Almost Done: Checking Off A Summertime Bucket List

Summer is over for the vast majority of people by now. My younger siblings have all started school, my friends have all returned from their vacations, and even my parents seem more routine-y lately. 

But I don't head back to classes until September 16th, and I'm still in (what should be) sunny Virginia, though it's gotten a little cloudy the last couple of days.

I made this summertime bucket list at the beginning of the summer, and now it's time to check off the last few. Here's a stock take of the as yet unchecked items....

Irish

1) Host a Fourth of July party/barbeque

My friend and I hosted a barbeque on July 4 at the BF's house. While we only expected a maximum of 20 people, more than 50 people and 6 hours later, we checked it off as a success.

2) See Cork City at sunrise

I have a sneaking suspicion that the boy reads this blog and gets date inspiration from it. I suppose that's smart. It's kind of like being able to read the girlfriend's mind without being psychic or having to call her friends. Anyway, he surprised me one day and suggested we get together early in the morning and drive out to watch the sun rise over Cork. Check!

3) Start a DIY project

Not quite a check yet, but I did buy all the supplies. That counts, right?

American

1) Host a beautiful bridal shower and bachelorette party for one of my loveliest friends

Check!! She's getting married so soon! 

2) Go hiking in the Blue Ridge

See Number 3.

3) Visit a Vineyard

I must confess that when I wrote 2 and 3 on this list, I knew exactly what kind of bachelorette party my friend wanted. So we went for a hike around the mountains and had a picnic wine tasting at a nearby vineyard. Check!

4) Go to an amusement park

Still unchecked!! 

5) Weekend at the beach

Spent the whole of a Sunday at an Ocean Club down in Southside Virginia with the boy and a great friend last week. Resounding check! 

6) Visit New York City

Epic speed visit to NYC with BF while he was visiting America for two weeks. So many friends to see in such a short time, we set up a big happy hour at a great pub called Fiddlesticks in Greenwich Village to see everyone at once!

7) Host a patio tea party

I don't even know what I was thinking with this one, but it is as yet UNCHECKED!

Summertime

1) Take a roadtrip (or several)

The most roadtrips have happened. But I'm still open to more! In the process of being checked!

2) Have a pool party

I don't have a pool, so I don't suppose this one was ever really going to happen. Wishful thinking, but still unchecked.

3) Surf (as much as possible)

So far this summer, it's only been ONCE! But we did manage a couple of days surfing in March. Does that count?

4) Camp out for a night under the stars

I had this great idea to get an inflatable pool and fill it with blankets for the evening (thank you, Pinterest!) but I haven't done it yet. So, UNCHECKED!

5) Attend an outdoor concert

In this case, I think Josh Groban at Wolf Trap counts! Woohoo! Check!

6) Make margaritas

As yet, unchecked. And yet it's so simple! Sheesh, Diva. Get it together!

7) Have a bonfire beach party

 I don't live near the beach, but I did hear talk of a nearby firepit..... Hopefully soon to be checked!

8) Go horseback riding

I love horses, and I miss riding so much sometimes. Horseback riding in late summer is like the best thing ever for some reason. As yet unchecked... the boy was too nervous to go with me ;) 

9) Eat popsicles

Easy and delicious. Check!

10) Visit a farmer's market

I suppose this can happen in the Fall, too. But see farmer's markets are cliché in the Fall, and therefore must be cooler in the summer. But Dad's grown a ton of peaches this year, so it's almost superfluous. 

11) Go to a carnival

Still unchecked!

12) Hang out with friends and family

The most checks. But I would love to add some more checks to this one, too!

A Summertime Bucket List

It's that time of year again! Even in grey, green, rainy, cold Ireland, the sun is out and all sunshiny. Busy working, hanging out with friends, and looking forward to my trip back to Virginie, I put together a little bucket list of Summertime Schtuffs that are definite must-dos. There are three editions: Irish, American, and a generic one we'll just call Summertime ("Generic" sounded awful!). 

Enjoy!

Irish

1) Host a Fourth of July party/barbeque

2) See Cork City at sunrise

3) Start a DIY project (I have a couple of little ones in mind)

American

1) Host a beautiful bridal shower and bachelorette party for one of my best and loveliest friends

2) Go hiking in the Blue Ridge

3) Visit a Vineyard

4) Go to an amusement park

5) Weekend at the beach

6) Visit New York City

7) Host a patio tea party

Summertime

1) Take a roadtrip (or several)

2) Have a pool party

3) Surf (as much as possible!)

4) Camp out for a night under the stars

5) Attend an outdoor concert

6) Make margaritas

7) Have a bonfire beach party

8) Go horseback riding

9) Eat popsicles

10) Visit a farmer's market

11) Go to a carnival

12) Hang out with friends and family

What about you, guys? Any fun summer plans or wishful thinkings? I'd love to hear them x

Caps 'n' Snow

Snow frolicking

The other night, big D took my brother and I to the Washington Capitals hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes. With perfect timing, the snow started falling as we were leaving for the ice hockey game and it didn't stop until the next day. A good ole snowfall while I m still in the USA!

Warming up

Gettin' my American fix tonight

Unfortunately, the Caps lost in overtime, but it was a fantastic game and a great time with my boys. 

He never wants to take pictures with me.... lol

As we left, the snow was sticking in Washington, DC, which is pretty impressive for our southerly nation's capital. Super gorgeous, I couldn't stop with the pictures, to the annoyance of my male company. 

Happy Snow Day, DC!

Red, White, and Blue, Puppy Christmas

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 And Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. As my mother says, the Christmas season lasts until January 6th (but as our tree tends to stay up infinitely longer than that, I think Christmas might last longer, too). 

With the holiday season, many things happen. And things like blogs, school essays, obligatory phone calls, exercise, get thrown to the wayside. With the New Year, all those things kind of pile up in the back of your mind again until you're so stressed you're wondering how you thought holiday shopping was stressful. 

Here we are, landed safely in 2014. We can follow the mode of all the other blogs in a couple of days with some New Year's Resolutions, but for today, I'd love to share some Christmas memories with all of you. 

I landed in Virginia around 10 o'clock on Friday, December 20th, and immediately hopped in the biggest pick-up truck I could find. Home sweet home! 

Christmas flew by with family, friends, and my adorable puppy Angus. It was his first Christmas with us, since last year he was a Christmas present. So I am unable to control the picture taking. 

Brother with puppy

Sister with puppy

Another sister with puppy

Grandmother with puppy

Me with puppy xx

Besides puppy photoshoots, I've gotten to see a bunch of my friends. Me and the bestie met up for some Christmas Eve dining in some fancy clothing. 

Christmas Day was an all around success, with a lovely gifts exchanged, some yummy food cooked, and some tasty bubbly popped. It was a lovely week in Virginia! 

My brother wouldn't let me give him a Christmas kiss

My sister was a little perturbed at having to wait

My sister and I enjoy the scent of brother's new Abercrombie.

Angus' new scarf

Wishing you every blessing over the holiday season and New Year!!

Thanksgiving: A New Irish Tradition

They said it couldn't be done, but we did it anyway. An American Thanksgiving in the middle of the Emerald Isle. M and I are both Americans, and being as ridiculously homesick and fond of cooking as we are (and M is quite the party/decorations kind of person), we decided to do a big dinner despite our location. So we called in 8 other friends, asked for some food donations, and started a new Irish tradition.

Unfortunately, our tiny little house struggled to contain all ten people, so with a little creativity, we managed to have two tables, one regular for six and one teeny kids table for four. But everyone put on a brave face, sipped their cocktails, and sat down to dinner. M did most of the cooking herself. One lovely guest brought some delicious side dishes and mulled wine, another meatloving guest put his hand to the turkey, a couple helped with potatoes, and I cooked the stuffing. Together thanks to everyone we got a delicious meal.

He tried so hard to get that knife to stick!

The Turkey Masterminds

Before they started helping....

No pictures of the gravy-stirrer please (*hint* that's me!)

Helping with the potatoes- cheeky girl thought she didn't need a vegetable peeler

Taking a quick break from helping....

"Do you know how to carve a turkey?"

Dealing with the leftovers...

Our house isn't really equipped to deal with leftovers...

And our fridge definitely isn't equipped to deal with leftovers.

Household god, did all the dishes himself.

Taking a (well-earned?) break

Ouch... grumpy!

The ten of us had a lovely weekend. Those American girls came back to Ireland just for Thanksgiving with us, and we had a blast. Lots of good food, good wine, and good laughter. The boy even brought champagne and glasses for everyone xx The lads did their fair share of helping out in the kitchen, so I have to say it was a great success. A new Irish tradition for sure!