Irish Spring
22 Apr 2014If the title of this post conjures up visions
of whittling bars of green and white stripy soap,
cast those clean as a whistle notions aside…
spring in the Irish countryside is
beautiful, raw, and green
filled with birdsong and new life…
but frankly, it mostly smells like manure;
also known as “that sweet country smell”
I am loving this fun sketch of me milking “Sally”
by Ailbhe Phelan, a fabulous Irish illustrator living in London.
What do you think?
The lucky recipient of Ashley English’s Handmade Gatherings is Lori Matthews.
Congratulations!
I will be back with more recipes and stories very soon.
Life is aflurry with trying my very best to complete a
truly special manuscript & fine-tuning recipes
for my upcoming book…
while feeding calves & milking cows
and simply…
being a mother and wife (the easy part)
In the meantime,
head over to Spenser Magazine
for a beautiful Irish spring lamb story…
read all about my bucolic Zwartbles adventure
nestled alongside some outstanding food stories
on ancient grains in Arizona, Blue Heron Goat Farm
and some amazing salt-roasted spot prawns.
I will leave you to linger with a few more outtakes from the shoot
Slan Abhaile,
Imen
Photos and Styling by Imen McDonnell 2014
No Zwartbles lambs were eaten for this post
Tags: American, Ashley English, country life, farmette, Farming, food, foodie, foodies, Handmade Gatherings, I Married An Irish Farmer, Imen McDonnell, Irish, Irish country living, irish farmer, irish food, Irish food photography, irish foodies, lamb, love, Married an Irish Farmer, married an irishman, Roost Books, Spenser Magazine, Spring, Suzanna Crampton, Zwartbles
Spring is everywhere! I like how it feels in farms in spring. I was a farm girl. I liked everything about farms but the smell.
[…] Rethinking “Irish Spring”. Our love for Imen at Farmette is no secret and we are eagerly awaiting her super-special […]
The lamb is so sweet. And I’m sure your manuscript will be very special. I am looking forward to the book!
-Giselle
As ever it’s a delight to see the beautiful countryside and rustic charms of your day to day life. I’m still loving that sketch of you too and (I’m hopeful,) that your beautiful book will be filled with equally charming sketches of your country life. 😉
Lovely! I really like the sketch.
Wished I were there in Ireland … … It’s in spring the most fabulous time.
Many greetings from Augsburg
by Heidrun
Your website and pictures are so lovely and fresh looking. Looking forward to your book. I will be buying my mom a copy as we have travelled several times to Ireland and just love it! We even went to the Ploughing Championships in Bennetsbridge one year! The best little pottery shop there!
Thanks
Kim
Love the illustration – you have a very quiet cow 😉
Great pics of the sheep and hens too. Been busy feeding calves here too – hurt my back a couple of days ago at it, going to osteopath early next week in case it gets worse. Good workout though 🙂
Wonderful life at the farm in spring, I’d imagine. Can’t wait to see your cookbook. I’ve a feeling it will be in the top tier.
Great pictures…loved the article! Have a grand day!