Da capo: A year ago on Clonlin

 

Stories from 2011 on this blog:

Heidi must be joking

West Corks 3 legged pig

Update from the garden

My vegetable garden this year is rather a disaster, but thanks to my friend John who sorted me out earlier this year with plenty of strawberry plants I have a quiet good harvest each week of fresh strawberry's.

Sophie eats that mostly as they are but I am also looking into some recipes for cakes now.

Wedding Gifts

Summer time is wedding time here in Ireland
I know its custom to give a couple on their wedding day money, mostly in a envelope.
What else would you gift someone who got all the rest already, since most couples life together for a while before the get married. In Austria its custom, that friends of the couple gift either a money tree, or in this case (the couple wanted to go for a cruise for the honeymoon) a Money ship.

I think its a nice way to present the usual gift a bit different. What do you think, would you gift that way ?

Da capo: A year ago on Clonlin

A year ago on this blog:

Camping Trips and Checklist
Stairway to heaven

Heidis Chicks - Watch them hatching - live

Dont ask, but hatching eggs is really something hard, if you dont want to spend lots of money for an incubator. I build my own in the utility room sink, however, some things went wrong, eggs went bad or got smashed.
Well, its one or two more days, than the remaining 2 ones should hatch. you can see them live at http://ustre.am/vNJ3 
I candled them 3 days ago and they looked good to me, but they might be as well just hard boiled, who knows, wouldn't be the first time I mess something up.
Well, in any case, since Heidi and her Gang right now only lay 2 eggs a day, which is not enough to supply enough eggs for my family (yes we love cakes) we will get 3 more hens at point of lay from the market.

I keep you posted how it goes, hey, and if you see some movement on the link, please make a comment on this post, so I can tell my daughter to watch them hatching. Thanks !

First Camping Incident - one lesson learned

Aua Aua my daughter would say, and its true, it really did hurt when I wanted to try the new camping gas cooker. I learned a very good lesson, when I wanted to force down this little closing mechanism. "Do not force things, either it goes smoothly or something must be wrong"

Yes, there was something wrong, I didn't had the regulator on 0, therefore that locking mechanism wouldn't allow me to engage the can of gas. When I saw it, and fixed it on 0 all went down as it should.
The little scratch there is already healing fine, so dont Worry, be happy !

Great Steak but cold soup, service at its best...

While on visit to Hamburg Germany I went into one of this famous steak houses there, called the Block House
They do steaks since 1968 and I have to admit, their steak was really good. However their asparagus soup was way out of line, since they served it cold to me ! What a disaster, that's why my review is overall not as good as it should be.

The waitress offered a free coffee after the meal, however, this still didnt compensate me for having to eat a cold soup.

Its a pity that such a nice place doesn't get the basics right, I would have gone back if that wouldn't have happened. Well, there is plenty more restaurants in Hamburg.

Da capo: One year ago on Clonlins Blog

Every Thursday we look back what happened on this blog a year ago.

Today's topics:

Recipe: Nettel's in Beer dough
Twins - Did you ever saw a Egg with two yolk's ?
Building a Garden Shed for less than 10 Euro

The Sacher Cake Disaster

To bake, or not to bake, that's the question ?

Looking at this picture I guess the second option would have made more sense. I had this incident recently when getting the cake out of the form it broke into pieces.

I guess that's why someone came up with the chocolate glaze to cover up that baking disaster.

Well, anyhow the taste wasn't impacted by the looks, and it wasn't for a birthday or so. However I got myself a better baking form for cakes which allows it to get it out much easier.

Ready for Camping - the new Family tent

 My daughter Sophie gets bigger, and we also have the need for a bigger tent.
 I made myself a early Bday present and bought a Vango Icarus 500. Watch a video here

I recommend to all not to buy a tent on-line, go to a shop, for example the one in Cork on MCCurtain street. (outdoor leisure) The service in store, and the option to walk into the tent and get expert advise is very important I believe when buying a tent.Other gimmicks of course you still can buy on-line.

So last Sunday I checked it out, it took me 10 Minutes to put it up alone. The tent is stored very compact, so I can fit all very easy in my car.


I cant wait to report to you my experience after the first camping trip with it ! Stay tuned, if the weather is good i might be able to go soon !