the most wonderful time.

I am so excited for Christmas. I can't wait to bake pies with Mom and little sister on the farm. {the perfect sweet potato pie and a classic pecan} I am looking forward to relaxing in northwest Arkansas, sipping coffee and eating Nana's Christmas candy, or exploring the new art museum. I can't wait to stuff stockings with tiny surprises, watch the Muppets, see Christmas Vacation for my 3rd time ever :) and wrap pretty presents for people I love. This year, more than ever before, I am thankful for the chance to be with family. I am incredibly grateful that we have these months in Belfast, but the older I get the more I know I want to be close to our families. Christmas will be beautiful and cozy and a happy taste of what moving back in the summer will feel like.

{Our first little tree, last Christmas}

Christmas Market!

The Continental Christmas Market has arrived! It is magical. Rows of food stands from around Europe - sausages, sandwiches, crepes, pies, tarts, curries, burgers, pancakes, ciders, hot chocolates, fudge, oh my word. Plus there are craft stalls, gifts, Christmas trees, jewelry, etc.  It smells incredible and everything sparkles with Christmas lights and evergreen. Happy Christmas, Belfast!

Give Thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving!  It was an odd one this year. I made pumpkin pies in the morning, then we had a normal Thursday - student lunches & setup/cleanup. In the late afternoon we visited Lakeside Manor for some familiar faces (Hadden & Betty) and American football. That was good for our souls :)  In the evening we had a staff Thanksgiving dinner/birthday party for Derek. It was nice to get turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes (thanks to Britt!), cranberry sauce, etc. as an end to the day.

Now, it's time for Christmas!

Notes from November.

Another Saturday visit to St. George's market. We had a lovely lunch and took home a rhubarb tart...and saw a sheep.

On another Saturday, Matt was so good to go with me to city center from some knitting needles and wool, and a new book (Alexander McCall Smith). We had lunch at Dean's Cafe...it was delicious. Matt had a cheddar and house Branston sandwich and I had the goat's cheese and sun-dried tomato sandwich. We shared a piece of lemon cheesecake.

On convenient Mondays we make our grocery trips to Asda in west Belfast. Last Monday it (magically) wasn't raining so we visited Milltown Cemetary.

Mexico and China.

The intern house hosted a Mexican dinner for some of our friends from China.  Lili and I made fajitas and Lili made amazing Spanish rice, refried beans and pico de gallo. I made some guacamole and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies and we were good to go! It was a happy night.

 Cesar and Kate

 Kate and Lucas.

 Lili.

Matt, Ruxi, Abbie, and Britt.

Dublin 3 {Happy Anniversary}

October 30, 2011....first year of marriage complete! It flew by...but alot happened. Matt is my treasure, I love being his wife. Someday, when we are old and adorable, we will love remembering this first wedding anniversary: when we were young, in Dublin, and we thought it couldn't get much better.

We started the day with brunch at Queen of Tarts.  Oh my goodness, it was my absolute favorite.

Oats with baked apples & strawberries, raspberry and blueberry scones, fresh OJ and tea.

There was mismatched china and a tiny yellow teapot.   I KNOW.

Sorry for my awkward, sleepy eyes...this is the only shot of us together from the day :) I must've still been in a joyful daze from the tiny yellow teapot.

The lovely set of prints of Belfast that Matt gave me. I think they are beautiful.

 Another stop at Bewley's for coffee before attending Evensong at St. Patrick's Cathedral. After the service we saw 'The Help' which was such fun! The southern neighborhoods and cooking in the movie made us a teensy bit homesick...but hungry more than anything.

Really yummy Italian dinner at Il Baccaro. It was a tiny, below the street restaurant and the food was amazing. Speck-filled pasta with Gorgonzola sauce and walnuts, and roasted chicken with pancetta. 

Here's to Year Two.