As many of you know, food is my love, actually food is my passion. It comes in so many forms. For the most part,my days are consumed with feeding my family and not always 'Dinner Parties' and 'Cooking Classes'! Recently I was in Minneapolis teaching a class and was making 'Lamb Follain' (Follain is the Irish word for wild or wholesome) During this class a gentleman from the front row commented that my husband must be a lucky man ! Of course,he assumed that my husband was indeed being served this food on a daily basis and this man was ready to leave his wife for me !
Not so fast ! I quckly corrected him,and explained that he doesn't receive this food on a daily basis. My family get 'Shepherds Pie', 'Stews'and of course the infamous Take Out'as I have two very active boys and cannot be in the kitchen all the time.
What they do get however, as an ingredient,is me.
To some this may sound a little trite, but I have never been more serious in my life. When you put yourself 'into' something it is always better.You can just taste it.All that matters to me is that the people eating it enjoy it.
Yesterday morning,I decided to start dinner at 8am because I had a busy day ahead which included reading a book that afternoon (reason for this blog post)collecting the kids from school, basketball practise,conference call with New York oh and did I mention that my husband was out of town, wish the gentleman from the front row could have been with me !
In making my 'Shepherds Pie' yesterday morning, I needed black pepper. I had run out so ,when refilling my mill, I got a little carried away. I purchase my black pepper in bulk as I use it constantly,(even my 12 year old is a pepper mill freak) When emptying the pepper corns into the mill, I spilled many. I decided to look through my hoard of empty jars and look for one that would hold them instead of the utilitarian container it came in. The visual filled me with such pleasure. I tell you this because even the seemingly mundane task of filling a peppermill can be something more for me.I loved to see the array of peppercorns layered in my new jar!Do what you love. When you do what you love,I think you do it well.
So, the book. Yes the book. I am going to New York next week and through a friend I was introduced to a lady by the name of Lauren Braun Costello. This is a lady I have not met ,but I feel like I know her well. She was the owner and Executive Chef of Gotham Caterers in New York, Recipe tester for the 75th anniversary edition of 'Joy Of Cooking',culinary producer,food stylist and so on. Her accolades are many.
Yesterday I picked up and read in it's entirity her book 'Notes On Cooking'
I sat in the coffee shop by myself,watched the world go by and read her book cover to cover .This book does not contain recipes ."Notes on Cooking is an essential primer of immediately useful and utterly relevant guidance that can help anyone become a better cook-without a single recipe" as it says in the inside jacket.
Note #16 was it for me "Don't TRY to be different" I love this and live this. Referring to openeing sentence regarding passion,when you are also doing what you believe you really never need to be'on' so to speak.
Why did I waffle along about my peppermill earlier? As I sat there with my coffee I came to #17 "Embrace The Mundane". Lauren tells us to "not bemoan the pedestrian tasks.Find pleasure in peeling a carrot,steaming rice,searing a steak,prepping,cleaning"
CLEANING,CLEANING??!! When I had finsihed preparing my dinner yesterday,I cleaned my countertops with 'Dettol'. For any Irish people reading this,you will know this trusty cleaner all too well! I find it in the import stores and costs more than a bottle of wine,but gives me huge pleasure! It reminds me of the home I grew up in.Quite literally,I inhale the fresh clean smell as I go,igniting my senses.
Our senses reward us when we allow them to. Lauren's book not only made me realise that it was perfectly ok to be excited about peppercorns and a bottle of Dettol! There are 192 notes in this book, and 16 & 17 did this for me,imagine what they can do for you..............I urge you to reward yourself by reading her book.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
THE GIFTS KEEP COMING
This morning,when I opened my email, I received confirmation from ANCHOR HOCKING stating that they had shipped out 3 pallets of product to the 'Safe Horizon' shelter in New York. They have graciously donated 24 sets of Bakeware, 24 sets of Mixing Bowls and 24 sets of glassware. Thank You so much Anchor Hocking. For this cook, I must admit to being more than surprised by the fresh and new updated look to their products. Who knew they had so much to offer. Dont forget to check out their web site. http://www.anchorhocking.com/
Another shout out must indeed go to the fabulous Mike Michalowicz aka 'The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur'. I kid you not. Mike has a wonderful web site www.thetoiletpaperentrepreneur.com. Mike's down to earth and more importantly, very real look at business is refreshing,funny and oh so honest! Mike has been a frequent guest on CNBC's 'The Big Idea' by Donny Deutsch. Mike has been there and done that. Started a business, struggled ,toiled hard and sold businesses.
He too has agreed to donate to the shelter. He has already shipped 55 Inspirational books to the shelter for each and every women to have. He will also be meeting with the Dreamers in New York and giving each and every one a copy also.
This is beginning to look like Oprah's Favorite things !!!!
Lastly,I want to say "Thank You" to Stephen Redford Sales & Marketing Director at the Hotel Indigo in Chelsea,New York for agreeing to arrange a special rate for us Dreamers. Ladies will be arriving at the hotel on Monday Jan 18th and I'm pretty sure more than 1 or 2 will be meeting in the Rooftop Bar...............
Another shout out must indeed go to the fabulous Mike Michalowicz aka 'The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur'. I kid you not. Mike has a wonderful web site www.thetoiletpaperentrepreneur.com. Mike's down to earth and more importantly, very real look at business is refreshing,funny and oh so honest! Mike has been a frequent guest on CNBC's 'The Big Idea' by Donny Deutsch. Mike has been there and done that. Started a business, struggled ,toiled hard and sold businesses.
He too has agreed to donate to the shelter. He has already shipped 55 Inspirational books to the shelter for each and every women to have. He will also be meeting with the Dreamers in New York and giving each and every one a copy also.
This is beginning to look like Oprah's Favorite things !!!!
Lastly,I want to say "Thank You" to Stephen Redford Sales & Marketing Director at the Hotel Indigo in Chelsea,New York for agreeing to arrange a special rate for us Dreamers. Ladies will be arriving at the hotel on Monday Jan 18th and I'm pretty sure more than 1 or 2 will be meeting in the Rooftop Bar...............
Thursday, January 7, 2010
ONE LIFE CAN SURELY TOUCH ANOTHER
Well,the countdown is on. 12 more days before the Dreamers meet in New York ! What began as a simple idea has spun into what can only be described as 'Charlottes Web'
Each and every woman, around the country has toiled away in their own area of expertise. In my earlier ramblings I talked about how this group of 'Dreamers' decided to meet in New York. We are now 12 days away from this event. On Tuesday Jan 19th I will be teaching a cooking class in Martha Stewart Omnimedia's building in Chelsea along with Lisa Umansky from Polka Dot Pound Cake http://polkadotpoundcake.com/
During the cooking class we will be making food that will be served for an 'Afternoon Tea' that afternoon for all 40 Dreamers and for the women from the 'Safe Horizon' shelter in New York.
This afternoon is one that should be filled with promise,inspiration and even a few tears, I should suspect.
Through the Martha Stewart web site 'Dreamers Into Doers'we have all gotten to know each other just a litle bit more.
I know that Terry Grahl, who lives in Michigan,began 'Enchanted Makeovers' ,forsaking her succesful Interior Design business for those that needed a new start. http://www.enchantedmakeovers.org/dynamic/?page=87
I know that Peggy Gaffney,my namesake has visited Ireland with a group of nuns and has shared her wonderful memories with me.!I know too that Peggy, who owns Kanine Knits will be speaking at the event talking about her experience , turning a struggle into a profit http://www.kanineknits.com/k_knits.htm
Just yesterday, I spoke with Kathy Hamrick in West Virginia. Kathy owns Ms Mollys Appalachian Salsa. We initially spoke, because I will be using her wonderful Salsa & her hot peppered jelly with nice warm fresh Irish Soda Bread. I think it's ok for me to say that we connected on so many more levels. We are both mothers of 2 boys and Kathy has the years of experience that simply left me wanting more. Kathy has had her hardships too. We have both experienced what it is truely like to stay TRUE to your product. So many ways of making it cheaper, or so they tell us!!! If , of course we dont use REAL ingredients. Kathy has experienced personal injury in her own life, leaving her with a disability and a formidable spirit.
Jolene Mack, located in PA runs many businesses including her event planning business and her infamous Bed & Breakfast bungalow 'Quite The Stir' in historic Gettysburg.
Jolene too, has a formidable spirit. Funny how we are all intertwined, or is it?
Just last December, I visited Minneapolis to teach a cooking class in 'Lunds & Byerly's' culinary school. Prior to the class, I had lunch with the fabulous Kim Lampe aka 'The B*A*G Lady' http://believeactgo.blogspot.com/
Kim is connected to Terry in Michigan etc etc etc...AND NOW we are ALL connected.
OK,I surely met my sister ! The secret is out, I discovered that Kim shares the same fettish as me, yes you guessed it we both have this insatiable desire,need & lust for RUBBER !!!!!!!!!! When I was pregnant with my second, I used to wander through the car tire department in Sears just to touch,feel and smell the rubber. Now, how we discovered this about each other, I will surely never know.
This is of course,is just the beginning of the journey. I have a feeling this will evolve even more. There are more Dreamers, many more Dreamers and donors and sponsors,whom I will get to soon. Keep Dreaming people...just keep dreaming.
Each and every woman, around the country has toiled away in their own area of expertise. In my earlier ramblings I talked about how this group of 'Dreamers' decided to meet in New York. We are now 12 days away from this event. On Tuesday Jan 19th I will be teaching a cooking class in Martha Stewart Omnimedia's building in Chelsea along with Lisa Umansky from Polka Dot Pound Cake http://polkadotpoundcake.com/
During the cooking class we will be making food that will be served for an 'Afternoon Tea' that afternoon for all 40 Dreamers and for the women from the 'Safe Horizon' shelter in New York.
This afternoon is one that should be filled with promise,inspiration and even a few tears, I should suspect.
Through the Martha Stewart web site 'Dreamers Into Doers'we have all gotten to know each other just a litle bit more.
I know that Terry Grahl, who lives in Michigan,began 'Enchanted Makeovers' ,forsaking her succesful Interior Design business for those that needed a new start. http://www.enchantedmakeovers.org/dynamic/?page=87
I know that Peggy Gaffney,my namesake has visited Ireland with a group of nuns and has shared her wonderful memories with me.!I know too that Peggy, who owns Kanine Knits will be speaking at the event talking about her experience , turning a struggle into a profit http://www.kanineknits.com/k_knits.htm
Just yesterday, I spoke with Kathy Hamrick in West Virginia. Kathy owns Ms Mollys Appalachian Salsa. We initially spoke, because I will be using her wonderful Salsa & her hot peppered jelly with nice warm fresh Irish Soda Bread. I think it's ok for me to say that we connected on so many more levels. We are both mothers of 2 boys and Kathy has the years of experience that simply left me wanting more. Kathy has had her hardships too. We have both experienced what it is truely like to stay TRUE to your product. So many ways of making it cheaper, or so they tell us!!! If , of course we dont use REAL ingredients. Kathy has experienced personal injury in her own life, leaving her with a disability and a formidable spirit.
Jolene Mack, located in PA runs many businesses including her event planning business and her infamous Bed & Breakfast bungalow 'Quite The Stir' in historic Gettysburg.
Jolene too, has a formidable spirit. Funny how we are all intertwined, or is it?
Just last December, I visited Minneapolis to teach a cooking class in 'Lunds & Byerly's' culinary school. Prior to the class, I had lunch with the fabulous Kim Lampe aka 'The B*A*G Lady' http://believeactgo.blogspot.com/
Kim is connected to Terry in Michigan etc etc etc...AND NOW we are ALL connected.
OK,I surely met my sister ! The secret is out, I discovered that Kim shares the same fettish as me, yes you guessed it we both have this insatiable desire,need & lust for RUBBER !!!!!!!!!! When I was pregnant with my second, I used to wander through the car tire department in Sears just to touch,feel and smell the rubber. Now, how we discovered this about each other, I will surely never know.
This is of course,is just the beginning of the journey. I have a feeling this will evolve even more. There are more Dreamers, many more Dreamers and donors and sponsors,whom I will get to soon. Keep Dreaming people...just keep dreaming.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
DREAMERS HEADED TO NEW YORK
When I joined the group DREAMERS INTO DOERS through the MARTHA STEWART SITE, I had no idea what was in store for me! All those months ago, I became a member of this group of over 3,800 amazing ladies. A site that promotes dreaming. If you can dream it, then you can surely do it !
As I joined various groups, popping in and out of conversations, looking at other womens web sites, one in particular caught my eye. DREAMERS GETTING TOGETHER started by none other than my now long distance good friend Jolene Mack. Jolene has a passion for the 1940's. This passion led her to open 'Quite The Stir' 1940's inspired bungalow in Gettysburg, PA. You can read her blog and check out her bungalow. http://www.quitethestir.com/
Also an event planner, Jolene thought it might be a nice idea for us Dreamers to get together in New York to meet. And so began the journey. A thread of emails and comments followed between some of us back in September. Back and forth we went coming up with ideas and suggestions as to when and how we should meet. How could we give back? Although all of us own our own businesses and still work hard and continue to strive, we also feel blessed to be able to do so.
So we contacted the producer of the Martha Stewart site, Alexis Tirado and asked if we could get tickets to attend the Martha Stewart show in New York as a group of Dreamers. And so we waited. Finally, the confirmation came through. Yes, we can have tickets to the show and we needed to finalise the number of Dreamers attending. Then along comes another Dreamer, already a member of the site, called Terry Grahl.
Terry began 'Enchanted Makeovers' a registered 501 (c)3 based in Michigan. Enchanted Makeovers transforms shelters for women and children into places of peace and possibilities. They believe that the women and children who go there shouldn't have to sleep in a place that looks like they feel. You must go and check out her site also. http://www.terrysenchantedcottage.com/
Now we have our trio. JOLENE MACK, RACHEL GAFFNEY & TERRY GRAHL.
This trip to New York has taken on a whole new life. It's simply wonderful. The meeting will now span over 2 days in Manhattan. We will all be visiting a womens shelter in New York and sharing our message of hope and giving back. The list of Dreamers is growing and by tomorrow we will have our final number of attendees for the fabulous ALEXIS TIRADO (Martha Stewart). From here, this amazing journey and trip will be documented. I intend on writing about this journey, featuring amazing Dreamers along the way. Our goal and dream is to fill a 26ft UHAUL with goodies for this shelter. We will travel to the shelter after the show and I will co-ordinate the Afternoon Tea for the shelter. We will have tours of the Martha Stewart Studios, offices and will be having Cooking Demos in her Kitchens ! My buddy and mentor Mike Michalowicz, aka 'The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur' will be coming to the Martha Stewart Omni Media offices to talk to the Dreamers about their businesses. www.thetoiletpaperentrepreneur.com
We will be looking for donations of PJ's, Blankets,Pillows,Cosmetics,Hairbrushes etc.
As we receive them, we will give a shout out on the sites as a way of thanking people and their businesses. Jolene, planner extraordinaire will be co-ordinating and Terry will be the Shelter Contact.
So, come follow me and the other Dreamers on this amazing journey to Manhattan in January 2010.
Below, is the release from the Martha Stewart site.
http://email.secureserver.net/webmail.php?folder=INBOX&firstMessage=1
As I joined various groups, popping in and out of conversations, looking at other womens web sites, one in particular caught my eye. DREAMERS GETTING TOGETHER started by none other than my now long distance good friend Jolene Mack. Jolene has a passion for the 1940's. This passion led her to open 'Quite The Stir' 1940's inspired bungalow in Gettysburg, PA. You can read her blog and check out her bungalow. http://www.quitethestir.com/
Also an event planner, Jolene thought it might be a nice idea for us Dreamers to get together in New York to meet. And so began the journey. A thread of emails and comments followed between some of us back in September. Back and forth we went coming up with ideas and suggestions as to when and how we should meet. How could we give back? Although all of us own our own businesses and still work hard and continue to strive, we also feel blessed to be able to do so.
So we contacted the producer of the Martha Stewart site, Alexis Tirado and asked if we could get tickets to attend the Martha Stewart show in New York as a group of Dreamers. And so we waited. Finally, the confirmation came through. Yes, we can have tickets to the show and we needed to finalise the number of Dreamers attending. Then along comes another Dreamer, already a member of the site, called Terry Grahl.
Terry began 'Enchanted Makeovers' a registered 501 (c)3 based in Michigan. Enchanted Makeovers transforms shelters for women and children into places of peace and possibilities. They believe that the women and children who go there shouldn't have to sleep in a place that looks like they feel. You must go and check out her site also. http://www.terrysenchantedcottage.com/
Now we have our trio. JOLENE MACK, RACHEL GAFFNEY & TERRY GRAHL.
This trip to New York has taken on a whole new life. It's simply wonderful. The meeting will now span over 2 days in Manhattan. We will all be visiting a womens shelter in New York and sharing our message of hope and giving back. The list of Dreamers is growing and by tomorrow we will have our final number of attendees for the fabulous ALEXIS TIRADO (Martha Stewart). From here, this amazing journey and trip will be documented. I intend on writing about this journey, featuring amazing Dreamers along the way. Our goal and dream is to fill a 26ft UHAUL with goodies for this shelter. We will travel to the shelter after the show and I will co-ordinate the Afternoon Tea for the shelter. We will have tours of the Martha Stewart Studios, offices and will be having Cooking Demos in her Kitchens ! My buddy and mentor Mike Michalowicz, aka 'The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur' will be coming to the Martha Stewart Omni Media offices to talk to the Dreamers about their businesses. www.thetoiletpaperentrepreneur.com
We will be looking for donations of PJ's, Blankets,Pillows,Cosmetics,Hairbrushes etc.
As we receive them, we will give a shout out on the sites as a way of thanking people and their businesses. Jolene, planner extraordinaire will be co-ordinating and Terry will be the Shelter Contact.
So, come follow me and the other Dreamers on this amazing journey to Manhattan in January 2010.
Below, is the release from the Martha Stewart site.
http://email.secureserver.net/webmail.php?folder=INBOX&firstMessage=1
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
TRADITION
As we approach Thanksgiving, we are acutely aware, Christmas is following hot on it's tail ! Advertisers will have us all a panic, with the ever popular countdown, reminding us that we can begin our shopping with doorbusters at 5am!
So....we scurry obediently, doing their will, truely forgetting the meaning of Christmas. Now, dont get me wrong, I too love to open those ornately wrapped gifts that I have always thought America does best ! Sorry Ireland, I love you, but remember when we used to save last years paper with sellotape still on it and part of the pattern missing ! Sometimes, if you were lucky you even got a recyled gold bow that looked like someone sat on ! I know, I know,it was and still is expensive, but as a child you just simply recognised a beautifully wrapped gift.
This was especially true for me. My godmother, 'Auntie Pat' was a gift to me. This is my mums' sister who, back then used to travel quite a bit to the United States. I was the lucky one ! She was MY godmother, so I got the beautifully wrapped gifts. It could have had a toothbrush in there for all I cared, all I knew is that it WAS always wrapped beautifully ! Although, there never was a toothbrush in there. They were always special. My first make up ever was from 'Auntie Pat'. Memories. Really great memories.
My mum is a very special lady. She embodies all that is gracious in a lady. She made Christmas so special. Tradition is part of everyone's Christmas and 'Plum Pudding' or 'Christmas Pudding' was and still is one of those very special traditions. Every year she made these from scratch. No fewer than 13 ingredients, sometimes more. Ingredients such as suet,flour,mixed spice, raisins,to name but a few (I will post a recipe later) filled the bowl. This was one of my favorite times of the year. All the dried ingredients were placed in a large mixing bowl and covered with a tea towel overnight. Oh, the smell of the fresh breadcrumbs blending with mixed spice. Next came the wet ingredients. The addition of Guinness & Rum ! No better ingredients....
Once all the ingredients were combined, next came the ceremonial stirring. Yes, you heard me,the ceremonial stirring ! Each and every one of us (4kids) took a turn to stir the pudding with a wooden spoon. When you did this you could make a wish. The direction of the stir also mattered, East to West , honoring the 3 Wise Men.
Some say the 13 ingredients represent Christ and his disciples. Whether it be true or not it's a tradition. Tradition , passing on from one generation to the next. And, if, like my mum you pass on the tradition of family, love and respect then there is no need to rush for your 5am doorbusters!
So....we scurry obediently, doing their will, truely forgetting the meaning of Christmas. Now, dont get me wrong, I too love to open those ornately wrapped gifts that I have always thought America does best ! Sorry Ireland, I love you, but remember when we used to save last years paper with sellotape still on it and part of the pattern missing ! Sometimes, if you were lucky you even got a recyled gold bow that looked like someone sat on ! I know, I know,it was and still is expensive, but as a child you just simply recognised a beautifully wrapped gift.
This was especially true for me. My godmother, 'Auntie Pat' was a gift to me. This is my mums' sister who, back then used to travel quite a bit to the United States. I was the lucky one ! She was MY godmother, so I got the beautifully wrapped gifts. It could have had a toothbrush in there for all I cared, all I knew is that it WAS always wrapped beautifully ! Although, there never was a toothbrush in there. They were always special. My first make up ever was from 'Auntie Pat'. Memories. Really great memories.
My mum is a very special lady. She embodies all that is gracious in a lady. She made Christmas so special. Tradition is part of everyone's Christmas and 'Plum Pudding' or 'Christmas Pudding' was and still is one of those very special traditions. Every year she made these from scratch. No fewer than 13 ingredients, sometimes more. Ingredients such as suet,flour,mixed spice, raisins,to name but a few (I will post a recipe later) filled the bowl. This was one of my favorite times of the year. All the dried ingredients were placed in a large mixing bowl and covered with a tea towel overnight. Oh, the smell of the fresh breadcrumbs blending with mixed spice. Next came the wet ingredients. The addition of Guinness & Rum ! No better ingredients....
Once all the ingredients were combined, next came the ceremonial stirring. Yes, you heard me,the ceremonial stirring ! Each and every one of us (4kids) took a turn to stir the pudding with a wooden spoon. When you did this you could make a wish. The direction of the stir also mattered, East to West , honoring the 3 Wise Men.
Some say the 13 ingredients represent Christ and his disciples. Whether it be true or not it's a tradition. Tradition , passing on from one generation to the next. And, if, like my mum you pass on the tradition of family, love and respect then there is no need to rush for your 5am doorbusters!
Sunday, November 1, 2009
COINCIDENCE..OR NOT?
Yesterday morning, I awoke early and really wanted to read something familiar. An old favorite perhaps. For some reason , I had this burning desire to read one of my favorites. Brian Friel. One of the great Irish Playwrights. Brian Friel was born in Northern Ireland in 1929 and co-founded the 'Field Day Theatre' in Derry.
From a very young age I have had a love of Literature,Theatre and Speech & Drama. So much so that I spent 10 yrs studying with the London College of Music. At 17yrs of age, I fell in love with the writings of Brian Friel. I chose 'Lovers' for my exam. Made up of two parts, 'Winners' & 'Losers'
Here I was, this catholic girl performing 'Lovers'........The story of a young teenage couple in Northern Ireland preparing for their final exams, known then as the 'Leaving Certificate' In this scene, I played the part of Mag, a 17year old girl who was pregnant. Pretty controversial at best ! A piece of writng that is bold to say the least.
According to my mother, I have been somewhat of a recalcitrant from an early age ! I learned from the best.....Who? The Irish people of course. Growing up there, you are part of a mind set that is, in my opinion a gift. Always questioning, always creating and always wondering .
Successful businesses are not created. Like energy, passion and innovation can neither be created or destroyed. I give much deserved thanks to the great artists, playwrights and literary greats that I was exposed to at an early age. Through the medium of the arts we learn creativity, encouragement to think both technically and critically and as a result can apply these skills throughout our daily life.
So, just before I sat to write this blog,( already knowing I was going to write about Brian Friel )I opened a few emails and received one from a friend by the name of Dennis Lonergan in Minneapolis. Dennis was telling me that he was attending the Guthrie Theater that night to see Brian Friels, 'Faith Healer'
Coincidence or not............?
Thanks Dennis, now I'm headed North.........
From a very young age I have had a love of Literature,Theatre and Speech & Drama. So much so that I spent 10 yrs studying with the London College of Music. At 17yrs of age, I fell in love with the writings of Brian Friel. I chose 'Lovers' for my exam. Made up of two parts, 'Winners' & 'Losers'
Here I was, this catholic girl performing 'Lovers'........The story of a young teenage couple in Northern Ireland preparing for their final exams, known then as the 'Leaving Certificate' In this scene, I played the part of Mag, a 17year old girl who was pregnant. Pretty controversial at best ! A piece of writng that is bold to say the least.
According to my mother, I have been somewhat of a recalcitrant from an early age ! I learned from the best.....Who? The Irish people of course. Growing up there, you are part of a mind set that is, in my opinion a gift. Always questioning, always creating and always wondering .
Successful businesses are not created. Like energy, passion and innovation can neither be created or destroyed. I give much deserved thanks to the great artists, playwrights and literary greats that I was exposed to at an early age. Through the medium of the arts we learn creativity, encouragement to think both technically and critically and as a result can apply these skills throughout our daily life.
So, just before I sat to write this blog,( already knowing I was going to write about Brian Friel )I opened a few emails and received one from a friend by the name of Dennis Lonergan in Minneapolis. Dennis was telling me that he was attending the Guthrie Theater that night to see Brian Friels, 'Faith Healer'
Coincidence or not............?
Thanks Dennis, now I'm headed North.........
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
HALLOWEEN IN IRELAND
Now that I live in the U.S, I think that I must have been deprived as a child ! Costume stores are prolific ! To think that geography deprived me of the ability to be Wonder Woman ! No, I had none of these luxuries. I did my best with the black plastic rubbish bag (garbage)cutting slits in the top for my arms and to think that we were not as inventive as kids today to use pillow cases, to carry a larger loot ! A "Quinnsworth" plastic bag had to suffice (for those of you Corkonians, at the time ,my mum didn't shop at Dunnes Stores!) Although, had we used the pillow cases, I'm pretty sure they would have been pretty empty! Lots of dark houses, where no one was home......
Halloween for me was completely different to the Halloween my kids experience. The history and tradition behind it will explain why. The attitude will be more easily understood.
Samhain, (pronounced Sow-In) was in fact for the Celts the beginning of a new year. November marked , the start of a cold and dark winter. October 31st saw the abundance of bonfires, where the druids or celtic priests wore animal heads and skins as costumes. They believed that October 31st was the eve where the spirits from another world crossed over. They burned crops and often sacrificed animals. On this eve they used this to tell fortunes and try to predict the future.
As time went by eventually the Romans invaded. For those of you who have seen Monty Pythons 'Life of Brian' there is a scene where John Cleese is asking "what have the Romans done for us"? Well, besides education,aquaducts,sanitation etc the Romans celebrated Pomona. She was the goddess of fruit and trees, hence they used apples............Following? Bobbing for Apples ??!!
On Halloween night, Trick or Treating was pretty much shunned, my mother saw it as begging! You see how deprived I was.....
I thought this was absurd as a child, but tradition is a strong thing ! This belief ,in actual fact had merit. Long ago there was a thing called 'Souling' . Generally children and the poor would go from house to house singing a song in exchange for a cake. For every cake received it was believed that a soul was freed from purgatory. The cake was made with raisins , currants, nutmeg and ginger.
As I got older, I could put all the pieces of this puzzle together. We ate "BARM BRACK" and "BOBBED FOR APPLES" but were not permitted to Trick or Treat.
"BARM BRACK" was and still is a wonderful tea loaf. It is made by soaking the fruits overnight in tea. The really special thing about this BARM BRACK or as it is called in Irish "Bairin Brack" (Bairin meaning loaf & Brack meaning speckled) were the surprises inside.
When you had a slice, there was a surprise baked into the loaf. A Pea,Stick,Coin,Ring,Piece of Cloth and sometimes a medallion with the Virgin Mary on it.
They all had a meaning.
Pea- You would not marry
Stick- To Beat Your wife with (indicating strife)
Coin- Rich
Ring- you would marry or find your partner within the year
Piece Of Cloth- Poverty
Medallion- you would join the Priesthood or Convent.
Funnily enough I never got the medallion ! We all know from one of my recent blogs, even the nuns didnt want me!! We waited with baited breath to get the ring...........!
So, even though I never got the chance to be "Wonder Woman" for Halloween, I am indeed such a happy woman to understand the meanings behind "Bobbing For Apples" ,"Trick or Treating" and "Barm Brack"
Halloween for me was completely different to the Halloween my kids experience. The history and tradition behind it will explain why. The attitude will be more easily understood.
Samhain, (pronounced Sow-In) was in fact for the Celts the beginning of a new year. November marked , the start of a cold and dark winter. October 31st saw the abundance of bonfires, where the druids or celtic priests wore animal heads and skins as costumes. They believed that October 31st was the eve where the spirits from another world crossed over. They burned crops and often sacrificed animals. On this eve they used this to tell fortunes and try to predict the future.
As time went by eventually the Romans invaded. For those of you who have seen Monty Pythons 'Life of Brian' there is a scene where John Cleese is asking "what have the Romans done for us"? Well, besides education,aquaducts,sanitation etc the Romans celebrated Pomona. She was the goddess of fruit and trees, hence they used apples............Following? Bobbing for Apples ??!!
On Halloween night, Trick or Treating was pretty much shunned, my mother saw it as begging! You see how deprived I was.....
I thought this was absurd as a child, but tradition is a strong thing ! This belief ,in actual fact had merit. Long ago there was a thing called 'Souling' . Generally children and the poor would go from house to house singing a song in exchange for a cake. For every cake received it was believed that a soul was freed from purgatory. The cake was made with raisins , currants, nutmeg and ginger.
As I got older, I could put all the pieces of this puzzle together. We ate "BARM BRACK" and "BOBBED FOR APPLES" but were not permitted to Trick or Treat.
"BARM BRACK" was and still is a wonderful tea loaf. It is made by soaking the fruits overnight in tea. The really special thing about this BARM BRACK or as it is called in Irish "Bairin Brack" (Bairin meaning loaf & Brack meaning speckled) were the surprises inside.
When you had a slice, there was a surprise baked into the loaf. A Pea,Stick,Coin,Ring,Piece of Cloth and sometimes a medallion with the Virgin Mary on it.
They all had a meaning.
Pea- You would not marry
Stick- To Beat Your wife with (indicating strife)
Coin- Rich
Ring- you would marry or find your partner within the year
Piece Of Cloth- Poverty
Medallion- you would join the Priesthood or Convent.
Funnily enough I never got the medallion ! We all know from one of my recent blogs, even the nuns didnt want me!! We waited with baited breath to get the ring...........!
So, even though I never got the chance to be "Wonder Woman" for Halloween, I am indeed such a happy woman to understand the meanings behind "Bobbing For Apples" ,"Trick or Treating" and "Barm Brack"
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