"I think we all long for glamour" Linda Lee

The only corner of our house that doesn't have windows or Mirrors!

Our great friends and neighbors, Fiona & Fintan

The beautiful hostess Julie (in silver), with Ian & Jackie (also beautiful :))

Jax & Maryvonne in the lovely antique chairs

Atmosphere shot

The piano man with one of Julie & John's friends singing- it was really good

Last Saturday we went to a party thrown by our friends, Julie & John. They live behind us- just over the wall- and they have 3 boys. The youngest is the same age as our boys, and their 8-year -old is so good with them as well. Unfortunately John's Dad passed away earlier this year.

Before they sell his house, they decided to throw a party to say goodbye to it in style. And did they ever! It was amazing party and it really solidified my notion that there are so many great, nice people here. Thanks Julie & John!

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”- Mother Theresa of Calcutta

Camilla

My Girls

Great to have a night out!

We will miss you Camilla!

Sometimes people come into your life, even for a short time, and they make it better. It's so important that moms have each other as friends, and it seems even more important when you live far from old friends & family.

Thursday night we said goodbye to Camilla, who is on her way to Sydney, Australia. Just last week after a stressful morning, she offered me some very wise and very needed counsel. I am glad to know you Camilla! And best of luck in OZ!

"For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity. " William Penn

Mildred Marion Abitz Gallagher Butler

September 9, 1922-October 15, 2011

Because of the time difference, I didn't hear of my grandmother's death until the day after. But just that night the boys and I were talking about her and looking at her picture.

In an email to my Dad, I remembered my grandmother. But the one thing that I didn't include was her greatest accomplishment. My Dad. He is the best father and grandfather and I love and admire him so much.

Here are some thoughts from the email:

Grandma used to take us to A&S for our birthday to get new clothes. She would pick me up in her powder blue car (the one I smashed in 1986) and we would look at clothes and try things on and I would come home, very excited and feeling very special.

She always had lots of Juicy Fruit in her bag and she let us go in and take what we wanted.

Sometimes Tricia and I would sleep over at her house. Once I remember I got to go by myself. Grandma and I ate ice cream and watched "The Boy in The Plastic Bubble".

Tricia and I used to go up in her room and go into her scarf drawer. She had millions! We had so much fun playing with them.

When I had a tick in my head in 3rd grade, Grandma picked me up and took me to the Dr. to have it removed.

Tricia and I went to visit her and JB in Florida in High School and we had a lot of laughs between us, and Grandma and JB were very nice, and took us out to dinner every night.

And when I was staying at the White's while Brian was born & Tricia was having her tonsils out, I was upset and didn't want to stay there anymore. I snuck home after school and started really crying. She hugged me for a long time, and said that I could stay at home. Grandpa was there too.

I know that she loved us a lot, and I am glad that she is at peace.

"Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction." ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

The Beautiful Bride and her Dad

The Lovely Maid of Honor, Amy

My Loves

I love this picture!

Tom reading an Irish Blessing at his Goddaughter's Wedding

Molly & Lou

Wedding Party

The Groom brews his own beer!

Some special time with Happy Joan

We were so excited to arrive in Maine for the wedding of our niece, Molly and her fiance, Lou.  Their wedding date was September 10, 2011 (9-10-11!).  Molly and Lou met at their first year at Hamilton College and have been together ever since.  It was lovely to be a part of their wedding day and to spend some great time with Tom's family!

The ceremony was beautiful, and they had a perfect New England day. Our niece Amy, the Maid of Honor, gave a funny, touching speech, as did Lou's brother.  It was really nice to hear all the funny stories about the couple and how much they are loved.  Ann, the Mother of the Bride hosted a beautiful brunch the next day.  We had a fantastic time!

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

At Trinity College

Molly & Michele - the obligatory Dublin Shot

With Michele after climbing Killiney Hill

Michele in her Cell (another one for my collection!)

My very good friend Michele from New York came to visit this week. She was at a conference in London and added a trip to Dublin to her itinerary. It was so nice to see her and spend some time in person. I loved catching up and showing her where we live.

Michele loved Ireland and thought that it was one of the most beautiful places that she had ever seen. I have to agree. Thanks for coming Michele!!!

"It doesn’t matter where you go in life, what you do ….. it’s who you have beside you."- Unknown

The Dublin Horse Show 2011

Getting to watch during the short dry spell

Ready to Ride!

What is a Horse show without riding one yourself?

Happy to get on a horse, even in the pouring rain

At the statues in front of the Four Seasons

Miss Mary at our house!

Sort of coincidentally, the last few days have brought us back to some of our earliest experiences in Ireland. Our first few days were spent at the Four Seasons. After weeks of packing and preparing to move in hot, sweaty, New York, I wanted to relax and unwind a little before moving into our temporary apartment. The boys loved the statues outside, and we have pictures of their 2-year-old selves with all of them.

With no car and a bunch of still-foggy heads, we headed over to the Dublin Horse Show on the first weekend we were in the Apartment. It was within walking distance, interesting for the kids, and a great, much needed day out.

Finally, on our third weekend here, we headed to Killarney on the train to visit our good friends Miss Mary and John. They are long time New Yorkers, originally from Kerry and the usually come over for August. We REALLY needed that weekend away and I remember how exited I was to get on the train at Euston Station.

This past weekend, we went to the Horse Show, Visited the Four Seasons and Miss Mary came to our house in Dublin. Really nice time, and lots of good memories.

"Where thou art, that is home."- Emily Dickinson

Two years ago today we arrived in Dublin. We are living, learning and loving it here, more than we could have imagined.