Small space design on a budget- kids room

As I've mentioned in other posts, part of moving to Ireland encompassed a choice to downsize. I have been happily embracing this choice and have been enjoying the process of maximizing the use of our 700 square feet, making it a space that I enjoy visually (very important to me) while doing so on a strict budget.

I am finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel (of boxes.) Our little home is starting to come together.

The first room that I chose to tackle, was probably the most challenging- the kids room. My kids each had a room of their own in L.A. and they had WAYYYYY too many toys. Not only were each of their (pretty big) rooms full of toys, but they had toys scattered all over the rest of the house too. We had storage ottomans in the living and family rooms dedicated to coralling toys, and that was not the full extent of it. It was obscene! Very happily, we whittled the toys down to what seemed like a minimum, in order to undertake this move.

That said, they are now sharing a very small room. Not a box room, but close. Also, a room in a home that we rent, so there is not a lot we can do to the space. They still have too many toys as far as I am concerned, but thanks to Ikea, we are trying to give them all a home in their new, teeny, tiny space.

This is what design-on-a-dime for a small space is looking like for our kids' room:

I like this room so much, that sometimes I just come and hang out in here!

Mother's Day at the Dublin Flea Market

Today, for Mother's Day, I insisted we all go to The Dublin Flea Market in Newmarket Square.

I really like this maket, because its small and accessible (well at least compared to The Rose Bowl or even Pasadena City College Flea Market) and has a lot of fun stalls to browse. Its easy to pop down for an hour and see the whole thing. There are a few stands with mid century furniture, but mostly bric a brac and clothing. 

There are coffee and food stands and the Dublin Food Co-op is housed in the same building. The co-op is a pretty amazing source of organic and Fair Trade food and household items. I am blown away by the selection and prices here. SO not missing Whole Foods! Anyway, this was how I wanted to spend Mother's Day. I am in search of the perfect chair for my living room and didn't find it today, but I still had a nice time.

After the market we visited my lovely Donnybrook Fair and The Natural Bakery to get a lazy dinner that I don't have to cook.

Glendalough

Today we took our first real outing in the car. We decided to go to Glendalough. Glendalough is in County Wicklow, which is just to the south of County Dublin. Wicklow is known as the garden of Ireland and is a popular destination for tourists, hikers and triathletes. Glendalough is an ancient monastic site in the "valley of two lakes." It is only about a 40 minute drive from our house. There are lovely ruins to explore and many trails to take walks along. It started to rain about an hour after we got there, so we headed to a local pub for some lunch and a Guinness.We are already planning our next trip back, bringing Pepper and a picnic, some rain gear and a map of the trails.

Here are some photos I took on today's excursion:

Bone Broth

Once a week, usually on Monday, I roast a chicken for dinner. The next day I make a batch of bone broth. Bone broth is an amazing source of minerals and boosts the immune system. According to Wellness Mama

"Its high calcium, magnesium and phosphorus content make it great for bone and tooth health. Bone broth also supports joints, hair, skin and nails due to its high collagen content. In fact, some even suggest that it helps eliminate cellulite as it supports smooth connective tissue." It also a very inexpensive addition to the diet.

I go to the Farmer's Market every Sunday. That's where I prefer to buy my chicken. I feel I have a better chance of getting a chicken that is not only organic, but maybe also got to run around and eat some bugs rather than just being fed grain (even if that grain is organic). If I am lucky, my chicken guy will also have a bag of chicken feet for me. On Tuesday, when I go to make my broth, I add a few chicken feet to my leftover chicken bones and this makes a lovely gelatinous broth. If I didn't manage to get feet, I also sometimes use backs or even turkey necks. Feet, backs and necks are extremely cheap, so I usually keep a few of these in the freezer to add to my bones.

After my bone broth is made, I keep it in the fridge for the week and use it to make gravy, soups, mashed potatoes (in place of milk) and I also drink a cup of it every morning. Seeing as I don't drink coffee or tea (caffeine doesn't agree with me, even the small amount in decaf,) I love having a warm cup of something in the morning to sip. My daughter also likes to drink it and I feel I am giving her so much wonderful nourishment in every cup.

I make my broth in the crockpot. Sometimes I do it overnight, and sometimes I just let it go all day. Either way, it requires so little effort. I have made broth on the stove too, but its just easier to let the crockpot go and not think about it.

To make my broth:

Ingredients

- bones of one chicken (I remove any meat and save that for salads and lunches)

- 4 chicken feet or one chicken back or one turkey neck

-. 2 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar

- 2 ribs of celery

- 1 or 2 carrots

- 1 small onion

- 1 tbsp celtic sea salt

I put all the ingredients in my crock pot, cover with water and cook on low for about 8 hours.

When its done, I strain it and have my weekly ration of chicken broth! So simple, avoids waste and adds more nourishment for my family.