While we really love living here in Ireland - the wonderful people, the culture and the great travel opportunities - the time has come to move onto the next stage of our lives.

Reeves has accepted a new position at Microsoft in Redmond, Washington and we will be moving state-side the second week of January. While this is a great opportunity for us, we can't help but be a bit sad leaving this great country.

Just in case we thought we might be bored over the next six weeks till we move, we have a few trips to keep us occupied.  Tomorrow morning (7 am flight - eek!) we are off to Granada, Spain for 5 1/2 days.  Then we have a 3 day trip to the Southwest of Ireland in Dingle planned for the second weekend of December.  For Christmas we are off to New York to spend a few days in Manhattan to visit our friends and then to Goshen, NY to spend the actual holiday with our family.

So, new adventures are afoot for the Littles - stay tuned for the latest craziness!

Yesterday we made our way down to Waterford, an adorable little town on the banks of the Suir River. Our destination was the what most people think of when they hear "Waterford", their Crystal Factory.  Housing their entire line of crystal products, there were plenty from which to choose. I have always wanted a set of lovely old fashioned tumblers, so we purchased the Dolemn patter.

  Our new tumblers

We had thought we might spend the night so we could see the sites, but with the Irish weather there was not much to do outdoors, so we decided to head over to Cashel to see the historic site, the Rock of Cashel.  First used as a defensive fortress for the overkings of Munster, it was given over to the church in 1101.  From there a great church and other buildings, including a round tower were built here as it became the seat of an archbishop.

The Rock of Cashel fortress - view on a clear day, which wasn't our trip

We could see why the site was abandoned for a less inclement location the 18th Century - while we were there it was raining quite hard and the umbrella bending wind was whipping the rain around in all directions.  The restored private living chambers of the monks, now housing a museum and theatre, were not heated and they were freezing and damp.  I can't even imagine what it would have been like 1000 years ago without modern advances of electricity and central heating!

We had skipped lunch and by 4 pm we were ready for food.  Right at the bottom of "the rock" was the most scrumptious place called Cafe Hans (with a sister restaurant for dinner called Chez Hans next door in a converted chapel).  Reeves had a lovely gnocchi with spinach & rashers and I had yummy lamb chops over mashers and green beans.  All the food was top quality and an unexpected treat as most restaurants we have stumbled upon are barely better than "pub food" and finding good cuisine in Ireland is usually a challenge when you don't have a specific recommendation. I would highly recommend this place if you are in Co. Tipperary.

While I was hoping we could spend the night to avoid driving home in the weather, Reeves really wanted to sleep in his own bed so we braved the pouring rain and bad drivers and made it home in one piece - another Irish adventure to add to our collective memory.

...and that is the only word with which you can describe Harry, utterly Dreamy!!  We just got home from the Harry Connick Jr. concert and is was such a lovely evening!  We had the most excellent seats - we were only 5 rows from the front and positioned just slightly behind, but almost in line with the keyboard of the piano - the perfect spot to be blown away by his talented fingers and see that sparkling smile.  Being so close made it almost feel like an intimate bar gig, that is if you didn't look behind you and see the crowd. :)  I also never realized what a natural comedian he is - it was one of the band member's 50th birthday and they brought out this little lopsided chocolate cake, lit the candles and we all sang happy birthday - Harry then proceeded to bring some slices of cake down to the audience and handed a couple the people right in front of us.  He then walked all the way to the back to deliver some cake and came back around to the stage after telling some very random but funny stories.  A good time was had by all!!

A random 7 degrees of separation with HCJr. - I went to the same high school as his wife, Jill Goodacre, in Boulder, Co. She's a couple years older, but was already known as the Victoria Secret Model by the time I was a Senior. (ok, so maybe that is one's a couple degrees :) )

Today is the 14th anniversary of the day Reeves and I first kissed!  I has been 13 fun filled years full of lots of kisses.

I knew Reeves was something special from that very first kiss so long ago....back in the dark ages...when I was still a Junior in college! :)

Happy kiss-iversary Honey!! 

I was realizing today this is the first time I have visited the greater Seattle area at this time of the year - what a beautiful place!  The trees are in full fall bloom in vibrant shades of crimson and mustard leaves.  Today, Leslie and I took a drive along Lake Sammamish from Redmond down to Issaquah.  It was an overcast day and was raining a bit on and off so there were low clouds nestled down among the pines, weaving themselves into the trees - gorgeous! It gave the lake a cozy feeling making me want to curl up in front of a lovely warm fire in my fuzziest of PJs. 

We ended up having lunch in the cute little downtown area of Issaquah and then driving up and around the Bellevue, Kirkland and Juanita areas.  There really are many great little communities which have beautiful wooded areas and great views of the mountains and various water features.

It started to get me in the holiday mood with the weather and the environment - scary thought x-mas is less than 2 months away.  It always seems to sneak up on me when I least expect it!! 

Never a quiet moment and we are off again, this time to Redmond, Washington.  Reeves is going to have a busy week of work but I get to hang out with my friend Leslie and enjoy all the delights of area, including some wine tasting!  Since I am getting my new laptop while I am there, I will hopefully get some more time to blog, as well as working on my genealogy class which, I can't believe, is almost over.

I also can't believe the x-mas season is already here!!  The shops here have had x-mas decorations up even before Halloween - it is becoming especially intense now since there is no Thanksgiving holiday to break up the November-December time - my how the time flies!!!

I must have been English in a former life as I feel so at home in this city.  This is the fifth time I have been to London and I could return year after year and still feel like there is more to explore.  I popped over for just a quick 3 day 2 nights which I had book just the week before - I had wanted to get over before the weather changed from fall to winter and before the couple museum exhibits I wanted to see closed.

Flying in on Tuesday morning, being ushered into London with a glorious sunny day, I was to my hotel, The Pelham, in South Kensington by about 11:30 am.  I love this hotel and I have stayed here 4 of the 5 times I have been to London.  In fact this is one of my favorite hotels in which I have ever stayed.  It is a quiet oasis away from the bustle of the streets and is so convenient, located directly across the South Kensington tube stop. So, you can take the Piccadilly line directly to and from Heathrow.  

I was then off to the Royal Society of Arts to see the show, Making History: Antiquaries In Britain, 1707–2007 - Here is what there web site states of the show: 

It features works of art, antiquities and manuscripts of unique historical importance, such as a processional cross of King Richard III and his defeated Yorkist army recovered from the battlefield of Bosworth (1485). Also on show will be the earliest known medieval manuscript illustrations of Stonehenge, as well as drawings and paintings of this and other historic sites and monuments by great artists such as Constable, Turner, Girtin and Blake.

  The exterior of part of the Royal Academy of Arts - the home of the Society of Antiquaries 

It was a nice little show taking me about 2 hours, which included lunch in their lovely little cafe. After I decided I was ready to switch gears and thought I would indulge in a bit of retail therapy in an area of London which I had never explored before - Regent Street. 

 The Beautiful Georgian Buildings of Regent Street

I walked up the lovely Georgian street doing some window shopping, stopping at Liberty of London's - truly an English institution. I spent almost 2 full hours browsing around all the wonderful rooms, lingering in the fabrics and sewing notions, the accessories shop and the lotions & potions section. So much to see it is a visual cacophony of products.  I picked out some wonderful bubble bath and candle as I couldn't wait to spend an evening luxuriating in my perfect hotel room. 

After a quick stop by the gigantic department store, Selfridge's (which I was frankly disappoint with - too noisy, too crowded, and everything was tied down in an attempt to keep the shoplifting to a minimum but completely dissuading anyone who actually might buy something from wanting to see/pick-up and browse the store).

I was giddy as I made my way back to the hotel. I was SO excited at the prospect of room service (from their really nice restaurant) a long, hot bubble bath and to bed early.  The Pelham had actually upgraded me to a Queen suite for free so I had a large room with two sets of french doors - there really wasn't much of a view with the doors opening to the back, but it was quiet and allowed the fresh crisp fall air to fill the room. 

 My lovely room at the Pelham

I had the perfect evening.

The next morning I woke after nine hours of sleep ready to tackle the National Gallery.  I had only been there for about 30 minutes in a past visit so I had never "done" the museum. I ended up spending 3 1/2 hours till I was just too hungry to continue and tried to find some food.  Both of their restaurants had nothing which sounded appealing (and that is saying something as I am never a picky eater) so I went over to the National Portrait Gallery and had a wonderful gourmet lunch looking out over the skyline of London.  It was a nice respite, rejuvenating me to see some more art. 

  My view for Lunch at the NPG

Since I had already seen the NPG in a previous trip, I just visited my favorites in the Tudor, Stuart and Georgian galleries.  After these two galleries I was ready to again transition to a different type of culture and spent some time in Harvey Nichols & Harrods.  I have to say that I really enjoy Harrods, it is like a toy shop for adults and I stocked up on their tea and found a lovely wrap-coat by Vivienne Westwood.   

(No, this is not me, just showing a picture of my new wrap from the Vivienne Westwood site)

Hobbling back to my hotel room, bags of exhibit books and various purchases in tow, I think I was even more excited the second night about a hot bath and room service after 10+ hours of walking around.

My final day was gray an spitting rain so I was glad I had left the closest museum till last.  I arrived at the Victoria & Albert Museum (just one block up and one block over) at opening and was glad I did as the show I had come to see started filling up quickly.  The show was The Golden Age of Couture: Paris & London 1947-1957. I really enjoyed this show and its history of fashion at this wonderful period of design revolution.  They had an exquisite collection of dresses, shoes and other accessories and I learned many little tidbits which I had never known.  Did you know that it was Roger Vivier who invented the stiletto shoe???  The museum was becoming a madhouse and there were just too many children, which I learned was because there was a school holiday, so I went back to my hotel to wait till it was time to take the train back to the airport.

The main rotunda at the V&A

While I missed my honey on this trip, I know he would be have been bored and I would have been guilty for dragging him around to all places which are much more of my interest.  It was a wonderfully restorative trip and I am again so glad to live so close to be able to do these great little last minute trips.

Yes, I am sad...Reeves just left this afternoon to attend a conference in Washington D.C. and he left me here alone. I am a big sap when it comes to my husband and have to say that I hate to be apart from him.  It is bad enough he leaves me everyday to go to work, but I really hate it when he goes off and leaves me for several days - the nerve! :)

Yep, I new he was "the one" when I could stand to be with him 24/7/365 and never feel like I needed a break from him.

Miss you honey and hurry home!

I had to share my new favorite fragrance, it is called "Kate" by Kate Moss.  Now don't let the fact it is a celebrity fragrance scare you away, which usually is what happens to me. In fact, if a product is endorsed by a celebrity, 9 times out of 10 I will run the other way as I can't stand the "cult of the celebrity" which is all too prevalent. Anyway, I digress...

I was in the department store a couple weeks ago, and as I usually do as I walk by the beauty department, I will pick up a fragrance or two for a quick sniff in what always seems like a vain attempt to find something I like. My favorite scent, which I used the entire line of lotion, shower gel and perfume, was discontinued a couple years ago, so I am always on the hunt for a replacement. My body chemistry is also such that some nice perfumes will turn horrible when settled on my skin. I am pretty particular about scents and I have always been very effected by smells, to the point I will be physically uncomfortable in a room if the smell is unsettling to me. I know I would not have done well living in the middle ages and the "aromatic" world in which people lived. But, I digress again...

The bottom line is, I am really enjoying this light, clean fragrance with just the slightest hint of fresh rose.  I am not usually one who likes artificial rose, but this one seems to work.  So, if you happen to see it, give a smell and tell me what you think.