Fancy A Free Yoghurt?

Anyone reading this for the first time might not be aware of my 'love affair' with local champions of all things organic and sustainable. To explain a little bit more about this whey (sic) not check out this offer:

Fancy Free Yogurt? 

We've got 250 free packs to give away to our Facebook Fans. For a chance to win, become a fan and email your address to win@glenisk.com by April 15 putting 'Facebook' in the subject line.

Yes, that's right they're at it again, the Cleary family from Killeigh, Co Offaly are distributing their new Moosletter with all the latest news from the Dairy you can trust. Click on through to their main website to find out more about this ground breaking family and see what has inspired me to follow their fortunes so closely. I'll give you a clue - it's not just because they're local!

So now that you know a little bit more about Glenisk, the people behind it and their ethics do please keep an eye out for their products in a supermarket near you, and support the local economy...

Polly Congratulates Glenisk On Latest...

Early this afternoon I logged into my Facebook account to catch up with the world, his brother and sister and basically to have a good look around. Amongst the regular updates about Farmeville and the like (all of which I studiously ignore!) I came across the latest update from Glenisk.

Regular readers are no doubt aware that Glenisk is in fact one of my neighbours. In rural Ireland, if someone lives within a couple of miles as the crow flies, they are your neighbour and I am thrilled to have the pleasure of having watched the Cleary family from Newtown, Killeigh expand their business over the past three decades. Time after time I'm proud to say that this family business has been nominated for and received top awards and this week is no exception...

Glenisk is the overall winner of the SFA National Business Award 2010. Winning the Food & Drinks category, Glenisk also beat off competition from 35 other finalists to take the top prize. The award was presented to finance director, Gerard Cleary by An Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, TD, on Thursday, 4 March.

While we're on the subject of the latest from Glenisk, why not have a look at their new TV advert. Apparently, this was filmed in the middle of a particularly chilly December which meant that it wasn't practical to film au naturel, ie out on the farm. If you want to see how they did it head over here for more details...

So, congratulations to Vincent, Ger and all the lads over in Newtown! Keep up the good work and carry on bringing national and international awards back to our parish, making organics and sustainability hip, and the nation healthier...!

Polly Pierce

Vinca Cards - Handmade Wedding Stationery & Greeting Cards Made In Offaly

Polly Says Feel Your Boobies...

During the past twenty odd years I have seen many things involving the human breast. Ranging from breast reductions in men to radical mastectomies and breast reconstruction using muscle tissues normally located on the patients own back...

I've comforted elderly ladies whose sense of decency prevented them from taking much notice of their own breasts. The resulting fungating tumour's purulent discharges expunging the contents of their mammaries finally forcing them to notice them.

I've celebrated the negative, the results of urgent fresh frozen section examinations while the surgical team waited back in the OR. I've sorted specimens, applied dressings, cut the sutures and provided the necessary equipment for all sorts of breast related surgeries - and I've faced my own mortality.
Strangely it took me weeks to pluck up the courage to consult anyone the pea sized lump in my breast, despite the fact that I was working in an area with a special interest in breast surgery. Those weeks could have been the difference between life and death had it turned out to be anything more sinister than a harmless cyst. I knew this and still could'nt face the reality of having discovered my own breast lump...

At the age of 25 I was lucky. My lump stayed with me for a few years and finally disappeared when I'd fed two children for nearly three years (in total) - quite obviously they had sucked me dry!

Two things I've identified that prevent many women from completing self examination are modesty or embarrassment and fear. Despite strong media campaigns on television, in newspapers and magazines many women still find themselves uncomfortable with idea of breast examination.

In other cases these women are frozen in fear of what may be. It's so easy to stand in judgement; though having experienced this for myself it's easier to understand. This is why I appeal to all my readers to promote breast examinations. Ladies; it's time to feel your boobies! Visit Feel Your Boobies.com to find out more...

Polly See's Cleary Now...!

Dear God; will these guy's never stop? Hot on the heels of my last post; in which I championed some famous Offalian's on a local, national and international level I just received the latest copy of the Glenisk Newsletter.

Not content with being famously innovative; this family business has gone from strength to strength over the last thirty or so years. While still incarcerated at the Sacred Heart Convent in Tullamore I have fond memories of opening the quarter pint tetra-cartons of milk donated to the school on a daily basis during the early years of the Tullamore Dairies story.

As Christmas approaches so do the memories of the Cleary's driver dropping off a carton or two of cream from Santa Clause. The Cleary's have been a part of the community from start to finish, their dreams have grown to reality in the time that has realised enormous changes in this country alone. From being up there in the third world league tables, the Bengal Tiger famously immigrated and took Irish nationality...

Sadly it seems that the bubble has since burst; but not for Glenisk - the organic side of a business that started up a generation or so ago in Newtown, Killeigh. Not only does this company have a strong work ethic; upholding the belief that we should interfere as little as possible with our planet and all that it produces is equally important. Locally the Cleary's use Airtricity; generated from the one naturally occuring resource that Ireland is seldom short of - Wind! Maybe next they will be harnessing another type of wind produced by Green Cows!?

A little further afield this local hero is supporting yet another important project this Christmas; from a humble pot of cream to a herd of goats, maybe even a hive of bees. Glenisk has teamed up in promoting and sponsoring Bothar to produce a beautifully photographed Calendar for the New Year in 2009.

Vincent Cleary is pictured (right) with Patrick McCarrick of Bóthar and Sandy, one of Glenisk's goats at the launch of this year's calendar.

Each calender will cost just €10 (including postage to anywhere in the world) and it features images of successful projects in Nepal and Tanzania. Funds raised from the sale of this calendar will form part of the ongoing support to poor families in these two countries. Also featured are images of dairy goats from Ireland.

The Cleary family of Glenisk made the decision to sponsor the calendar because, as Vincent Cleary puts it: "We greatly admire Bóthar's work in helping to alleviate hunger among the world's poorest populations."

Just in case you are one of those poor people like me, who remember the the days when Christmas actually meant something, was smaller and more enjoyable why not have a look at gifting for charity. Faced with the difficult decision of what to buy for whom visit Bothar and download a copy of this years Christmas catalogue, let's help someone else for a change. Face it guy's; "...unlike most of the presents we exchange at this time of year, these are gifts that reflect the true spirit of Christmas."

"The Difference Is Cleary"

Did I forget to suggest that you pay the Cleary's another visit and check out their Awards and Accolades Page and see what these guy's are really up to..

Polly Peeved!

For those of you who have been following the life of Vinca Cards closely; some of you will know that I rashly took out an advertising contract some time ago with a company called yourLocal.ie. This was early September when the children had just returned to school.

One afternoon I received a phonecall from a very persuasive young lady who was so disappointed with my refusal to go with them that she immediately called me back to offer me an offer that I couldn't refuse. Namely I could get three months advertising with them for one hundred euro's on a trial basis; and if I wasn't happy with the results I could withdraw from their site without any further ado.

Sadly after six weeks I had had twenty impressions on the mini-site/page that they had set up for me; which in turn led to a total of 3 click-thru's. I know this because I have a print out that they sent me the day I rang them up to cancel my listing. It is rather a shame; as I had had high hopes for this particular form of advertising and had been watching my own statistics like a hawk! Show me anyone who doesn't!?

Here I am still in #2 slot weeks after I requested this ad to be de-listed!

Click on the image for a better view!

Despite their enthusiastic argument about not being able to drive people to my site; I was able to contradict the evidence presented to me by making reference to my own statistical analyses which is configured to screen out visits from my own IP address, ie me! So, by process of elimination the three click-thru's so proudly referred to were in fact me...

As for the twenty or so impressions; well, I don't know about you but when I engage the services of a company I like to keep an eye on them and make sure that they are following instructions/requests made. I think that it is a fairly sensible precaution to follow, especially when like so many; money is at a premium. In this instance I was proven right in my instincts and have had to contact the company a couple of times more than I would have preferred.

In the more recent past the majority of the impressions recorded were indeed myself keeping an eye on things. Since mid October, which is when I requested my company to be de-listed there appears to have been no movement in this direction. To this day Vinca Cards is right up there in the #2 spot for Offaly Weddings; I was also promised #1; but hey, who cares?!

This is Me!

Click on the image for a better view!

The customer representative who has been dealing with my dissatisfaction with yourLocal.ie's handling of my account was unprepared for my arguments when she first rang me; placing me on hold for at least seven minutes. When eventually my file had been located the information recorded was incorrect.

Some weeks later this same woman; whose personable manner was heard to utter "...we can't be responsible for literally driving customer's to your site!" was unable to respond appropriately when once again I informed her that I was my #1 client! Why would anyone want to visit their own page so often? To make sure that the advertising company was doing its job and had pulled my advert...

Even today my page is still listed as Offaly's #2 wedding vendor; I know this because I checked - again! So there goes another impression on my page; still I do find it rather odd as the same lovely customer service rep promised me that she would shut it down and send me confirmation in writing to that effect.

This is Me!
Click on the image for a better view!

All I can say is that I am not a happy customer and therefore it would be best for all if yourLocal.ie would follow through on their promises and deal with my queries efficently. Afterall a happy customer is great; but an unhappy customer dealt with in the correct manner is even better. Word of Mouth is the greatest form of advertising and anyone who wishes to know more about my personal troubles with having my requests dealt with should head over to the IBW forum where it is documented for all to see.

While we are on the subject; I would be grateful though if no-one follows the links (which I have deactivated) to Vinca Cards at yourLocal.ie. I don't want them getting the wrong idea now, do I?
All I can say is that I am now very upset and it seems that I am not the only one...

As for the wisdom of my stating my case so publicly on my own blog; who knows? I haven't misappropriated any of the details but I have taken three screen shots of my own page listing with the company concerned. If everything had've gone the way I'd have liked them to I would have done much the same thing recommending that everyone go with yourLocal.ie; wouldn't I?

Ladies and gentlemen; please make up your own mind at let me know what you think. I could do with a little feedback and maybe even some support on this issue. Thanks for taking the time to 'listen'.

Polly Pierce
Vinca Cards - The Irish Hand-Made Wedding Stationary & Greeting Card Company

ps. Despite the inability of the advert pictured above I do accept paypal on my website and would be delighted to hear from you at http://www.vincacards.webs.com; and don't forget I'll be watching my stats pages like a hawk!!!

Offalian's Triumph

This morning I checked into Microsoft Outlook to see what delights had landed in my inbox and was not disappointed to spot the Offaly CEB December Ezine. My attendance of events organised by this group is unfortunately infrequent; due to previous commitments clashing. I keep an eye on things though; just in case...

In the wake of a whole swathe of award ceremonies it was a natural progression to publish some of the Offaly success stories; many of which had to do with food. Some; admittedly, in a somewhat round about way, but nevertheless come under that category!

Strangely enough this accolade must be awarded to Agetek who are based in Tullamore. Their stange name belies the fact that this company won the 2008 OCEB Enterprise Of The Year Award; but how is this connected with the subject at hand, ie Food? Well, simply put these guys manufacture doors for kitchen units and I'm sure we're all agreed that they are an integral part of the food preparation area...

On a much larger scale the Silver Award for cheese making was presented to Ralph Haslam of Mossfield Organic Cheese for his cow’s milk cheese with garlic and basil at the 2008 WORLD Cheese Awards which were held in Ireland for the first time this year; featuring over 2,400 entries from around the globe.

This award winning farm is situated at the foot of the Slieve Bloom Mountains some six miles from Birr, County Offaly. Having undergone organic conversion in 1999, Mossfield began production of award winning organic cheeses in 2005 and are hoping to expand into the field of yoghurt and ice-cream production in the future.

On a National Scale; the overall winner of any success story has to be Glenisk the overall Winner of National Organic Award 2008 for their Glenisk Irish Organic Butter. Glenisk Irish Organic Butter was judged the best of more than 100 entries in the 2008 National Organic Awards, organized by Bord Bia in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture.

The Cleary family business has been based in Killeigh, Co Offaly producing a range of organic yoghurt and milks for over twenty-five years. Sourcing quality organic milks from fifty farms across the island of Ireland; harvesting 90% of all organic milk produced, this company has gone from a dream to Award winning reality.

Another notable winner; the 2008 OCEB Enterprise Of The Year - Artisan Award was presented to Ballyshiel Artisan Foods who lovingly create a deliciously tempting range of speciality confectionery and chocolates; hand made using authentic family recipes. Their range includes Toffee Dulce de Leche (used in making Banoffee pie), exquisite Chocolate Sauce, Karina Handmade Chocolate's which include old time favourite; Macaroon Bars.

Ballyshiel Artisan Foods promise is that all their quality products are gluten, preservative, artificial flavouring, hydrogenated oil and fat free making them suitable for coeliac's and vegetarian's.

Also included in the list of Offaly CEB finalist's was Yvonne Carty of Hey Pesto! Who specialises in making entertaining a stress free adventure of the culinary variety. Catering for corporate and domestic customer's Yvonne has her craft down to a fine art and having sampled some of her wares I can heartily agree!

I'm sure we can all agree that the above list makes interesting reading for us Offalian's! It's nice to hear of anyone in the region succeeding in business but to be honest it's even better when this applies to food. At a time when there's less money available to splash out on expensive treats it's good to know that we have some award winning products right here on our door step. What's even nicer is that the quality of these products is assured...

I hope you enjoy checking out the links as there are some terrific products and companies to be found. Be thankful that Polly didn't launch into one of her famous rants about the dangers of eating 'normal' foodstuffs...

Polly Pierce

Fine Hand-Crafted Wedding Stationary & Greeting Cards For All Occasions: Affording You The Gift of Time

Polly's Arctic Bunny Suit

OOooh! There's so much to do and so little time to do it in. Last week in the run up to the half-term break I had visions of spending long hours in the house with the two boys finally rescuing it from the quagmire of accoutrement's built up over the years. Like all good magpie's we live in the middle of a pile of clutter which we simply cannot bear to part with; perhaps this is the reason for the various members of the crow family building their nests within spitting distance of the house...

What I wouldn't give for a visit from Aggie and Kim to de-clutter and deep clean all those hidden corner's for me! Meanwhile the fantasy continues in the form of a written contract binding my eldest dear son to my side for the whole of this week; in performing his various neglected chores - without protestation - our nest will soon be ready for decorating. Once this is done we'll be out of the CHAOS phase of our lives and he'll be able to invite his friends over. Hardy, ha, ha - LOL!

CHAOS is an acronym coined by Marla Cilley - otherwise known as Fly Lady. It represents that horror of horror that all teenager's are so prone to; which is the double standard of can't be bothered + won't be bothered but want my friends over too = Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome!

The news so far is poor. BB has finally completed the extra-delightful task of providing his pet ferret with a clean and warm environment for the winter; lucky thing! He was also persuaded to bring in fuel for the in the stove; LB was coerced into taking the ashes out and the result was that the fire was lit hours later than intended - at nearly 7.30pm!

Meanwhile, Mum; the intrepid Scouter was lounging on the sofa in the sitting room complaining of stomach cramps and abdominal tenderness. The kids have diagnosed appendicitis; personally I think it probably has more to do with the copious amounts of draught Guinness consumed at Ms T's hen party & Mr T's stag party on Saturday night.

That wouldn't have presented too much of a problem; except for the fact that by 1pm Sunday; I was on my way to Charleville Estate for a winter camp with the Scouts! Yes folks, it was -2C on Sunday night and we'd no running water or toilet facilities; let alone central heating or electric blankets to keep us warm...

It was about 1am when eventually my tired body decided to call it a night. My feet were warmish; so I was alright for the night! Mr B; in the adjacent tent was much the same as myself - only he took his socks off! I replaced mine with wool, angora and Lycra thermals purchased in Lidl on Thursday. In fact my whole body was swathed in fluffy bunny; I was lovely and warm - that is until I started to fall asleep...

By 4am I could tell that Ms M was awake; the rubbing noises coming from her double layered sleeping bags were a dead give-away. That was my opportunity to rustle my way quietly into the huge over sized bin liner called a survival bag; while she tip-toed out into the cold, cold field in her bare feet.

Happily my rustling had relieved one bladder and brought warmth to another pair of feet in the next tent; yes I'd also woken Mr B! As the two of them rustled their way into their respective space blankets I snacked as quietly as possible on a chocolate digestive biscuit to quell my rumbling tummy. Soon I luxuriated in a rosy glowing sensation; then sleep finally took over...

Would I do it again? The answer has to be a definite "Yes!" The kids had a great time; and yes they too were cold; although they got to snuggle into one another like kittens in a basket! It was an experience and it was fun. We'll all be better prepared for the conditions next time; ie I've already put a new four seasons sleeping bag on my list for Christmas - my existing one is as old as the hills and needs to be retired!

Next time we'll all remember to bring the magic ingredients for our supper and an extra layer of clothing for warmth; but hey we survived this camp and we'll be recovered from it by the time the kids go back to school!

Like I said, so much to do and so little time to do it! One thing I have noticed though; is that I am much tidier at home in the immediate aftermath of a camp; so much so that I was able to work at the kitchen table yesterday afternoon. Things are looking up; and even though yesterday was definitely a day for pj's and sweats, I got so much more done - just because I'd tidied the kitchen upon my return from our Arctic exploration...

I somehow doubt that my fantasy of being able to redecorate the house at the end of the half-term break will be realised. The week is already half gone; the rest of it filled with social engagements galore including breakfast BNI meetings; overnight ghost hunting at Charleville Castle on Halloween followed by a 50th birthday party...

At least the kitchen is tidier and my 'Appendicitis' symptoms should by well on the way to recovery by then; just in time for the next round!Meanwhile; we continue to live in a state of organised CHAOS. I continue to build my empire from the kitchen table and fantasize about paying someone to come in and do the rest for me!

Anyway, that's a quick overview of the past week from your favourite card making Scouter! I've got to go and ring Martin and confirm my participation in Friday's adventure now; wish us luck...

Polly Pierce
Hand-Made Greeting Cards & Wedding Stationary

Polly's Treasured

My new blog Wedding Invitations By Vinca is just nicely getting off the ground and funnily enough I seem to be finding things related to whole area of weddings purely by coincidence. Yes coincidence!

As it pays to be aware of what is going on around me with regard to my interests, my greeting cards, wedding stationary, name, etc I run a Google alert on an on-going basis. This service is provided FOC and allows you to set up notifications when items of specific interest are published on the net. To date it has proven invaluable and has often given me ideas regarding subjects to blog about.

The other week I got another alert which was probably going to be one of the usual throw away references to someone or other's funeral. The second entry caught my eye and persuaded me to hang onto it. Just a couple of days ago I finally got around to opening and viewing the links; where I found some buried treasures.

© D M WilliamsPhotography2008

Once again this is of a Weddingly type nature, although DM Williams cover many different areas of photography with my favourite being a black and white image of pregnancy and the birth of this husband and wife team's twins last December.

For more on this talented couple's work head over to Wedding Invitations by Vinca. This is especially relevant for couples thinking of booking a wedding photographer on either side of the Atlantic.

Hope you enjoyed this photo as much as I did!



Polly Pierce
Vinca Cards Handmade Greeting Cards & Wedding Stationary

Good News; Tullamore Woman Wins Another Secret Prize

Hello Again & Welcome!

Well once again due to household commitments I intend to keep today's blog short and sweet.Yeah, right! Who am I trying to kid?

Sometimes it can be very easy to let incidentals get you down, can't it?Last Saturday; while waiting in my car, at the graveyard not too far away, I discovered that I hadn't anything help me pass the time. I wasn't in the mood for playing Nature Park on my cell phone; I seem to have grown out of that particular addiction.


True to form my friends were running late; so I had plenty of time to pass. Lo & behold; I spotted a copy of the Gideon Bible - New Testament: Psalms & Proverbs; which had been given to BB, my eldest son by his form teacher.


I took a moment or two to reminisce about how when I was a young teenager my form teacher had given me a Gideon Bible. Way back then I was unimpressed, and wondered why on earth I had been given it.


Over the years I have picked up the various copies ranging from the King James version to the Good News, I even have a copy of the Koran, but I have never really been able to get into it; to study it. From time to time my attention has been drawn to different passages and with age I have started to understand their meanings.


Recently I bought my youngest child LB a first Bible stories book; to help him prepare for his First Holy Communion. Together we read through the bible stories at bed time; their messages being different for us both.


On occasions I am visited by members of our local Jehovah's Witness Congregation. Thomas has often pulled out his bible on the doorstep; to help me understand the events which take place in our daily lives. I don't turn them from the door; intrinsically I am interested in hearing what HE has to say.


More often than not, other Witness friends will drop by for a cup of tea; before they head off home to the village. In my home they are friends; rather than missionaries; they know that I will not be joining their brethren. I enjoy their chat and old fashioned ways, and usually, welcome them with open arms. They are normal people; with the type of old fashioned values I appreciate.


Sometimes I don't feel quite so hospitable, maybe because I am tired or the house is in a state, conversely; on other occasions I will be more hospitable, for exactly the same reasons. It can be such a pleasure to sit and chat with them.


Sometime ago they gave me a gift of my very own Bible; from time to time I do read passages, both with and without their guidance. The Watch Tower & Awake; their bi-monthly publication is a marvellous guide to reading the bible.


Far from feeling silly last Saturday I picked up the condensed copy of the Bible and began to flick through its pages; noticing the tell tale quality of its pages. It wasn't long before I found something of interest to me.


Right at the very front of it is a section intended to help the user find help appropriate to every occasion in our lives. Right there before me lay the references for those feeling anxiety Matthew 6:19-34.


Another publication which I am reading at the moment is "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne. To tell the truth; I am actually bored with it and haven't picked it up since I reached the middle a couple of weeks ago.


"The Secret" is about the powerful Law of Attraction. You can call it prayer, wishful thinking, divine intervention, positive thinking, whatever; it preaches that the Universe will always send the things to you which you are thinking about the most.


"The Secret" doesn't contain any great secrets, rather it gathers together people who already know what the secret is. It consolidates what we already know; if only we would take the time to read the Good Book and take it as Gospel...


I do think it's a shame that throughout the western world the Bible seems to have been usurped by science and charlatans, though one might argue that if the same message is being professed, what is the harm?


According to "The Secret"; when I am focusing on how untidy the house is and how I do not want to receive visitors today, the Universe will answer my thoughts by sending the very thing that I want least. The Universe does not recognise positives and negatives and so it will merely answer our prayers by sending us the focus of those prayers!


Anyway, to get back to the title of my blog; 'Tullamore Woman Wins Another Prize' you might be wondering what any of the above has to do with it. In short quite a lot!

I have actually won a prize of a Tricia Goyer book entitled "My Life Un-Scripted". I found the competition while doing some research for yesterdays blogs and immediately read on and then signed up for it. And I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (just check out the comments section!!!! TEE-HEE-HEE!!!!)


The deadline for entries was yesterday evening, but being on a Michigan blog I had time on my side. I read the first chapter of this book on line and immediately felt better about my own life, which only goes to show that it was meant to be.


Karen who hosts the Surviving Motherhood blog is a Christian mum who found God sometime after her crazy teen years; when she found this book she wished, like me, that she had had a better script for her life. I was so enthusiastic about entering the competition that I entered a comment on Tricia Goyer's site as well as on Karen's.


The book in question is intended to make growing up that little bit easier for teenage girls, although with a teen boy myself I think it could also be invaluable for boys too. You know a teen boy is just as vulnerable as a teen girl, they just don't always show it.


So from waiting for my friends to arrive, reading the Gideon Bible, the Jehovah's Witnesses, Watch Tower, The Secret, Rhonda Byrne, Karen from Surviving Motherhood, Tricia Goyer & My Life Un-Scripted we finally get to the point where Polly can say that life is just the way it is meant to be!

Maybe I had better go make a pot of tea...
I have to ask myself then; if this were true why do my friends not haunt this place, in search of tea and a chat!?


Take Care! God Bless!



Px Polly Peirce
ps By the way; did you know that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions!"?