I just had a perfect weekend.
It all started around 8am on Saturday when Coco asked to be taken outside … it was literally freezing.
Don’t know how she walks on it.
The Sunny Funny Garden is looking … frozen.
Then I went and worked with Dee in her great shop for nearly 5 hours … I sorted heaps of Xmas decorations … some really lovely things at indecently low prices.
Back home and tidied the cottage in preparation for my Xmas Office Party.
And exactly how many people work in your office? … I hear you ask.
Ummm … one … moi.
Derek and Lynda were due over to cook me dinner … so I coopted them to the party.
It was also Maggie’s birthday so I made her up 2 pots of bulbs … I do like the results.
All the ribbon and butterflies are from Dee’s shop. I think the whole thing cost me about 10 euro to make … including bulbs and the clay pots … I’m making them as Xmas presents as well.
Coco kept watch on me as I tidied up and lit the candles … is the dog a model or what?
Derek and Lynda arrived and we drank some Jacobs Creek pink sparkling as the dinner cooked …. very very slowly … as my gas bottle ran out!!! They popped it all back in their oven and we had a gorgeous pork chop meal …
This was before we heard about the pork disaster across Ireland.
I popped out to take some photos of Santa’s visit to Ballinamore to say hello to the children … I’ll be posting the photos in the next thing I write.
And then we went out and joined Mags for a few drinks at Priors.
I got to bed around 2am (very civilized) and was up again at 9am this morning.
I took Coco for a walk to the lock at the end of our street.
This is Ballinamore on a Sunday morning … I can almost see a tumbleweed.
We got to the lock and everything is covered in frost.
The canal has frozen over.
I let Coco off her lead for her first run in 5 days since her operation … she literally levitated with joy.
The mist and stillness and the outrageously clean air … it’s like an elixir … air as champagne … delicious.
After a good while Coco and I wandered home and were cosy back in bed reading the Sunday papers when there was a knock on the door … it was Mags … could Coco come out to play with the other dogs?
Surely … and I was going as well.
Mags drove us and 4 dogs (all but Coco escalating their joyous barking the closer we got to Garadice Lake … and the barking echoed around and around the car!) down to the lake.
Leitrim has more lakes than any other county in Ireland … you drive around a corner … there’s another one. We’ve even got disappearing lakes … they appear when you least expect it … not joking.
Mags and the dogs lept off and I ambled behind taking photos.
I adore the sculptural quality of the landscape in winter … it’s the bare bones of life.
The winter light is also amazing on days like this … diamond clear … everything is so well defined you could almost cut yourself on the landscape.
There are so many beautiful views of the lake.
I love the way the brown foliage looks like gold.
Sometimes the mist and light make everything look literally … black and white.
And I spied a wee robin … hardy little creatures.
This is the church that overlooks the lake … I love the stone work.
It was so still that it seemed the landscape was etched into the water.
Undulating (such a sensual word) fields defined by treescapes and fences.
Mags walked around twice while I ambled.
Notice the lovely new scarf and hat that was a present from Ann (hope you’re feeling better soon Ann).
John Joe is looking very well … love that dog.
We all piled back in the car and happily wended our way home.
Coco and I were once again happily ensconced in the warm laba (bed) a few hours later when there was another knock on the door … and lo … it was Mags bearing gifts … a warm plate of stuffed roast chicken, 2 kinds of potatoes, peas, corn and gravy.
Swoon.
I thanked Maggie … shoved her out the door … and gave the food the attention it so richly deserved.
Sorry … no photo … I ate it all so quickly … and shared some with Coco. She loved it as much as I did.
Thanks Mags … treasure.
I then spent a while resizing a pile of photos that will be appearing in posts this week and am writing this from the warmth of my bed … Coco fast asleep beside me.
What a perfect weekend … being useful … spend time with friends … make something … have friends cook for me 2 days in a row … walk in amazing landscape … laugh and chat … drink pink bubbles … laugh at my dog …
What’s not to love?
This week and next week I’m going to be writing about Christmas in Ballinamore.
I’ll be showcasing our great shops and other services … and the fab people that run them.
That’s Mags.
There’ll be tips and hints on different kinds of presents … some costing no money at all.
Lots of photos … because I hear from my readers that you love seeing them.
If you are from Ballinamore but living away … let me know if there’s a place in town you’d specially like me to photograph … I’ll do my best. If you have a friend or family member you’d like me to photograph … let’s see what I can organize.
Thanks to all the people that stop me in the street (or in Prior’s pub last night) and say how much they enjoy reading the blog … tickles me pink … specially when they only recognize me because of Coco!!
I write because I love writing … and I’d do it if no one read the blog.
Gotta say though … it’s nice to know you’re out there.
Big hello and loves to my Pa … who rings me if I don’t blog for a few days to check I’m ok.
I send you all sparkling wishes for a lovely week.
Remember … if you want to see something (or someone) in particular in Christmas Ballinamore … drop me a line.
Slan
Liz
Hello Liz,
I am new to your blog and just wanted
to say that I love it!
Your pictures and your stories are wonderful.
I am so glad I found your blog by accident!
I also write a blog and you are welcome to
stop by.
Btw, I love the town of Ballinamore and had
the pleasure of spending a week there last
year.
Best wishes ~Kimme
Welcome Kimme,
Good luck with your dream to own a cottage in Ireland. With the prices dropping so much your dream may come true just a little quicker.
Yeh – I love Ballinamore and am so happy to have lived her for 2 years. My neighbours are treasures and this is really a friendly town.
Enjoyed your blog.
Best.
Liz
Hi Liz, Just read your Perfect Weekend in Ballinamore. I love your up-beat writings and the pictures are wonderful. Had time to read more, and loved your thinking on the ‘doom and gloomers’.
Just posting off Christmas cards (home made) to Australia today. It’s the post deadline! Yipes! Just on time, or nearly, once again. My mom no longer uses the computer, – so it’s back to snail mail.
All the best to you,
Jan
Hi Darl
It looks freezing! But beautiful.
I think the levitating dog is my favourite photo of all time. Suitable for framing or putting on the front of Christmas cards I think.
OK, must go and tweak the airconditioner up now.
=) xx Marc
HI Brother dear
Yeh – I think I’ll get the levitating dog photo framed … it kind of portrays an essential joy.
I see that Singapore is in the lovely 30C … hope to be there in a few months.
Enjoy the week.
xx Liz
Hi Liz,
I enjoy your musings on life in and around Ballinamore. I live in Prince Edward Island, off the East Coast of Canada. Today my wife and I are hunkered down at home in a snow blizzard. Will be in Leitrim for a month in Feb.We had owned a home between Fenagh and Gorvagh but sold it two years ago. Have many relatives in Mohill/Fenagh area.
Say hello to Greg Smyth of the gift shop for me.
Keep the blog going
Frank
HI Frank
Thanks for taking the time to say hello … and hope you are all safe out of the snow.
February should be nice and cold here when you visit … though it might feel warm for you.
Have a great 2009.
Best
Liz
Liz, these photos are so rich and evocative. They are like miniature paintings, each one of them.
Difficult to choose a favorite but the one of the beautiful Mags heading down the lane with the dogs ahead is special. And Coco is obviously a super model in her heart. I am especially enjoying the pictures of her and her wild energy!
I probably needn’t tell you that anyone who comes to the door bearing a gorgeous hot meal is a friend for life! [vbg] How wonderful to know such nurturing people!
All the best~
Anne
Thanks Anne
Yeh … I’m blessed with great friends and neighbours … here in Ballinamore and all over the world.
Coco is certainly a super model and demands the same attention!
Love your blog.
Best
Liz