Miss Courtney’s Tearooms

For our 5 year anniversary we went to Killarney for a much needed mini-break. While we were there we just had to visit Miss Courtney’s Tearooms since it came so highly recommended by not only my parents who had been there this time last year, but as well as RTE’s Nationwide.

This delightful tearoom was established in 1909 when Miss Margaret Courtney first launched her business and since then, it has been run by four generations, to present day owner Sandra Dunlea. The tearoom was revamped in 2008 giving it a lovely and light new lease of life.

A juicy selection of vintage mix-and-match tea sets and tea pots. Four shelves of delicate eye candy. I really don’t know what it is about vintage china, but I could look at it for hours. And more importantly, I like when it doesn’t match. 
Scrumptious baked temptations at the till.
Along with lapping up the yummy atmosphere, we enjoyed lovely fresh scones topped with jam and cream – to die for. My fiancé* had a pot of tea – I mean old school tea – with tea leaves. On the back of the menu was a detailed walk-through of how to read tea leaves. It reminded me so much of my grandmother.
*That’s right! No longer my boyfriend. I never remember to refer to him as my fiancé though. I regret to inform you my blog will be bombarded with wedding crap from now on. 

Cast on

I find knitting so comforting. It gives a level of comfort to a room that not much else can bring. Not only tactile comfort, but the time and effort that goes into sitting down and knitting something wonderful.
I’ve recently come across a lot of alternative homely knitting, and had to post them. I’m really into the knitted poufs, and would love to have one. But since we have two cats, I’m not sure how practical any of the below are …

Phat Knits by Bauke Knottnerus | they remind me so much of a giant snake that used to occupy the Public Library where I grew up, long ago.

I’m also really enjoying knitted lampshades at the moment. This one is by Roost Living. I’m tempted to try my hand at whipping one up myself, but I fear it would be too disastrous. Also shown is the 365 Knitting Clock by Siren Elise Wilhelmsen. I saw this creative alternative at the 100% Design London show in September 2010. It’s designed to knit a stitch every half an hour; a round per day, resulting in a 6ft scarf at the end of the year – just in time for Christmas, if you time it right.

Image sources | 1, 24 & 56 and 7.

Feta + popcorn

Inspiration struck while I was in my kitchen. Feta and popcorn. This combo is ace. Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it.