Blame it on my kitchen.
That’s the reply I feel like giving every week when the reminder from Facebook pops up to tell me that likers of The Daily Spud haven’t heard from me in a while. Gee thanks Facebook, but there’s no need to rub it in – I am keenly aware of the fact that spud activity has been somewhat sporadic of late, but I’d like to think that, ultimately, it’s for the greater spud good.
Which brings me back to my kitchen, or current lack thereof. It goes something like this:
A few months ago, I became the proud owner of the house that surrounded this bit of an oul’ kitchen – a kitchen that, once I had my way, would not be long for this world.
That kitchen is now an ex-kitchen. Of late, things have looked a bit more like this.
A new kitchen cometh – even if nowhere near as quickly as I’d like.
There are scrawls on the walls where appliances will be – meet my someday hob
A microwave here, an oven there
A future sink
And F/F – that which foretells of fridge-freezing to come
And so – somewhat to the detriment of my usual spud activities – I obsess over layouts and measurements and pipes and wiring and hope that a new kitchen will emerge, butterfly-like, from the rubble of the old. That’s the plan, at any rate. And in between times, there are always distractions from the distractions…
This weekend – kitchen works bedamned – I will take myself to the hotly anticipated Ballymaloe LitFest, which runs from Friday 16th to Sunday 18th May. The inaugural installment in 2013 was one of the highlights of last year, so – no pressure, like – this one has a lot to live up to. Still, given that my weekend will include a cookery demo with Diana Kennedy (how often do you get to learn the ways of Mexican food at the table of a 91 year old, who – if this recent New York Times article is anything to go by – doesn’t show any signs of slowing down), not to mention a pop-up dinner by Yotam Ottolenghi, I don’t think there’ll be anything to worry about.
Though I will be sorry to miss it, the following Sunday, 25th May, sees the return of a real favourite with the food community, Sheridan’s Food Festival, which takes place at the Sheridan’s Cheesemongers Virginia Road Station HQ in Co. Meath, and includes the return of their brown bread competition. Further south that same weekend, the Burren Slow Food Festival, which runs from Friday 23rd to Sunday 25th in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, puts seaweed front and centre as their festival theme, and why not – ’tis mighty stuff indeed.
The June bank holiday weekend which follows, meanwhile, has become synonymous with Bloom in the Park, which sets up its many stalls in the heart of Dublin’s Phoenix Park from Thursday 29th May to Monday 2nd June. It was another event that weekend, however, that caught my spud eye.
On Saturday May 31st, Limerick’s Culture & Chips festival features no less than what the organisers claim to be the first World Chip Championships – an ambitious title to say the least. I’d be tempted (naturally) to pop down for a few salted and vinegared specimens, were it not for the fact that…
…I will – thanks to the Canadian Tourism Commission – be on Prince Edward Island, away from my not-a-kitchen (and the many food happenings at home) and reporting to you from no less than the potato capital of Canada. To whom it concerns in Facebook, my likers will be hearing a lot more from me soon.
I wonder if, when delivering your kitchen, it will arrive via the Samuel Beckett Bridge. Now that would be ironic!!
Ha! That would be good-o, not Godot!
Dear monthly spud, sorry couldn’t resist, here’s hoping things progress,
Cheers,
Brian.
‘Twas a difficult one to resist alright Brian! Things are progressing, if slowly – will just have to continue to be patient and enjoy some of the distractions in the meantime…
Its a difficult thing . How you manage all these things to make a perfect kitchen.
I’m sure it’s driving you nuts – BUT how often do you get to redo your perfect kitchen from scratch. Definitely something I dream about doing…
Ah, so true Nick, so true!
My kitchen remodel stalled about 7 years ago. Most of the cabinets were removed, so I now have steel wire shelves from Costco, an electric range, fridge and microwave. Dishwasher is an illusion, as it doesn’t work, but hasn’t left. I envy you!
Oh dear Janet – do hope my kitchen will get to the end of this process in a bit better shape than that!
Congrats on the new house spud where abouts is that kitchen
Hey Nialler! Would you believe that this particular kitchen (and the house that goes with it) is around the corner, pretty much, from that other kitchen that you helped to fit once upon a time. You’ll have to come over for a looksee & a cuppa.
Congrats on the new kitchen ,,, where a bouts is it?
Id’e love to … am in the process of investing myself at the moment … contracts signed but not shared … fingers crossed
Well now, that’s news too – hope that all goes ok, will definitely have to compare notes (& possible new abodes!)