Autumn Tidbits

Well, it was my goal to get another blog post in before leaving for the South of France to visit Miss Taylor Payne... I leave TODAY, so I haven't made it easy for myself!

I just wanted to write and post a little about day to day life and share a few random photos.  Life has felt really full lately-- busy but good!  The weekend after we had our little getaway in Strandhill, the Noonans (Marie and the kids) came to visit!  Unfortunately I had to work on Saturday, but we still made the best of our time together.  I am so grateful and amazed that after 6 1/2 years since living and working for the Noonans, we still feel so comfortable around each other and value any time we have together.

Lucy, Ben, and Bob... 2008

2014

Bruff is in the Southwest of Ireland so we don't get to see each other very often.  It is quite possible that the next time I am down I'll have a baby with me!!  It will be fun to show little Madden where this crazy adventure all began.  :)

As far as day to day living goes, we are enjoying the crisp Autumn air (while I know all of you Californians are still hitting the beach!) and on some days the first signs of that cold, winter weather.  Many shops already have Christmas items out and decorations on display!  I think without the Thanksgiving holiday to break things up we just get straight into it over here.  Nothing like a pumpkin spice latte and some Santa decorations to distract us from the frigid air!  I have to admit, it does feel more 'cozy' sometimes... and I don't think I'd trade 90 degree weather for what we have now.  It's been really lovely out and all the trees are changing colour.

Ormeau Road

Okay, we just got back from church (I started this post before we left) and now Niall is rushing me to the bus station for my ride down to the Dublin airport.  I'm going to hand this post over to him!!  I'll be back soon :)

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Okay... well, I lied!  It is now Monday morning, October 20th, and this post is still not complete!  Sorry about that.  I thought Niall would be eager to say a few words but he claims he was extremely busy cooking, cleaning, and playing both roles while I was gone.  :)  Poor guy.

It is good to be back!  Despite the rain, cold, wind, and lack of sunshine, I do love Ireland and it feels like home to me.  I love our little apartment, my own bed, and waking up to my own coffee pot and Niall's homemade smoothies.  :)  My trip was fantastic-- but I'll post more on that later this week!  For now, I'll finish what I started before I need to get ready for work.

Let's see... yes, Autumn.  It's been a great season so far.  Life feels full and busy and the weeks seem to fly by.  I feel like I am always meeting up with one or two friends on my days off which is a huge blessing.  I am still feeling great and feel blessed to have a pregnancy that has not greatly affected my day to day routine.  I have not had any more cover days at the language school recently but I am working 4 days a week at the cafe-- sometimes on a busy day I really feel it in my back and legs, but there are no major pains (yet!).  Baby Madden is kicking lots, I love feeling the little guy (or gal) before I go to sleep or right when I wake up.

Some random photos from the last month or so...

yoga room

I started a pregnancy yoga class a little over a month ago at a really cute studio nearby and I love it!  I go once a week and it feels great to get a good stretch in.  The class is full of women with little, medium, and big sized bellies so it's a very comfortable environment.  And it's not too hippy dippy.  :)

the salmon salad on toast has been hitting the spot lately!

One bonus to working in a nice little cafe is my free, healthy, tasty lunches!  My appetite has been completely normal for quite some time now and I don't really have any specific cravings.  However, when I'm hungry, I'm hungry!!  My co-workers are always impressed with the size of my lunches.  :)

we love food!

A couple of weeks ago Niall and I went out for a nice date.  It had been awhile since we did that, and now our excuse when we're debating is always 'well, in a few months it won't be as easy to get out whenever we want, so let's go!'  :)  In the foreground you can see my fish pie.  It was amazing!!  Has anyone ever had fish pie in America?  I've only had it a few times here but this one was particularly good.  Made fresh to order with salmon, cod, shrimp, and mussels.  Yum.

I do not have a green thumb!

This photo was a couple of weeks ago.  This chilli plant is now completely flooded and dying.  I thought growing some of my own veggies would be cool but I just don't have the special touch-- and the torrential rain doesn't help!

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Well it's currently 4 pm, I didn't get this done before work so I am continuing now with a cup of tea in hand.  I'm not sure if it's because I was on holiday for a week and not used to being on my feet, but my lower back and legs are really feeling it today.  :/

Anyway, back to the random photos...

okay, I guess sometimes I do still have cravings... Niall and I were grocery shopping not long ago and all I wanted was frozen pizza and 'chips' (french fries) for dinner!!  I swear I usually put more of an effort in...

My latest charity shop purchase: a dark wood letter organizer.  Text less write more :)

guilty!

I never watched Formula 1 racing before meeting Niall, but he's got me into it.  A few weeks back there was a race in Japan that was on live at 6 am our time.  We both got up to watch it!  And it was a Sunday... I must be a really good wife.  ;)  We drank coffee (I had a mocha) and Niall ate a giant chocolate chip cookie.  A healthy morning snack right?!

watching Downton Abbey :)

Hannah and Lindsey spent one day and one night with us in Belfast!  It was short but sweet.  I loved having the girls in our home and I'm glad they got to see a tiny glimpse of our lives here.  Wish they could have stayed longer!  They were the easiest guests because it was the end of their 2 week trip and they were pooped.  We went to church, St. George's Market, then relaxed and had dinner at home.

We have one more golf lesson left.  Niall is doing well and I am coming along okay... I haven't tried golfing on an actual course since my epic failure in Strandhill though!  We are actually planning on going to the driving range tonight.  I'll keep you posted on any golf progress :)

I think I took this photo soon after talking to my dad about how hot it has been in SB.  Not so much here-- the scarves, hats and boots are already getting use!

Okay, going to step out of my comfort zone now and post a few belly shots.  Overall, pregnancy has been good to me and I am feeling well.  I've been cycling at the gym and still doing some weights... though I have yet to put my new swim goggles to use (dad, I'll get on it!).  Busy days at work can be tiring, I usually feel it in my back by the end of my shift.  I like working and hope to continue with my normal hours until I feel that it's time to cut back-- my due date is the last week in January, so I will most likely be done after Christmas.  We'll see!

26 weeks.  This was last night!

I'm really bad at dating the photos... and I could post some earlier ones... but you get the idea.  :)  Some people have been asking to see so there you go!

The day before I left for France (last Saturday, a little over a week ago) I miraculously did not get scheduled to work!  I was so happy and loved being able to just relax and hang out with Niall.  We went for a walk in the afternoon (Niall's suggestion, another miracle!) on a street with loads of big, pretty houses.  Kind of in the area that is the 'Montecito' of Belfast. 

leaves are starting to change colour

bundled up, as usual :)

Well, I should finish unpacking and get some house stuff done so I think I'll stop there.  I have some great photos from my trip but I'll do another post in the (hopefully!) near future.  Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed the tidbits!