It’s so cold here at the moment that even the Hyacinths are huddling close together. Three or four degrees celsius every day for the last week. That wouldn’t be too bad but there’s also a biting east wind which makes it feel so much chillier. At least we don’t have snow like the folks in England and Northern Ireland.
Doggies are cuddling in together too.
The humans are feelings the stirrings of Spring and are keen to work outdoors. There is much to be done in the garden, pruning, making beds and of course keeping up a good supply of logs for the stove. The Siberian wind makes it hard to stay outside for too long. We managed about 3 hours yesterday, less today.
Even though we are only 45 minutes drive away from our old place it is a completely new area to get to know. We are still close to Boyle and Carrick on Shannon but it’s nice to get to know the towns that are new to us.
Ballaghadreen is a town most people pass through on the way to Knock Airport. We went there yesterday to get some supplies. In the supermarket I was delighted to see lots of vegetarian staples on the shelves. Mung beans, chick peas
and spices I would normally expect to pay a premium price for in the health food store.
They even stock pure butter ghee. I’ve only ever been able to get this in Dublin.
Not a bad price either. The town of Ballaghaderreen has a large population of people from Pakistan living there hence the good supply of “ethnic foods.” I love it!
On the way home we stopped at the Douglas Hyde Interprative Centre which is on the main road from Ballaghaderreen to Frenchpark. Douglas Hyde was Ireland’s first president and this church, where his father was rector, now houses a museum. It doesn’t open until May so I shall make sure to visit it then. Didn’t think to take a pic of the church itself.
Douglas Hyde is buried here beneath this lovely celtic cross.
On a building behind the church is this lovely old cast iron door. How Ireland has changed in the years since this door was made. If only these old things could talk what treasures they would speak.
Back home, indoors, for Butternut Squash and Carrot soup. It definitely is weather for soup.
fromacountrycottage 
I agree with your sentiment about these old things — if only they could speak, we could have learned so much from them. But, alas, they can’t. It would have been great if you wrote down your recipes for the soup :-).
The soup was made with 2 onions fried in olive oil. I butternut squash, 3 carrots and a few ounces of lentils. I did’nt have a recipe, for me, soups are just whatever is in the larder at the time. Just cover all with water and simmer for about 30 minutes. Blend and enjoy the pure goodness.
Bridget.
How wonderful to have all those lovely foods in stock at the stores! Darling photo of your dogs:) Crocus are the only flower to peek out yet here.. and promptly had 6 inches of snow dumped on her head! love that door xxx
Oddly, it is soup weather in south eastern United States, too. We are shivering in our boots — brrrrrrr!
our weather has been a bit like yours Bridget, no snow but bitingly cold winds, the temp has been just above freezing but with the windchill feels like -5 -6 according to the Stornoway forecasts and that’s how it feels to me, the coldest all winter,
interesting you have found these shops full of goodies now you have moved when before you thought you had to go to Dublin for some of the products, Stornoway my nearest/only shopping town on the island is about 45 mins away from me, I now appreciate what I used to take for granted on the mainland,
wouldn’t it be lovely if old building and things could talk, I think this most about trees especially the very old ones, keep warm, Frances
We’ve been lucky to get away with just a little snow but the wind has been so cold. Unlike you I haven’t been able to muster much enthusiasm for going outdoors. I still feel like I’m in hibernation mode and I’m desperate for some warmth now. How brilliant to have such a great shop not too far away. I love walking around shops like that. The smells are so amazing. I went to uni in a town with a large Asian population and loved those places.
Its hard to come out of hibernation mode in these conditions but I’m stubborn and there’s so much to do here. Delighted with the shop find.
Ballaghaderreen here I come Jaysus you wouldn’t get half of those supplies in the big shops here in Dun Laoghaire 🙂
We’ve got it all down here in the sticks Ena!! x
It’s getting warmer here in northern Michigan, USA. The snow is finally melting, and I even have a couple patches of bare earth. I’m ready for warmth! Thank you for a lovely post!
The other shop worth checking out in Ballaghderreen is Jew C ( think that’s how it’s spelt) a small shop on the corner by the traffic lights, it looks a scruffy place but has a great stock, you can even buy lemon grass there.
Thanks Anne! I will check that out on my next visit.