how to make things such as cheese and ice-cream.

This pic was just a practice one when I was doing a mock up of the table scape, the full story of the party and pics can be found at Koko Likes . But I only include it to share that the LOVE and collaborative friendship I have with my Hubby, and indeed my son and his wife have, reminds me of what Yvette and Oof also embody. It is something that is so important for a working woman to have, whether a chef, teacher or sales assistant. Women need support! The saying, “behind every good man is a good woman” can easily be turned on its head in this instance. I am sure Yvette’s support from her husband is so vital to her ability to expand and push the boundaries of her work. And for that I am so grateful to both of them! We all reap the rewards!

So thank you Yvette and also Oof, for your love and passion for food. You are leading the way to a greater appreciation for not only tasty cuisine, but also capturing its natural beauty in pictures. They will live long beyond the actual meal that is savored, but the images and recipes will continue to provide inspiration.

Sweet Potato Love!

YDP

P.S. Thanks to my dear friend Ali for allowing me to do my Woman Crush Wednesday tutorial at her home. And also thanks to her dog Puca for putting up with me.

Winning Weekend!

May 24, 2016November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

We all love the weekend don’t we? Sure an average weekend can be filled with errands and chores, but it is also a time to sleep in a bit and let loose with friends without the worry of it being a school night. The dose of fun and relaxation helps keep us going during the work week. Something to look forward to, which is why Wednesday is coined the hump day. But then there are weekends that are just beyond expectations. I call them Winning Weekends. And I am still coming down from the high of my past weekend which was a clear winner with the Dream it, Do it event and the Ballymaloe Lit Fest.

I had already planned to take the ferry over from London to attend the Ballymaloe Lit Fest. But a massive blessing appeared in my lap when the lovely Nicola Carolan of The Naked Blondie kindly invited me to join her and her partner Fiona Dillon at the Dream It, Do It event at the Dundrum Airfield on Saturday morning. So I delayed my trip down to Cork and I couldn’t be happier with that decision. Besides finally meeting Nicola in person (she and I know each other through snapchat) I met so many other amazing people for the first time. And I was treated to a day of inspirational stories of success and practical advice about blogging among other things.

The event started at 10 am (though I arrived a bit late as I had to get my doggie Stella sorted with a friend) and concluded at 3pm with a lovely lunch in between provided by the Foodie Cafe. The goodie bags (swag as we call them in Hollywood) were phenomenal with delish foodie treats such as Glenisk yogurts and Cahill cheese. We also received some beauty items from Dove. There were laughs, tears, hugs and of course photo opps! It was the most amazing morning and the beautiful locale only added to the treasured memories I am still savoring! I was able to spend more time with my Snap Sista Jennifer Byrne of Jen’s Gym Life whom I adore. Finally getting a proper hug from another of my Snap Sistas Jen from Too Dolly Makeup was a treat. And seeing Sue Jordan from Cherry Sue, Doin’ the Do and her sister Corrina from Stone Travel again after meeting them at the IBA16 was awesome. I was able to meet the phenom wife/husband duo of My Nutrition Ireland and boy am I looking forward to what is in store there! And I got to meet fellow snappers Ash from The Dotty Lemon and Tracy Quinn in person just to name a few. Everyone was so so lovely! Thank you all for the most wonderful experience. Only my second blogger event but ’twas very special indeed!

As I have mentioned before I attended the Ballymaloe Cookery School back in 2007 and try to go back for visits as often as I can. I missed the Litfest last year, but was delighted I could go this time. Especially since Miriam from Bake My Style is currently taking the 12 week course (along with the lovely Yvonne who was a student in my cookery classes in Dublin). Of course it is always magical going back to this very special place. The Lit Fest is a foodie’s dream come true with so many opportunities to mingle with your favorite chefs, attend demonstrations, or just kick back in the Big Shed and enjoy some delicious food with wonderful music and atmosphere. Because my decision to attend was a bit last minute dot com, I missed out on tickets to the many events, as things get booked out from the day they come online in January. But since I had been before, I was actually just looking forward to visiting with my former teachers Darina Allen and Rory O’Connell. I said hello to some of my fav folks who keep the school afloat, such as Sharon, Florrie and Pam. However, somehow I missed seeing my other teacher Rachel Allen (there are two locations where events take place, the school and the Ballymaloe House) so it was understandable we didn’t cross paths.

But I did get treated to the Lens and Larder talk by the generous Imen McDonnell. It was a fantastic jam packed hour learning about food photography and styling as she was joined by her parter Cliodhna Prendergrast and also the husband wife duo Yvette Boven and Oof Verschuren. Besides learning so much in such a short span of time, of course there were some wonderful chats afterwards. And I am just yearning to take one of Imen and Cliondha’s weekend long workshops!

There is something so ethereal about the entire Ballymaloe vibe, the location and the warmth of the people. Along with my inclusion in the Dream it, Do it event I feel like I feasted on not only food, but love itself! So thank you to everyone who made it possible. Especially my dear Hubby who took me on holidays to the Ballymaloe House back in 2002. That trip forever changed my life. I put my deposit down at the school (though it took me five years before I actually went on the 12 week course). I wouldn’t be writing on this computer at the moment sharing my experiences if it weren’t for my soulmate and best friend. So thanks Hun from the bottom of my heart for your support and LOVE!

Overwhelmed with love,

YDP

P.S. I wrote a blog back when I was at the school called Karen in Cork. Just re-reading my last post really sums up my feelings. Though I didn’t start this blog now eight years later, I realize it was all part of the journey that got me to this Winning Weekend! And if you’re on Snapchat come watch, it’s loads of fun! My username is blissbakery.

Recipe: Woman Crush Wednesday

May 18, 2016November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

After last week’s fun in L.A., I am back home in London for another edition of Woman Crush Wednesday. And since I’m in the U.K. now, it felt appropriate to show the love for one of England’s most beloved chefs. Though Skye Gyngell is originally from Australia, she has made her mark in the culinary world here. She took Petersham Nurseries to Michelin Star status. And as I shared on here with a Foodie Fieldtrip Friday post, Skye’s latest creation, Spring, is not only delicious but also in a stunning location.

Today’s #WCW is of course beautiful inside and out, but she is also a major player in the gastronomic game. As a successful restauranteur and cookery book writer (all while being a mum) she has classic French culinary training on her resume. Yet her recipes are not fussy at all, using the amalgam of ingredients to create the complexity of flavors. Her reverence for seasonality is her trademark and the changing menu at Petersham Nurseries and now Spring reflect that. Today’s recipe re-creation is a quick and satisfying chicken salad, which judging by the ingredients should be delectable.

Poached Chicken Salad with Nuts and Nam Jim

For the nam jim

1 bunch of coriander
2 cloves of garlic, peeled
A pinch of salt
2 green bird’s-eye chillies, chopped
2 tbsp palm sugar or caster sugar
2 tbsp fish sauce
3 tbsp lime juice
2 red shallots, peeled and finely chopped
1 small chicken
1 small knob of ginger
3 kaffir lime leaves

For the salad

2 small carrots
2 small cucumbers (or half a large one)
8-10 candlenuts or cashew nuts
A handful of coriander leaves
10 or 12 basil leaves

To make the nam jim, pound the coriander stalks (the roots and stalks of coriander are used in cooking; the leaves are reserved for garnishes and salads), with the garlic and salt using a pestle and mortar until well crushed. Add the chillies and continue to pound. Mix in the sugar, fish sauce and lime juice, then the chopped shallots. Set aside.

Wash and pat dry the chicken, then place in a large pot. Add the ginger, coriander and lime leaves, and cover with cold water. Place over a medium heat, bring to the boil then turn to a simmer – you want the chicken to cook gently. Poach for 40 minutes.

Take the pot off the heat and allow it to cool for a while, before removing the chicken from the cooking broth. Poaching is a lovely way to cook chicken that’s to be served at room temperature – it remains deliciously soft and moist.

For the salad, peel the carrots and cut into fine matchsticks. Slice the cucumbers in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with a teaspoon then cut into fine matchsticks. Gently roast the nuts until golden-brown. Remove and allow to cool, then chop roughly.

When the chicken is cool enough to handle, remove the flesh from the bones and shred with your fingers. Place in a bowl alongside the carrots, cucumber, coriander, basil and toasted nuts. Dress with the nam jim and serve immediately

Not only is this salad easy to prepare, it is vibrant and fresh tasting. It feels clean and healthy, and has loads of different textures and flavors. There is crunch with the carrots and cashews, and the chicken is so moist and tender you barely need to chew it. The heat from the peppers is balanced with the sweetness from the sugar and the tartness of the lime juice. And the fresh herbs along with the cucumber really make it seem like you are eating in the middle of a garden of paradise. I will definitely be making this dish again. As well, if you don’t dress all the ingredients, you can make this salad last for days once all the bits an pieces are prepped. So being on point with an eating plan is more simple to adhere to that’s for sure!

This dish is the epitome of Skye Gyngell’s ethos. Even though she is a highly trained and regarded chef, she lets the ingredients do the talking. When paired in the right combination, magic happens. While she may be an alchemists, thank goodness she doesn’t keep her secrets hidden away. She shares them for all of us to enjoy as she leads the change towards a better appreciation for delicious and elegant, yet simple food.

Thank you Skye for all of your inspiration for us female foodies, and for anyone in the culinary world. Your achievements and humility make you such an incredible person! May all good things continue to come your way!

Simply love and admiration,

YDP

The Graduate

May 13, 2016November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220 ~ 1 Comment

IMG_9573-3 — A Flash Back Friday picture of us “Three Musketeers” taken at a U.S.C. football game back in the late 80s.

Today is Friday the 13th! I love this day, though some are actually freaked out by it. I even posted a story about the Triskaidekaphobia with this calendar date which you can read here. But today is a very special day for our family. My daughter will be graduating with a masters degree in social work from U.S.C. Though she isn’t the first in the family to attend this prestigious university in Los Angeles, she is the first one of us to achieve a post grad degree. It hasn’t been easy as she is also a mommy to two precious little girls. But as I have experienced, many things in life that are worth striving for are indeed challenging.

I too attended U.S.C as a “mature student” and though I graduated two years before he did, my son and I were on campus at the same time. I even shared a funny Facebook related story on here about my son and I going to the same college. But what I haven’t shared on here is how I got to the place where I became a student at the age of 40! I’m sure this day will bring up a lot of feelings for me, but good ones. Knowing that I was the first one in my family to attend university and ultimately graduate with honors is a big accomplishment.

What follows is my U.S.C. entrance application essay. It is amazing to go back and think of how far my journey has brought me and how grateful I am for my blessings!

USC Application Personal Essay: Describe a book, play, composition or work of art that has inspired or intrigued you and tell us what it means for you personally.

Bovard Auditorium is an unlikely place for a life altering transformation, but on April 24, 1997 that is exactly what took place. I have been a lover of classical music my entire life, and, in fact, my daughter and son were born to the music of Mozart and Beethoven respectively. On that Thursday evening in April, however, I had the pleasure to experience for the first time Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto in C Minor. The USC Symphony powerfully performed it, along with soloist Robert Thies. I had no idea, when I took my seat in the packed auditorium, that I would be inspired to such depths that I would ultimately have the courage to dramatically change my destiny.

At that point in my life I had been married for sixteen years to a man who thought they gave out prizes for philandering. However, because of my commitment to our family I felt the need to stay in the relationship; not to mention the fact that he cruelly reminded me on a regular basis that I couldn’t survive without him. From the first eight lonely and haunting bars, to the final triumphant note, I felt a connection to the Concerto that was overwhelming. During the thirty-four minutes of the performance, I was both weeping and cheering. I related to the tension and anxiety in the first movement’s quick rhythms. It seemed as though there was a sense of urgency. When the first movement ended abruptly, it conveyed to me a feeling of questioning and a need for action. I was thoroughly surprised during the second movement when I heard a familiar melody. I realized Eric Carmen used that same melody in his 1976 hit record. Reflecting on his lyrics, “All by myself, don’t wanna be, all by myself, anymore. All by myself, don’t wanna live all by myself, anymore,” I realized that was how I felt. I was with someone, but I was really alone, and that was not how I wanted to live. The second movement also contained a sense of hope, particularly identified for me in the woodwind instruments. The emotional interplay between the piano and strings spoke of love and forgiveness. It ended very quietly and serenely and the third movement began with a mood of wonder. The rousing finale heralded energy and redemption. It is beyond comprehension that this beautiful piece of art is complex and yet simply understood. What is especially intriguing is how it can be interpreted so differently depending on each listener’s frame of reference.

For days following the concert, the music resonated in my head. I purchased a recording and listened to it so often I could anticipate each phrase, each note. I then began researching the history behind the composition. It struck me that Rachmaninoff wrote it after he suffered a three year depression. The music took on an even greater significance for me when I learned that what led to his depression were the scathing reviews from critics of his first piano concerto which debuted in 1897. One reviewer suggested that it would have better if the composer had never even been born. My admiration and awe for this man swelled each time I listen to his masterpiece that was not only courageous and cathartic, but also victorious.

Shortly thereafter I filed for divorce. I learned from a one hundred year old composition that even if someone tries to destroy you, you must have the courage to rise up and succeed. To my ex-husband’s chagrin, I have not only survived, but I have thrived. Not until this moment have I shared with anyone what Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto means for me personally. I continue to be a fan, and have seen many performances at such venues as the Hollywood Bowl and Music Center. I suppose I’m a “Rach Groupie.” Like the culmination of a composition, this story will come full circle if I’m fortunate enough to be accepted to USC as a transfer student for the Fall 2004 semester. I will certainly have a richer appreciation when passing Bovard Auditorium than the average student.

Yes indeed I felt appreciation, in fact on the day of the new student orientation, I remember bursting into tears when we passed the Bovard Auditorium on the tour of the campus. Cathartic and happy tears, which were present again on the day of my graduation. I was so excited to be wearing a cap and gown that I went to sleep wearing them! And I am sure a tear will be shed today as well being back at my alma mater cheering on my daughter. But it’s okay because emotions are a beautiful reminder of our humanness. And being a graduate is actually a lifelong process as we are constantly learning. Once we think we have the knowledge under our belts, new information or situations arise. That is what keeps us moving forward. Good thing our eyes are on the front of our heads!

Love and Fight on! (while making the “V” sign with your fingers, which is the U.S.C. trademark symbol)

YDP

FullSizeRender-4 — It was so amazing to share my day with my kids. I wore my honors cords proudly, but am most proud of being their mom!

Recipe: Woman Crush Wednesday

May 12, 2016November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

How fun to be able to spend my favorite day of the week with one of my favorite people on this planet! I am currently in L.A. attending some major milestone events in our family. Besides being with my loved ones, I get to soak up the joys of my former home town and top of the list is getting time with friends. So how perfect that for Woman Crush Wednesday I get to share the love for a fabulous female chef and also one of my besties at the same time?

And my choice for this week is actually inspired by my friend Jane. She herself is a phenomenal cook (she has alot of mouths to feed as she is the mom to 6 kids and 6 grandkids) and an avid cookbook collector. But if you have a look at her bookshelf, one name dominates all the others and that is Ina Garten also known as the Barefoot Contessa. Jane loves the simplicity of the recipes, yet the complexity of flavors. Whether sweet or savory you can’t go wrong with any Ina Garten dish! And I have been converted too! Ina is an amazing choice for #WCW and I am so excited to make one of her recipes for my snapchat cooking tutorial (my username is: blissbakery) and of course on here too!

Ina Garten is one of the most recognizable foodies in America. With numerous successful cookbooks and Food Network television shows for which she has been nominated and won an emmy award. Therefore, since I am in the U.S.A , why not recreate one of the most recognizable American treats (a peanut butter and jelly sandwich) with the Barefoot Contessa at Home’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars.

Ingredients

1/2 pound, 8 ounces or 227 grams (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups (312 g) sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
2 cups (18 ounces) or 500 g creamy peanut butter
3 cups (500g) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 cups (18 ounces) or 500 g jam/jelly/preserves of your choice
2/3 cups (85 g) salted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350f/180c degrees .
Grease a 9 by 13 by 2-inch cake pan. Line it with parchment paper, then grease and flour the pan.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on medium speed until light yellow, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the vanilla, eggs, and peanut butter and mix until all ingredients are combined.
In a small bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture. Mix just until combined.
Spread 2/3 of the dough into the prepared cake pan and spread over the bottom with a knife or offset spatula. Spread the jam evenly over the dough. Drop small globs of the remaining dough evenly over the jam. Don’t worry if all the jam isn’t covered; it will spread in the oven. Sprinkle with chopped peanuts and bake for 45 minutes, until golden brown. Cool and cut into squares.

These peanut butter and jelly bars turned out so amazing. I can honestly say they will be on weekly rotation in my house. Melt in your mouth good! They are the perfect combo of a “PBJ” sambo minus the bread. Almost like a peanut butter cookie, but in bar form, with the lovely jam center. I can hardly wait to get back to London to make a batch for my hubby! But I am ever so grateful to my friends Jane and Oliver for letting me use their home to host this week’s Woman Crush Wednesday. And it wasn’t such a bad trade for them as they seemed to enjoy these treats too!

While the world knows Ina Garten as a culinary queen, she never went to culinary school. She is in fact self taught. Ina worked in Washington D.C with the White House and earned an MBA (masters in business) from George Washington University. But she put the business acumen to good use when she opened her wildly successful Barefoot Contessa specialty food store in New York. The “elegant but earthy” ethos has stayed with her and she continues to inspire so many professional chefs and indeed home cooks.

I supposed because my hubby is my best friend, one of the things I have always admired about Ina Garten is the fact that her husband plays such an integral role in her culinary journey. He makes appearances in her Food Network show, and even when he is away at work, she still speaks fondly of him as if he is right there with her. She even wrote a cookbook titled “Cooking for Jeffrey” which I like to think of as a gastronomic love letter to her partner. Not only is she inspiring chefs, but also couples on how to keep the love and appreciation alive in a long term relationship.

A massive thank you Ina for being you and sharing yourself with the world. You make it look so easy and I supposed that is because you love what you do. You embody that Barefoot Contessa way of life, elegant and earthy, that so many others are striving towards. And your courage to change your professional path towards the foodie world is an example of how we all need to reach for our dreams! God bless you!

PBJ Love!

YDP

There’s a First for Everything: IBA16

May 9, 2016May 9, 2016 ~ Harper220

As I have mentioned before, this isn’t my first blog. I did a blog while I attended the Ballymaloe Cookery School for three months back in 2007. I called it www.karenincork.blogspot.com. It is actually still accessible in cyber space and is really like a wonderful travel diary for me. And I enjoy going back for the odd trip down memory lane. That was early days for blogging. Now everyone and their dog has a blog. Literally! Though I think if a dog has a blog it should be called a Dlog!

However, what IS a first for me is the amazing opportunity I had to attend the IBA16 Conference and Awards in Dublin on April 30th. It was a mix of emotions. I was excited, scared, happy, you name it. Having never been to a blogging conference before that was understandable. I’ve only had my blog up and running now since the end of August 2015 so it was such a blessing to be able to attend this prestigious event. As well it was in my home town of Dublin and any chance to come back is a plus! Obviously, the highlight for me and many others was the chance to meet people in person that you might be connected with through social media, but to be in the physical presence is all together a different thing. I mean, you actually get to see that people have legs!

It was a jam packed conference day at the Radisson Blu Hotel, starting at 10 am and finishing just after 5:30. With 23 speakers in rapid fire succession, my brain was melting near the end. But I haven’t felt that invigorated in a long time. The wealth, depth and breadth of information was astounding. I learned about the legalities of sponsorships on blogs, how to monetize your blog, the ins and outs of branding, as well as how to optimize visibility. As if that wasn’t enough there were touching, heartfelt and poignant stories of triumph of spirit over adversity which only made the theme of INSPIRATION resonate more fully. I cried, I laughed, I even got embarrassed. Yep, Ciamhie Mc Digital called me out for not MFE (measuring feckin everything). Oops!

Since I am so new to social media, and am doing so at 51 years old, it can be daunting and overwhelming. On top of that, I have a tech-disability. As a chef, give me pots and pans and I can whip up anything. But with a computer or mobile device, I am still finding my way around. Yet I still felt I belonged in that room. I felt I was part of the blogging community. Everyone was kind, friendly, open, helpful and supportive. I give all the credit to Fiona Ried. The IBA is under her nurturing wing and she sets the standard of excellence and also of respect. Even the awards dinner felt more like a birthday celebration than a competition. All the nominees were encouraging one another prior to their category announcement. And then afterwards they were congratulating the winners.

So that is the main take away for me from the IBA16. Yes I learned pointers about how to hone my skills and network better etc. But what will stay with me is how I was made to feel. Blogging is a funny aul hobby, and yes a profession for some. Yet it is a legitimate community made up of some incredible people that are smart, funny and opinionated. All of that diversity of thought comes together as a family and it is wonderful. So I will savour this feeling of belonging to a family that is as rich and colorful as a beautifully woven and precious keepsake quilt. Bring on IBA17 I can hardly wait!

Love,

Karen Geraghty

www.YankeeDoodlePaddy.com

P.S. I am reminded of the great Maya Angelou quote, “people will forget what you said, they will forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” Thanks IBA and everyone involved, from speakers to vendors, and of course to my fellow bloggers. I am utterly grateful to you for making me feel like I belong in this awesome family!

Not only was it my first time at a Blogging Event, but it was also #snappy’s first time too!

Brother’s Day

May 8, 2016November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

This is the last known family photo. From left to right: my eldest brother who is 6 years older, me (rocking the squinty look), my mom, and my brother who is two years older than I. This was taken at a cemetery in Chicago in 1979 at my Grandpa O’Neill’s funeral.

The last time I saw my mom was on Mother’s Day in 1988. I was married with two kids living in Los Angeles. My mom was living in Orange County about an hour away. We met half way in Long Beach at a Mexican restaurant. She arrived with my brothers, I treated everyone to dinner, and gave her a Mother’s Day card and a really nice bathrobe. That is what we call it in America. Over in the part of the world where I live now, they call it a housecoat. Since my mom would often wear her bathrobe all day and night, housecoat is actually more apropos.

Cut to the following year, Mother’s Day 1989. We had arranged to meet for brunch at a well known restaurant called Cattleman’s Wharf in Orange County. It is quite near Disneyland, which is called “The Happiest Place on Earth”. I went to church in the early morning and spent time with my own kids before driving down to meet my mom and brothers. I was the first to arrive (I like to be on time or early, but I don’t like to be late). Time passed and I just sat and waited. I wasn’t worried as my mom was notorious for being late. She was living with my bothers at the time so they were all coming together. I enjoy people watching so I sat there and distracted myself with all the happy faces arriving. Folks were streaming in with armfuls of presents for their moms.

I had a present as well, a huge basket of bath goodies: bubble bath, lotions and potions galore. My mom used to love to take baths and in fact would fall asleep in the tub only to awaken when the water had gone cold. Then she’d fill it back up with hot water and fall asleep again. This would go on the entire night. So I figured this bath themed Mother’s Day present would go down a treat!

I was still sitting there waiting for my mom and brothers to arrive at the restaurant. More time passed and then I started to worry. And I was darn hungry too. I could smell all the gorgeous food. Sunday brunch is my favorite meal of the week! And there was a made to order omlette bar, belgian waffles with trimmings such as fresh strawberries and cream. Oh and there was a giant carvery station with beautiful roast beef, turkey and ham. I think you get the point.

Remember, these were the days before smart phones, pagers, internet, snapchat etc. I couldn’t even call from a phone booth. Yes my friends, people used to go into a small closet like space, put money into a machine called a telephone and pay to talk to someone (on the receiving end) on their land line phone. The reason I couldn’t call was that my mom and brothers had moved to a new house and they didn’t have a telephone hooked up yet. So finally after more than two hours, my eldest brother walked into the restaurant. He looked like he had just been mowing the grass, and indeed he had. He was wearing shorts and a tank top, clearly not in compliance with this restaurant’s strict dress code.

My brother asked me to go outside so he could talk to me. He had gotten a ride to the restaurant from a friend, and he came to tell me that our brunch date was not happening. Duh! Okay so what was the deal? Apparently our mom had gone out that morning without saying where she was going and hadn’t returned. And he and my other brother were at the house cleaning and gardening and they realized that I would be waiting for nothing. So I gave him the giant gift basket for my mom and we said goodbye.

I drove back to Los Angeles, and the first thing I did when I walked in the door was make myself a tuna melt sandwich. I’ve shared the recipe on here before. My ex and the kids were napping so I tried to be as quiet as possible. Just as I was finishing the last bite of food he came down stairs. He looked at me perplexed and said, “why are you eating if you just got home from brunch?”

So from that day on, our family has referred to Mother’s Day as Brother’s Day. I guess my siblings made the most of their guy day together cleaning the house, doing yard work, watching sports on television and getting take out food. Apparently my mom finally arrived back late that night. She never called, of course they didn’t have a phone, so I don’t know if she liked her basket of goodies or not.

But here’s the good news. This year I am spending Mother’s Day with my daughter and son in law and my two precious granddaughters in California. We will also be with my aunt and uncle. We will all go to church together and then go for a meal together. Not Cattleman’s Wharf though! I feel so grateful to my husband for organizing this trip from London so that I can be with my family. He isn’t able to join us because of work commitments. And while I would love for my brothers to be there as well, sadly that isn’t possible for other reasons. Yes I will think of my mom, wherever she is. She brought me into this world. I will always love her for that no matter what. I’ve shared some of my feelings on here before, when it was her birthday. When you don’t know if a person is alive or not it is hard to know how to deal with milestones and celebrations such as this.

However since life is for the living, and when I say living, I mean it in the sense of those participating in life (engaging, connecting and loving) then I am so happy to be able to be with my loved ones on this special day. I feel the most honored title I will ever have is that of being a mother. And now as a grandmother too. Plus, it is a pure joy to see my daughter as a mommy herself. Though my son is currently on a military deployment, and of course I will miss him, I had special time with him in Tennessee a couple of weeks ago. So all in all I feel very blessed!

I know Mother’s Day in Ireland and the U.K. was celebrated in March. And while I am an Irish citizen, our family still celebrates the U.S. Mother’s Day as our special day. So I’d like to wish all the moms, moms to be, and grandmas a very wonderful and happy day!

Maternal Love,

YDP

Yankee Doodle Paddy

America + Ireland = LOVE

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