The Milk Market in Limerick

On Saturday we were planning on heading down to Cork to visit The English Market but when we woke to snow (above on my rhubarb) we decided to sit tight in the morning and got the stove fired up again and cooked up a nice Irish breakfast.

After lunch, Sophia and I decided we'd head into Limerick to the Milk Market instead. We drove in and parked in Arthur's Quay which is an easy walking distance - I just could not resist taking a photo of this fun sign outside a fishing shop called "I Got Worms" along the way.

Outside Garden World, spring was definitely on it's way.

I love the Milk Market and we had decided we'd plan out our Sunday dinner by browsing through the various stands and stalls. At Country Choice (which has it's original store in Nenagh) we came across Mr. Piggy sitting in a basket of apples.

Another stall has lovely desserts and pastries.

Fresh daffodils stacked in crates were a welcome sight an in the stall next door we bought two bottles of delicious apple juice from Wexford.

At this stand there was a wonderful array of salami's - fabulous pates and lots of seaweed.

Barrels of olives and tapenades looked beautiful and the fresh lavender (below) smelled wonderful.

Sophia went armed with her notebook as she is planning dinner for us next weekend. Our recent cooking obsession has been fueled by watching Junior Master Chef in Australia over the last few weeks. The final was on Friday night and I can tell you these kids - none of which were older than 13 - really can cook. We were all so impressed and it's got us all thinking about things we'd like to cook - learn to cook, figure out etc.

Sounds silly, but one of mine was a good pork loin roast - which is exactly what I picked up from Adare Farm in the Milk market (another Mr. Piggy at the entrance to their shop)- following a Rachel Allen recipe - I stuffed it, rolled and and cooked it for about 2 hours to make the crackling really crisp and delicious. I also made my own apple sauce and gravy! We had it for our Sunday dinner and there wasn't a scrap left on any one's plate! Success.

Just for fun I thought I'd leave you with this parting shot. Peter Ward who runs Country Choice along with his wife had made this amusing sign and I just could not resist capturing it for all of you.

Have you visited the Milk Market in Limerick?

Saturday morning is a great day to go- the choices are fabulous - fresh breads and pastries, fish, flowers, fruit and veg, pates, chutney's, jams and jellies, fresh apple juice, cheeses, pork and beef - you name it.

Next Sunday, 20th March they are having family fun day called Mayhem at the all-weather Milk Market from 11:00-4:00pm. There is music, a puppet show, magician, stalls and shops, a colouring competition to win a holiday in Kerry, balloon contortionists, wizard shows and delicious family lunch and munch menus. Visit www.MilkMarketLimerick.ie for more information.

Additionally, it was so sad to hear the devastation in Japan- we have friends in Tokyo but thankfully they were okay but the threat of a nuclear meltdown and the final death toll is grim and worrying. We are so thankful not to be affected by this and pray for those still missing, injured and those who have died.