Living the Good Life!

Taking a break from the seemingly never ending chore of packing to reflect on something incredibly important to me.  In fact I can't believe it has taken me this long to mention it, but I miss my dog.  No he's not up in that big back yard in the sky.  Quite the opposite actually, he has retired to Naples Florida.  He's living the good life; sunshine, big backyard, and a new best friend in my mother.  Here's a picture of them bonding, aren't they cute!?

So why is he in Florida with my parents instead of here helping me pack you may ask?  Well, the quarantine laws in Ireland are quite strict for anyone outside of the EU.  They require a 6 month stay in a designated quarantine facility at the owners expense.  Check out the list of other requirements here:  Ireland department of agriculture  The thought of putting our baby in puppy prison for six months was beyond comprehension, not to mention putting him in the belly of a plane for six hours!   It would take one giant xanax to keep  him  me calm.

So it was a fairly easy decision, albeit a sad one, to not take Parker with us to Ireland.  However, where to leave him here in the US was an entirely different story!  You see my parents did not step up to the plate right away and offer their dog sitting services.  In fact I think my mother flat out said NO when first asked if she would like to have her grand-dog come to live with her.  Many people said they would love to take him, but just couldn't.  I don't blame them. While Parker is no longer a puppy; and therefore not a threat to indoor bathroom breaks, and using your shoes as a chew toy, he is not without responsibility.  A dog at any age is a huge responsibility, and Parker is no exception.  So when all our friend options for Parker adoption fell through my parents took pity and begrudgingly offered to shelter our pup.

What a huge relief it has been.  I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank them for doing this for us, and for Parker.  They even went so far as to install an electric fence in their yard.  Because we have always lived in a condo with common property Parker has never know his own yard and what it is like to run free without a leash!  So, while I miss my dog to pieces right now, I take comfort in knowing that he is living out his senior years in style with the rest of the retirees down in Naples!

And now the most exciting part of this blog post... A parker picture montage!  Here is a look back at our baby over the years.  Feel free to oooh and awww over each of these pictures, I did!

Baby Parker

 The day we brought him home.

Just Chillin'

There is a theme at work here:

All dressed up and no where to go

OUCH!

Hanging with Lizzie Lu

Family Photo!

Good Dog.

Why, What, Where, and When?

It has recently come to my attention that not everyone knows exactly why we are moving to Ireland, what my husband will be doing, where exactly will we hang our hats when we get there, and when do we actually leave.  I am not upset with those of you who have asked me these questions in the last few days and weeks, but it is really starting to get old.  Even though I know without a doubt that I will have to endure these questions a few more times in the weeks ahead, going to do my best to answer them now.  Maybe next time someone asks I will just direct them to my blog.

1.  WHY?
Most of you know my husband Adam the food scientist.  He has been steadily working his way through the long and laborious process of obtaining a PhD.  Most of his graduate work has been on the study of dairy and dairy flavor.  Most recently and specifically on the study of off-flavorings in whey.  I'm not going to pretend to know much more than that, because it's complicated and makes my head hurt.

On a recent business trip to Ireland his professor, who is one of the worlds authorities on dairy flavor, was approached about the possibility of any qualified PhD students ready to graduate from her lab.  Within a week the Irish Dairy Board  had contacted Adam, and the rest as they say is history!

So that's the story of why we are going to Ireland. But what is the Irish Dairy Board you ask?

2. WHAT?
Basically they market, produce, and export Irish dairy products all over the world.  You can check out their website here www.idb.ie  Some of you may already be familiar with some of their products.  Have you ever seen this logo in your grocery's cooler?

Kerrygold is the retail brand of The Irish Dairy Board, and their products are imported all over the US.  In fact, our Costco usually has a small selection of their Irish Cheddars.  In addition to cheese the Irish are very well known for their butter, which you are more likely to find at specialty groceries such as Fresh Market and Whole Foods.  If you feel so inclined to support my husband's new career or your curiosity gets the best of you, I feel it is my duty to warn you about a new taste experience.   These are the Kerrygold cows.

Cute right?!  These cows like most cattle in Ireland do not spend their days in a feed lot munching on corn like US cows.  They are pasture fed, meaning... duh, they eat grass.  So as you might expect the flavor of the products derived from their milk can be very grassy and hay like.  This can be a pleasant flavor and aroma, but there are other Irish cheeses that are a bit more barn like.  OK, I'm just going to come out and say it, they taste like cow ass.  No, I don't actually know what cow ass taste like, but if I had to guess many of the cheeses I've tried are what I imagine it to be like.

Maybe it's an acquired taste.  I'll let you know in a year or two if the taste of cow ass gets any better the more you consume it!  So now don't you just want to run out and get some Irish cheddar?!  In all fairness, most of their products are quite wonderful, but this ain't no Velveta or Kraft, so just be prepared.

3. WHERE?
The Irish Dairy board is headquartered in Dublin, but we will actually be living in Cork.  Check it out on the Map here:

Cork is the largest of Ireland's counties with approximately 420,000 people in County Cork.  About 130,000 of those people live in Cork City, which is where we will be.  I find it hard to believe with only 130,000 people Cork City is the second largest city in Ireland behind Dublin.

I'm sure I'll have plenty more fun Irish facts for you in the near future.  For now I'm still doing my homework, so you will just have to wait!

4. WHEN?
Now that you have a few more details on the Why, What, and Where, the last question is when.  I've made reference to the next few weeks in this post and earlier post, but to be more specific we are leaving the US on February 11th.
For our Raleigh friends we are packing up and leaving town February 8th.  Just prior to that we will sell both our cars (Sob :( no more blue jeep!) and drive a U-Haul to Florida to put our furniture and things into a shared storage unit by my parents house.

I guess that concludes this post.  Don't hesitate to ask me questions, just know that I can't promise an answer, because there are some things even I don't know!  Hard to believe right! ;)

Let the Packing Begin!

I made up my mind that today was the day to start the dreaded chore of packing.  Obviously packing is never fun, and I don't want to be that person who complains how hard they have it, but I'm going to anyway.  So if you continue reading this post just know that you have been forewarned.  

Most of you have moved once or twice in your lives, or if you are like my parents you may have moved upwards of 10 times!  So you know the packing part is not easy, and certainly not fun.  However, moving to another country is a completely different beast. 

I've received quotes from at least 10 different international shipping companies. The company Adam is going to work for will be taking care of the cost, but selecting the best mover is up to us.  Some of these companies have a minimum weight, cubic feet, or volume requirement.  Some only offer port drop off, while others deliver door to door.  Some include the customs and duties fees, while others do not.  Needless to say it is a little overwhelming and we are only shipping clothing and small household items!

Now just because we're only shipping clothing and a few small items does not mean I'm off the hook.  I still have to put some of my favorite furniture and things into boxes that sadly will sit in a dark storage unit here in the US missing us, and hoping we will someday return.  One silly thing I know I'm going to miss is our Jelly Belly dispenser.

OH Jelly Bellys how will life go on without you!

Trying to determine what goes to storage, what gets sold, and what makes it on the boat over is like a giant puzzle.  I also have to come to grips with the fact that if I am |NOT going to use it in the next two to three weeks then I need to pack it.  How can one possibly know these things?!  I'm gripped with the fear that I may want to bake cookies next week and therefore need my mixer, bowls and cookie sheets.   Or I may want to read one of the books that have been sitting on the bookshelves for the last 5 years.  If I pack these things now there is no going back!

So pushing those fears aside I began the task of taking down, wrapping up, and boxing my stuff... my life.  

Below are a few quick photos of the first few boxes.  It will be a gradual process over the next two weeks, but I promise to keep you posted.  I know the anticipation must just be killing you!  Ha ha!  Believe me I never thought I'd be writing about boxes, but I guess this is just the blogger world we live in!

What the Craic?!

No I did not forget how to use spell check!  Craic is the first Gaelic word I've learned in preparation for our move to Ireland (actually it's the ONLY thing I've done to prepare, but more on that later.)  So I have named my blog Croissant Craic.  Not only for the excellent alliteration, but because we live our lives for the craic!  Still confused?  See the definition below:


Craic or crack is a term for fun, entertainment, and enjoyable conversation, particularly prominent in Ireland.^[1][2] It is often used with thedefinite article – the craic.^[1] The word has an unusual history; the form craic was borrowed into Irish from the English crack in the mid-20th century, and the Irish spelling was then reborrowed into English.^[1] Under either spelling, the crack/craic has great cultural currency and significance in Ireland.


Makes sense now, right?  I like to think Adam and I are both quite skilled at the art of fun, entertainment, and enjoyable conversation!  So here is to hoping this blog will allow me to share all the good craic we are sure to encounter on this upcoming adventure.  If you're interested in checking in from time to time I hope you will enjoy the craic!  


Stay tuned for the moving count down.