Date Lunch

Weeks ago, knowing we were both off at the same time, I booked lunch in One Pico. It has been three years since we went there – the night the Pope visited Ireland when I was heavily pregnant. I enjoyed the food immensely, as well as the knowledge that this was one of the last nights out we’d have together before Mini Orchid arrived. We always wanted to come back but one thing and another, and Covid, meant it wasn’t until yesterday that we actually did.

I can highly recommend both One Pico and a lunchtime date. We’ve often been tired on the rare occasions we make it out the door sans children for a date night, but no such issues at lunch. It was sheer bliss to eat, drink and talk without yawning or wondering if we should wrap it up because we would have an early start the next day.

I’m still jealous of himself’s venison and beetroot tartare, but my sika deer and pear and chocolate made up for it somewhat. We shared a bottle of wine, enjoyed lovely aperitifs, savoured our coffee and truffles and didn’t watch the clock at all. It was all so gorgeous that we’ve booked it again for a pre-Christmas treat as our gift to eachother. Having wandered shops prior to lunch, we realised nothing we saw compared to the luxury of time spent together, enjoying ourselves.

We cannot wait to go back.

The best weekend in a long time…

We didn’t make huge plans for this weekend, and I had completely forgotten it was a bank holiday, but it turned out to be one of those random weekends that was perfect. We had booked in for the flu vaccine with a local pharmacy, and when there found out the kids could be vaccinated too, which was a huge bonus. Cycling there and back was the icing on the cake-we don’t take the bikes out nearly as much as we should.

We had the loveliest date night at home on Saturday, complete with a local beer and (not pictured) our very favourite wine. We’d had a couple of weeks where we weren’t able to do our usual date night, so this was very, very welcome. Sunday was spent with family-everyone being vaccinated means more family time, something we have not had enough of over the past 18 months. Doing all the meal prep the day before meant it was a lovely, easy afternoon.

On Monday we made plans to go to the Botanic Gardens. Me and the Mini Orchids hadn’t been there since the summer and himself for about a year so a visit was long overdue. Despite the big greenhouses still being closed, we had a great morning. My insistence on getting up and out the door early was richly validated when we got there 15 minutes after opening and most of the carpark was full. The pumpkin display was a big hit.

There was a lot of Lego play, the trains came out, the tent ended up back in the playroom and SO MUCH ART. Eldest Orchid took out her granddad’s art supplies to tackle a canvas she’s been working on since the summer. She was inspired by her trip to the Botanic Gardens and I am always in awe of her confidence when wielding a brush and a palette, something I hope she never loses.

Tiny Sparks of Joy

For the first time in several weeks we got the bikes out and cycled to the library. I collected the very latest Sally Rooney book, thanks to the amazing online library system, and I’m really enjoying it.

The kids did a lot of Lego this weekend, including a Covid self portrait complete with mask. I love how much they love Lego, and that they’re using some Lego that’s nearly as old as I am.

Eldest Orchid had a birthday party to attend. Instead of sitting in a cafe scrolling I went for a walk along the seafront and enjoyed the views.

I reread an old favourite while Himself watched the rubgy. My idea of a good Friday evening.

I had two hours to myself on Friday morning and did a long overdue overhaul of the dining and sitting rooms. The sheer bliss of clearing out the crap, rearranging the things I want to keep and sitting down to a clean and tidy dinner and after dinner glass of wine. It felt like redecorating without the hassle.

Enough is Enough

I’ve made a decision to place a total ban on clothes buying for myself for the rest of the year. I recently tidied up and reorganised my chest of drawers and half of our wardrobe and I have so much stuff. I found dresses I had forgotten I own, brand new socks in packets I half remembered ordering as part of a buy one get one free deal and several pairs of shoes that need to go to the cobbler the next time I get off the train at Tara St.

I have not felt the need to buy clothes for several months, and the last time I bought something was over the summer when the shops reopened. I didn’t really need what I bought; I was just sick and tired of wearing what I already had. Working from home with very occasional stints in the office mean my ‘work wear’ now consists of a rotation of three pairs of jeans (one of which I got from my sister because they didn’t suit her), tops and cardigans (some of which have holes of varying sizes) and two or three Good Dresses.

There’s a full storage bag of clothes I haven’t worn since before March 2020 on a shelf on top of my wardrobe. I have things hanging in my wardrobe I don’t think I’ve worn for three years. Some of it makes me sad, because I don’t fit into it anymore. I’ve huge sentimental attachment to other things. My daughter is now wearing a sparkly pink tracksuit top I bought in a sale 15 years ago. I love seeing it on her and now it belongs in her wardrobe.

I had a spare morning so I did a mini KonMari on my clothes. I didn’t get rid of anything, even the tops with holes. They spark joy, because they mean my better non-holey clothes are saved for when I’m not working at home. I sorted through everything, from socks to dresses I bought brand new about six months ago and have never worn. I decided I definitely didn’t need anything.

I have no inclination to browse for clothes at all. I’m not looking for anything new for the planned return on some days of the week to work. I don’t need any new winter boots or walking shoes or heels. I don’t need any underwear, socks or nightwear. I have three capes and five(!) coats and (I think?) four jackets. That is enough for anyone, and it would definitely be enough for Marjorie, who would encourage me to mix it all up and try to be as chic as possible without looking at whatever nice coat someone else has and spending unnecessary money.

I don’t know how long the non clothes buying phase will last, but given how I feel at the moment I won’t surprise myself if it lasts beyond the festive season.

Tiny Sparks of Joy

Lazy weekend breakfasts, complete with our favourite coffee.

A trip to IKEA where I bought only what was on my list and not a thing more, and also resisted the allure of a Christmas gingerbread house kit. The need to make memories is secondary to my need to remain relatively calm over the festive period.

A tiny bag of jellies with my contact lens order. It came in extremely handy when ensuring Mini Orchid kept his mask on and his hands sanitised.

A ‘skeleton cake’ for a very special boy. He. Is. Obsessed. My cake decorating skills are middling at best, but he loved which is the most important thing. My baby is three. I am happy/sad about this. Mostly happy.