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Archive for September, 2011

Ramblings of a Busy September

Posted in Uncategorized, tagged , , , on 30/09/2011| Leave a Comment »

Well, Dear Friends, it’s been a slow month for blogging. I’m sorry for not writing more often but it’s been a busy time for our family in so many ways.  I’m kicking-off today’s blog with the fact that our lovely little Irish family has moved to the mountains…the Rocky Mountains!  I know this really isn’t news to most of you because: (1) we are friends in Ireland and you know we’ve left or (2) we are friends in America and you know we’ve arrived.

But, if by chance, we are not yet friends (and you’ve stumbled upon this blog by chance) I want to let you know that for the coming year I’ll be reporting on what life is like for an Irish family living in America.

Aside from our settling into life in America, here are a few other things that have been on my mind this past month:

1. We left Ireland with four suitcases and four roller bags.  That’s one suitcase and one roller bag for each of us. Everything else we’ve left behind. Sure wish I had…oh forget it the list is endless.

2. The kids started school – that’s been a paperwork nightmare but it’s settled now. They ride a big yellow bus to and from school nearly every day…so American!

3. My grandmother was diagnosed with cancer this past summer and today I’m blogging from a hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada as we wait for her to start chemo therapy (an interesting story and possible upcoming blog).

4. I miss our organic kitchen garden in Ireland.  The apple trees were full of ripening fruit when we left. The roses were still blooming. The mint was growing prolifically along the hedge. It’s my little slice of heaven at home.

5. American news hasn’t a patch on Irish news…and the radio programs aren’t good either (except NPR).  Thank heavens for BBC satellite radio. When will RTE Radio One come?!

6. Where can I find Odlum’s Extra Coarse Wholemeal in the mountains?  I found it on foodireland.com but it costs $8.39 per bag and I have to order two bags and pay shipping for a total of $34.66. I want to make some brown soda bread.

7. Does anyone understand how to get the best medical insurance over here?!

What’s on your mind?

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Mixology: The Art of Mixed Drinks & Cocktails

Posted in Uncategorized on 06/09/2011| Leave a Comment »

Mixology.  Have you heard this term yet?  I must be living in the dark ages because, until recently, the only mixed-drink terms I used on a regular basis were “bartender” and “blender”.  Anyway, since coming to America, I’ve learned a thing or two about mixology.  For example, people on this side of the Atlantic host “mixology-themed” book club nights and mixology parties whereby a drink specialist is hired to craft new and exotic beverages and push out the limits on classic bartending. It’s a real American fascination.  Given that the Irish aren’t famous for their cocktails, I decided to jump taste buds first into the unknown whilst visiting San Francisco.  Our libation exploration lead us to The Slanted Door, a famous Vietnamese-inspired restaurant located in the Ferry Building Marketplace.  From the first sip I was quite literally hooked!

I like Mojitos (yes, it’s so yesterday, but, hey, I’ve been living in Ireland for 20+ years – give this girl a break!) so that’s what I ordered first.  It  was not sickening sweet nor was it gritty from the sugar. I believe our bartender used guarapo, sugar cane juice, which imparted a natural, less sweet, flavour. The mint was cool and refreshing and reminded me of the long, fresh stalks of mint growing in our organic garden back in Ireland. The muddling and stirring, both done at lighting speed, made the short wait from ordering to sipping a pleasurable experience.

My next drink was a Panama Orange Caipirinha (pronounced Kye-puh-reen-ah). It’s made with pixie tangerines, organic sugar, and Mae de Ouro Cachaca (a super-premium Brazilian white rum made in pots still using a 400 year old process and then laid down in oak barrels for at least one year before being bottled).  It was simply amazing. Seriously.  I’m not a big drinker.  In fact, I’m not much of drinker at all these days so to enjoy not one but two alcoholic beverages in the same place in the same night is remarkable.

I tried to get the recipe for both drinks from our bartender but was unsuccessful.  My advice is thus…the next time you’re visiting San Francisco call into The Slanted Door and don’t bother asking for a table but rather sit at the bar and enjoy the mixology and tasting experience for yourself.  You won’t be disappointed!

The Slanted Door is located at 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA.  The phone number is 415-861-8032.  Their website is www.slanteddoor.com

Photo credit belongs to Mastermaq’s Photostream on Flickr – Thank you!

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