At home in Ireland :: a oneword & 31 days mashup

Last week I did something I haven't done in years: I filled an entire school year's worth of diary dates. Each of the kids' schools sent home calendars and without any hesitation, I plotted each day, every early dismissal, all holiday breaks. Start to finish. We really are home and the long transition, it seems, is over.

Up until that calendar day, I hadn't intended on re-attempting The Nester's 31 Days series this year, but here I am: ready for another go. 2011 found us in 31 days of transition, and last year we were neck-deep in 31 days of messy parenting.

But this year... this year it's a whole new ballgame.

October marks 9 months of being back in Ireland and this year I've been trying to cultivate and establish our new home. So seeing as I've had a few months practice now and would like to finish my "one word" year off with a bang, this month we'll be:


We're not between houses and countries anymore. We are putting down our roots near the river -- the River Liffey, actually. We are parenting and working and friending and barbecueing and, well, living. I want to invite you into our home, sharing more about our neighbourhood and community, mothering here, shopping here, and just going about making our life and our home here. October in Ireland is brilliant, so there will be lots of photosharing, too!

So you know, just your average DIY/cultural analysis/house & home/travel-blog series.

Even with focusing on our new home here, I can't promise there won't be a day or two of homesickness scattered in. And I think I'd really like to do some sort of Q&A or Frequently Asked Questions about life as an expat in a new culture.

I would love for you to leave a comment with questions or thoughts, especially if you find yourself in a new place, home or season. And if you're joining the 31 days challenge, do post a link below and I'll follow along!

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AT HOME IN IRELAND

day 1 :: a oneword & 31 days mashup
day 2 :: put the kettle on
day 3 :: our lass
day 4 :: five dublin-area destinations
day 5 :: the tables are filled with stories
day 6 :: sundays with the poets
day 7 :: fun quirks about irish homes
day 8 :: quirks i love about irish homes
day 9 :: wordless wednesday
day 10 :: of midwest moms and european fashion
day 11 :: five friday favourites
day 12 :: the flip side
day 13 :: sundays with the poets
day 14 :: in the garden where we mine our hearts
day 15 :: an outsider's observations on justice
day 16 :: irish movies
day 17 :: of kids' clubs and extracurricular activities
day 18 :: a primer on laundry, in five
day 20 :: sundays with the poets
day 21 :: the chipper
day 22 :: foodie for thought
day 23 :: wordless wednesday
day 24 :: the first time
day 25 :: torn in two
day 27 :: sundays with the poets
day 28 :: one last, sweet first
day 29 :: the imaginary life at home in ireland
day 30 :: day trips from our doorestep
day 31 :: we are all gathered under his light