Let’s meet the makers of your lovely January surprises!
Big Red Kitchen Irish Raspberry and Vanilla Jam – County Meath
What we love about this little cottage business is just that…it is not in the slightest bit taken by the lure of the big supermarkets who would love to stock Nicola’s products. Nicola understands what it means to be a cottage industry and she never wants to deviate from her principals. This is why it is so special that we are sending you her jam – made the traditional Irish way, with only natural ingredients.
I try to eat food that is made as natural as possible. It doesn’t bother me if there is sugar in it – just as long as it really is homemade – the traditional way. So Nicola’s jams are always in my kitchen, and I often gift a selection of them. They are always loved.
Old Ireland signpost farm mug
Shannonbridge Pottery – County Offaly
Shannonbridge Pottery is situated in West Offaly, near the river Shannon, where both the town of Shannonbridge and the ruins of Clonmacnoise are on its banks.
I am so delighted that Charlie could work with us to make a mug for our members that looked like it came right from the Irish farmhouse.
I really like the ‘Ireland’ signpost. Those old traditional signposts are all over the country here in Ireland. They are part of our landscape – along with cows and sheep and working horses within the farming fields, sheepdogs, hens and all of the farm animals.
Turf Peat Incense Ireland tea Towel – County Armagh
Jeremey is one enthusiastic Irishman. The ideas that he comes up with for new lifestyle Irish treasures are just wonderful. I was excited to work with him again this year as we have something really special in the pipeline that will be exclusive to members.
I always have a tea towel slung over my shoulder when I am working in the kitchen – a new one is taken from the tea-towel drawer each morning as I dry the kids lunchboxes and I tend to look for this one first when it’s washed.
I love mine this beautiful shamrock tea towel!
The Little Mill Scone Mix – County Kilkenny
I love to buy for you from family run businesses in Ireland! For hundreds of years The Mosse family’s ancestors have been milling locally grown wheat, on the banks of the River Nore near Kilkenny; that for many is the home of the best in Irish food.
Today, virtually all of the Mosse family’s wheat comes from one of three farms, none of them further than 20km from their mill and the grain is milled in the same traditional way that their forebears was. The result is flour that has a wonderfully unique flavour and that contains no additives or preservatives.
The philosophy behind their flour and everything we they is simply, ‘nothing added, nothing taken away’.
What a great scone mix – easy to whip up delicious Irish scones that melt in the mouth – I loved sending them to members and the community adored them!
Caulfield Country Boards – Kells, Co. Meath
Caulfield Country Boards is another family affair comprising a joiner, a philosopher and a geologist/baker. Caulfield joinery was established in 1978 by John Caulfield, the original joiner.
All of this family’s creations are designed and made in Carnaross, Co. Meath, Ireland from sustainably sourced Irish hardwoods, which include ash, beech, elm and walnut.
I am really feeling the sheep this year and this just had to be included in the April farmhouse MyIrelandBox for our member’s mugs and just to enjoy in their homes!
A perfect way to put a smile on their faces in the mornings – sheep and Irish wood – a wonderful pair!
Keith Earls – coffee from Limerick
Thomas and I are morning coffee drinkers and have always thought about sending some to members, but we needed to wait for the perfect blend from Ireland. Then Keith Earls came along and asked us to sample his brew. We really liked it and felt that the ‘Waking up within the Irish Farmhouse’ theme was the perfect one to include it in!
Keith Earls is an Irish former rugby union player who played as a wing for United Rugby Championship Club Munster and the Ireland national rugby team. He retired following the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Throughout his 15-year professional rugby career, he was lucky to travel the world, witnessing and experiencing vastly different cultures.
“No matter what continent we were on, no matter what team was playing, coffee was the commodity that bound us together.”
My Booklet
Our members all know how much I love to write this for them. I have stacks of books on my desk here about Ireland and what a great excuse to accumulate them for my research. I love to browse on www.duchas.ie and read to stories from the 1930’s, collected from the young and old back then, when they shared the stories and traditions and so much more that were passed down to them from their ancestors. I also love to research and in this instance, our time at the Irish farmhouse and the bogs of Ireland, was just precious! I know that our members all like the booklet as much as I enjoy writing it.
Recipe of the Month – Family Porridge and Banana Morning Muffins
I have been trying out new recipes for breakfast – especially ones that can be whipped up quickly and handed to the kids if we are in a rush out the door in the morning! These are really nice and they are currently a hit. I use the Little Mill organic Porridge Oats and sometimes I use maple syrup instead of the honey. Not too much needed, as the banana adds a little sweetness. I do like vanilla yoghurt and I have tried these with vanilla soya yoghurt too.
They are nice toasted the following day also. Perfect with the jam!
