tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51692283898237940112024-03-21T13:40:54.638-05:00Three Little Apples...growing up sweet and tangyThree Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-78497390190936385542012-08-29T06:00:00.000-05:002012-08-29T09:41:58.765-05:00Food of Lagos<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0KoymDvWFpo0kqkazisS_XEkxfQCd9aye4QtmOimEvktfAWSJQTws03e34oauNIJKO5chLHonbz5vP7SvRTeAqoL_ARE7XbCZdKR4WGgz8YnINxNlNB2MuyaTugp_HMZyKJP_rpx8DE/s1600/diablo-mussels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Wild figs growing in Lagos</div>
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The food in Portugal was amazing. We have had very good and very interesting meals on our vacations, but unfortunately you sometimes get really bad recommendations and eat at some nasty places. This was not the case on this trip. Over all the meals we had, there are only one or two dishes that we disliked. We used TripAdvisor a lot to find places and had good luck searching out restaurants based on a quick look at the menu. Some of our favorites are here. <br />
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Sangria, Octopus salad, smoked ham with yukon potatoes</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diablo mussels</td></tr>
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There was a street in Lagos where we found a few wonderful places to eat and shop. The first was called Meu Limao Tapas. They had really nice smoked ham and Bachalau (a cod dish with potatoes and eggs), diablo mussels and a nice outside seating area in front of the white church. It was very nice and we ate lunch there twice under the shade of the trees.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bachalau</td></tr>
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Just down the street we found a wonderful little place called Hortela-Pimenta. Locally owned and operated, they had good Tapas and amazing raspberry Sangria. The best thing that we ate on the trip was the Grilled Octopus. So wonderful that we returned for dinner another night, just so we could each order our own plate of it. The sweetness of the wine and potatoes went wonderful with the perfectly cooked octopus. We ate a lot of octopus on this trip, I don't think either of us expected that. No wonder Papu liked Portugal so much, with that much great food, who wouldn't!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled octopus with sweet potatoes and wine</td></tr>
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Blood sausage and sweet potatoes</div>
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Scallops</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portuguese Bread pudding</td></tr>
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There were other nice Tapas places in Lagos and overall, we had some of our best food there. The many restaurants do make it difficult to navigate, but where ever the fish is fresh and the people work hard, you will find good food. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled shrimp and Monkfish</td></tr>
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Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-62754434586307402152012-08-27T18:13:00.003-05:002012-08-29T09:19:28.301-05:00Beaches of Lagos <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pria do Camilo</td></tr>
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We arrived to the south of Portugal, Lagos, by train after leaving Madeira island. This part of the country is known for its beaches and rock formations. We stayed in a hotel right above Pria Dona Ana. Almost every day we would go down to the beach and sit out in the sun. It got very hot, so we tried to cool off in the ocean, but the water was so cold, you could only be in for a short while before your muscles would start to freeze up. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pria Dona Ana</td></tr>
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We found a hiking trail which lead us to Pria do Camilo and above some other, clothing optional, beaches. Near the point of the island we wound down a stone staircase to find a docking area for boat tours through the grottos. We did this on one of the days and the next day did a kayking group for a closer look.
The arches and stones are amazing, the water so greenish-blue, and the beaches sandy and perfect looking. Here are some of my favorite pictures of the beaches in Lagos. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grottos and arches</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boat tour through the caverns</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning in Lagos</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pria do Camilo in the morning</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking above Dona Ana</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting on a boat for the tour</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dona Ana beach on saturday</td></tr>
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Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-82599667047820683862012-08-25T22:03:00.000-05:002012-08-29T09:20:13.746-05:00Last days on the island
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning view of Madeira beaches</td></tr>
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Our last full day in Madeira we decided to rent the cab again and hike to the east point. While the Lavadas were less than spectacular, the hike and the views from the point were very nice. My thighs were killing me by the end, since we had just climbed the peaks the day before.
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hike out to the Lavadas point</td></tr>
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We were lucky again, to make it out early in the morning so we could beat most of the travel groups. Plus it got very hot as the sun got higher, so we were happy to get our workout in, our pictures taken, and meet Pedro for our ride back to the hotel. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I - O - W - A</td></tr>
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For lunch we went across the street to Monumental Grill for lunch. We had gone there on the recommendation of the cab driver the day before and watched another couple get the rice and seafood dish. It was very good and easy to eat after the morning excursion. After we went to the black rock beach down the harbor and then to Real Canoa for the second time. So amazing!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seafood and rice at Monumental Grill</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black rock beaches</td></tr>
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Video of the Mixed Fish on the Stone dish at Real Canoa restaurant. </div>
Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-33278401828366540062012-08-23T19:23:00.000-05:002012-08-23T19:23:16.916-05:00Pico de Arriero<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The cab driver we met up with on Madeira offered to drive us to any place we wanted to go during our stay on the island. He seemed very knowledgeable and his English was very good, so on our third day we booked him for a trip to hike Pico de Arriero (second highest peak) to Pico Ruivo (highest peak).</div>
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Unfortunately his van broke down the day of, and he had to reschedule us with a different driver. This new guy was fine, not as talkative, but he would take us to the peak and pick us up 4 hrs later on the other side of the mountain. We drove up to the peak where he explained how beautiful and lush the island <em>used</em> to be, before a forest fire burned most of it away. Great....</div>
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Past the burned fields and forests, through wild eucalyptus trees, everything ringed by light purple and blue agapanthus flowers, he kept talking about the forest fires. I was getting a little disappointed and worried that the hike, which I had only briefly researched, was going to be a bust.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0KbSibW43DfsrZyX39WlkQps4PdEuuN2ge7W8Fp3HkFd1P7HlvhfwLtYSfiSpd_cKTLSnctlOvnpLGFxQs5Fbu_O9sGSdsNp_XVEezN0RZzI9sOOjThKimSeV6lM3SMlvLv67kfLhTI/s1600/DSC_0808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0KbSibW43DfsrZyX39WlkQps4PdEuuN2ge7W8Fp3HkFd1P7HlvhfwLtYSfiSpd_cKTLSnctlOvnpLGFxQs5Fbu_O9sGSdsNp_XVEezN0RZzI9sOOjThKimSeV6lM3SMlvLv67kfLhTI/s320/DSC_0808.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Pico de Arriero</td></tr>
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But it was amazing. The hike and the views were breathtaking. These pictures really don't do justice to the distance you could see. Most views showed the ocean at the very end, with valleys and peaks between. The wildflowers were amazing, they even have my favorite flower, the foxglove, growing wild along the hills.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrklZ0E1frAra9BGnbAZ-09U1da-I4M0suaFZLxDrD-Qk5Y0ooecK960VpAZXPGAAJwo7X9veLPlimQLFCHTh6USjm7dqDbE_t3M8lJ4vN6bSEw0dk8-L_zKUaW7mAiMIWCF_yXwIzJk/s1600/DSC_0813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIrklZ0E1frAra9BGnbAZ-09U1da-I4M0suaFZLxDrD-Qk5Y0ooecK960VpAZXPGAAJwo7X9veLPlimQLFCHTh6USjm7dqDbE_t3M8lJ4vN6bSEw0dk8-L_zKUaW7mAiMIWCF_yXwIzJk/s400/DSC_0813.JPG" width="267" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valleys to the sea</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYpmZzqyPc0zzDwK3nFF11-X3QTh1EKMjwDLU1hMN10caekHRLd4Ni5RdfRYvpnuTMTLGK0vgwVFEquMWgUsHaWhsXjYuZ2ZdOziXj20HR51yMPJ-Yyy1Xhm1AIjXX6Y0xbJCCvzrykU/s1600/DSC_0818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYpmZzqyPc0zzDwK3nFF11-X3QTh1EKMjwDLU1hMN10caekHRLd4Ni5RdfRYvpnuTMTLGK0vgwVFEquMWgUsHaWhsXjYuZ2ZdOziXj20HR51yMPJ-Yyy1Xhm1AIjXX6Y0xbJCCvzrykU/s400/DSC_0818.JPG" width="267" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mike enjoying the view</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLy1v0NM7Jnv5w2vtPO4ryoemc366PoDIFwRvfsjY65XspbCiHTZXuxoaqS79W7Pr7LyEX3aP-nEGU3rjaCxoltrja0sup8SwbYt1bgXSFKEqo64FsNUmdd8oYyAEmQMvRWc2pW3rzwE/s1600/DSC_0820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRLy1v0NM7Jnv5w2vtPO4ryoemc366PoDIFwRvfsjY65XspbCiHTZXuxoaqS79W7Pr7LyEX3aP-nEGU3rjaCxoltrja0sup8SwbYt1bgXSFKEqo64FsNUmdd8oYyAEmQMvRWc2pW3rzwE/s400/DSC_0820.JPG" width="267" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild flowers, sheer rocks, and mountains</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRMMri8j3AQq0pg2eVXlL5-rkxAWi5TC7JRWwk0G1pT313WaXEQI-rPIa1rIEVb-iS7e-IY1Jak1tX39j_Nfv_bj9ufAIUKciQTGG2ZlxGLrnoBZGTDS5WbtYN9eZwtCfROjPEvdJ_-w/s1600/DSC_0831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRMMri8j3AQq0pg2eVXlL5-rkxAWi5TC7JRWwk0G1pT313WaXEQI-rPIa1rIEVb-iS7e-IY1Jak1tX39j_Nfv_bj9ufAIUKciQTGG2ZlxGLrnoBZGTDS5WbtYN9eZwtCfROjPEvdJ_-w/s400/DSC_0831.JPG" width="267" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Portuguese bee, hard at work</td></tr>
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We got to the mountain early in the day, trying to beat most of the tour groups that we thought would 'clog' up the trails. There was one group of Australians that we stuck with most of the hike. The 'Mike' from their group took this picture after both our groups decided to take the longer route around the mountain. It was a pretty steep climb. At this point all of us were very out of breath from the kilometers of stair stepping we had to do over the boulders and up the trail. The whole trip was about 12k from start to finish.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUJ-EXGSJhuqRAui5HzT8c7wH36fKcYXL2mZiRHsHfx3PN0o1ieOInRXad9UU9LNb8OLINpQ_ZRvtFRmqarubcPc5RXcFSmA0oa2GMBGoDpl2ObXJunIcqnOXnegDzAfNanCkFTLcQ18/s1600/DSC_0833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUJ-EXGSJhuqRAui5HzT8c7wH36fKcYXL2mZiRHsHfx3PN0o1ieOInRXad9UU9LNb8OLINpQ_ZRvtFRmqarubcPc5RXcFSmA0oa2GMBGoDpl2ObXJunIcqnOXnegDzAfNanCkFTLcQ18/s400/DSC_0833.JPG" width="267" yda="true" /></a></div>
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It was especially good to get out early so that the clouds, which come in from the sea in the afternoon, were not out, giving us a clear view. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CaE4QD-7yVIgYnoXU27wkwhtHS61ZqWJqwSKk0fqxuedqynttae-eMKHnYg93xFo4vN2Kro7t-ATCAYC6DXJTZmAz2FvfONsrpVlXgAu-BdtPQ2TaiyZyt9S5niStjSxxoQJz_zsL0s/s1600/DSC_0836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-CaE4QD-7yVIgYnoXU27wkwhtHS61ZqWJqwSKk0fqxuedqynttae-eMKHnYg93xFo4vN2Kro7t-ATCAYC6DXJTZmAz2FvfONsrpVlXgAu-BdtPQ2TaiyZyt9S5niStjSxxoQJz_zsL0s/s400/DSC_0836.JPG" width="267" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mist starting to roll in</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZWI98HGPDEUrLTGws5mRgYqk3w4dn-YL1uwi3GeMiGyj2dD3mucmssgaj0EWTNBvCzBN1C5Vk5LLyOmp0F4EwI5aopVTlcxqjOb1eksqRP0yvat2CNAhhENGTEoWOHLfaC5W8a2ALaE/s1600/DSC_0837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVZWI98HGPDEUrLTGws5mRgYqk3w4dn-YL1uwi3GeMiGyj2dD3mucmssgaj0EWTNBvCzBN1C5Vk5LLyOmp0F4EwI5aopVTlcxqjOb1eksqRP0yvat2CNAhhENGTEoWOHLfaC5W8a2ALaE/s320/DSC_0837.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgYX8WZDPWtGaIZMm36ebf7ybQ30hsJzSUAHW8K5nhjEvbApyeHWUGQHQi3j6X7MW4ZbGv3xefw2R25LUWaAEtjIf8B2Nkx0ldb86phvYRUsHONkKHuPDQMkZXnlc6Qeni-5bxCPBVbM/s1600/DSC_0839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRgYX8WZDPWtGaIZMm36ebf7ybQ30hsJzSUAHW8K5nhjEvbApyeHWUGQHQi3j6X7MW4ZbGv3xefw2R25LUWaAEtjIf8B2Nkx0ldb86phvYRUsHONkKHuPDQMkZXnlc6Qeni-5bxCPBVbM/s400/DSC_0839.JPG" width="267" yda="true" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoR0Q9k8CLoPAuYhsNJ7slseJ85WlTopcs6UYLPoGoxHZJmmq2DcbuhWUfX-UYJu75C4f3Bh60USmbuKETT6_fLfuPnNTrrXHzjcHxS0HKB7la8LV-MkNdmIqQMIBrWqyCK5XFonvohIU/s1600/DSC_0840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoR0Q9k8CLoPAuYhsNJ7slseJ85WlTopcs6UYLPoGoxHZJmmq2DcbuhWUfX-UYJu75C4f3Bh60USmbuKETT6_fLfuPnNTrrXHzjcHxS0HKB7la8LV-MkNdmIqQMIBrWqyCK5XFonvohIU/s400/DSC_0840.JPG" width="267" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More mist rising</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM3NKZfpUGf8cdxYDHVV-LhKz25brAKOIo6Xyu2126NLTk5cSjT7VOmrbEna_x8Vw6Uf4DwhXdeIUL5ebyFlh1GV-AZRXT1qBWl4-MexsCJHWiNvrGh8NGr2YZhJcCPfFqm9KQwFS0NI/s1600/DSC_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQM3NKZfpUGf8cdxYDHVV-LhKz25brAKOIo6Xyu2126NLTk5cSjT7VOmrbEna_x8Vw6Uf4DwhXdeIUL5ebyFlh1GV-AZRXT1qBWl4-MexsCJHWiNvrGh8NGr2YZhJcCPfFqm9KQwFS0NI/s400/DSC_0841.JPG" width="267" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wildflowers near the top of the mountain</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5eQ0eFuHsaMDoK4wXsj7t2RHl9tf4O_Jmu6sMU0tjLvYGBY6AQ8nvygRtgLYxGSdmRvYgnOxJWy8DDXj2pfO4hHvhVSjezRxMZyunHc2XEYNTZv0go6dxfGU9bfwpPDNljprjNKfUfU/s1600/DSC_0847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic5eQ0eFuHsaMDoK4wXsj7t2RHl9tf4O_Jmu6sMU0tjLvYGBY6AQ8nvygRtgLYxGSdmRvYgnOxJWy8DDXj2pfO4hHvhVSjezRxMZyunHc2XEYNTZv0go6dxfGU9bfwpPDNljprjNKfUfU/s400/DSC_0847.JPG" width="267" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burned trees from the wildfires</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92BebQYSB_pVjcLbPysNjQOkgQlp8rEtB8ejZ0sLmZibIUd9_UJBsQqiAOyR_djASNwo81z-O8jRkSfPuvRgVtBHFRQaamLNmrmsIwriGqasdM5WR8NOPwj6Q3_ckehN7zgTJ7Vq6SQg/s1600/DSC_0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj92BebQYSB_pVjcLbPysNjQOkgQlp8rEtB8ejZ0sLmZibIUd9_UJBsQqiAOyR_djASNwo81z-O8jRkSfPuvRgVtBHFRQaamLNmrmsIwriGqasdM5WR8NOPwj6Q3_ckehN7zgTJ7Vq6SQg/s320/DSC_0851.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View to the sea and villages on Pico Ruivo</td></tr>
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It was very interesting at the end of our hike when we got to Pico Ruivo. There was a small house and many people walking around, but we couldn't find the taxis. We figured it had to be there somewhere, but we just couldn't see a road! Finally we found a guide to ask and he said it was still another mile away, down another trail. We had to speed walk to make our pick up time, but we made it! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPhzYubNhQNZlg1Sp1o9MJPaSKoxqE00-DsnKKewJ2xHhcP2p0uewqEofYDZ8dC3tkW6KoiObqwhHlzP18XxMnOXPF1LMeL4JVrqpdaAqhd4bD3ef3ZGh55V9PDEv4LyTtQh6JEd8Ht4/s1600/IMG_0514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSPhzYubNhQNZlg1Sp1o9MJPaSKoxqE00-DsnKKewJ2xHhcP2p0uewqEofYDZ8dC3tkW6KoiObqwhHlzP18XxMnOXPF1LMeL4JVrqpdaAqhd4bD3ef3ZGh55V9PDEv4LyTtQh6JEd8Ht4/s320/IMG_0514.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down and up and up and down</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An amazing climb!</td></tr>
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Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-55746726538708985592012-08-22T19:34:00.002-05:002012-08-22T20:14:39.610-05:00Portugal trip 2012<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking along the ocean in Madeira</td></tr>
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In the spirit of our yearly European trip, we (and by we, I mean mostly me) planned and researched, and reviewed and investigated places to travel to. We decided on Portugal. Why? Well we had always wanted to go to Spain, but that is in a lot of turmoil right now, however we had always heard that Mike's grandfather, Papu, enjoyed Portugal. This summer I booked most of the trip and got everything in order. As I will describe, we had some bumps along the way, but in the end we had an amazing time and ate some really wonderful food. We both agree that the quality of the food throughout the trip was very consistent and high. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over the north side of Madeira island</td></tr>
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The schedule was to leave from Chicago, where we would be the weekend before hand with family, and travel to Madeira, an island colony off of the north of Africa for 4 days. We would then go back to the mainland and stay in Lagos, on the south coast of Portugal for another 4 days. Finally we would stay in the capital of Lisbon for the remaining 2 full days. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznfmia0g1cyP25f3Epgnc7YKml6ThyphenhyphenQNd6URTwt3wXTk4v29AQa-WevXYCUp7bMLEDzmwD804ymeJh-rjP3fEkLmn9_JzeRB3XkriPxAc_-X7JtbTj-7Z16Ad7E5jhSfbWf0kB-SwoWM/s1600/IMG_04232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznfmia0g1cyP25f3Epgnc7YKml6ThyphenhyphenQNd6URTwt3wXTk4v29AQa-WevXYCUp7bMLEDzmwD804ymeJh-rjP3fEkLmn9_JzeRB3XkriPxAc_-X7JtbTj-7Z16Ad7E5jhSfbWf0kB-SwoWM/s400/IMG_04232.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from our hotel</td></tr>
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The bumps started a day before I left to join Mike in Chicago. I received an email that the third party company I had booked our hotel through (at this point I didn't even realize I <em>hadn't</em> booked through the actual hotel) had gone into bankruptcy and if we wanted to stay an our hotel, we would need to rebook and repay the full cost. Needless to say, I was very upset. We figured it was best to agree to the charge and get the payment back through our credit card. Worst case scenario we would be out some money, but still have a place to stay when we arrived with an upgraded room (since the hotel was very apologetic about the whole situation) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0bgECglyPs5xzer7Rp4tu8jenJv8p1Sp2K09zo6W2J9vIUgtzS3uj_dN7ARSTb6MplJruEm-RIarcMw2OxpdJ7pyJ0OFyGeH1PcBzPoWkrEhzjlHQlx7jxLMR7QwCZwP8Gij1tjikRU/s1600/IMG_04382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0bgECglyPs5xzer7Rp4tu8jenJv8p1Sp2K09zo6W2J9vIUgtzS3uj_dN7ARSTb6MplJruEm-RIarcMw2OxpdJ7pyJ0OFyGeH1PcBzPoWkrEhzjlHQlx7jxLMR7QwCZwP8Gij1tjikRU/s400/IMG_04382.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First walk along the ocean</td></tr>
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We flew through CDG Paris to Lisbon, where we found out that our bags had not made the connection and wouldn't make the flight to the island. Ok, second bump. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGoWNUJPiDJUab4O58oN_4kvZS59U8LDHZYkO7ymosR3QUFxwU2ZRT_2UJwPLb_IIVqBDMpMlehzkY8uKyuUdi2Y3e4qYWfsrdBJ_iQ17_j7DezMrVmIvUudN25t1mvlMca_NSJtuRx8/s1600/IMG_04642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBGoWNUJPiDJUab4O58oN_4kvZS59U8LDHZYkO7ymosR3QUFxwU2ZRT_2UJwPLb_IIVqBDMpMlehzkY8uKyuUdi2Y3e4qYWfsrdBJ_iQ17_j7DezMrVmIvUudN25t1mvlMca_NSJtuRx8/s400/IMG_04642.jpg" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for dinner.... with new clothes since our bags never made it</td></tr>
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Arriving into Madeira in the mid-afternoon, we spoke to the cab driver who agreed to take us on some tours in the coming week. We found the hotel and attempted to stay awake after the overnight flight. Thank goodness Delta perks got us into Business Class so we could get <em>some</em> sleep. But still no bags. We walked around the area and went to a restaurant for dinner with a ok food and a great view. We got back to the hotel to... still no bags. By 11:00pm the front desk called and said <em>one</em> of our bags had arrived. Unfortunately for Mike, it was my bag that arrived. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1_ZB1UlPV5ClJbq7AdUVKfaNQTeQTEU4qL5r8KI286YLpZimWIT5u4jKa_NqI_XwWWiDbriK8i5gkgNiH0MNRyTVfEvM-vMnqu4GXK8Y34EnjCkvt2slzGvFRWSEGskLX2csi5NN7TE/s1600/DSC_0797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1_ZB1UlPV5ClJbq7AdUVKfaNQTeQTEU4qL5r8KI286YLpZimWIT5u4jKa_NqI_XwWWiDbriK8i5gkgNiH0MNRyTVfEvM-vMnqu4GXK8Y34EnjCkvt2slzGvFRWSEGskLX2csi5NN7TE/s400/DSC_0797.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Overlooking Funchal</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ez-dB6rQNxJ3IgGxaCZFiuUrSenV_aWKCXISiMMLDvNTTUEFpThx7OljvI3snGZjDTjMhC-HEE-fLuJXA1T_DkPK3ZUE-cpqtPTAYBco5Zu-AMGTCLDIAwfApLScxMRCyAWBD4pGasY/s1600/DSC_0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ez-dB6rQNxJ3IgGxaCZFiuUrSenV_aWKCXISiMMLDvNTTUEFpThx7OljvI3snGZjDTjMhC-HEE-fLuJXA1T_DkPK3ZUE-cpqtPTAYBco5Zu-AMGTCLDIAwfApLScxMRCyAWBD4pGasY/s400/DSC_0765.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Funchal</td></tr>
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The next morning we took a day trip into Funchal. We did a little shopping, took the cable cars up to a Tropical Gardens, missed the first scheduled cab back to the hotel (third bump), but discovered a wonderful shellfish called Limpets because of it. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNhMTtFFLsQigq-gTVbkZVp3QgeUixzkXe-BojL9gZvkFH9WC7CuY1J-hMzFMYthP46iqdiZ5laUzRGCqhHPTbTR2gtpNfXMCq3qcdwZCyE-CMxjHncuVHB743G-8JppdrYuDrLZreys/s1600/DSC_0793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfNhMTtFFLsQigq-gTVbkZVp3QgeUixzkXe-BojL9gZvkFH9WC7CuY1J-hMzFMYthP46iqdiZ5laUzRGCqhHPTbTR2gtpNfXMCq3qcdwZCyE-CMxjHncuVHB743G-8JppdrYuDrLZreys/s400/DSC_0793.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tropical gardens</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgn9NlZQodKXsSJ0RdwYI6f0X-MFEzidqxcyXU-_S82flOZiy1mF3bUmskwzVVPM-S0Me0t-o9IBd9hKr7kxkY1h3ahHMiFEYNVfakCEPE_l6nc_gcjzsqITjIFF28eyKMq1HDbAXxHkM/s1600/DSC_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgn9NlZQodKXsSJ0RdwYI6f0X-MFEzidqxcyXU-_S82flOZiy1mF3bUmskwzVVPM-S0Me0t-o9IBd9hKr7kxkY1h3ahHMiFEYNVfakCEPE_l6nc_gcjzsqITjIFF28eyKMq1HDbAXxHkM/s320/DSC_0778.JPG" width="320" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1000 year old Olive Trees</td></tr>
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Pictures of our travels through Funchal: Gardens, Cable car, Horse Fountain, Painted Door</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bolo (fried garlic bread) - a staple of Madeira</td></tr>
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Getting back to the hotel that evening.... still no bag for Mike. Uh oh, fourth bump. We decided to get him a bunch of backup clothes since we still needed to go to dinner and he had been wearing the same clothes for 50+ hrs. We were just hoping that the bag would come in time for our hiking trip the next day. <br />
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We went to the mall across the street and 20 minutes later returned to the hotel with.... Mike's bag waiting for us. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Mussels</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFo2f97exZz9DBE_Drj8BgZG5tnlf3nYvjHPjSSEcPqei1rS97-DZuoPWrM0sEej7-87KCG8bmAr6GLjlS74LwGIilysZK2AJ_LfgWuhLv9NrL-HPOJNMEwISvlzAicqjVHY9-sGqDG0E/s1600/IMG_0440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFo2f97exZz9DBE_Drj8BgZG5tnlf3nYvjHPjSSEcPqei1rS97-DZuoPWrM0sEej7-87KCG8bmAr6GLjlS74LwGIilysZK2AJ_LfgWuhLv9NrL-HPOJNMEwISvlzAicqjVHY9-sGqDG0E/s400/IMG_0440.JPG" width="400" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled Sardines</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grilled Limpets</td></tr>
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We went out to dinner at an amazing place we happened to walk past and look up on TripAdvisor. They had a Mixed Fish on the Stone dish that was so good, we went back two nights later. The 'stone' is basically a super heated cast iron block that they sear the fish on in front of you. We had the mixed fish, which included salmon, octopus, swordfish, cod, and other local varieties. A very good find and evening, for a semi-rough start to the vacation :) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish on the Stone and Steak Skewer at Real Canoa in Madeira</td></tr>
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Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-56360845352173589082012-04-24T11:15:00.002-05:002012-04-24T11:17:01.854-05:00Baking Bread<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIRprb9QfJi_2GvLmLcfrA05snYMVwd2F3H9ZvF-gTtsMjKR5SUOaZf4eytAL7SzJP9Jre7iOv-Vd76ESHZ-hdBFw_uya2Srf3zjxU5O2R9QJ_vsS5Lsg39b70tgOWTJccPROcm_TGFY/s1600/photo_5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIRprb9QfJi_2GvLmLcfrA05snYMVwd2F3H9ZvF-gTtsMjKR5SUOaZf4eytAL7SzJP9Jre7iOv-Vd76ESHZ-hdBFw_uya2Srf3zjxU5O2R9QJ_vsS5Lsg39b70tgOWTJccPROcm_TGFY/s320/photo_5.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
For the past few months, I have been keeping some yeast I portioned off from my mom alive in my fridge. This requires weekly feedings to maintain the freshness. We went through some french breads and rolls, but I finally found something that makes not only beautiful, but really delicious bread.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4nblkgfGcrS5desqFsDfFixqhOt6Pf-0OsdSjJEb2gqkz2Ahf7ES07hH-WnrMagksqfwnVLK0qIu1hb0EdpXIHi-uNxqceMexgXDUUojNHK2wxFaoSfKS3M4sDBwcG9bQQZEdeocNK8/s1600/photo_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4nblkgfGcrS5desqFsDfFixqhOt6Pf-0OsdSjJEb2gqkz2Ahf7ES07hH-WnrMagksqfwnVLK0qIu1hb0EdpXIHi-uNxqceMexgXDUUojNHK2wxFaoSfKS3M4sDBwcG9bQQZEdeocNK8/s320/photo_1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The <a href="http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2012/01/new-year.html" target="_blank">Dutch Oven Bread </a>recipe that I have been consistently using is very easy and can be used with regular boxed yeast. I use an antique cast iron dutch oven that so far, has only had my bread in it. I think any deep pan would do just as well. I'm currently on the hunt for a smaller pot so I can make multiple loaves and give some of the bread to friends on weeks when I know we won't make it through the entire loaf. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicLO8JgwgcRo1hGKAT7OR4WeId6c3JsEP1egzUyp6gDMEzkJYpMQc2Acskt1YGQGlrDHAXK_yiISWZFHeWzVQSXb1yQfkteb4VVRQzwZVfTbNLjhQF4xfKZ3MMBXn-D0QDk6jri55XtU/s1600/photo_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicLO8JgwgcRo1hGKAT7OR4WeId6c3JsEP1egzUyp6gDMEzkJYpMQc2Acskt1YGQGlrDHAXK_yiISWZFHeWzVQSXb1yQfkteb4VVRQzwZVfTbNLjhQF4xfKZ3MMBXn-D0QDk6jri55XtU/s320/photo_2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thank goodness that Costco makes 25lbs bags of flour, we go through a lot! Bought the air tight containers at Target, but still having trouble filling them. Perhaps a really large funnel.....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfC5zquxI5i9-M0YmmZHPxURwoFhFeE53k22P10MTxwF9uAwSXHq_DjQkmPlgtjnrPi8LN15R8LYY2rL7ZJFaEDeAaR-8bGr76K65kbCeS84HUOuRORiEZwtH5L7tR7Uyu1atZt0h9gg/s1600/photo_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZfC5zquxI5i9-M0YmmZHPxURwoFhFeE53k22P10MTxwF9uAwSXHq_DjQkmPlgtjnrPi8LN15R8LYY2rL7ZJFaEDeAaR-8bGr76K65kbCeS84HUOuRORiEZwtH5L7tR7Uyu1atZt0h9gg/s320/photo_3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-61968376994647972332012-04-23T15:18:00.000-05:002012-04-24T11:17:23.801-05:00Beach Crazy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Welcome to the Bahamas!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vfjjIHtheQH1m_u4mlslW4e-YsXayVKiMez__hte3UUsWfn6Ib3pqqyY_OneiZxpVXspz7QeFZ8jQ-O_jjlOUVxCJqZNERZFcwpbswMYKoQTNtutkBEz9j1qCADi89xykxMhXicY8A8/s1600/DSC_0673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9vfjjIHtheQH1m_u4mlslW4e-YsXayVKiMez__hte3UUsWfn6Ib3pqqyY_OneiZxpVXspz7QeFZ8jQ-O_jjlOUVxCJqZNERZFcwpbswMYKoQTNtutkBEz9j1qCADi89xykxMhXicY8A8/s320/DSC_0673.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We spent and amazing vacation with my sister and her bf down on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. The beach was amazing. Just a short (steep) walk down a flight of stairs, to an almost private beach. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0QW2NWvFk0grDF99JvC9EBE6HzkIRy_q6dV2Pb6dcYWnYWc8a3XEBjFy6u7k9ugYU8UJ7HaxS4Ie6GAiKmb_jH51Zy0e9QYGQddbjd58oPmKLCIzwSCnr63AqiFqK5VKJeFAMD3GODU/s1600/DSC_0667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs0QW2NWvFk0grDF99JvC9EBE6HzkIRy_q6dV2Pb6dcYWnYWc8a3XEBjFy6u7k9ugYU8UJ7HaxS4Ie6GAiKmb_jH51Zy0e9QYGQddbjd58oPmKLCIzwSCnr63AqiFqK5VKJeFAMD3GODU/s320/DSC_0667.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>
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We grilled the fish that were caught during the deep sea fishing trip, hunted for sea glass, drank some Rum Bubbas, got eaten by the 'no see ums' bugs, played loads of cards, and had an amazing time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEf744vv6vAIuC7Rt4esUYtu0-w59Dn9mc41tVQV7jB8eacF1AFhIAn9rSmCIDkwElEeljeWWBeabtjft2SqEpBt1E7D_aLvVfl9x9BindpkxCr7ngZZXTaMKP92p5x0zOHo6OTPOHRJw/s1600/DSC_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEf744vv6vAIuC7Rt4esUYtu0-w59Dn9mc41tVQV7jB8eacF1AFhIAn9rSmCIDkwElEeljeWWBeabtjft2SqEpBt1E7D_aLvVfl9x9BindpkxCr7ngZZXTaMKP92p5x0zOHo6OTPOHRJw/s320/DSC_0723.JPG" width="214" /></a></div>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-91485301306892229322011-11-29T06:00:00.007-06:002011-12-01T08:21:41.266-06:00Holiday Recipe CardsHave you noticed a lack of holiday cards out there? Similar to my lack of blog posts, yes.<br /><br />I made up some cards for the holiday for my aunts to sell in at a local Christmas Tree farm back in Wisconsin. I printed them out on colored stock paper and cut them out. Would be nice for a cookie recipe exchange or for holiday recipes.<br /><br />Feel free to save them and print them off for your own personal use. Rights reserved ;-)<br /><br />Happy Holidays!<br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680490979973046594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UKyfaWtdanlPUrFuBn3Q8Pg1QPTmXxoa_t7OrP6N3-8obFHNepKOWqiYWzY7p3gh6PbUrqUWFU1ITQbRVReY0dZy4dV1ICi0Kqcs6cd51KWg4qqVBEpsyIhYvrXuPluvwRBb4hHiBfQ/s200/Santa.PNG" /><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jh9_IHE2wKA/TtUmikXZQ9I/AAAAAAAACD0/Wnid1rY6W3o/s603/Santa.PNG">Santa</a><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xs9gkw8zaC0/TtUminmHZDI/AAAAAAAACDw/4YKeDibOPvY/s604/MrsClaus.PNG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680490977786123154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKyNTpLW2VRtDynG8uqOTxT-X0FR_io9uAjIi6fR4yPkCXHDHXLX1pzVMrTCDZjviZ2LNOSrL-5MndX9ed0S-CLsJTaf1gxNkGbKfyLFC1dYHNH3cNJW0PUa-86ItSG9li9vDcBI-vUw/s200/MrsClaus.PNG" /></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xs9gkw8zaC0/TtUminmHZDI/AAAAAAAACDw/4YKeDibOPvY/s604/MrsClaus.PNG">Mrs Claus</a></p><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EOKEPfH1-C4/TtUmiqoRJWI/AAAAAAAACD8/6Zus90KJNZo/s605/Reindeer.PNG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5680490979367187826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdaVziOWx44efGjDOuGo_yGmW2aFZPfqmjjyyL0ELMwQD7gjolpcAArSx862pGOAiJ4UQeAZ0h9DKK5zKyv6W41emaAFTYTZExzgfJBYgA1QiiOGXdmFFjSdiFj6_Slhf5v3QRqbBUVI/s200/Reindeer.PNG" /></a></p><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-EOKEPfH1-C4/TtUmiqoRJWI/AAAAAAAACD8/6Zus90KJNZo/s605/Reindeer.PNG">Reindeer</a></div>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-42198400933128576712011-07-06T19:56:00.002-05:002011-07-06T20:14:13.036-05:00Smoked Motz<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nEasgGqa_ojBsWZEsyYUwP9BfYun9Q4ipc0aqM3J4kugep7iyIpMealBd5uZ5AoYUHunuJxaNolrxHJpE8UHZgbeNLVlbA4zl7MUPQzbOTI4my5tf7s5oYN0Fv1ot_n39ll9zVIh1_w/s1600/motz4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626408686983452610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nEasgGqa_ojBsWZEsyYUwP9BfYun9Q4ipc0aqM3J4kugep7iyIpMealBd5uZ5AoYUHunuJxaNolrxHJpE8UHZgbeNLVlbA4zl7MUPQzbOTI4my5tf7s5oYN0Fv1ot_n39ll9zVIh1_w/s400/motz4.jpg" border="0" /></a> After taking our <a href="http://threelittleapples.blogspot.com/2011/04/cheese-making.html">cheese class</a> we took a break from making it homemade. But a new smoker purchase revived our desire when we saw smoked mozzarella on FoodNetwork's Best Thing I Ever Ate.<br /><br />While it might look like a big 'ol marshmallow, it's the end result of a half gallon batch of whole milk mozzarella smoked low and slow for about 40 - 60 min.<br />The recipe for the cheese comes from Ricki Carroll's 'Home Cheese Making' book, which I would highly recommend if you are interested in soft to hard cheeses as a beginner. Very easy instructions and loads of information!<br /><br />We had the sliced mozzerella in a crusty bread sandwitch with some pesto spread. It was also wonderful in a BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza which also came from our smoker. Mike's getting a lot of practice on the smoker and our dishes are getting better and better each time!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626408695743585778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVlMAHLQs_9vtEGVjyix2RiBvVwIuYskhIolw-VH1i6xccaG9M1ZD6lSOTacGwazTPjfGNQAl4AI6il8B_oJnVUihsFLaj7YC8hlxVD-NoaB4CrLnpA1m66zWIPHm2v06dQZ2MzKnbvcc/s400/motz3.jpg" border="0" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8G0o7GhuHCNH-W75VYMFnM18hcvDFb3qjbUC5ZqMldxSD-JYf9gjV_0F4Ds57Tbl1fW4xnpP-oDAgq2pdyKFcN0xzHjjYOWF5-r47T4XfUGhg0WXWenKAEQFVBYH663NacSm6rNXZTsY/s1600/motz2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626408680442150962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8G0o7GhuHCNH-W75VYMFnM18hcvDFb3qjbUC5ZqMldxSD-JYf9gjV_0F4Ds57Tbl1fW4xnpP-oDAgq2pdyKFcN0xzHjjYOWF5-r47T4XfUGhg0WXWenKAEQFVBYH663NacSm6rNXZTsY/s400/motz2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOaXhWL1YRGgGXVoYYlr87pQpLkitE13AyREx8wpzCO1p4355bBOPvJ4MbXZXZu810f_IVW1q9w5C8GiBL37s6jOOtR6v7v5rXZtOwvEorkuVXuCmcv-ce4tQNBd-NgPJjUEMgdQOkzo/s1600/motz1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626408672395727922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIOaXhWL1YRGgGXVoYYlr87pQpLkitE13AyREx8wpzCO1p4355bBOPvJ4MbXZXZu810f_IVW1q9w5C8GiBL37s6jOOtR6v7v5rXZtOwvEorkuVXuCmcv-ce4tQNBd-NgPJjUEMgdQOkzo/s400/motz1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>It got us so excited that we ordered a cheese press so we can start making hard cheeses. Hope to report back in a few months once they've matured!</p>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-63135677932594530812011-06-03T06:00:00.001-05:002011-06-03T06:00:03.574-05:00Summer Sealife<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAiN022qQQW2LILFTcDlyytpR44WU9JSOT-s1_jj5hI0BxCzLwWo0f-vvwLU8JZ2oinlqzR8QL5D-P1qMiKkrPiNDgOaBerAdCUTWnNFaDkAYtZaoZxNRBXsvz6VI84OKFScRWOxsdd4/s1600/octo1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613255152834872722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmAiN022qQQW2LILFTcDlyytpR44WU9JSOT-s1_jj5hI0BxCzLwWo0f-vvwLU8JZ2oinlqzR8QL5D-P1qMiKkrPiNDgOaBerAdCUTWnNFaDkAYtZaoZxNRBXsvz6VI84OKFScRWOxsdd4/s400/octo1.jpg" /></a> I try to decorate some with the seasons, but I was feeling a little weak for Summer. I had some nautical themed things, some antique ocean babbles and shells, but not enough to center a room one.<br />Flipping through an old magazine for Pottery Barn, I saw some of their Sealife pillows. They were stiched in beige and really pretty with Seahorses, an Octopus, and other fish. I thought they would also look nice as hand painted items.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QqrvF3zlyW7EOgZTYC-rAgNB9DSdgioSwpgLeRMmhWTrs6Uh5irO0UAo4x69feJkUiTb8HO2JM-FigmExI8YI1E3psQROiy5DjZKJNxMCi4BSzmNymvWPalplzIw1Cgds1qYwYd2R5g/s1600/octo2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613255149420780930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0QqrvF3zlyW7EOgZTYC-rAgNB9DSdgioSwpgLeRMmhWTrs6Uh5irO0UAo4x69feJkUiTb8HO2JM-FigmExI8YI1E3psQROiy5DjZKJNxMCi4BSzmNymvWPalplzIw1Cgds1qYwYd2R5g/s400/octo2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>I got together some art paints, a color scheme, some samples and started. First I sewed the pillow together from some cheap fabric remnants. Learned a good lesson about zippers, always get a larger size, you can make it shorter, but you can't extend it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>After that I sketched the octopus out onto the linen and began to paint the base color with acrylics. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibczkD19NMvtlET7Ek2DU8nqaMwxpTcW_c_6N58v6U6rabr4oce5BwUyxMwI8ytQhUnGkbYo4lP-XUjyP7cHdACGFok_esnm4a0hpzKNpqSuzhC5f5f50Wb4mzouUPmMA6inMzOf-ni18/s1600/octo3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613255150446787282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibczkD19NMvtlET7Ek2DU8nqaMwxpTcW_c_6N58v6U6rabr4oce5BwUyxMwI8ytQhUnGkbYo4lP-XUjyP7cHdACGFok_esnm4a0hpzKNpqSuzhC5f5f50Wb4mzouUPmMA6inMzOf-ni18/s400/octo3.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>I did some highlighting and shading after the base dried. Finished it off with a sealant spray. I found some matching pillows in the same oranges and corals on sale at Pottery Barn and finally have my summer sea room.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRzGbR5XuD3o1xADYF4myep7vyqdZUnS2UDUzh14K6WbYz2fSLD4j7o6VEsWJWAAw1syjIq2Dm9OWdGM1-ip95HjI4fNxBhFYwJwZn2Ki6StVLnHzlH57OuRqkoTKxHwqPKxnQrH-NlE/s1600/octo4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613255145601480226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRzGbR5XuD3o1xADYF4myep7vyqdZUnS2UDUzh14K6WbYz2fSLD4j7o6VEsWJWAAw1syjIq2Dm9OWdGM1-ip95HjI4fNxBhFYwJwZn2Ki6StVLnHzlH57OuRqkoTKxHwqPKxnQrH-NlE/s400/octo4.jpg" /></a></div>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-76107121284022467202011-06-01T06:00:00.001-05:002011-06-01T09:25:34.728-05:00Shipping up to Boston<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Hmt1vRqzBfrpqJhkJtipLM_Mp_byZ0LS3KoQJBiiwCRSk1_7ZxuZsTm5tcrEtLlwjj3SKn2D8MmaJalc37M9FUwhII8AfHOOaId6wDx99__go7EwWOuTBRZpaM_Tpyd55vHrRnVhwZs/s1600/boston14.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613238301294472146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Hmt1vRqzBfrpqJhkJtipLM_Mp_byZ0LS3KoQJBiiwCRSk1_7ZxuZsTm5tcrEtLlwjj3SKn2D8MmaJalc37M9FUwhII8AfHOOaId6wDx99__go7EwWOuTBRZpaM_Tpyd55vHrRnVhwZs/s400/boston14.jpg" /></a> Back in April I had the chance to travel to Boston for work. I was there almost the whole work week and then Mike came out for the weekend to save ticket prices on my return flight.<br /><br />I stayed out in Cambridge, but got a chance to visit Harvard a couple times, Newbury St, Prudential Building (Top of the Hub restaurant had a wonderful view of the city!)<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgog0N3-az2gNg2khvrAoHfUPxgA5DHdBXXZnuBTrYjYdeArQGwf8vRGiWcw3HklLXVja0Y_MovlG5lDjAt-XB7i73u_bcTTbJr5h0bB7GfRna0aW26JOOB2heAIXnPFZFiI8YK7N9kqIs/s1600/boston13.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613238296339976418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgog0N3-az2gNg2khvrAoHfUPxgA5DHdBXXZnuBTrYjYdeArQGwf8vRGiWcw3HklLXVja0Y_MovlG5lDjAt-XB7i73u_bcTTbJr5h0bB7GfRna0aW26JOOB2heAIXnPFZFiI8YK7N9kqIs/s400/boston13.jpg" /></a> (Stonework on the Longfellow Bridge)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuqTialwVKkNzVqFw_X9IGBNbhyJ6js2zrpTSL70etMKUnCoE4QsqerHEu684RiM9nhhpvKQ0JyG-zlUXqCSCfwjw-jp5o_KdSS2yXD-_mk-2fJsqZshJ_T5rvWoGZAo5TK4YfwgByZs/s1600/boston12.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613238292214287378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHuqTialwVKkNzVqFw_X9IGBNbhyJ6js2zrpTSL70etMKUnCoE4QsqerHEu684RiM9nhhpvKQ0JyG-zlUXqCSCfwjw-jp5o_KdSS2yXD-_mk-2fJsqZshJ_T5rvWoGZAo5TK4YfwgByZs/s400/boston12.jpg" /></a> (Cemetery in Harvard)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmz_m1MP9s5KO6X9GL1w-rraYBkg8GSk4BtlwqeqXJoRkllWDI8zotrIm13pXC2byTZm4BPLIOAEYnsRB5TNH0d9rx9mgHg6y6OJkXFda23W4aMavGb0-l5oX2KhqnMipKR75SB1ZPRg/s1600/boston11.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613238286626588434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKmz_m1MP9s5KO6X9GL1w-rraYBkg8GSk4BtlwqeqXJoRkllWDI8zotrIm13pXC2byTZm4BPLIOAEYnsRB5TNH0d9rx9mgHg6y6OJkXFda23W4aMavGb0-l5oX2KhqnMipKR75SB1ZPRg/s400/boston11.jpg" /></a> (Statue in Boston Common Park)<br /><br /><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfU1tsOSGsCE2x3oy9bQPVMWMGDovphkZEgoK5vLW6SFu-pzSb8-r5dXOFsTGG-iQJGKLXgQT0U0q_fVr7pUrpAclo4RpT-AWEuRv7DAwfV6g8nRhX8UedoBFtcSn_6Pm9tzDJMubvxU/s1600/boston10.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613238158382227282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAfU1tsOSGsCE2x3oy9bQPVMWMGDovphkZEgoK5vLW6SFu-pzSb8-r5dXOFsTGG-iQJGKLXgQT0U0q_fVr7pUrpAclo4RpT-AWEuRv7DAwfV6g8nRhX8UedoBFtcSn_6Pm9tzDJMubvxU/s400/boston10.jpg" /></a>It mostly rained while I was there, but then the weekend warmed up a bit and we were able to go on the 'Freedom Trail' seeing the historical sites of Paul Revere. We saw the Aquarium out on the warf where we stayed, which was very nice. An octopus woke up during the last 10 minutes of operation and it was mezmorizing!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMQhpIjQRQjOl8apo13YWNJHyXXgpb-11Pzc34hnb5jvz2o_EGdngJoGbvTjzoY5gYNBB-Zd2Iqi48JgrA6vuhuxTZWfLz4l8dKOA7WXNc1bCyidz2FaSTMG3lgxmrGeSLqMeAg4fNaE/s1600/boston9.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 204px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613238153265872066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMQhpIjQRQjOl8apo13YWNJHyXXgpb-11Pzc34hnb5jvz2o_EGdngJoGbvTjzoY5gYNBB-Zd2Iqi48JgrA6vuhuxTZWfLz4l8dKOA7WXNc1bCyidz2FaSTMG3lgxmrGeSLqMeAg4fNaE/s400/boston9.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>We got to eat a lot of great seafood and tour some of the older pubs. As we sat in the restaurants and wondered around, we continued to see people with little pastry boxes from a <a href="http://www.mikespastry.com/">'Mike's Pastry'</a> shop. So after a quick google map, we decided to go see what all the fuss was about. </div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAilpUSHFxim0qv_nzpMYFfzYj3yoz0axF77u9rLzGiu-DSWz-NYFLT-xqDhn9HNh3x6Zzy6xLYZMYuks2qnYozC5W-sniGubD4J3pe9k5lW0ZizUgKG2FRLmHiXVpcIWDhPU0iQm4iWI/s1600/boston8.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613238150890351650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAilpUSHFxim0qv_nzpMYFfzYj3yoz0axF77u9rLzGiu-DSWz-NYFLT-xqDhn9HNh3x6Zzy6xLYZMYuks2qnYozC5W-sniGubD4J3pe9k5lW0ZizUgKG2FRLmHiXVpcIWDhPU0iQm4iWI/s400/boston8.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZPKo5WS-vp-rjVUT23z07TM4elFQ3npWbVziPutwyteK0I9SGnkzALDoz4d0EdxEHC9kVe6Icm76vs9-ApSA9SXS29wNvklcEIcvplh24IgMdGDzDW_jXKh9_BlED_F1CNazskviYr8/s1600/boston7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613238149863135138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZPKo5WS-vp-rjVUT23z07TM4elFQ3npWbVziPutwyteK0I9SGnkzALDoz4d0EdxEHC9kVe6Icm76vs9-ApSA9SXS29wNvklcEIcvplh24IgMdGDzDW_jXKh9_BlED_F1CNazskviYr8/s400/boston7.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>The fuss was actually the best Cannoli we have ever had (sorry Chicago). It also happend to be across from the restuarant we visited twice, for their seafood and every day there were lines of people streaming out of the pastry shop. Simply the best stuff!</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLBRSQzmwik_5RCrtD0MFK7SRH9Gt1LNSafSJMGVorJfGOSgpKBRfvpQcumkkJBS6dDMdP0fifEjaMdNpiOQBrMTpMszMkp9sg-pV9z7uOhXsPsVygCcbDHLZdBA4PsOzRNz5aH5xAZw/s1600/boston6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613238144955982898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLBRSQzmwik_5RCrtD0MFK7SRH9Gt1LNSafSJMGVorJfGOSgpKBRfvpQcumkkJBS6dDMdP0fifEjaMdNpiOQBrMTpMszMkp9sg-pV9z7uOhXsPsVygCcbDHLZdBA4PsOzRNz5aH5xAZw/s400/boston6.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9QDZnwpoN4ygxO6MpGZt2l8mosd5XgD9IA-LqEavsSPRvrdmipVhbcD3rv2JXf6bBBZXG-mtjxmtmub78dmNrrs11E927qRHC0Ho83cyFw-sx-lE3F4x01cMaOcx0F8MdW5YVN3m7oE/s1600/boston5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613237816599879954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9QDZnwpoN4ygxO6MpGZt2l8mosd5XgD9IA-LqEavsSPRvrdmipVhbcD3rv2JXf6bBBZXG-mtjxmtmub78dmNrrs11E927qRHC0Ho83cyFw-sx-lE3F4x01cMaOcx0F8MdW5YVN3m7oE/s320/boston5.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div>The restaurant that brought us back a second time was called the 'Daily Catch'. We were told they specialized in Squid Ink Pasta. We found the small eatery, which was no larger than 9 or 10 two person tables, with the kitchen right in the room. (This picture is from the front door and you can see the kitchen in the back)</div><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aojT6BrHyEpAb4Z1idcG5E5rO33T62rMmNkCJ4duHPV1IiyJV1mVRwpAX729jgqMP1JZreF5mKqa2zwP2U3GbJOF3wogKUu7ACdBg_pD5Dx8LmcV7b3f-mhYZSsha3D19C8QFOzg7tY/s1600/boston4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613237811057560514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9aojT6BrHyEpAb4Z1idcG5E5rO33T62rMmNkCJ4duHPV1IiyJV1mVRwpAX729jgqMP1JZreF5mKqa2zwP2U3GbJOF3wogKUu7ACdBg_pD5Dx8LmcV7b3f-mhYZSsha3D19C8QFOzg7tY/s320/boston4.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP16DGJx7xEG0fIBimNQLmXyZz0ztS-q7BHxzOzTAGR61hvylEkv9LNST9L0jOHycaGUkyoYLU8g7NUxfMbdwSMNOToXRq0OdEhk6tnE-WM4b8CIW1fgbpI-iSxrRxjLMr69OUX79xXjQ/s1600/boston3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613237810983414850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP16DGJx7xEG0fIBimNQLmXyZz0ztS-q7BHxzOzTAGR61hvylEkv9LNST9L0jOHycaGUkyoYLU8g7NUxfMbdwSMNOToXRq0OdEhk6tnE-WM4b8CIW1fgbpI-iSxrRxjLMr69OUX79xXjQ/s320/boston3.jpg" /></a>It was more than well worth the wait. The octopus squid ink pasta was so so amazing! In fact I found an accidental peice of glass in mine and continued to eat it and never even said anything it was so so good and they were working so hard. We had to come back the next day for another pasta dish and pastry for dessert.<br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U5UIAlHXmFuJ75y9rpHNNvpVCrNJm4b6dDNbrH6A3CiZRMoxalSB-fK2GF3H-ZgNB3ma5Wqu-7Uo7wO1eu5EUK7ZoebI9wxl8OEL2X3vNOA3iPLrOFYZRjnFAFxuOcBaJx2gSqMUc2c/s1600/boston2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613237808073745298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3U5UIAlHXmFuJ75y9rpHNNvpVCrNJm4b6dDNbrH6A3CiZRMoxalSB-fK2GF3H-ZgNB3ma5Wqu-7Uo7wO1eu5EUK7ZoebI9wxl8OEL2X3vNOA3iPLrOFYZRjnFAFxuOcBaJx2gSqMUc2c/s320/boston2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWccbNELNd1k09QvhOPmhBXGPojKvlZHuH38-YPHSvOGeZNo0eCWeSNKC1TlXNFo_8HTP4qf_kqseSB4CSaq_TWOYjTvJZ-YxJwzjOkTFubtkI-RLhP7TQBerREIqyp6nEDKkLea_6mwA/s1600/boston1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613237804418560898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWccbNELNd1k09QvhOPmhBXGPojKvlZHuH38-YPHSvOGeZNo0eCWeSNKC1TlXNFo_8HTP4qf_kqseSB4CSaq_TWOYjTvJZ-YxJwzjOkTFubtkI-RLhP7TQBerREIqyp6nEDKkLea_6mwA/s320/boston1.jpg" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-46487288876560409762011-04-06T06:00:00.000-05:002011-04-06T08:36:27.079-05:00Cheese Making<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563676829215919810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicsX1la4yhkKpZT2McBN0o3N7FoUPF22kZS7HiC-JpTl8bgn_Oez_KZ1E9BuhUCoKbTRjuv52PLzxSj-7E-loMn5_mYpC1MrhX2qT2xmv0Iq2mwXEnMNybZ3YPVmfDtGIK7h1JqL0UeCA/s400/cheese3.jpg" /> Last year, in 2010, Mr. Mike and I took a Cheese Making class from our local guru here in Minneapolis, Jodi Ohlsen Read, from <a href="http://www.shepherdswayfarms.com/">Shepherds Way Farms</a>. With just a few ingredients we learned that you can make ricotta or paneer from fresh milk. You just fill a large pot with 1 gallon of whole milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream. Heat slowly to a soft boil right around the time that a light foam starts to form, stirring slowly. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Set the pot aside and let the mixture separate into whey and the cheese (about 1/2 hr - 45 min) Scoop out the cheese into a strainer lined with cheese cloth and drain softly. Mix with herbs and salt for a fresh taste. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563676842858110658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX_7SoaSU2XxKvzSVN9Rv7uFXLZeq2Ouolnhp_BlU5aiEfYcLkLMHflrABemw2VFWMHHDcli8EndOcZMdS4axV5MuYj0cZzQtZW9j3tqAHO6ZlITxt7NArqVCsidcyfiS0UFxBW4Xe90/s400/cheese5.jpg" /> We saved off the whey, which is still good when mixed with a shake. It has lots of good protein and elements in it. Also dogs, chickens, and pigs really like it mixed with food. Just a little bit though. After our first successful ricotta we tried paneer (press the ricotta till it is thick, cool, slice, and grill) we also bought some specialized cheese products to make mozzarella. Next would be a farm house cheddar. After that we'll have to invest in a cheese press and heat/humidifier to make some of the more high end cheeses. It's a process! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563677170388795906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLcvWuHJ4Cd6MOmS3p9jpCXk5cliljQuYbYVjtdcZlHW6bBwEanPLKUr19rIk5mubbh7f_B6F8zDuwJ3f91UdysdjMjTbQHFDuMVwhHwfUF62Mi54X5LZvyuPiD3JBUsCjIFTuWD22AI/s400/cheese6.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563676822423664994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWDXpNzX_2Hpj4VA8XVa0GU2zuCzHLC3upxAf8lxVSqvgrnMSSCtVY0_SnV10t6u14qPurOt6DVWI-N9dYJa_zq-mum0KA-ob3fP2Zg40aE8Fq_A9io7WGn2I-xtB95xWJOPlISfAhUac/s400/cheese2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563676816401632930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGeSIHe-B1VeNHzVAkt5Totb1RIWgTAyUzjHgGT6KYD0m6-4xEWw-I_olcHJnFH-e1BJs9n2Owu6LfBmDaeN4umTKy5TK8C_9rsxKqCVJ0V2pquUK2r0PI9tCj9IBQcGjeESqILRfCXwM/s400/cheese1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563676833363678402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndPilpJvkZy8vCBoZZxBWnKMYW8uQWJUEptwdpDsojJDJfIuD6QJwBEVdT2CHOTjOa7BE_u3NBxsxSJJ2A9XyxeU6ov4xbl7KxU9akOjWtd6S05mBmcnzF8PD2Gil2bAVn_-TvViEScU/s400/cheese4.jpg" />Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-15919944629292851032011-03-11T07:05:00.001-06:002011-03-11T09:01:29.695-06:00Celtic Trip (Day 9) - Edinburgh<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582253730475410450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUcF6L_wQnrgUUB7P-o-_Y84uuyEqMPDltsZCSfn94zyXIcuouTggj0CDCpGZ3fFQJjzmMXS6IgHMeDwCVd8Ap9_YG0-kKmmwHn4O8cIyopvWnpUwPzuudqlyKzRyy4JAiDYtdpz8oiY/s400/volcano2.jpg" />Our last day in Scotland we decided to climb the extinct volcano that makes up the large park areas in the middle of the city.<br /><br />There were two ways we could go up the mountain (we found out later) the easy paved road way, or the hiking trail with stone steps cut and built straight into the side of the walls.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582253735352113922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis3SqrCgB0SQhhjF81SmnZ7SfUdbQ8URYIeAungA12LXzBKT_JXLi_5G0JXawzxgfVZjcqxeyJYfJHJQBN0_jufxn2B18Mt1NaWdNsBX6KiujC4laGEHarg6tLxqQaCANMIsMpapqsLBo/s400/volcano1.jpg" />Yeah we choose the second option. It was a really beautiful hike. So much of the city to see and very few people to meet.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582253725414180674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6rPZpGvbwydWM113dglOW2Uk8L9yybr2ofUEB3h0n99-vDhoJcxdS071peBusPU1lLNRSBNdOTbAIoNTvQOLTI-JlofDGFgG5MK6nRWGJFpc0Jf-Uj5FacaSklbNBdcVRp6OcM3fAVE/s400/volcano3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582252816198498082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTUzPatwfnDrIq08KjgxozU4obzhOXl3AGerHVUCTFr5Hy4hKcZDE2W5x853DwOFtOgyKrka3IEGRXypV62qJojMimj5c-M7XX_QVcYciDXbm5oLbWR68qD9U6Zhw02-6N1jEGj_JzQIQ/s400/volcano5.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582252808261942946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGj9JSQ7qk5eg89la-ypq3awH3TM-wcIa3oZmJ4SjaYjE9SiBsTG6vl4oii7U9jS5viM3jzb56q79xAQwjRQUK7xgV-V0s4hqlP_7J0m8LbS7BfP4xli4GCM5IeaFuRFGB78VoWgpIv4/s400/volcano6.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 193px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582252800956477394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyLXL7Qb51oFBBmdE3JIrDBoBFOnKhtvBZR7nG29P6e4a9UvOINFJgM4GQuuMlh0EdvA_NDaHUyWpDk9GkxUSpqE90dbc3RJmR2-yCxCG9klHCWl5fEvYHFOefF7OKfDwEOSICDP4i3Vw/s400/volcano7.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582252819707448914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4jpmRcKg8jtN5sJKFXvNO4uGsTT7ePnFdYeigVeuEr3oeZLEuntBSMYWtNGCIPFK1VfVk-Omu13z6y-yQi6K6eRWf_hwioGjGgJkRy1YZSbZHxSUSO-y9zdbFr8eyfMaLpMAfqZp3Dw/s400/volcano4.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582252794392633026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpFgGKJJfOwbtZEW80D3uCPWtIt5zWfppAhQlbEG4RsqvfYrmrH8Lek0A39kkUyg1qyJldUyvb5OV_b-2OgIPz0jSe6S5jQ0BVvdqMwFtHsT22qXj9aZWEBMwccEyGjso3vXyBKxp0Ug/s400/volcano8.jpg" />View from the top of the extinct volcano.<br />Lunch was Haggis and Scottish pies at 'Auld Jock's Pie Shop'.<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582253740528159858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpy1HlOlAAMnpQFtqwQCrxXgh0AbgitAJiNDtrpehzL8nkI4tGreR-PQSIXQsdYCUz5GvGf1e1pLgFgEmCAkkiunhQ31tnWpMhIa5vNlAZkD5hYAU9e-3xEyrIKTFdMXA8dBbEV4N8LA/s400/auldjockspieshop.jpg" /></p><p>For our last dinner we ate at 'The Mussel Inn' where we got local raw Scottish Oysters with red wine vinegar and onions. Possibly the best ones I've ever had.<br />I got a pot of mussels in roasted red peppers and for dessert we had a Sticky Date Pudding soaked in Toffee with what seemed to be a Ground Cherry on top. We asked what it was, but the waitress didn't know, it tasted super sweet for looking like it's american twin.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582834791101724978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSGU1Ao9B5PF-3p1guvfe1UyUk1EJD9zqxpz4qq-GjK67qMpEF6tDpNUK30qmloNveWpXJpRFZyKt6LhyeJEKEvRtEOITf6_CN1bbAaOeUUcLGW4h4Kx2wzn1s_ICBl_IQDBsXBYLJJI/s400/DSC02112.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582834333003816018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8B76uE-7m9_sr5plVfNmv034MPoWeHAkEf5ZTxf7P9C5ig3Z6_e8rHeCHj3FNBPjRWMpTKPkw465RK5FV1WKK3xyTEl3F6N0QMMlEoZQhyphenhyphenfd9q7c_jJ0wmuemJ2AXVmIDNNa4jejMJA/s400/DSC02115.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582834330707499138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufKrjMslt_-Y414h7lplpbQOkE4QkhL-Fpvxpu6XcA0DNLxtaodt7TFVAYFDjvQROpqbvWY1IrHUO3YbmWdNhlSCgj-wsgd8SiqVAHo8YkHuE2qsdjvm7aE-gP45vzlf2ypvS6cIzIS0/s400/DSC02117.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582834341830359282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxOD3KWWr3_L_f1vphXXcjOMJIyv-TZ3-NW1htcVRaXsnEsKBXDiLgoHIClBFL11hrp5YrglZof_beJz5XiG6iwePkpQWwIY-NjIzuEcGstfeyLKCQaainkk3_qlZeX-ET5PzXZCboJc/s400/DSC02121.JPG" />Great vacation :) </p>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-81092982059894806312011-03-11T07:00:00.001-06:002011-03-11T09:00:24.581-06:00Celtic Trip (Day 8) - Edinburgh<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582250891264969330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XodR7Y9PSe6zrMB6b3gUUqbyLBun1LpN6xyY4FtSyARbeEHN8wgDWE-QuF1_Nzj-8zcd_HmuynjFUqKZnWHf_ojY716n832MpB5VqqbkSnSVF82aQHJG_UF0w3faBxddoAfRpqJBBl0/s400/castle3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582250887757822674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_AYe6Kb4R2x57EZ4YRZRjzBesaLPieJshbNzLdHfMsZGLpfbg5hMWKpBtSJ2P-2a7tCMK695_wnqtHIa3rM0kbmrxqGxdgYZzjXhT7dGFhldprfbpEoUX4ivqSnh0fZSokCQWcvNC3o/s400/castle4.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582250900132918882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhSIAkTtyWwYNvNOzM5QzM_4XBGpO-Ty8ZbK8e5h7qPEHk1iYfXBaTFpFsu3kaUu2RuKoztpYqXzYACg9fD4uDvcnDmROQbTWWWUFn9OOG0S42tbLAV-spadl3gPB4BI5ujzpddvpe8w/s400/castle2.jpg" />The city of Edinburgh was amazing. It very much exceeded our expectations going in. There are so many old and beautiful stone buildings. Our hotel was located right off of Prince Street, across from the castle that we visited the first day.<br /><br />The day was pretty overcast and the coldest that we had, but it was a good day for seeing the Art Muesum with a Vermeer exhibit and shopping a bit. Still no rain so we were happy!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582250906226159234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcjbQ8Di8AKSPpqqScVTqhWqU_mysJypNdtg8JIkaWq4xrR8P4Vc320qjzkiy2iceu3Z2mfv9eosaKZa7q2zPE-RAV4pqrc4faXzvdla5pl7II-su8RmFOdEXRYMffWz3ewEVeMiz4iA/s400/castle1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582250877857782626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzULRkI1l_k72RNNDPKfqzUzlGKCwi6rufdpMhAwGa4RuGeIknHdVGpbXV5fOY4yT1WfUTbW7mN8CrFdTLzs-uFuSe43oudmDblFk74M52R3LR5sGoVJ_VFwcPzUWxxVE2iQIG3JloBlE/s400/edin1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582249493163894050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6PjZtL-5KHsW3A337a7Zh-uerKOfTRsd2DbD3IVdCkZ14zqqZb46hMVWZHEdpeSsyMNXKVGI2TwX_R4cphMgDBFUnnqhcZlgCbH8J6rTGB4C2Tk5fIoNOoY-V1mOUeIOKPchVmNKFLw/s400/edin3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582249490756138834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48WljkpAi8roWRrgg92-tOddTSrgU2xe0zGKXSbtm7Qtpdbd71FjVc2xNDn2NrJHXXFQoPjpAsI8RO4nA-F0meAjn1tpJwKOyiNduro1MHPFm6eJy30s4Py9kpOF_mn-WH3wvhlt-T-Q/s400/edin4.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582249481671533538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXpNrExmyQvNS75yL8gylzceKFtrJqV8qDOm1w_Js9RmKAGXx2UjF08RoES7pd_WiLRUgaJO1f7f6DBnwF6Pd5bWSApj93HmeOJJxpcOVK6iL6x2jVqkNwRCe-oxVHjVeEyx10mTXFkuI/s400/edin5.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 134px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582249476226779346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeJjb4Dzm9uQEe_5Ha5XUQrtpTYcnNkvtY_OMpkV7PnqM3yrdbBY_LdHD9RlIc5p9cvJG7TEp-ak32_1G5MZ_0-_CVnDB9XWk7SLjrZY6bmVFoeEKXCuKpFOLKMb6SbRRGAyekjbkdViI/s400/edin6.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582247976297788994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5CGaZ7H2eyDDWfWUa4VzDPvbFzMm7WMsV6YOwVAVdfCJs4D4GelArxVaS8JMzUA8covGgz2PFbAmtyY1GTpOW7BnSmXr9xUUXg4oBYRnvBpf3A4JtuN2refuC-__RkBYUFASirW1zJoU/s400/edin8.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582247982217781730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIoGvfDlUNyEgM_loO8Tc4f6sNh8VtR-V8Cgflhs5iX0Sbmi7qyD35_XkH-S6KT1UuaE7j9JS4BA6JiDaaCLnCoW0UjjJmBdsxQ2-AkAW4hsma90EjJElXrGuLGxX5qFRwQA4m1DZFlmc/s400/edin7.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582249499160578242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipItT7CkiosmPZyznGOOR1AYcOwISezLH8oyR1j11cj_DPEnv-65oW4VSdII1yHW3-xvy2PW35CtZkjbTpgOemi7AnffjLyRWegF5oTrTf1FZ7l9L4SelsoL4-qH0vmhtSZthWG1m3cYs/s400/edin2.jpg" /> <p>We climbed up the 287 spiral stairs in a black tower right in the heart of the city, much like the one in the above picture. The sight was very beautiful, but very very high up!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582247966414478850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkFRxhc_DylF5xFznLjL8qfLp-XG6teddGHa3C3rOUPdm7ZG2MruncgVrfrgwL33o_YUFwNZswYKtmLa_v_PP5vGuGwFzQznYzD9BQ4FxkKW8NWCu_tm72unXZignBJ9Asnh0mWVbRPg/s400/edin9.jpg" />Lunch was Pork Belly and Haggis stuffed Chicken at some random restaurant after we got pretty much lost trying to find Peter's Yard in the middle of a Marathon that was starting.</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582247965289428194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45lmsPdXP8b5lPVmgN2WnCVAIVaxTHlF9FwZVNjtWNHrpLuavQvyhDjvkxWsY8LHWqnNRaBoEnyZsfcjcpJohWDw1cSk0r4XfGyRi6QJs0kdPjLsfpI2cISdKNxN8EZbl4IsysLhUhR8/s400/food1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582247959040339138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjnCCe8rVcC_n4xZkMATOfWMrOO7JWmCX49xuQA_g5vDX7PlUISYSD0A2qTBjr0zsmtdbZ7l88gSlvP4iqA4d8jg9_dlwdtokBqqkySbZ1K-SIbHQ0NRZkOCi0PyJbb1l8XmuuDv3L7k/s400/food2.jpg" />For dinner we went to Oloroso on a recommendation from family friends. They served the most amazing Haggis and Tatties there (minced lamb and seasonings with potatoes and veggie puree)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582831030603118898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmN_ALXdhSvfFUcMViq5j6nHR8zjXvnD-5BmQMdk_OhyMsap4ZTEb9QnxLy_tFPFTPOmfISCdLD4IK3XZeOmhk942Rh_ql4v310jA_7escr5o2aXEU1c2uUYE87RE8MliG2_5gBRoYeQc/s400/DSC02108.JPG" /> </p>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-28569863961291228572011-03-11T06:30:00.000-06:002011-03-11T08:31:29.149-06:00Celtic Trip (Day 6 & 7) - Dublin<div align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582246460222392898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUnYWuNE3YrmyuLxDhK9D0J7eIFPelxUI0RPN7l_6g3Dgohfe6lzigmRPZ1-dWb-mXP0kvpgdRO4_-d1wc4UddyOyeHFX_lbQKWuUNiU4dNAHh48NxmhbhjjlIIAqM8WvEZ-y7ZoyaJ7E/s400/dublin1.jpg" /> View of Ha Penny Bridge</div><div align="left"><br /></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582246457588868706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyANcYCQjo4tiRinfON2CwsxJCJRIhVfs32BAN_CLLLH82MhHclRuspWAxZsKPjDh6WY5sm0q8fbajpceNTTCnYAcPLb7fvvGzuqXCQo-8qmyFIAaITDWDdufdKwzcA_bAO_vMmq8FL78/s400/dublin2.jpg" /> Trinity College<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582246445899202546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2hI0ba0oPYVl593ju7rhbFHrMOS0J8tatNKYQy29er1yvBBrYLbUZoHBUQ-np_V7hEFow2urgUOz4K1c9d_V1WJi10OKdvxcSgM3W2db0B176yKQOVexZyk9yabkY5Qq2LVrB3fO7sQ/s400/dublin3.jpg" /><br />We had attempted to get lunch a a restaurant across from Trinity College called 'The Pigs Ear' the previous day, but it's such a small place that they didn't have room for us without reservations, so the next day we had a wonderful meal with Salmon and Pork Patte dishes. So so yummy! Exactly the Irish-modern fusion meal I was looking for.<br /><br />Afterwards we headed to a wonderful dessert shop called 'The Queen of Tarts', they've won a lot of awards, and it's not hard to see why. We ate the Plum and Pear tarts. </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582245654739400786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid0uYP4Mpibkwqr2smXcFuoZlzZ-28fXaKocq30hMd2vp4i-GrDvNE1UmAyQGB562quXMutJ0zoFrknA676mNgPCD_mc6kFAWVzyWf_RfmoHP5PwZHwv_bGk_pYaRbEqY7Q7ae1cPnAqM/s400/food3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582245662866239714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j8eUiy_0INBB0GnICBXtJRrZYyAKfcSbacwCkOZSzmsyAU4-qlzi4tWPd2kx1Gyp0cj1LcjnojsD7k_Pwwll2124UmtF0FGhGPak0VOK0zE4yUu8XvbPaCUv2assUIJBqmNS4xfl958/s400/food2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582245638745132898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPoa8bfySleoyYjEDipxjb5xvaMhIat-xS5MvFMy9l-_NlCS5vzK4w2r_l3fWtE7yhN6DXbCpqmhgqEEkPGeABz6vHFROUFPMVZQr5amNp3GaXyg08hp1R-wQgEyRFayaFaSidqQIMQF8/s400/food5.jpg" /> </p><p>The evening of our Musical Pub Tour came and we had a (generally) wonderful time. I say generally because there was a group of three extreamly rude New Yorkers who spent most of the night with our group talking over the music and crabbing to the wait staff. Wonderful representation of the states ;-)</p><p>But regaurdless the music was wonderful and the musicians very knowledgeable and helpful in teaching us more about traditional Irish music 'sets' (ie just regular people who come to the pubs to play and drink beer, not sell thier CDs or gain tips)</p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582826864150396978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAn41mfTEAXJIssH0yM47-QBd_D3iYZpL5NQAO9P6j7G5Jl0EDwdgCRVB6y6Hp0d8I2JTGqKYRB6wz-QOSMjMX2J7mJ9AnLejDoCtprp7571YkTB5aTyNWwEbA_NS3VxYEEhfz_dhjt7k/s400/DSC02105.JPG" /> </p><p>We were lucky enough to see one of these sets at the last bar we went to that night. I group of three younger guys were in the bar, just playing and drinking. They didn't take requests, they didn't have a tip jar, and after an hour or two of playing they just packed up their stuff and left. </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582826868594176722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvAb_5_i5os_ALEFDZQi_7XX81VJoQGAj13Ce5E-nUhCRzhvJ1fEGTGg8aZyKp1QzN3Rivjcciy_FzUz4Swpsm2CLbHf6DhiPnEzDOMG_vbkt6rRGDh86kMTqY18fFMfXpBB_RlrgaCk/s400/DSC02107.JPG" /><br />The last day was pretty quite, we finished up some shopping and stopped at a local Cheese Monger store (The Cheddar is SO amazing over there, and I can say that coming from Wisconsin)<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582245666955752178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIE9b6i_tliEvu1TcG8lFFseUOhPVlZgiOcdVFCGKG8zt4HeumkA00gAwP4bZos7yvgOEL0KfjhicYyvjewDX93_TEmuD4zNGQStg_OeF748fzju6DwT6X_akWGcMx_PPz8qXQU_4pmf4/s400/food1.jpg" />The remainder of the day we saw the Book of Kells, some more of the college, the Castle, and went out for some 'pour your own Guiness' </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 398px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582826861776936098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Ak6Jc-sJIOUSvH0Tg3o-EUUFUxg8b2k3V_uvaSvLBknI0yTCeTF530qfjVD6PFVXilhbI2s2mnnGTDz7PEqz05cXmfA-nSYk28PDbr3E6bPNZCa3e4HeMMMCWVcrMFwYTGf8ZNUd6io/s400/DSC02100.JPG" /> </p>On to Scotland!Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-136406916049175282011-03-11T06:00:00.001-06:002011-03-11T08:12:28.575-06:00Celtic Trip (Day 5) - Dublin<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582244276327832770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUYm9Sew7bzZ6L5H9ssUgCVNGYMDgoMnpOT2TXqBslp4EEqkmuk89_jpgFJxRTjKOtNLoWaqtqm-xxjqx16iWV0GJ5YaL4Df15w0MRWchZG6w7gJ64g8XP6lRBvUcmmx8BAvOp6s4opU/s400/dublin1.jpg" /> <div align="center">(Sausage and Egg Sandwiches for breakfast)</div><br /><br />When we first landed in Dublin, 4 days prior to this, we took a taxi to our rental car. The cab driver asked us where we were from and when we said 'the states', the first thing he said in a very rich irish accent was "Oh yeah are? Have ya ever bin on that show 'Judge Judy'"?<br /><br />I balked a bit and said, "No, no I've never needed to be on that show, I don't even know where they film that!" ....and "That is a very poor representation of the US"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bkma_nPi8TRznp0x7V2lELU6Yr3pkL20DD6o_F7J2H7TFDjlsIpvbV3-u5oaM-XslECbvqGOi_VjeHUbVY7dSFf-mfZAWRxtn_hjn6CB8KnWsxkedDZ808U9JQ6ESOUkPgRexmthv3I/s1600/dublin2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582244270963184178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bkma_nPi8TRznp0x7V2lELU6Yr3pkL20DD6o_F7J2H7TFDjlsIpvbV3-u5oaM-XslECbvqGOi_VjeHUbVY7dSFf-mfZAWRxtn_hjn6CB8KnWsxkedDZ808U9JQ6ESOUkPgRexmthv3I/s400/dublin2.jpg" /></a> Funny what other cultures associate America with. At the same time, I thought Dublin was going to be covered in pubs and stone walls, where in fact, it's a fairly new city. Historically it was a smaller villiage that was never in high demand for occupency (since the Irish chrished farm land more than sea sides) So when other contries invaded, the Irish willingly gave it up. So over the years it has been inhabited by different groups, but not as a 'proper' castle city.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaflj6QZLz-4gwzscdn7SGf-CmkQV6I5iNrMJ1iFRnyAybrxzIXzKTQZtvAJ5yq0-E0l5w_eYdVeeilddPzDrdYUoeZDStOaov-MQb9-JuCp0xJYPzDmUHN9i1ywolpxQUrV8ZFmwai0/s1600/dublin3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582243191171365090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRaflj6QZLz-4gwzscdn7SGf-CmkQV6I5iNrMJ1iFRnyAybrxzIXzKTQZtvAJ5yq0-E0l5w_eYdVeeilddPzDrdYUoeZDStOaov-MQb9-JuCp0xJYPzDmUHN9i1ywolpxQUrV8ZFmwai0/s400/dublin3.jpg" /></a><br />Now it's a very bustling college city, with some beautiful gothic style churches and a strange conglomeration of a castle.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582243184040777730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaANI7Y5xrWDUnTr2kqs0lqPyW71O1WX-p1aAtf_QPfP8T_2pbCk4dIB-np-773C4Z9HFI3EbKRBA87zm1paqRmnnIAdW32a16pcXBU7IR_XnNwIWzvQvg-jPNCvDifmd9CXS1JzjYMWc/s400/dublin4.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgvvwYJvO7NT4drSXEcBVLAezMcLs8iil7hiLvXs5Addavw8tHmDpPb1GSLIVAUOP_u2rC055DVHwZYo9xfi4M8vjLCRDe8X9LaftZA6VhO_fT2KzGN3KJBrTt2Jy002dJ6ZttU8SlOc/s1600/dublin5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582243173184128098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgvvwYJvO7NT4drSXEcBVLAezMcLs8iil7hiLvXs5Addavw8tHmDpPb1GSLIVAUOP_u2rC055DVHwZYo9xfi4M8vjLCRDe8X9LaftZA6VhO_fT2KzGN3KJBrTt2Jy002dJ6ZttU8SlOc/s400/dublin5.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kdF9gpeV9iwEl1zinPtZtDyHbGQGi6c563hEE7ZrjPfgKUqwsQ0d-6Z3lusqCwtR6iqcRBKWbuZerAOvd7CN1b7DWd8-IwGkttkJMSuhiEimaEP7AeonAurma16etXOx52IebZQQjEE/s1600/dublin6.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582243165177979122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kdF9gpeV9iwEl1zinPtZtDyHbGQGi6c563hEE7ZrjPfgKUqwsQ0d-6Z3lusqCwtR6iqcRBKWbuZerAOvd7CN1b7DWd8-IwGkttkJMSuhiEimaEP7AeonAurma16etXOx52IebZQQjEE/s400/dublin6.jpg" /></a><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582243156667359458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPTwoLoiORNuqIewJjeb-5WlheuplLUEomxZxEWBEQ1fUOFkLK5qVRKkr5ptwQyJEVqd0MQlJYLsK9FKBEnVnJj29xlUgihDHG7TqZJbiC1EGYccMdoP_jdiRtFBHviCzFGTuhZ8HFEE/s400/dublin7.jpg" /><br /><div><div><div>The family owned bar (called the Ha Penny Inn) told us that the Temple Bar area has only become 'popular' and touristy in the last 10 or so years. The first day we walked through the area, knowing that we had a Musical Pub Tour coming the next evening.</div><div></div><br /><div>That night we had dinner with a co-worker of Mike's and soaked up some Guiness later on. So much better over there, I'm not sure what they do to it, but it's much more smoother and fresher tasting than what they serve here!</div></div></div>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-57079091314595456352011-03-10T06:00:00.002-06:002011-03-10T08:04:12.061-06:00Celtic Trip (Day 4) - Cliffs of Moher<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582241376706372306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCa-zDkDSFnOY_776ZRmFFhgUmjAHnD9PSQC3LAVQ3ljKH2oYHBhQBbLbdN4ZhyphenhyphenDmbByqsAXwgHExnXsuKUTL-D_YQDoHhy4cReVG-1pazr9yZay97ARnRXlNM3mZ7zDkDRIY52650tM/s400/drive.jpg" />Our last morning in Killarney was a bit overcast as we headed north to the Cliffs of Moher. We were both hoping that the sun would be able to shine through the clouds soon enough.<br /><br />There were many small towns up the coast with brightly colored houses. We stopped in one just south to get some Fish and Chips for lunch. Thankfully by the time we got to the cliffs the sun was shining.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582241368984191730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-oeiydTR6pydUq8q1XpdJfSZvdoANcylO-WUnSdi_O_Rk1nkBMIpSgz86ywCPL3PZVKd85n-YvCeBtHE3-ogA6drs5nZj_F9SILg2xLqk-vBzH-qicucw4kwp2ESRqXAinAesJgOXwE8/s400/food.jpg" />It made for a beautiful misty day, great for pictures<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582241916956723186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtCZkn31xOrsxQpBYzp3rfNxBtbb2jjb3ohIFG2UijORww1SVg8wqriXxutZMuy13o23hALmcHehBgNKQY4YeKSjLgimoHBre1AudnFBE-9FP3E-Uv9lWwfDhr0HAqJc52tqVuDuGlZE/s400/cliffs2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582241909874008706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwQDActMkAXrE47jF3TCYdY9xOOvu8hCTDGtZQ2-ZrhHxHgsqesv1dPzmQPWLTk1ami8bo4JML6kqxn0AWmxufM5Y-52hPrFXNuMt8Pfc6q1VyHv9QTuSPp-KUidDwiF1ujOZjTbKr7I/s400/cliffs.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582241903003144194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyQ9fDNSYlBzSPhzaT7Jh8CiSEkpk1ArVuZ9k2VIMjvutGjt2MNgg8veir2SJyEtHv1KfrZ6NxyzPDd-aGiUXw1T0fogubTrJv5JC6Yhf80H6SwA_lqBuf-pKDRdCgR6ovA12IcSP_UE/s400/cliffs3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582241393980233570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRAIyrKCSnnmfCB25gIWEO6NcM3xZdCZY5I8M2eHa5HP_sQ9J-Q1T3_Ul_Br3xASIErH4LkgPJrySfRf29kG1Cq2KI5Gh_IXm6HINfnuYi5tD28_52ZwiM3DXEoWXcz1Goo2PBpJmW4X4/s400/cliffs4.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582241382676501410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9w6fr4jtUn_KMQHYsgfPLWy-E7bOIL-vdhLh8AFJhN82yPBt-MFbg_mzCFP8jI_QbxNavIaJqq9E6PVZ771uH9U3To29Up8j88VfBfjuwE9xjfiOg_4iuuW3HvltrMNx7RTScX1B2eaM/s400/cliffs5.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 218px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582241381541028594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisqk11auBVP1m11AnSPxFFwTSJuxZ_2O_ercnzRO0D_dGfc0lL0RyBWpGzbBfzlLZwkd1xXilLacuMK2GMexWZVxXzmqdpHakxh-lgkavVFuN_BmuwEsVj1Jka-kZbN0QEVt-zbm54d-E/s400/cliffs-touched1.jpg" /></p><p>Then a long ride into Dublin to drop off the car and get to our hotel.</p>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-84627584863557797562011-03-09T17:44:00.004-06:002011-03-11T08:02:35.437-06:00Celtic Trip (Day 3) - Blarney, Cork, and Dingle<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582234248460504674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqDOxHaVZFVuWSizUsIEd8LG0Xfg4JAi6mbYQVDoKkd8DwW1BkyHImYwTDS6aYIhz-HerGVG2O7gyVpU43RkEfkARGoJzYfTDktt2rbJudUqwONC_tVcDfw0h9Gzki845J3AV_71MpdM/s400/blarney6.jpg" />On day 3 we decided to be aggressive.... b.. b.. aggressive.<br /><br />We drove down to Blarney and then to Cork, trying to have enough time to make it back up to Killarney and then further north to the Dingle Peninsula.<br /><br />Blarney Castle was very quite when we arrived that morning. We climbed up the turrets and made it to the top part where we were alone (expect for the stone helpers)<br /><br />Nice not to have to wait for lines of people kissing the stone. I handed the camera to Mike and went first, being head-over hung down to kiss the Blarney Stone. I got up and Mike took his turn while I took his picture. We started to walk away and he said to me "Kel, I didn't have time to take your picture." AH! I can't come all the way to Ireland and not have a picture kissing the stone!!!! So we walked back and asked if I could do it again.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582234257478044610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2Ti7gQzcM5MvKF4688O1tt6vssufEXQot00PAI6xSssLOwThANuAyJbcyrj-RWp9CshICZ7cjV1oDt62D_qLTXsa6E1RI3HP2GOBvjy6EdhNWHiIZhMoulg4AXr79jDB8Dqyf7DeAKg/s400/blarney4.jpg" />"Why sure! what ever will make you happy", the guy says to me. So I got my picture and kissed the stone twice! :)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582234267819663682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMfgyxprxezUFMh4FMH0rHkTxL7JlVQIvYM8eCNRijyeX4oqS5YbZf0yoJ46ri4wITBg_BzARCEW-J3EQdvapAW1YIYTA8KTLXzNxKHmXo1NnT82FsKiG4b11k0uC5jMSKbKAJAZz6ig/s400/blarney3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582234255629385634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDTmsMbc3AkKpshNnJU4ECUWMN1OC64udIttxxnRnn5ZFgNQ5Hrpdm9egRa8J6tYhTs51q3xMuy1tllbRSY6R4WB9PIojzPHmmcoSn8R8Bkh0Bz9T_KTk6VyOvWDHx1iK_j2o6Z-sk0Q/s400/blarney5.jpg" /><br />Afterwards we walked around the wooded areas and saw a really beautiful clearing that you could totally understand why the culture is based on fairies and other wood spirits. Sunlight beat in and a little mist came up from the green green plants.<br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582235005069464674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvylFiwqTUp-VAsUkqqcY4xApvOamEp5TFeiXOJteLgLIBlp7pkawtey9izHfiVraw_PmJkW4KS6BHaHRPwRXkPrJgWy-GrmpyExbmBT3NxxfcinwIuXLLzX_1cM7gUD_hPZM9uuTwrdA/s400/blarney2.jpg" />There were waterfalls and lots of areas to explore.... but we had to get moving onto Cork!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582235013555941906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibW3yRg4_8Nm7ckMfXL2amQjYnR0LPMXbKZNTnB_ThySwFjK_6bkktU8owKljV2viBvMStpck-UyOoz8Azkpg9mBX0woHocItIbUpluI-PTqVSQ19_8CdFm-zH3FNq6_UQ8xrbgwa6Kck/s400/blarney1.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 324px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582234241000618290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTedbysOQ_ViST6sf2lMAxmUVPM1Cf25Q5V94LEh6FBdL32otFmt2S8Aw2iRVzcVfeTud92AmMMjSx3FQt-zD9tQPHD2JXGs_d9JOAYwWyl59Cn2C-hhGoi-5ic_W3sQrW_xwve_ysgH4/s400/blarney7.jpg" />The reason I wanted to go to Cork was to visit the Old English Market. A large historical market with local produce and vendors.<br /><br />We got some sausages....<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582233044248289938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJRkcErdSFEM8ZRO29CCKvDWh-FPQp9LHU8GGkqoBLWu9w8X1INvrwAGzLdk1fFI4Djk0Km3qq3BFDkr3iYJHc79_SzQp2vbzYqYHPm870ZYITvbv3Suw6YM8bKFYEZTZiMDHCwrCcqj4/s400/cork1.jpg" /></p><p>Saw the different cuts of meat.....<br /><br /></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582233037035908914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtYBJt7Xj-Lk60erw22eqrc087gI19uiY302J-7GgIZRBObNxlPUYRey3XhNl8zxijm_yRD5M-t7zrSuI1Dpf5DLqZB91TOikCcEhHoxUFxwqhR8QVMvG0A1kL3UClIlrcT4BEsFY2Iqs/s400/cork2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582233031814446658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh13NoCCr5yLlIBgkBTBaDd7zbDaaY1cWsciYsa1Lh96DkSUkV66dptgiCCdiKHfmgh2JQ8_IXsnzzl7-c5sNc9VtFkTilXEBe4vtuhaH0c3BBeAGY1nfp6xdRrSUNXHanaZlB_jQqM40g/s400/cork3.jpg" />And had some of the best Oragnge covered chocolate peices I have ever had... yum!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582232999203890626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvC0EuV-P7on8Y-_r8i_9YMhDsRLANd86t3q5fy2-PYa3d3KADxN0vSErlzERnEXizVJQ_DkC-4eVgxmNtk8pGgj1oCHbPGfXumcSBncosK9O0BQLJGX2BcJj_mTm-Q0gXtkZ_E986MNA/s400/cork4.jpg" />After we sped up to Dingle. Seeing lots of more sheep along the way (they are everywhere! Grandpa you were totally right!)<br /><br />(Oh and that sheep in the lower left corner is staring at me so hard because there is a dog barking at me in the background. All the sheep turned and ran away from me right after this)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582232982976625970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXLJI965-QCkctgh5Jtg4yUpdwDDxK3FfJtxoKN7Qw6QqZzLzMLFR7LT9zlyv5YnIN1Mr_WK5KHJGXrEs1fgaqYpFmy6rK5YSKTjS6hVTy9QMXYRvosebHp6illIgByaQyMPBIp4H_K4/s400/dingle1.jpg" />More beautiful landscapes next to the sea.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582231374773980322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7fW_HKumQKLMmLNTA7GfqKxwZxbi96ehy1uaPsl8xkbesLhjZCvazmiSXCKJDa1EdM0kog81F7PQ682LV7Z8n1jORRDxA16oOAb2-lmGciFCN7eZw4utJ6ePNhEadKIY_lgakttpyfYY/s400/dingle2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582231363620703074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQ6Q5Kp6SJqU1nZDKtm9LKrX0MAdppGMUAZR3j7alywaYzO8ZuGGn-dZ8Fs-1ht6A6Z0pyXkhezYUUixmCTE1GMU6AE4DSEKB3r-xnK8BXgpRw85q-9dlJcYjmbivzkxF6sIkFeoYta4/s400/dingle4.jpg" />And the iconic green squares of pastureland.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582231355112833010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKxj8bNZUdhb2g2epy7JWV4Jpi5-dgoywMvx0dOvNf0QEdEQEB5Ul4iNCnkOWdXlcmaEJDwZ62SrIYFR_oe9LaQXKNJPM4taj5iGkBpGVCBDpIpUoSRO8iuRyAl8nyli5MZ7Y6_bqo7D0/s400/dingle5.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582231368138073410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBJ89xLim58d7MLzsCOSf7_X6d2WFA64YoJoboYqcXQ7rS-aWfYWxpjV1J0p7eOGyTHJudGUnggHXWKJNkoUqdDVMY5cUvKdjEAsgNToPAZ5R0ErCun1Ebe5YPivc2BqtflViXtGlPDE/s400/dingle3.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582231347952487474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVYqZhhUKGtBj1FYhpTh4VImS1J1b_TBuFbCnGuOh0KR3be3mH8hy4rpuUs_O2CfUUajqR9FyDJNpJ3Sjs0o0psjAm1n0Htuo7rnHAbtQRAsNixzTH1Jh5F1z5DXCCrpZwGW1_DySHG0k/s400/dingle6.jpg" />So much to to see :)<br />We went out for some more traditional pub food and returned to the same bar to hear a live band playing. The bartender even drew a shamrock in Mike's Guiness as he poured it.... you'll have to tilt your computer screen to see it ;-)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582820706123866274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZ6QrmiSC-PNwq-_LNiT0mL7arWahDUUqfkchDxEaIHC_FNQf_O-Sw9ZX98fLicLVN6IN0Xi0A_XVNUFAhhHSENKvrjWS7xUfEW6zfj9Uvq0cbRMLTovPBIMuy2PXXAl517uno6BB15k/s400/DSC02093.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582820714427178130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHDrORc6ENvDLyxtRWvM7M832ImQQz9b7T9mVogr6s280ZvubRjNy1r-QhoUjB7eAGa-Iz4iuwUB7cbgFpUh2wvIwHqG9TeZERXcMXhrSEFjdRMRqcZIJF_bxqLhsP1B0HWYY1q4X90U/s400/DSC02090.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582820696985968402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_qMclTh02zTLzZorkCeXdIvWBAkiZAuLMXS7RnY7CVBge449B6Ak_o0m6gFegEOMtrc6Ys1sBvEGOASfTwPyQOiM81r-yIgTJXO0Fz-YG7UY2n3w7hcfC0nBUe82chq0J2iGpJMoxyLQ/s400/DSC02088.JPG" /></p>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-10160112727763714072011-03-09T06:05:00.000-06:002011-03-11T07:54:23.454-06:00Celtic Trip (Day 2) - Killarney<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 331px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582102182842263842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFjWSjRjFVS5spLSPGIw9l4_sorgUAWpdZ4rUAuTc0rpFaoQyL1P7rvF7_70vn8EYaqGB4F02w0quWkuL-aAB6DCXAIGKimez5vXBb-eQqpeXrqntN3lBycGL_0sKh7cg490fGCJrPsEg/s400/Killarney.jpg" />We woke up bright and early the second day to explore more of Killarney National Park. We got a quick breakfast at the hotel and set off towards Moll’s Gap (Kenmare in the south, I’ll use the above map to try and give you an idea)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581832416546171506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxXgL9iTyNVnNaYG_Fnytdn9cZz3dFzM7-BpkJyXxX5tWw5C5aihYCRvU4RF6zfy65ZbWIqE07HZKMLdWLPoUScnmEUM2G-4U7617Vr7KYh298dC3evcJ75C_E_TVv1AKKP7lEzzJaL3c/s400/abbey.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581832422071965874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AAW3b7QZzyv2V7kJbppPfC1xKx3wGSFofoGqXDe7JVF7tO2CNRjVC4PwFDiBul0TY7DFzNaj4evsqBA4Ttg-2cl2mScClHi6WlDXgrUXdpSkTuOunUtIBvEEvZ_gwsK0PfUqaSA-teM/s400/abbey2.jpg" /><br />Stopping off at the Muckross Friary, we walked along the lower lake and up to the House. Everything was so green, even this early in the spring.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581838087003415730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHku9cxiB_odXHBzANxNNwi_tLS2c8QFsrZyiexFdydfdkEqwMmVJE1FKhU1EiLzWgLI5uYRk2K-2bE5dPXzrGaJuKd1YtYQvPJkTpd8oZRCohRLwBWN7vWKnBI8-Ybr1JY7kUjVE857o/s400/killarney4.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581838082682237906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFi1_tXBNwgN6mknPWY6S43AoLctYPDN0x42t2iZCHn2ocUaEEIGwLgJkS7RCFAzdWtQP68IEtJH0GnN05dg3rRoJ3GbHczQlOsUtu_J5TUSLQSCrUEd65yBFqhK_SG3k9exq-kto8rH0/s400/killarney3.jpg" />The lake has a beatuiful view and the sun was just starting to get really bright.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581838066021742834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTed5fy7UCGPVR2f4dVykHuEBNXqI_ANnGJVVr4ioGvS1BiZ-7m3J4iVLPa2cRiHB6CXunA2fQmocdDB-3wzrcZIfsU_Qe3dkjYhxB8XhPQ8N8CWLLNj2dQUAdvF5Us0Ratd4dLwPnbY/s400/killarney1.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581838069990019874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2E6OEjteku2PxKXaFr6gSPxf_FYu7lnCrxlEpOf8zJfiuBD9q3SAAN-N6GMLnKvgB0Wv-NFT35VzbcRtCMFAjHCOYlYlG9JkKOjKWugaIH9uPzF_lEK18BlomdAMwtwV5nvztpJLBc0/s400/killarney2.jpg" />We didn’t go into Muckross House, but it has really nice gardens and surrounding areas.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581841372253254018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEuBDULK_z7hwscysUS6uq7q67nj91gtAxmutIwtQPaWHuereCaoTVUkPdPYneU9-Ol6K8zDsalXGrpcBT42o_xNDn-z63A1LsPuEj_9-Mu9QEyecQ7P5OYrW8uDh8F0UoH_Dx-AERuf8/s400/muckross+house.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581839558676274114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoHzLTqr0BymRiRCcrkjT6XxEplE53KCyUl6oKEZrhLqE4t1YSUbdP0xKCFgkaU6mW6op51_Yl5HXVNrJ0h_t_CTZX_TlLj9ccetRPswo-gskXxbpU80jfvYANhNaKNwWUk85xUXW7kM/s400/killarney5.jpg" />We walked south along Muckross Lake to the Torc Waterfall and up the Mountain a bit.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581841877447237714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJZkP2IPs4IbaAyc0VqIfTY2ZGPpUYSbG8yhcQ7RkL9KcljUBLKVO4uVB_kw4-CjJJjVZXn4RBM4ZglsaAlMgx-W75b8gTbVa0isBpK0DoBATGyIgWr0nrLXhNCfl42u1GFbUEzNjYBF8/s400/waterfall.jpg" />By then my feet were getting really sore as I hadn’t expected this to be a hike, so we took a carriage back to the Friary. There were only 3 horses working that day, but our driver said in the summer there are more than 30 that just run the Muckross roads (not including downtown Killarney)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581839566937598226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfecn-rfFcoAewqUtPnLVL2Sq8PVqtMcnlNzxJQ1YLFxNtH7s2Vpnq62chWSOD9WPdsWNe4yRyS3FlouEo1z1OV5H0TNYD0CQalt4mJRgZb4csU6vfOLD_IeDNja1vX3Z60dsDIieltJ4/s400/killarney6.jpg" />Continuing our drive up the main road towards the Kenmare exit we stopped at Ladies’ View and another viewpoint.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 176px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581839577409203506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYMCIUoI_JKChHikAS3sl1eBpHT4Dk4YA-uFiq9YYztNI4LIjKsiwDN9Dpj904LOJhypLoEbqC3lDLQx6e9gaICBEIvmEuI61vkFE5azqPi8haFSif01UdSDIM4s-bNeh-QjjliEBfqs/s400/molls1.jpg" />I finally saw some sheep upclose!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581839591466328306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL3C4Id1FOSpVB03XvF0uMcV2Cih_dwfGD10SUrDbDmd64glUO_depFtPa6Uxd24IbDViHxyTvporXIrqYU3c_6kZ0RfC7sf4NcOUN_XXFXjDlEQRfw1ZqP1xOwOTB4f3Jl0u0GloPwmM/s400/molls3.jpg" />And then it just got rediculous. Up until this point we really hadn’t seen too many sheep pastures close to the roads. So I didn’t understand why people were warning me about having to watch out for the fluffy animals. Then we got into the mountains. There are sheep everywhere. Literally just walking up the roads. We were told they were ‘street smart’ so they would get out of the way. But still unnerving.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581841362314779106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-kH1VpzIejLE-Y_75ri9iQqwmDhmozuWWG-x0urXX2lA_67lUXNyzohwzGAINBAzuYLENwf6JfGYMQcW4bYUlRLBdcLmWDSW5vv1EEYwbLjezQtLefpKJb22thJbwkpUk69oTBy6byF8/s400/molls7.jpg" />Gorgeous views in the hills (can you spot Mike in this pic?)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581841353196134162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5vD2oOpTG1O7qzgHKC2HcmFPDgTbpPgS3LXsbh3Wm3cKdEjyM2woGPTC0NRxnFf8NM8dLd5y6Lb04m63LlLM-wVhiwEywsb1KFpiFqJyKHzroNPMnjpTyTJaYCC6Tv03lQrqB1kcwWug/s400/molls6.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIUPXXmFJBbFauc-xoDAecemmUt_VhHrHg3xkMAJFCOX1aAF1YWB3LRWgXxVS2p1AVaTNh940n-GlB-Pkn2hE20BXGPTrEf7Kkdho_sw2vOJ5OpvBiTXfsRqF7AnfjMtSWspOJlQHrIY/s720/molls4.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581839583589499442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf7f9d-3ehCjIZV2SnWm15EG31eOck1lJtTnhmpaNmxtjaLXLOtJPobO3mJyD07JSZ7v38qAp6V6xOhOOqMr5D0y9glt8Bil4zKxWcBnPpP4bFraXkkOQE2sS4PKdKLPMSwZburC-VoJk/s400/molls2.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581841349956752338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBi7OoDOypB_o4UpxPi-WZ0qbrlXlsqBVSBnYZZf49MDkEVaS6IaD4eCtXRLq2FK9_C1DGMIWWGMgb2Bevp8mElpnLo2w7lg5P5Cj_faaHQbV_qI8rNcYbFseSx3yvUKamHh3o1oRKsk/s400/molls5.jpg" />In Kenmare we got some Fish and Chips and a Fish Pie. Both were very yummy and filling. Afterwards we walked around a bit. There weren’t many shops open so we decided to take the bar tenders advice and try to drive down into the Black Valley and through the Gap of Dunloe, since we didn’t have 5 hours to drive the Ring of Kerry.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581838060104569154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZleIvhGHZI06n6IR9XMpFVzvBfuPEhjk11PUTrcBJb1LFY8VzQhJbERU5vJXqhA_KHcbtd83VkiO8OLSShkW0rI9BUzalVR-4vNxxSsz5d_v-yX3t6suN_Oy72KZWprTElCbRaCOBEs/s400/food2.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581834394540997810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdciFCTYdV0PfcoSNjTKBXpb0jrgFAvOqfdIIA2O_GSNBERBefcrG9FVLgMoqEbhUTIVga-bPw7MoUmwxhQaTxsuPnDYqqemcp7OuIGQVEBynnb2d5AxeG9tyosierpFFtWkcdzMm5iQ/s400/food1.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581834382689449410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGIPtmx0T62n_Pb5651w0iRITR5mnP3ueDl3a8VVXHrHnpjHrerX8ij5ELGKtRwYzzdXzF5rnv3M7hJvEztGFvT4j0RzsZrFnqg6ckXpEVGzMkoinRPnNHYLyA-0yPIQWGWVpWpcJrto/s400/drinks.jpg" />We got some bad directions and missed the turn twice (also due to the fact there were no signs) Finally, we made it into the valley. This drive was the most fun, single dirt road with tons of twists, so you had to go slow and if you met anyone you basically played chicken to see who would pull over first to allow the other car to pass. I don’t know how tour buses did it. Thankfully we only met 3 or 4 cars.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581832435302425282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtOmMTxKYYLgFRbKj_YUbYw0_nP1uJy9OOO40EaUznE3pE2ApgaZmaO4kOCH1MA2EwhwmE1RrKmMkFIFrnR3mOdlDAFZzfPodgW3L1GcyrbaRZeyg51dViEUeQn2YE4u0nEA1rRxoFlns/s400/blackValley2.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581834366010367282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC4JxnRy2NeaRfVuhg-TDM9r6zGiviKQ_DTw3fuckby0ow_HtUM-cS61WCZbzqAuDhyphenhyphen58Rji5I7xhN3d_jg2G4kNw0y_mrj3Rpr-mtwtGGktc3iTjxzHnqOUd9VqBGr8UCVoYDuEaiEpQ/s400/blackValley5.jpg" />More loose sheep going up and over the hills and cute thatched roof houses. The view from the top of the Gap of Dunloe was so amazing. These pictures don’t do it justice.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581834380471870050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilfQCCB-fqKRyr2VrTThZALEKTHsbgtrsIoJVEsJ2ndo00syrZUsF-NkgmoyKR_W4dLETmvJQ8FS-t4y2Vm8SvMXYjlHdM8059zQp535DqwMlVDIEBux_3K_6ZiqEgmHWYbQV-2YF7KlU/s400/blackValley6.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581834360721445522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hwcn91SM8OpYWnY1vYBEITnUYJB8dpTbn2Kgml72ym_RB8pyH3R4xYr3fR3MzuPpYdgPP-2GE3thHuQaea5FEGFjJDoHNXQgGbnjtvX_dNkCr6sYNSCLPhtIJ8OWKKZESA7UMyfRti4/s400/blackValley4.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581832454291024594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVde2tp4f37oOfmVywvSYxsfUsveBxRb3XHS0WZS13O_WuMfu2bRZ8eBwptx0Am0G_LDlVqz4knCMoeFexkXVcw3xVLqAzPWQBQsPhY8J5L8OoT6lDCOyT-K6LU-wxt8SAZcKm-nRV5ws/s400/blackValley3.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 114px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581832431828105522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJwmVQL6-iX9quW4F0hQKoQ1j7oqNYrJPaCljNLu8QbbGnNBQA8Hpg0Ls1UXEkgK0X6j37VmGSwDRn2f12dOLBAPBus72iqZLGkdZMwFeKGQN25UhxeKkfX0Yo6dLO4ziVUDaNOmxEy8/s400/blackValley1.jpg" />Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-83854294998079337822011-03-09T06:00:00.003-06:002011-03-11T07:53:27.920-06:00Celtic Trip (Day 1) - Killarney, Ireland<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 111px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581826162270159682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1zYobBPqJqxSCou7S3UVasYoXRu9AT08oIooBWqUXRHfx8t5JjmBlbqod1tOLoVwTP9jGeS9cAxIkbobywPhQNph4ztyhDkSB26KA5AK0PWzIDQ-lyDnMfcGFnC3Jq9l7z6M0M9SCmpo/s400/castle.jpg" />Last year Mike and I travelled to <a href="http://threelittleapples.blogspot.com/2010/05/greece-trip-day-1-2-traveling.html">Greece</a> for our vacation. We chose that destination because he has some Greek in him and the prices looked really good for the off-peak time of year we were looking at.<br />Similarly, I have Irish in my background and for the end of Feb, beginning of March, the prices were fantastic.<br />We were a little worried about the time of year, because even during the best months it can rain every day or be very overcast. The luck of the Irish must have been with us, because we didn’t experience any rain! (ok, maybe a sprinkle but nothing I would count as rain)<br />Here’s how our trip went…..<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581826176897152482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvDraAjnh1KEF6jKYETCZcULAXgt36kKpcxAH-1MeTOEIEKdg7KjfCV3-RU0Ipx8QdjGKO_RQywSEqefmgtGmkRY1B-oNdRZbpctrmf-13JTCJPeoJjOYjnc0_4tuSn22FXQC1US50Uc/s400/castle3.jpg" />On Feb 26th, a Saturday, we left Minneapolis to land in Dublin (via Atlanta). The flight went fine, albeit I had a kid directly behind me who kicked my seat a lot and I didn’t get any sleep. We landed in Dublin on Sunday morning, local time 6am. The plan was to rent a car and drive 3 hrs south/west to Killarney where we would be staying for 3 days.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581828504079677762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54TDb9AiD0R-j-pPRFUNGEnsJ1V1a0Ns0XCw-jFOVUARQ0TH4yiazdo13vrlVpiEoQ2Ntd43GVX4CurP6x_kUM97RaPZg7givHXQzsufknftvxSBSddBL9kTYl7XiqhgmuS9DUc8AOe0/s400/castle5.jpg" />I was a little worried about driving on the left hand side of the road…. and I heard sheep were a big problem. The teeny tiny rental car we got was stuffed with our suitcases and we started the drive. I made the first right hand turn fine and navigated the roundabouts (Europe’s way of controlling traffic instead of stop lights) The motorway down was fine. We really didn’t see too many sheep and were beginning to think we had just been fooled. Then our GPS system took us on a stop to Cashel.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581826174588757874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBVLK7WhuVz2AUshEzMBGs-5zbjm5A0CjEU7wR2v3Bsh5XmKdQ9lYQBQUDKUeF1or5u2AWFjqsuBKvipN0OlxUOVnGAxeAtKFLPgT3xb95KLAvgW0_62R1aG8FbAlPkSW5eRYCMD26534/s400/castle2.jpg" />“I see an Old Thing!” we cried as we rounded a smaller road and saw the abbey in the distance.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581826190547249762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYJw-vNuaPyeyJSRx7KlVv-fmJofqrDqOxHUR8n9VO-74GW2e1I8-ePpuFkYhUKLEyJslQv8gJqUYVdqdsxYkIEc5r9njDPn3EaDEsoIwfk7StUpiSYRaqkElDxzZZvaAsZ4of8TcbuL4/s400/castle4.jpg" />The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rock_of_Cashel">Rock of Cashel</a> is a castle converted to a chapel in the south of Tipperary Co. It was a very good introduction to the history in Ireland. There were lots of carvings and the high seat on top of the hill gave you a beautiful view of the town (pretty windy and loads of crows though!)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581826159951019986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCKCuXcyY_lBXLH2Sy_jCH7OamolpUoIcuJ7L5y5Cz29aoLtlOzEqiwaI2XjTKI1HEiNEckwgQ57_SF2KIeRFY3iS21fqRRhzXXfeqc56fMXkkyQaSo9oZiQYDEMcMwkQ8ybuzjCkdZ0/s400/breakfast.jpg" />We stopped for brunch at a restaurant called Ryan’s Daughter. They had a wonderful Irish Breakfast, with sausage, beans, eggs, ham, toast, and black and white puddings! Wow, are those puddings good! If you ever have the chance to have them, do. Don’t ask what’s in it. If you don’t like it, then it doesn’t matter what’s it’s made of and if you do like it, then it doesn’t either :)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581828524689883554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMriI3vcHZniSKPbr43RoF3z2Y0MBjDtBgjh42MMWHhb3Z2zwYoY_aiLmVaSaJdBHkmRo1UBnj9vG9S_Kd5dR-D1z5FfQ04D-lwGjtiLx8yCn901W_ipiwOm-Fv9RhO2zx_ZxQfrMkMA/s400/killarney1.jpg" />On the remainder of the trip to Killarney the roads started getting smaller. Only two lanes and on either side there was a rock wall right to the side of the two foot shoulder. I was getting pretty jet lagged at this point, so I honestly don’t remember much except that we were going fast, Mike was a little scared and I didn’t hit anything.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581828532440486962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-fni7q4KnV-cLym-idUgIZjYjrf5SXZ2Of-qhFB19w4a0xExhE36FN6xXJuLIbva7cXl9L7aFaBLLQ4UE8hAGdJ_zfgmO4zfoHhV3Mmmvj_h7nxBgUBTt-MAliUtzncrCX4dkv4Y3gc/s400/killarney2.jpg" />The town of Killarney is much bigger than I had pictured. Lots of tall squished looking buildings. We had originally booked at the Arbutus Hotel, but due to a death in the family, we were re-booked to the Killarney Royal Hotel. It was very nice, the staff helpful and a great location.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581830595072760114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKr-CV9zbiSMvKsl_TposuSKQA_iOxbFqSigBMae9bUcOiHIaoq4AUTwGuQ9It8eacA4K5KQOza9lGLrgyutrQ9JyIMudf0XWdjRU5emEnHTn9LklJKt4mM3Md9CwdeJZzIGkyxxIUO84/s400/killarney4.jpg" />Driving in we saw a big rain cloud passing our destination. We parked the car with a light drizzle drifting down. By the time we checked the parking the clouds had past and bright sun came out. In the car park we got stuck a bit because some angry local couldn’t get the parking meter to work. He started pounding on it and yelling to get his change back out. One of the funniest things ever.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581830593430477714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7SaaxcK4KlllzoXzLZ01ypxgcbLdMOJ39Ks05VgmmuVFaO2I9pRw7pce7NaXdSLQs6goTI-vOR4Es8NEq5F5HEyDciVeVXYWYpWBzQ3eo46kp4s7p47LjyoOYjranj1o_ac0X6sjhh8/s400/killarney3.jpg" />The town sits next to <a href="http://www.killarneynationalpark.ie/">Killarney National Park</a>, which is 26,000 acres of land and water. So after we got settled in the hotel we put on some walking shoes and checked it out.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581830611371406674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEeMKhkiaLJgS-vTBlb-BDOLh4ZvI_GUL5TP4Bde9z2Zqk6om6FzM3ZLvyjPrBUiW2N25q20xEp8IgV1Aw02yYz-trOk8EWpoySW8ii3LRICYPabgrXX9R-PY0IhO1n1TNRdDreQA9ME/s400/killarney6.jpg" />There are tons of beautiful streams, fields, lakes, and trails in the area. All accessible from the down town area.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581830609046381106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbP9PmJWwmKdfoDhIblvIis_oGzB8rByVxEMYFogcRI6t5Ez4AE7ARJpEqA04Z3FNhyphenhyphencPuGMXcl4kV21cVpgK7L3eglpByag6CRvIXBQPHVXN6fCAHAglDpSDNh2Ya1DoZ_wpKKLjR58s/s400/killarney5.jpg" />We walked out towards Ross Castle and passed some deer which were looking a little haggard from the winter. I seriously thought this one guy (with the single horn) was going to charge me.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 135px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581828509406253298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJynQE_sYHPuORmyQDBpRVWb40edYzsFFGx3UVut1KT4jHerF_MT3B0VOoicbjfgRMnboAii9E3uaZyzh5y9qNPPby7fjmlgnnw4tJnmdtoIGn1Axo-AoSqTz2zRJ2FfI5m8t6fLwdzhU/s400/deer1.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 341px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581828515881767714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK1il6WnhP4HZOqR-AG4k8LFZSwNyeWDTOhws0C_H12ixZwxcPjaLj66cJntbVQ4AaBZ6lMXaylTb3wEAVLPCZGyCVkVcC75e-yZWw_vhEUAq4QWDMkJr97y4XHoXgr_YZVt95XyvW7eg/s400/deer2.jpg" />We made it out of the woods just fine and saw the castle. Very pretty with the setting sun.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581830624210652050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimu-6fRAySCKkHQelVVlcLheVVp_DGbSczSgIaiipArjUqTcy2fDRFyYXrHwrYtuxP746382_g_vUacgisQf5CoyPb9HUD-QQ6rQefjvjNRKSSdDXfW9aPgvNZTxePSNj8npmI1q-VCvY/s400/killarney7.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5581830978554865490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYM0QNIyWmYYZeTuAtlOfOlQCjDyVgJpS6iEFA1cca2sKmRLkH_wm3v-bEFA3XurgfiBtA24KrE4GxfGcIXEN97PKefZg7iwjIAIplZ2q_MwxwT29uguFaXG3ZK7vUDODtSw6-xzT-SDY/s400/killarney8.jpg" />Walking back, the green mossy woods were still and silent. Later that night we got some pub food and of course, beers. Pictures to follow later…. Still getting through the 400ish photos on the 3 cameras we had :)<br /><br />Edit: some extra photos from the meal of Fish Pie and Steak Stew:<br /><div align="center"><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582819140350870722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHbEM3EOPG5E0ZTJQ-9XXo19NMjn0NL-EWhmAJ_3eCWRUJUP5ihEGCggCvwPOL6s7fQ1DQYBJNdMNnDPTR1xcWkFmAmZSbTJSJT1yCNYf3n87OskLwMcwnf1qnekeUYfn_rGfn-qVDx0w/s400/DSC02081.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582819142166771586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2bN_eMT5OHHS2QP9jQkncLnjTs97eQa4fSajgtC11SVUWLX-tLt_cYWxS_9ax-pmmgjD8385T-lhVSLeZvgJvXHAI8bwUpjMH8gnqPqyuq3cXfL3JMR0jP-I1OCYbWbCj5WEVK0H3qc/s400/DSC02079.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582819150186396578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GRjnlCfFlwBWQ_Bi5hr1muQijqQfqAOJ4ldCb4VjrFF7bEn6GcK56JB4sl7Sayczpr3KVpu1icwEVVMjQEUvi63gZXE6Y9g2Ad659V-3KKsWh262i2WfiwYrxekDTLQoA_6FPOzTAfk/s400/DSC02086.JPG" /> <p align="center">Out in downtown Killarney</p>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-39428037505914865062011-02-06T13:49:00.006-06:002011-02-06T14:41:26.288-06:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMrY-GbRtWLHwHXFNXpsYUou-jRs1Ioyq0TutURavMknH-GLQYwtvASce7s_vL9VwSKK52zyt2jbiDP7i-LE_wn-I8kCDw0AoRpAFumv1qFcGLTSFS_RtS1cwJFNINHBzhTGx91EMBwM/s1024/caramels2.jpg"><img style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 404px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 242px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMrY-GbRtWLHwHXFNXpsYUou-jRs1Ioyq0TutURavMknH-GLQYwtvASce7s_vL9VwSKK52zyt2jbiDP7i-LE_wn-I8kCDw0AoRpAFumv1qFcGLTSFS_RtS1cwJFNINHBzhTGx91EMBwM/s1024/caramels2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Making caramels and hard candies has been something I was never good at. Until we got a candy thermometer. It makes it much easier to watch the temp and get the perfect consistency.<br /><br />I tried it with these caramels and they turned out so yummy! I love the combination of the sugar and the salt. I used pink peppercorns, lemon flavored sea salt, and Himalayan pink salt.<br /><br />Pink peppercorns have an almost citrus flavor, you need a bit more of it to taste than the salt. My personal fav is the himalayan rock salt.<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_uh7e0cFlnUFAQ6wu167SNlviaYwPPwMk2wsZ5CM3g2FLpeJXN-d0sTDaYlB3fhzUGGQyti5yn000zePgR5S84M9EFGSa1FZYRsmK2JtPxvTcjTBtE7flQEPFDewSV-qvx52QQMGMKE/s1600/caramels3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570667352676008226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_uh7e0cFlnUFAQ6wu167SNlviaYwPPwMk2wsZ5CM3g2FLpeJXN-d0sTDaYlB3fhzUGGQyti5yn000zePgR5S84M9EFGSa1FZYRsmK2JtPxvTcjTBtE7flQEPFDewSV-qvx52QQMGMKE/s400/caramels3.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong>Salt and Pepper Caramels</strong></div><div></div><div>1 C. butter</div><div>2 1/4 C. brown sugar</div><div>2 C. cream</div><div>1 C. light corn syrup</div><div>1 tsp vanilla</div><div>rock salt or crushed pepper (2 tbsp of each)</div><div></div><div>Line an 8x8 baking pan with buttered tin foil so the edges hang over. In a heavy sauce pan, melt butter, add sugar, cream, and syrup. Mix well.</div><div></div><div>Stir mixture over heat until it is a boil. Lower heat to medium. With a candy thermometer boil mixture at a steady rate until the heat reads 248 degrees (about 40-50 minutes)</div><div></div><div>Remove pan from heat. Stir in vanilla. Quickly pour caramels into pan. Cool and cut into squares (place in refrigerator to speed up cooling and make for easier cutting, after it comes to room temp)</div><div></div><div>Press squares into rock salt or crushed pepper until the tops are coated. Wrap each in plastic wrap. Store up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator. Makes 64 small squares or 30 large.</div><div></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw87Z12wOoGsxIG1svBUmieta_GFEcc8c77AidBOLxaGbYcpsOTCPqp2_0ohEcSIteTsUpZDBiBoPzqRYAkk51oxnQpwSzt9n0Z_SIx3EWH-VdF40apAwB4qWpjs1dqzrpPQr-zradiTg/s1600/caramels1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570667337387140642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw87Z12wOoGsxIG1svBUmieta_GFEcc8c77AidBOLxaGbYcpsOTCPqp2_0ohEcSIteTsUpZDBiBoPzqRYAkk51oxnQpwSzt9n0Z_SIx3EWH-VdF40apAwB4qWpjs1dqzrpPQr-zradiTg/s400/caramels1.jpg" border="0" /></a></div></div></div>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-55563350290644137882011-02-01T06:09:00.000-06:002011-02-01T10:59:28.089-06:00Dolmades<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563683308961026818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs2jwO0-BFpsQCcfyhMlWw9yQmPGYs2Vo6UmUxlMxVdOFW2ppTnTRwmL0z0dgMiSWh64OpuOc4NRwSnHK5FgG-jNW2VEFws5tJeqCJw9N2uwPqgScdYanfrKNPw3UoCXEPmN-1dYn79DA/s400/dols3.jpg" /><br />I used the <a href="http://threelittleapples.blogspot.com/2010/07/fresh-from-vine.html">Grape Leaves</a>!<br /><br />Back in July, on my parents farm, we harvested (prolly the last growth) of grape leaves from my mom's vines. While this was a little late in the season for the picking, they still looked really nice and I was very excited to have them in the winter to use with the large amounts of hamburger we tend to have in our freezer.<br /><br />I rinsed the leaves in plenty of water to remove any salt from the canning (very gently!) I'd say 80% turned out with no rips or tears. The larger leaves work the best, so next year we'll have to make sure to pick the big ones!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563683295268511938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQc1tAOtBYOOYn_yMMv0J7b4uL0gdW0xPQvucrSL0h3QGlKrIJpaH6H_Mlqy6T7gFYr6XRsms8tRqgCkWZ1W9nZZ-D0IuhJhXaHcQ76h2j0WxzwLGYA-QIGX6wmmAJpN5O4BXZLQ9gnE/s400/dols1.jpg" /><br />To make dolmades you simply mix ground beef (or lamp or pork or a mixture!) with uncooked rice and spices. Wrap the mixture in the grape leaves, like you would an egg roll or burrito, it's about a table spoon per large leaf, don't overfill.<br /><br />Then placing any ripped leaves on the bottom of a dutch oven, drizzle with a little bit of olive oil and place the wraps on top. Cover with about an inch of water, and then cover again with a bowl or large plate. You want the rice to cook and the beef to steam, but not in to large of an area, ideally with some weight on them. This worked for me with the dutch oven and a glass plate, but you could also use a small sauce pan with a tight lid I would think.<br /><br />After about 30 minutes the water will have evaporated and the dolmades will be cooked.<br /><br />I didn't add enough spices to the meat mixture, so make sure you make it very flavorful, with oregano, mint, dill or another green herb. Lots of things could be used as a spice.<br /><br />The leaves were so tender and just fell apart with a fork. Can't wait to try these again!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_AdycFIwySYYYeY_4t3mDctZU9Jjqnp0SMxlPS036DUxa__z4AjjAvXHrOr0Est7GJU0fHTkQ28JTxSDntK7W_lZRMh1wKSlj09eJb2A9nbBeE29icE9vageRwAKZJghE9Adk3MGoJw/s1600/dols4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563683313443257314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii_AdycFIwySYYYeY_4t3mDctZU9Jjqnp0SMxlPS036DUxa__z4AjjAvXHrOr0Est7GJU0fHTkQ28JTxSDntK7W_lZRMh1wKSlj09eJb2A9nbBeE29icE9vageRwAKZJghE9Adk3MGoJw/s400/dols4.jpg" /></a>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-2824659811236045742011-01-22T06:00:00.000-06:002011-01-22T06:00:05.281-06:00Knitting<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563680738866848338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm73F8bNL5xTU3iwnOVWWpxz0OIsKyvmOoUM4aQBbzsi1iW8qVcO6-K8V91Qq_m8nBb4rwaWl_8CY4tthYlJIhyphenhyphen9-5bafphEbgvLwBvAkRjAk8-zFngR5fwaG6MITfg8qhqRoBn-KIvMU/s400/scarf1.jpg" /><br />I jumped on the knitting track again (after about 10 years) this Christmas to make my sister some fingerless gloves and a scarf.<br /><br />I made two pairs of gloves as a intro back into knitting, watching a lot of videos from <a href="http://www.knittinghelp.com/">KnittingHelp.com</a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzK8m5qINWp_vg6QVs5g2fW-uVlVMC2Zu0FJiXfCX3SRIu-4EvvoA8Om1sBa2QpA9ZJE5dQqD5Me8tEiruLFUSA3yAEWbP3H0fMU-mAjFMVWsz21el2BlDzdpFCEWReRJghmlai807xo/s1600/scarf4.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563680760040812450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYzK8m5qINWp_vg6QVs5g2fW-uVlVMC2Zu0FJiXfCX3SRIu-4EvvoA8Om1sBa2QpA9ZJE5dQqD5Me8tEiruLFUSA3yAEWbP3H0fMU-mAjFMVWsz21el2BlDzdpFCEWReRJghmlai807xo/s400/scarf4.jpg" /></a> I came up with a pattern based on cording and dropped stiches to make it look a little looser and more crochet-like.<br /><br />I really like the color of green of this yarn. Hopefully it goes well with a lot of her things!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d6KFcOLILUS6idvfgwlDMl__NyYkFbDI518uWXciLAcxc5wpR3Uaj0QXkFbP3o6Xegur78-rT9TtLJ-lC1U2Bi4s5qBY9bpsErQWAn4bYe3QWBtTWqhBJt7Jsg83hWdNPa5gDSKfmvk/s1600/scarf3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563680751904026722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5d6KFcOLILUS6idvfgwlDMl__NyYkFbDI518uWXciLAcxc5wpR3Uaj0QXkFbP3o6Xegur78-rT9TtLJ-lC1U2Bi4s5qBY9bpsErQWAn4bYe3QWBtTWqhBJt7Jsg83hWdNPa5gDSKfmvk/s400/scarf3.jpg" /></a>I followed Posie's advice on <a href="http://rosylittlethings.typepad.com/posie_gets_cozy/2010/11/before-and-after-blocking.html">water blocking</a> to stretch the scarf out. For a ironing board and saftey pins, it worked about as well as it could have! :) I can really see where a dedicated board would work nicely.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPvfFemkC_4Z2LdNeR2P5A00RAIfTvgZpn-4colzXob5IEh4WumULwG6hP27MWFUyOvnZeUZ47O983YJk7poM79vDOVhyphenhyphenCS88fUVet_qdHf0KWRVS0N5GGVrAPmuWRlxM8xcczNwmtko/s1600/scarf2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563680746079723714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPvfFemkC_4Z2LdNeR2P5A00RAIfTvgZpn-4colzXob5IEh4WumULwG6hP27MWFUyOvnZeUZ47O983YJk7poM79vDOVhyphenhyphenCS88fUVet_qdHf0KWRVS0N5GGVrAPmuWRlxM8xcczNwmtko/s400/scarf2.jpg" /></a></div></div><br /><p>Not sure I could get the best pictures of it, some of the cording is lost in this photo, but you can see in the blocking how the pattern looks :)</p>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-36161073628251286822011-01-19T06:00:00.007-06:002011-01-19T07:46:54.511-06:00MemoriesI went through some old photos last year to make Christmas presents for my family. I used <a href="http://www.mypublisher.com/">MyPublisher.com</a> to make a photo book from pictures on both sides of my parents, going back 2 generations and up till their wedding.<br /><br />Some of the photos came from my parents, some from my late grandmother, and others from my paternal grandma's mother's (my great grandma) photo albums. Those photos were so old and falling apart that you had to scan each page individually, since the pictures were glued to the pages.<br /><br />The books turned out really nice, the site is so easy to use and I would highly recommend it for your next project.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 375px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 361px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1rzuqriTQ04/TMD1tps1ikI/AAAAAAAABf8/NmnEdDUVmv8/s720/KelJulieFood.jpg" /> Here are some of the photos of me, which I did not include in the gifts, but I loved and had to scan anyway. I have <em>no idea</em> what me and my mom are making in the above photo. Any guesses? What ever it is, there is a lot of it!<br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 389px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 282px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_1rzuqriTQ04/TMD17-r05HI/AAAAAAAABgw/UA4gPKdk6Ok/s912/KellyToolBench.jpg" /></p><p>Here's my dad and I working on something. Again, not really sure what it was. Maybe a bird house or a crayon box... He's so fashionable in his pearls, don't you think?</p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1rzuqriTQ04/TMD19rv41HI/AAAAAAAABg4/MFUNRM8YXLU/s1024/KelFlowers.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 380px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1rzuqriTQ04/TMD19rv41HI/AAAAAAAABg4/MFUNRM8YXLU/s1024/KelFlowers.jpg" /></a></p><p>This last photo is from Northern Wisconsin where I grew up. This was my first attempt at a business. We lived too far out for a Lemonade stand to be productive, so instead my mom helped me grow Status flowers and other dryable items. We would bunch them together or weave them into flower crowns and sell them at a local town on weekends.<br />My sister, brother, and I were all homeschooled for parts of our childhood. I learned so much during that time. A lot of lessons I could only know through personal growth and inner retrospection. </p><p>Poem on the Poster: <em>From my Garden, Soft and Bright, I picked these Flowers for your Delight, In the Sun that the Flowers Love, I hope you like these flowers of fun.</em></p><p>Apparently poetry was not my strong suit…. Sorry mom. </p>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5169228389823794011.post-55084959802851659782011-01-18T06:00:00.000-06:002011-01-18T09:21:56.068-06:00Get that Latin Feeling...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwVosYRAkzGGaq5uQYLdfh0ASTVnpXspl1uCZU81CLgzrZWgoJyTH5ZfllGj4rG9BNkOIo4qHxtiH_jwcp7wTs8kzATCit6jYjdQDb24XwF41KFQGJRsQ0FlOAx8mYCskNNSxAORyOYc/s1600/chilliRen.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540364017430691810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwVosYRAkzGGaq5uQYLdfh0ASTVnpXspl1uCZU81CLgzrZWgoJyTH5ZfllGj4rG9BNkOIo4qHxtiH_jwcp7wTs8kzATCit6jYjdQDb24XwF41KFQGJRsQ0FlOAx8mYCskNNSxAORyOYc/s400/chilliRen.jpg" /></a>I work with a wonderful woman named <a href="http://www.amaliallc.com/">Amalia </a>as a fun side job. I met her through my volunteering at the local Arb classes. Her site has some really wonderful Latin dishes that you can print right off.<br /><br />Over the past year I've made some of those yummy Latin dishes with her. My favorite is this very simple Black Bean tortilla side dish. It goes with anything and is great for leftovers.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ni9aqwrZH_LSGOiCJhfcMhNU459WAuIa0AfIYusrz56WcWYBHiRewJMcixAafYCun4aYeQeP_R-ItiA5WEffqBBgnplNBXMi7VjHUnNnoA8K07pScAf5V2SM0StvkyJjBgIgbtacLiE/s1600/tortillas.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5540364007939662162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ni9aqwrZH_LSGOiCJhfcMhNU459WAuIa0AfIYusrz56WcWYBHiRewJMcixAafYCun4aYeQeP_R-ItiA5WEffqBBgnplNBXMi7VjHUnNnoA8K07pScAf5V2SM0StvkyJjBgIgbtacLiE/s400/tortillas.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Mix mashed black beans with Queso Blanco cheese till just together. Heat small corn tortillas on a medium heat, then fill with the mixture and grill at a higher heat with olive oil till just browning. (Heating them first makes them less brittle)</p><p>The first picture is from a Chili Rellenos that I made with a beef filling and spicy cheese. I'll try to put that recipe up at some point. It was really really yummy also. </p><p>Enjoy the last snows of winter! (Hopefully) The husband and I are on a countdown to a vacation to Ireland and Scotland this spring.... 39 days and counting!</p>Three Little Appleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00271375434088623332noreply@blogger.com0