Walk to Brighton Beach

We met up with Oskar & his mommy and headed to the Charles. Oskar had been "resisting nap" all day so he got in a much needed power nap. Who can blame him, he is too busy exploring the world!
The Canadian Geese were busy honking about and interesting to the boys.

A Daly Irish Tea!

An Irish Blessing

May there always be work
For your hands to do
May your purse always carry
A shilling or two
May the sun always play
On your windowpane
May a rainbow chase after
Each spot of rain
May the hand of a friend
Always be near you
May God fill your heart
With gladness and cheer you.

Yesterday, Sarah hosted a wonderful Irish tea~ complete with authentic Cork Wheaten Bread, Brown Bread, Green Hills Raisin Scones, homemade butter (March "butter" issue of Saveur is a must-buy!), Duck Trap and Pacific smoked salmon w/capers & onions, Dublin Cheddar, Kerry butter, Kiskeam ham, yumyumyum... and chocolate truffles and clover cookies with Barry's teas. The food spread was, indeed, impressive! We did a good job eating it all.
Unfortunately Robin, Allie & Molly couldn't make it due to illness-

Oh geez- not to mention, dessert!! Sarah made the most delicious butterscotch (also from Saveur) and she made special frappes for us with vanilla ice cream and Bailey's.
Andrew was a "party animal", staying up past his bedtime and very well behaved! We brought his high chair and he was deeply satisfied with the breads. They were nice and crumbly (all over Sarah's floor!) for him to eat while we socialized.

Photo from that a.m. He likes to chase the jingly ball Nana gave him!Silly us: with the camera-timer in use!
Mom should have remembered to use the camera earlier- oh well-

I also made a delicious bread. (Really- we FEASTED!) It's a recipe I asked for, from my former employer, Bill Joyce, at B.L. Makepeace. It's a family recipe of his. His wife traditionally makes the bread during St. Patrick's. It's so good and easy to make, I suggest you try it! The recipe can be cut in half to make one loaf.

Barm Brack
makes two loaves
serve with butter

Pre-heat the oven to 300 degrees.
Mix together the dry ingredients:

4 cups flour
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Then add to mixture:

3 teaspoons caraway seeds
1 cup raisins
1 cup currants

Beat together:

2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk

Add to the dry mixture. (Do not overmix.)
Lastly, add 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) melted, unsalted butter, just until combined.

Pour mixture into greased, floured bread pans.
Or, line the bottom and sides with 1 piece parchment. Allows you to just
lift the loaf out when done. No greasing necessary.

Sprinkle sugar on top.

Bake on the middle rack, 45-55 min.
(Check at 45 min. Remove when loaves start to get browned.)

The Barm Brack is a delicious fruit loaf eaten all year round in Ireland, but especially popular at Halloween when, by tradition, a ring is hidden in the loaf and the one who finds it will be the next to marry.

The “official Irish” Barm Brack has no carraway seed, but has 1/2 cup of mixed candied citrus peel, a pinch of nutmeg and 1/2 tsp of cinnamon.

Play date at Rogers Park

Melinda & Christopher (who is 1 week older than Oskar, 4/10).
This park is closest to their home &, according to us moms, has the best swings!Ragnhild & Oskar doing what Oskar loves most- walking!!

Peng & Katie snuggling on the swing.
Katie, who already has a lot of teeth, is feeling the pain of more coming in!

Oskar tries out Christopher's xylophone stick (which lately, he travels with everywhere).


Christopher really showed interest in Andrew and was "talking" to him!
Unfortunately, Andrew was more interested in his silly sneakers- and, even though one was double-knotted, he still managed to untie it!