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Irish Tea Brack Recipe

Irish Tea Brack Growing up in Ireland one of my many favorite foods was fruit cake. At Halloween we had a fruit cake called barm brack with a ring in. The ring was meant to tell the finder that they would one day marry. At 7 years old I never had any doubt that I was going to marry a prince anyway. This tea Brack made with tea is popular all year round it is delicious. After a visit to Ireland this summer I committed to mastering this delicious...

Irish Car Rental Survival Guide: Navigating the Challenges of Renting a Car in Ireland

Renting a car in Ireland can be a daunting experience, even for someone like me, an Irish native now living in the U.S., who travels back home annually. Despite the joy of returning to Ireland, and arriving in Dublin dealing with car rental companies is often frustrating. From insurance pitfalls, high rental prices and damage disputes, the process can feel like an endless obstacle course. This guide aims to shed light on these challenges and...

Scotch Egg’s Recipe with Air Fryer option

Scotch Eggs are one of those classic English picnic and buffet staples—savory, satisfying, and just plain delicious any time of year. When I moved to the U.S., I quickly realized I wasn’t going to find any pre-made ones like you would back in the UK. So, I dug up a recipe from Delia Smith years ago and started making my own. Over time, I’ve tweaked and perfected it into my Scotch Egg recipe. Whenever I make these for guests, they’re...

Mini custard APPLE tarts with walnuts (no added sugar)

Mini Sugar Free Apple Tarts In England and Ireland apples are as popular in Fall as pumpkin spice.  Apples play a big role at Halloween.  Bobbing for apples was our #1 sport on Halloween.   As a kid growing up in the West of Ireland, we waited every fall for the apple man to arrive.  He sold cooking or crab apples which were incredible for baking with.  I have never seen these apples in the US and the closest I can...

Irish Boxty (Potato Pancakes)

“Boxty on the griddle, boxty on the pan if you don’t eat Irish Boxty you will never be a man” (Or so the rhyme went when I was a child) Irish Boxty is a simple and delicious potato pancake made from raw pureed or finely grated potatoes. Boxty was a food staple in the West of Ireland when I was growing up. Once known as the poor man’s bread it has now come into its own as a gourmet dish and has been adapted by Chef’s as an...

Pumpkin Spice Scone with Spiced Apple Glaze.

Scones are one of my all-time favorite treats to bake. I adore traditional fruit scones, and I love making special holiday versions too. Some of my seasonal scones are such big hits that I get requests for them all year round! For this fall version, I’ve embraced America’s pumpkin obsession to create a new addition to my scone lineup. I’ve stuck close to the traditional English method because I prefer the lighter, less dense texture it...

The AirBnb from Hell! Airbnb Disaster in London

My Airbnb Disaster in London I am a frequent user of Airbnb all over the world and I have seen “Airbnb's worst-ever stories” all over the internet.  I have had a few issues but nothing significant or that would put me off using Airbnb.    Overall, I have had some great experiences but unfortunately due to their 15% booking fee I now look elsewhere when I am booking more expensive trips, it is simply too much.  But...

John Soanes Museum London

On a rainy afternoon in London, we visited the John Soanes Museum at 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3B. We took the tube to Tottenham Court Road and walked to the museum. I am not exactly an expert on architecture, so I was unsure if I would enjoy it. Surprisingly, I found it interesting and learned he had designed the first Bank of England building. Sadly, most of his original work has been demolished now. The museum consists of three...

Green Motion Car Rental – London City Airport  AVOID AT ALL COSTS

This report relates to my experience at Green Motion London City Airport I  rented a vehicle at London City Airport on the 11th of June for two days.  We rented from Expedia for what we thought was a bargain at $69, paid for with our Chase Sapphire credit card which provides excellent car rental insurance. However, our $69 bargain turned into a whopping $1800 due to the rental company's billing practices for minor or existing...

Chelsea Flower Show – Bloomin Marvelous!

Anybody who knows me well knows how much I love flowers. In addition to my love of fresh flowers, I have so many items of clothing, bedding, household linens, table linens, etc. adorned with flowers. A trip to the Chelsea Flower Show has been on my bucket list for a very long time. When I lived in London 30 years ago, I could never really afford it. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show was formally known as the Great Spring Show. The RHS (Royal...