How to make the Most Scrumptious Chocolate Brownie After Dinner Platter

A mouthful of words for a decadent feast. There are few that can resist the temptation of a chocolate pud with fruits and nuts to boot.

Planting a Vegetable Garden in Ireland, Red Lipstick and an Apple and Almond Tart for Tea

The wigwam of peas is my absolute favourite. It is my favourite to pick and eat, and also to watch grow, catching their little tendrils like holding a toddlers fingers while they take their first steps.

Gardening, JournalJennifer Ritchie24 May 2021Jennie Ritchievegetable garden, life in irelandComment

The Fluffiest Swiss Roll with Blueberry Jam and Piles of Whipped Cream

I like it oozing with berries and not too sweet. You can persuade even the most waistline-conscious of friends to try a slice and the children will devour it. It doesn’t suit picnics too well, however, as it all becomes sticky…

Grey Day Work-From-Home Fashion and Three Ways to Eat your Veggie Box Greens

There was no drizzle nor dampness but a general feeling that the sky was tired holding it’s tummy muscles in and was relaxing it’s girth towards us. Oh, what to wear?

Snow in January, sticky fluffy pancakes and clay modelling

By now the blueberry sauce will be sticky and sensational. Drop some onto the pancakes and if you are feeling fancy add a dollop of coconut yoghurt and some toasted, flaked almonds for a gourmet Thursday, snowy morning breakfast at home.

A brave new dawn - every single day

I don’t mind telling you that a run in the morning and a G & T in the evening seem to have become my daily habits.

Sitting at home in Ireland in a crisis

The world and I are in a crisis. It happened fast and I didn’t understand what was happening, or do anything about it.

The best ever Pumpkin and Ginger Soup Recipe

Even with a chef husband I have to cook from time to time. Today I started making a curry but switched after a few minutes to try a recipe from a new cookbook that I ordered - the best ever pumpkin and ginger soup.

RecipesJennifer Ritchie6 February 2020Jennie Ritchiepumpkin and ginger soup, soup recipe, pumpkin soup recipeComment

How to treat itchy scalp - the natural way

SLS is a known major skin irritant and SLES is a suspected carcinogen. When I read this I dived straight into the shower to inspect the shampoo I had. Sure enough, SLS was the second ingredient - boom, straight in the bin!

Finding Winter Happiness in the Garden

It’s about this time of year that my enthusiasm for the return to Ireland wanes. The mucky roads and damp, soggy conditions, pared with enticing jobs opportunities in sunnier climes make me wonder.

GardeningJennifer Ritchie1 February 2020Jennie Ritchiegardening, winter gardenComment

7 Good Habits I have Chosen to Make a Positive Change to my Life

I have made some big changes to my lifestyle recently to encourage positive change and productivity. Getting settled into life back in Ireland financially has been the biggest hurdle.

Moving to IrelandJennifer Ritchie15 September 2019Jennie Ritchiepositive habits, self improvement, personal developmentComment

The perfect place to live?

So, I find it funny that I am back in Ireland now. This is the country that I escaped from.

10 Things that I wish I had been told before I moved back to Ireland

The reality is, after almost two years back ‘home’, that the children would rather live somewhere else. We haven’t bought our own home. But, we do ….

Jennifer Ritchie18 May 2019Jennie RitchieComment

The Féis {pronounced fe-sh}

Fast forward 25 years and my return to life in Ireland. I suggested an Irish dancing lesson to my 7-year-old daughter.

The cold of an Irish winter in a G rated house

It has made me think often of my grandparents, particularly Nana and Granny. They lived with little or no central heating and wore skirts with tights every day. Is our generation soft?

Moving to IrelandJennifer Ritchie31 January 2019Jennie Ritchieinsulation, cold house, old house, keeping warmComment

November in Ireland - Carlingford and Slieve Gullion

November can be such a gloomy month with short days and chilly winds blowing, but I snapped these pictures on various outings to remind myself of the intrinsic beauty of nature at all times of the year.

Does the House you live in Define who you are?

“A sea view and a weeping willow tree” that’s the start of my list - but is your home that important or is it just a place to rest?

A beautiful day in Rostrevor

We moved to Louth. A week later, I could give myself a pat on the back to say well done and celebrate my own power. Now it was time to rebuild our lives again, to start over in a new place: making friends and finding things to do

Finding Home within Yourself - banishing Self Doubt

It is all too easy for me to dream of greener grass and to hunt it down. It has been my pattern for years. A life lived in colour has always been my motto. Yet I have had doubts and worries in every place.

The Taste of Love - an article I submitted to the New York Times

I grew up in Ireland in the 70s, there were no mangos there then. If there were, they weren’t on our table.

Moving to IrelandJennifer Ritchie17 November 2018Jennie Ritchieessay, love, foodieComment