The Time I Fell in Love with Ireland

Late last night Kurt and I got back from our four day trip to Ireland. It was so amazing, I'm kind of at a loss for words for describing it. I had always wanted to visit Ireland but I didn't have high expectations for what it'd be like. It'd be an understatement to say that I was blown away - Ireland is absolutely beautiful.

We decided to rent a car in Dublin and explore the west coast. It was the best decision because Ireland's countryside, coast and colorful middle-of-no-where towns totally trump anything Dublin (or any city) has to offer. I still can't get over how green everything was - every shade of green you can imagine and a couple that you can't. Also, I'd forgotten how therapeutic road-tripping is (even despite having to drive on the left side of the road). We found castles, run-away sheep crossing the road, stopped numerous times for photos and played Celtic music the whole way.

We stayed at a B&B in Doolin, a tiny town on the coast, and in Dingle, the main town on the Dingle Peninsula. I think the Dingle Peninsula was by far the most breathtaking area, but we loved the Cliffs of Moher and the authentic Irish music we got to experience in Doolin. There are so many Christian historical sites in Ireland, Kurt was having a hay-day. We saw 500 AD beehive huts where Christians lived, a church dating to the 6th century and an Early Medieval monastic settlement in Glendalough. 

The culture in Ireland seems so simple and peaceful - totally different from life in London. And trust me, after living in London being a farmer seems really appealing. We savored every day and were genuinely sad to leave. On our flight back we were already brainstorming for our next trip.

Michaela Rae

Go on any adventures this week? Link them up for Try New Adventures Thursday.

Northern Ireland Trip (in the works)

I've been mostly MIA from the social media world the last several days - a break is just good sometimes. It was nice to have more time for reading, painting of the nails, writing letters to loved ones back home and cleaning. But I'm pretty excited about something and wanted to quickly share.

Kurt and I have decided to plan a short trip to Northern Ireland for hopefully sometime this month. I've dubbed myself the trip researcher and have been spending time figuring out things to see and do. I'm really curious though, do any of you have recommendations? Or, if you were going, where would you want to visit? We'd like to find a cheap B&B and do some hiking and really anything outdoors - it'd be a nice break from the city life. Oh, and I want to see a legit castle (even remains will do)!

These photos have been getting me excited. I'm definitely going to put some Nickel Creek and other fiddly music on my ipod. :)

photos courtesy of google images

God's creation is incredible, isn't it?

I've got a couple blog posts in mind that I hope to share later this week. One on the new eating habits I'm trying to form and why and another on some of my favorite grocery products here that aren't in the US (most of which probably shouldn't be part of my new eating habits either).

Off to watch fireworks from our living room windows now...remember, remember the 5th of November! (Ever read up on why the British celebrate the 5th? It's quite awful. Then again, so are the origins of many a holiday.)

MJ