I love food. I love eating it, talking about it, growing it, shopping for it and writing about it. I appreciate good food, especially real Irish food – we are blessed in this country with amazing food producers. Now I’m not talking fancy shmancy food that costs a fortune. No, I’m talking freshly baked bread, … Continue reading
If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a hundred times recently. You can’t live a life of self-sufficiency and write full time about it too – not unless you’ve got a staff to help you, which I haven’t. It’s not the first time this year that I’ve blogged about this. I’m not moaning. Nor … Continue reading
Freddy Buttons is here. The books are printed. This week they will make their way into bookstores nationwide. They are now available online at http://www.freddybuttons.com . Yes, Freddy Buttons has arrived. And the culmination of this project is the Freddy Buttons Show Garden which will be revealed this weekend at Bloom 2015 in the Phoenix Park. Sponsored by Glenisk, the … Continue reading
I’m finished. Done. The End. Six Freddy Buttons Books gone to the printers. The illustrations, text, covers, editing, barcodes; the reading and the re-reading, remaking the recipes, rechecking the facts again and again and again. It’s. All. Done. Time for a rest? No way! Not when you have a Freddy Buttons Garden, sponsored by Glenisk, … Continue reading
In my grandmother Isabella’s house, Sunday tea was often cold cuts of Sunday roast, salad, freshly baked bread and a big pot of tea. Lettuce, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs and slices of onion – I can still taste it. This was also how I developed a great love of steaming new waxy potatoes with a … Continue reading
I am so excited and delighted to announce that my Freddy Buttons series of food adventure books for children will be published by Orpen Press. I’ve worked with Orpen Press before and I can’t believe how fortunate I am that they have such belief, not only in me, but in Freddy Buttons. Yes, I am gushing. Yes, … Continue reading
Big congratulations to Anthony Gray, owner of Tra Ban Restaurant in Strandhill and Eala Bhan on Rockwood Parade who has been announced as the new President of the Restaurant Association of Ireland. The official announcement was made during the Annual Presidential Dinner event in the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, a glittering event which brought the … Continue reading
With all the writing I’m doing at the moment, I had forgotten that Easter was almost upon us. But you can’t beat a chocolatey reminder – especially if it’s from Marks & Spencer, and comes in the form of an Irish easter egg. I was really delighted to discover that Lir easter eggs (which are made in Co … Continue reading
“There’s a grand stretch in the evenings” You’ve been hearing this right? Or maybe even saying it? I must admit “the grand stretch” is one of my favourite things – ever. And why wouldn’t it be when it coincides with so many of nature’s magical moments. It heralds the arrival of the flower that was … Continue reading
It feels like only yesterday since “Food from an Irish Garden” was launched. In my wildest dreams I didn’t think it would be so well received. That it has become a beginners bible for many starting on the road to growing their own food is truly an honour. I was so fortunate that the reviews were all … Continue reading
