Ireland's Calling for Normal Life to Return, thread number 5

[eggandonion]

Unlinked because I can't remember how to do it, and can't find Help thing.

Oh we have two Dealz within walking distance too. Forgot about those.
They are wonderful for multipacks of proper bacon fries/scampi fries for €1.50

McCoys are also delish!

Those O'Donnell crisps are like crack!! Devine (especially the cheddar & Bally aloe relish flavour) but my god very expensive - or is it just me who'd scoff a whole "sharing" bag by myself?

Divine - not dEvine, sorry

I like SuperValu, though it is expensive. We do some shopping in Lidl alongside the SV shopping, but haven't gone there as much in these Covid times.
I hear you on the deep trolleys in Lidl! As a small person, I often feel there's a good chance of toppling into one! I think they were designed for the taller European :)

We have all the supermarkets where I live as well, but I try to use smaller shops where I can to keep them going (independent butchers, fishmongers, etc.). I used to love farmers' markets as well, back in the before-times... now I buy from some producers online instead.

As supermarkets go, I do like SuperValu - they're my first choice for fairly reliable quality and a good selection of organic/ethical produce. They are a bit more expensive, yes, but then when we lived in the UK I used to shop in Waitrose

Dunnes is ok but variable - good on some stuff, rubbish on others. I can't stand Tesco as they seem to have the most shite quality food of all, loads of tasteless and/or processed crap, even their fancy range. Lidl and Aldi are ok for some fruit and veg but I don't normally go there as it's not worth the extra trip for all I would buy.

I acknowledge I'm fortunate to be able to prioritise quality over price, though.

I am a bit iffy about lidl just now, although we are supposed to be getting an exciting new one. There never seems to be any hand gel at the door .
I am very impressed at dunnes who have a mask observer on duty, but I end up having to buy random chocolate to use vouchers.
The fabulous new discount shop is too crowded, I have to build up to going there.
I'm always jealous of uk threads with home bargains, it sounds excellent.

I definitely hear you re the trolleys @CherryValanc - especially Aldi - I'm always afraid I'll topple in at the checkout when unloading my shopping! Have to go so fast as well to keep up with the checkout operator..
The Aldi closest to me is good re keeping numbers low.
SuperValu and Dunnes are expensive compared to Aldi Lidl and Tesco I think but they do have lovely products..
We always do a Christmas shop in Dunnes
I use Aldi mostly with a top in local greengrocer mid week, I like to feel like I'm supporting local that way, although Aldi has a lot of Irish products.

@eggandonion

Dh gets some crisps in Dealz, McCoy's? Like Hunky Dory but tastier.

I love crisps.. except salt and vinegar.. too bitter for me but any other flavour is fine from wheelies to and aero bars.. our local small shop Is doing the big versions for a euro it would be rude not to

• went back to edit my post before sending and still managed to hit post From wheelies to O Donnells ams everything in between that should read!

So here for the Crisp talk- O’Donnells and Keoghs are favourites here with taytos on hand for sandwiches when required.

We are very rural so only have centra or SuperValu for shopping nearby (25mins away) or Aldi is an hour so we do that ever 10 days or so. Seriously struggling to be motivated to cook anything at the moment though, tonight my child had carrots and a fish finger sandwich and that was a challenge to come up with!

Has anyone any activity suggestions for 4yr olds that aren’t extremely dull for adults? I’m so over playing with all of her toys and crafting is just not worth the mess anymore. Looking like we will have a couple of dry days this weekend which will be great to get out and about (in so much as we can!)

Do
A treasure hunt in the garden ? Hide some treats , draw a map of the garden with an x where the treats are, paint it with tea or coffee and singe the edges to make it look old

Get the 4yo to make an obstacle course with the couch cushions while you sit and eat crisps?

Tell them there has to be a

• crawl underneath bit
• a hop across the lava (jump from one cushion to the other) bit
• a climb on hands and knees to the top bit
• a sliding down bit (can a cushion at an angle from the couch frame)
• a wrapping up like a sausage-roll bit (use a blanket or throw).

Then do wrestling on knees- first person to push the other person (gently) off the rug, wins.
After that, they're tired, you can have coffee undisturbed. Win win.

Activities with a four year old:

Join the dots. Draw a simple picture, s/he fills it in. Good for learning numbers too.
Cut out pictures to make a poster.
Baking simple cakes or biscuits.
Tea party with dolls or fluffies. Write out short invitations. Chop up fruit into small pieces. Good for getting some fruit into them :)
Play shop. Put a price on a few things from the cupboard. Do simple sums. Use coins to buy the food.

Watch sesame street if you can find it. Or Barney, Tots TV, or any old kids programmes.
Screen time is wonderful. Wear earplugs.

We jumped on the Jerusalema bandwagon in work on Friday. Great craic altogether. Love watching the videos of everyone else doing it too.

Pinterest have loads of ideas for preschool age/young school aged children. I get loads of ideas from there.
You could make up a nature trail, print off some pictures of things you might see on your walk around. Get the child to tick them off as they see them.
Get them to do housework. You're teaching them responsibility and you dont have to do it.
If you want to keep them busy for hours, pour a box of cereal , like rice krispies out on the table and get them to put them back into the box one at time while counting them

Or just stick them in front of tv and drink wine.

Today was better, we got out to the beach (within our 5km) and spent ages making sandcastles. And she helped cook the dinner. Im a single parent though and am just finding it all very full on at the moment!

Anyway moving on- need to buy more wine.

Anyone bracing for snow this week?

Saw interesting statistics yesterday (not 100% sure of validity) but in them Ireland is doing well in percentage of population fully vaccinated.

I think (I'd have to recheck) but there was about 25 counties on the graph and Ireland was around 7th.

Despite the numbers UK was lower - as it's a high number of first vaccine, whereas this graph was for fully vaccinated.

Is the snow nationwide? I think it's Leinster that will get the brunt of it. I'm easy either way, if it falls I hope we get a good amount for the children to enjoy .

East Coast- not a definite forecast yet i don't think (well, the media seem to think so.)

No snow here but it is very very cold. I just popped out to pick something up, it's a short walk away but I drove because it was too cold.

Were quite south so unlikely to get any but the temp has really dropped today! Which reminds me i must run out and bring in turf before it gets dark

I love a turf fire.,

I'm in the deep south along with eggandonion, so I'm hoping for snow action, but we usually only get icy roads and frozen pipes

I signed up for the operation transformation 5k. Need to get back to running..

Its very cold here tonight. So my dog decided to go for a nice long, slow walk.
Cork City Hall has been fitted out as a vaccine centre, which is good. Except my dd1 used to go to underage discos there, and I was at a do last January. I want to go to a do. It had a buffet I want a buffet.
I could have a temper tantrum.