Polly's A-Waffley Bad Blogger...!

Okay, so I'm a bad blogger! I haven't put pen to paper, metaphorically speaking for months on end. Perhaps this has something to do with my return to work back in May? Or maybe I've just lost the knack? Personally I think it's got more to do with my addiction to Facebook!

I tried tweeting for a while. Actually I quite enjoyed writing updates in 140 characters or less, in the beginning, but I soon got bored with it. Facebook is definitely my favourite form of micro-blogging. What I like about it is the fact that it's interactive, whereas blogging tends to attract the occasional remark - if you're lucky! Fair enough, maybe my copy should be more interesting and uplifting, surely if it were I'd get loads of remarks. Wouldn't I?

I don't know the answer to that one. What I do know is that if one neglects their blog, they sooner or later lose their readers. I mean, why on earth would anyone follow a blog that's not active? I know from personal experience that it's easy to lose interest if your favourite blogger doesn't blog - I won't mention any names, but the guilty will probably know exactly who they are! Anyway, enough of the waffle...

Speaking of which Lidl, the eponymous discount store ran a special on waffle makers a while ago. Seeing as I am a big fan of these light, fluffy batter confections I rushed home with one and eagerly made up my first batch. The result? Absolutely revolting, they ended up in the bin!

Luckily my now 13year old LB took matters into his own hands recently. Having demanded that I Google 'the perfect waffle recipe' a simple breakfast waffle was chosen from the Mr Breakfast.com site. As luck would have it the recipe was entitled Best Ever Waffles Ever and my kitchen turned happily into an impressionist version of the preverbial bombsite.

The inaugural waffle was dreadful. So much so that even the dogs turned their noses up at it! This was probably something to do with the fact that the recipe site had suggested the waffle maker wouldn't need to be oiled. I'd passed this information on without first checking the instruction booklet and true to form the first waffle had stuck, burnt to a crisp and failed to rise. Plus it was raw in the middle!

Having very carefully de-crisped the machine with a sharp knife (not to be recommended), placed some damp kitchen towel between the irons and steamed the mess off, LB tried again. Only this time he lightly oiled the irons...

Best Waffles Ever (5 servings)

• 1 and 3/4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 beaten egg yolks
• 1 and 3/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 3 egg whites - beaten stiffly

Mix all dry ingredients. Combine yolks and milk. Stir into dry ingredients. Stir in oil and mix. GENTLY fold in beaten egg whites, do not over mix.

Pour about 1/2 cup at a time into waffle iron.

 

The result: wonderful! Well, nearly wonderful. Considering that my youngest chose to follow the recipe to the letter, using a small blue and white cup rather than a proper measuring cup, plus the fact that he beat the egg yolks and stirred in the whites it was a specially good attempt at making waffles.

Okay, the mistake with the eggs might have resulted in disaster, but, thankfullyt it didn't. So what if the resultant waffles were a little, well, flat! Served on their own they were delicious. Served with maple syrup they were divine. My only complaint? I'd to share them with the rest of the family...

Sadly there are no photos. This is due to the fact that Miss Piggy here ate them all before it was possible to get any shots in. Needless to say, LB's discovered a new family favourite and the fun hasn't stopped there and for some strange reason I seem to have put a few pounds on over the holiday season.

Polly Promotes Ballycrystal Kennels!

For those of you who live locally I thought I'd bring your attention to my local kennels. Owned and run by Maria & John McNally, who's youngest son stayed over at LB's sleepover last night Ballycrystal Kennels is a bright and modern facility offering top class accomodation to all breeds of your very best canine friends.

The dogs are housed in purpose built kennels which is large enough to take seventeen occupants. As the McNally's love dogs and have several of their own they are well placed to look after yours, if you are unable to take them on holidays with you. Each is given their own individual pen and is walked in the fields daily by members and friends of the family. A word of caution though, only those with full vaccination certificates are welcome!

If you would like to know more about this great service why not check them out and visit their new website for more details. You'll be surprised at how reasonable their rates are! If you do decide to visit Ballycrystal Kennels don't forget to tell them that Polly sent you!

Polly Says "Take A Stroll Down Garrendenny Lane..."

Last week, you may remember me telling you all about Lorna Sixsmith's Garrendenny Lane Interior's fabulous Friday giveaway. Last weeks prize was a Lene Bjerre cheese knife with a Selwyn Pearl handle which is inlaid with beautiful silver bands. Without a doubt this was a gorgeous prize, and it was with true delight that I read an e-mail from Lorna advising me that I was in fact the lucky winner...

As happens so often with these things, the photograph didn't do this lovely piece justice and I am well and truly looking forward to using it alongside my dinner service and coffee set at some time later in the year. I've to find the house first, which is burried underneath all manner of detritis belonging to its eight inhabitants! Better yet, add a dining room to my wishlist and somehow make it happen.

Lorna has asked me to tell my readers that Freebie Friday is going to be a weekly event from now on and on that happy note I'll just tell you a little about this weeks giveaway. To get everyone into the summer mood, alongside the glorious weather we've been having Lorna is offering a lovely napkin holder and a pack of pretty Greengate napkins to start the lucky winner off.

All you have to do is leave a comment on the Garrendenny Interiors blog and/or on their facebook page. Once this is done, you'll have to wait patiently till Monday to see if you're the lucky winner which will give to plenty of time to browse through Lorna's online shop...

Polly Celebrates Ireland's National Fish And Chip Day...

Today, 26th May 2010 is National Fish & Chip Day here in Ireland! Apparently, participating chippers are offering 50% discount on all orders for fish and chips today...

The word on the street is that the first fish and chips in Ireland were introduced by young Guiseppe Cervi, who was on an America bound ship which stopped off in Queenstown (Cobh)on the south coast, just off Cork. Having reached Dublin, Guiseppe worked in the city as a labourer, earning enough to buy a coal-fired cooker and a handcart, and started selling chips outside pubs...

In the years following Guiseppe opened his first fish and chip shop was on Great Brunswick Street – now Pearse Street – next door to Trinity College Dublin in 1880-something...

What remains remarkable about the Fish and Chip industry in Ireland is that the majority are owned by Italians some hundred years or so later. Even more remarkable is the fact that nearly all of these families originate from one tiny area - a handful of little villages in Val Di Comino, in the province of Frosinone in Southern Italy.



In honour of this great tradition the descendents of these hard working pioneers of Ireland's favourite fast food have got together to form a self regulating association - ITICA, whose tagline is "Serving Your Local Community Since 1885"...

These are ITICA's Core Values:

• 
  

  Freshly cut chips are the only chips we serve

• 
  

  Our customers will be treated courteously and efficiently 

• 
  

   All meals will be prepared to the highest food safety standard 

• 
  

  Our shops will be maintained to the highest standard 

• 
  

  Our shops remain a safe and welcoming environment 

• 
  

  We will support ITICA promotional activities

For more information why not drop into their site and see who in your area is a member of ITICA!


Now it's not that I'm biased, but with the exception of Leo Burdocks, the only place to go for fish and chips is an italian chippers! Everything else pales by comparison. It's not unusual for Irish chippers to use frozen lumps of soggy battered fish instead of fresh fish. This and the use of frozen chips, which are equally appealing succeeded in putting me off fish and chips for many years!

"GOLDENFRY and Luigi's, Edenderry; Macari's, Tullamore and Angelo's Takeaway, Banagher have become members of the newly formed Irish Traditional Italian Chippers Association (ITICA) and they now proudly display the ITICA logo." (Offaly Express 09 April 2010)

So, the question remains, how will you celebrate National Fish & Chip Day? The thought did cross my mind that I could make a healthy low fat version of fish and chips here at home, however, that really wouldn't be celebrating National Fish And Chips Day properly would it? So I guess it's off to Macari's for tea tonight...

Meanwhile, in between rushing around delivering boys here, there and everywhere I think I shall celebrate by making an extra-special hand made greeting card to cheer a lady called Jayme up. This is known as a random act of kindness or RAK, if you would like to know more about this please visit here...

If I succeed in fulfilling this ambition, I'll be posting on my other blog later on this evening and you can find out more over there...

Why not let us know how you celebrated National Fish & Chip Day 2010? Enjoy!

Ciao!

Polly

Vinca Cards

Polly's Pro-Markers!

I'm ba-aaaaaaaack...

Sorry to have been missing for what seems like an age, I just got myself inveigled into all manner of things that turned out to be somewhat time consuming. This of course left little or no time for crafting or blogging! Aye, little or no time...

I have just about managed to make a handful of cards for friends and being uber-organised (or rather not) forgot to either scan or photograph them for posterity. One day I even went as far as to take out the camera and turn it on, only to be informed in a somewhat superior tone that there was no memory card in the damned thing! Oh well.

Actually I'm really quite annoyed with myself over the whole issue of taking pics. There's no point in making beautiful cards for people if I don't show them off, is there? This time I was experimenting with new techniques and everything. There's always tomorrow (pref before midnight though!)

As well as inking up embossing folders with a brayer, resulting in a delicious embossed and coloured background effect I've recently been experimenting with alcohol based markers. I started off with water-colour markers but have more or less deserted them in favour of Pro-markers. Each has its disadvantages and its advantages, but I'm afraid the pro-markers win hands down...

The reason for this is simply due to the ability to shade the colours, which is something you really can't do with the watercolours. Unfortunately, this is really only possible to do if using the watercolours like water colour paints, ie rubbing the colour onto a palette and then diluting with different quanities of water to achieve the right shade. This is laborious and the results are variable, plus shading by layering the colour is guaranteed to destroy the surface of the card and result in pilling.

The result of having discovered that this doesn't happen with alcohol markers, which means that you can colour and shade with less hassle is that my already diminuishing craft budget is disappearing quickly. Made by Letraset, Pro-markers are also expensive; working out at around €3.25 each. Luckily, I've been able to use reward schemes from places like The Art & Hobby Shop to subsidise my newest habit...

Imagine my delight then when I discovered an example of blog candy right here on Blogger!? So, one link led to another and here I am writing about my favourite new toys. The real irony of this is that I was actually visiting Polly Pierce, yes another blogger whose on-line identity is the same as mine. So Paula, aka Polly Pierce sent me over to The Card Kabin whose Passion for Pro-Markers led me directly to The Crafty Cuttings of Wiccababe!

Just check this out, it's a fab prize to celebrate her 20,000 hits. Not content with this, she also has secured fantastic runners up prizes to give away: all consisting of humungeous amounts of the terribly expensive Pro-markers! I like to hide mine away from the children, firmly believing that they can get their own cheap nasty markers and leave mine well alone!

So, I guess by now you realise that I want this prize. Failing that a gift voucher for a store that sells Pro-markers would be good...(';')(nudge, nudge, wink, wink...)

Polly Plea(d)s...

Regular readers of this blog will by now be aware of the fact that I love hats! In fact, I have so many hats that it's difficult to manage them all at times...
When I refer to hats, I mean metaphorical hats, you know the type that you wear at certain times of the week depending on which occupation you are following at the time. Examples of these would be chef's, cook's, night cap, hike hat, scout hat, gymnastic's hat and finally dyslexia group hat, not forgetting Mummy hat and chief bottle washer hat too!

Last year the Educational Building Society Community Fund donated funding to 150 worthy causes around the country. Two of my hats were the lucky beneficiaries, #1. The Offaly Dyslexia Group (aka The North Offaly Dyslexia Association) and #2. Tullamore Scouts. The point is that now is the time for me to take my hat off and hold it out to you for donations. Well, it's a bit simpler than that even! For my Irish reader's this will be of particular interest...

All members of The EBS are eligible to nominate one local charity for funding from the EBS Community Fund 2009. Applications may be downloaded from here and must be submitted by 5pm on the 5th June 2009 either by post or to your local branch office.

The reason for the speel about the hats is that I am too involved in each of my own volunteer groups to be able to choose which one to promote. Each of them is a worthy cause and each needs financial help as much as the other, to allow them to further their good deeds!

So Ladies and Gentlemen, this is where you come in; I am calling upon your good will to make the choice for me and to promote this fact to all your friends, relations and colleagues. Ask them if they have an EBS account and then suggest whichever of my favourite charities appeals to you the most, please? Pretty, please?

#1. Offaly Dyslexia Group

• We have recently formed, ie 2009.
  
• We are continuing to provide resources for the group.
  
• We run workshops to help children with Dyslexia learn how to read and how to interact with others.
  
• The workshops which we run are great for the kids self esteem as well as on a more practical level. Just knowing that they are NOT alone makes a tremendous difference.
• We provide support and advice for parents.
  

#2. LSG Supporter's Club

• We raise funds and support our coach in teaching children gymnastics.
  
• This is great for kids with specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia as it improves their co-ordination, self esteem, concentration, social skills, etc.
• One of our ex-coaches/members Geoff Rellis was also a member of the national squad. He is now furthering his studies and working within the sport in Canada.
  
• Last year we had 7 medal winners at The Men's Irish Gymnastics Championships. This year we had none, because we didn't enter the competition. This is due to inadequate funding for this sport and the high cost of entering events such as this...
• We need equipment, coaches and a permanent base to call our own. At present the Irish Army is generously renting its gymnasium to us on a temporary basis. Storage and access can be problematic at times.
  

#3. Tullamore Scouts

• This is a VOLUNTARY youth group formed over one hundred years ago by Robert Baden-Powell. Scouting is a world wide activity.
• Funding is raised locally.
• Scouting helps in the development of young lives and provides children with life skills which will help them at times of crisis and in the work place.
  
• Scouting encourages young people to take responsibility and to help others.
• Activities can be expensive. Insurance is vital. Leaders are volunteers and pay for themselves.

Each of these organisations needs your help. Whether this be in terms of financial donations, nomination for the EBS Community Fund 2009 or in terms of time each of these groups does need your help badly. Please choose one to support, if you are unable to support all of them.

Please enlist the help of your spouse, children, co-workers, friends and family. If you are unable to help us yourself it is possible that someone you know can help us, it may be that they are one of the 440,000 EBS customers who is eligible to nominate one of my charitable groups. If you don't ask, you will never be able to tell them about this crazy woman who lives in a bog, makes cards and loves hats - or indeed her favourite charities!

Thank you for taking the time to read this most unusual post.

Polly Pierce

Early One Morning, Just As Polly Was Rising...

Early One Morning...

OMG, while writing up my last post I visited my photo files and took a brief look at some of the snaps taken in 2007. There's one file in particular which just so happens to be one of my favourites and that's the one taken in August of that year while camping out in The New Forest over in the UK.

The New Forest has been one of my favourite places since early 1984, which at this late date is a long time ago! Over the four or so years that I lived on its outskirts, in the city of Southampton I criss-crossed 'the forest', as it is known so many times. I used to ride through it, walk through it and even journeyed through it by train.

Stories of its history filled my imagination with images that are too hard to explain. Stories of its inhabitants, human and otherwise regailed my young ears resulting in a fascination which lasts to this day. Like the Yorkshire Moors, another national monument, this place breathes its presence deep into the soul of its inhabitants and leaves behind a fondness that can't be shaken off.

While planning our forthcoming annual Scout Camp for 2009, the New Forest is one of the many venues investigated. There are so many things to see and do while staying there and if it weren't for the difference in currency it would have been an ideal place for us to visit. As it stands, I think it's going to be a case of re-visiting Croagh Patrick and one of my other favourite places: Co Mayo...

In light of the recent changes in the economy, The New Forest is just the place for anyone considering staying nearer to home this year. With plentiful campsites, b&b's, hotels, etc and a huge variety of places to visit/things to do I would recommend it to anyone. Check out the website and find out about the hunting ground of royalty for yourself. It's well worth a visit, and don't forget to take your camera/binoculars with you...

Now that I've done a wee bit of surfing for the day, I can go about my daily business with a clear heart! I feel so much better now, assisted by a cup of tea and an easter egg!

Polly Pierce

Polly & Bogart's Secret Shared

A couple of weeks ago I made a promise to one of my many cyberfriends; I know Evelyne through the Irish Business Womens Forum aka IBW. Like many people I am quite partial to the odd drop of wine which is where my friend comes in; Through The Grape Vine is an on-line wine merchant specialising in fine wines, personal and corporate gifts, personalised wines, hampers and all manner of sumptuous gifts.


Just browsing through the site makes me want to whip out my credit card and place an order immediately. Sadly; for me this is not to be recommended as my social calendar is whirling out of control. With two weddings and two significant birthday's to celebrate; plus the cost of accommodation, travel and presents it's very much a case of budget cut back's this month!

That said perhaps I didn't have to drink DG's poor wallet dry last Friday night! (Oh yes, I did!) Having always been a sucker for classic cocktails and a nice venue; I was in my element. Having been invited to Ms T's wedding; which was celebrated at none other than Middleton Park House it was in my interests to be on my best behaviour for the evening. (Speaking of wedding's Through The Grape Vine do wedding packages too!)

Not only did I have to look good, it was important that I felt good too. Dressed in a mixture of classic cream teamed with a striking blue cashmere and silk wrap, matching leather gloves and six inch sateen heels in the same striking blue I looked and felt a million dollars. It would be a shame to spoil this illusion by lifting a pint of the black stuff to my pretty pink lips...

Instead I taught the barman a new cocktail; consisting only of the fruit of the vine, ie brandy and triple sec I figured this would be a safe bet for the evening. Not only did it look elegant; it tasted divine!

Side-Car
1 Measure Cognac
1 Measure Triple Sec
1 Measure Lemon
Ice

Very simply this cocktail is shaken not stirred! Just the way James Bond likes it; which is quite fitting considering that the Groom, his junior Best Man and Groom's Man arrived by helicopter!

For anyone who's not familiar with triple sec; this included me until relatively recently, Kieran over at Ice-Cream Ireland recently solved this most elusive of puzzles. According to the Wikipedia link in his article Triple Sec is any orange flavoured alcoholic liqueur. Considering that a Sidecar has been my favourite cocktail since my early twenties I felt a bit of a chump when I discovered this tantalisingly simple fact!

Until Friday I would always have recommended the clear Cointreau, which has a lovely sharp tangy flavour that added little to the drink other than its clarity of flavour. As Middleton Park House is such a classy establishment they prefer my mother's favourite liqueur; Grand Marnier and boy does it make a difference.

Not only does it lend a luscious glow to the finished cocktail, but the flavour is simply divine. What Cointreau adds to this cocktail is sharpness with an over-riding sweetness; Grand Marnier is quite the opposite offering a subtle softness to this classic cocktail. While this may be advantageous in the short term; it certainly makes this drink one for the long night, whereas its slightly less demur sister generally retires after just one or two appearances.

Better still is the fact that there were very few ill effects following a subtle blending with fine white table wines and champagne. My grand-father always swore by sticking to either the grain or the grape; as did my father and with good reason...

For more information on this classic cocktail, which also happened to be one of Humphrey Bogart's favourites why not head over to The Cocktail Spirit for a quick heads-up with Robert Hess?

Meanwhile, my lips are smarting just at the thought of our evening at Ms T's wedding. The food was fabulous, as was the whole production. The venue is romance itself and with a handful of your closest friends I can't imagine anywhere else in the world that I'd want to get married...

Polly Pierce
Vinca Cards Hand-Made Wedding Stationary & Greeting Cards
ps. I've been invited back to exhibit at their next Wedding Expo on February 8th next year!

How Amanda Made Polly Feelgood!

As you may already know by now I love to promote products that I believe in and I have a great interest in Organic and Free-Range Food. For some time now I have been following Amanda Webb's business Feelgood Organic Hamper's with great interest.

I first met this lady at a joint networking event being held at Castle Durrow, Co Laois. This was quite some time ago; my first time at anything like it and I was very unsure of myself, as did several of the women I spoke to that evening. I took her business card and a copy of her brochure; I'd good intentions but little cash to spend.

Amanda's special interest is in everything organic and the environment; which led her to offer Ireland's only organic hamper service. Some eighteen months later I placed my first order with Feelgood Organic Hamper's and was delighted to learn that I had qualified for a free bottle of organic champagne too!

With its recently extended range Feelgood Organic Hampers looks set to take off just in time for Christmas; offering luxurious packages of organic food and drink, pamper packages and so on. I just wish that I could justify the expense of sending one to myself with Christmas in mind! Organic wines served with delicious plum puddings, luxury chocolates, and so on. Yum!



You know what? Why not visit Amanda's website and see for yourself, only then will you be able to see how much hard work has gone into making Feelgood Organic Hampers the business it is today...

...By the way Amanda has a lovely food blog as well! It's called Organic Yum-yum!

Polly Promotes Blog Candy

Depite the title of this post it involves very little food! However, it is promoting some of Karen of Simply Embellish's art work. Karen from Hawaii produces cards and various other forms of art work...

She has just recently introduced a new range of sticker sets available on her ETSY shop; some of which are customisable, while others are definitely suited to certain themes such as Home Baking, Christmas, Thanks Giving, etc.

To be in with a chance of winning a complete sticker set click here to be find out how...

Good Luck!

Polly Pierce
Hand-Made Wedding Stationary & Greeting Cards

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 AMa'amWAHM

A week ago today I plugged my work phone in to charge it and noticed that I had missed a call the previous day. Seeing as it was my work phone and I am of a nosey nature I rang the number; identified myself and enquired about the missed call.

In short I had missed the advertising editor of a local newspaper whose circulation figure exceeds 16,000 with a potential readership of up to 70,00. Okay, so I know these figures probably seem like small fry to some; but to me living in the heart of rural Ireland this is huge exposure potential for me.

Needless to say, I demurred a little, picked the poor woman's brain and demanded extra exposure in the form of an editorial/press release in the forthcoming Wedding Supplement. After all €164.00 inclusive of tax is a big investment for a cottage industry such as Vinca Cards.

After a lot of deliberation and discussion I decided to plough ahead and book a place in the Annual Leinster & Offaly Express wedding supplement. As everyone keeps telling me I have got to get my name out there and make my brand known. This morning I came up with this little classified ad:)

© PollyPierce at VincaCards2008

With literally a couple of hours until the copy deadline; it seems I managed to do the advertising editors job for her and it will be going in just as it is!!! I really have to say that I am extremely proud of myself as this is my first attempt at anything like this...

Now all I have to do is wait until next Wednesday for the paper to publish my ad alongside an editorial about WAHM's like Polly Pierce at Vinca Cards!!!! You know; I wonder if I should just get on and write it up myself and save them the trouble of sending out a journalist to interview me...

... or am I just getting too big for my boots? Ha, Ha!

LOL

Polly Pierce
Your friendly local Wedding Invitation Making Diva

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

Scrupulous Polly

Boys, oh boys! What a day I've had. For starter's I didn't go to bed until some ridiculous time after 4am this morning. Having been advised by a number of IBW's, I decided to create a brand new VINCA Cards Wedding Album at very short notice leaving me exhausted and sleep deprived this morning.

Thank goodness Ms T turned up with caffeine, wax flower and a bundle of energy to actually place the new range of cards properly on the album pages for me. How I'd have managed without her goodness only knows...

The inexpensive satin covered volume of off-white leaves and tissue interleaving really fit the bill and set everything off beautifully. In the cool light of day I was able to stand back and congratulate myself on the humongous achievement of last night. More importantly; almost all of todays visitor's and some of the exhibitor's did so too. Talk about good for the ego!

Do you remember my slightly neurotic post of earlier this week? The one where I thrashed out my anxieties about this weekends Midland Bridal & Debs Exhibition ? I am so pleased to be able to report that the event has huge potential and was extremely impressive. Ms Yvonne Delaney of Linzdel Bridal Fashions certainly knows how to wow the crowd.

Despite a somewhat pricey entrance fee of €15.00; parking was provided F.O.C. with a complimentary shuttle bus ferrying visitors to the castle every five minutes. Admittedly the Honeymoon & Wedding Show at the RDS is only €12, but when you chalk up the cost of all the stress and additional expense of travelling to the venue, finding parking and then paying for it I think visitors to The Midland Bridal & Debs Exhibition are quids in. Frankly; this was a stroke of genius on Yvonne's part and she is to be congratulated for it.

The exhibition itself was small but splendid. With two florists, two bridal & debs gown suppliers who put on a spectacular catwalk show, candle engraving artist, accessories and jewellery suppliers, make up and hair artists, wedding dj's, fabulous cake supplier's, men's formal outfitter's, ladies formal wear outfitter's, wedding venue organisers, chauffeur's, photographer's, videographer's and even a fortune reader; who could possibly want for more? Apparently, the fine folks of Tullamore!

I think it is just a case of unfortunate timing, ie the event in the RDS this weekend; and a similar affair at a local hotel last week. It was certainly a fine day outside and that always has a deleterious effect on these things; despite the fact that there was a food court and entertainment provided for the children. But why; I have been asked, for the children? Go figure!

Personally; I have acquired a number of contacts, ie potential clients and also provider's of wedding services, so I am relatively happy. Not only that I survived the day; without a hitch. Excepting the fact that one of my fellow exhibitor's rudely borrowed one of my props without so much as a by-your-leave!

To 'borrow' this item the perpetrators of this ill deed had to nip in behind my display, remove a huge cushion from one of the armchairs that I'd purloined for the two days; all of which was labelled with a note asking them not to do so! If you'll excuse the language; they've got a bloody cheek!

Anyway; I know who the perpetrators are, but they don't know that I know who they are! The last laugh however; is on them. I found a voucher in a tiny bag of handmade truffles at the time of my discovery. For one third of the normal cost of a sample wedding dinner, (ie only €29.00) it will mean a nice day out and lunch for two next Sunday. The venue? An exclusive location; which will for the sake of decency remain unnamed! At least one of us has scruples...

Did I mention the fact that I have no intention of getting married?

Heh, heh, heh!

Polly Pierce
Vinca Cards