This is my second week in the #marketfriday community, and I have both 
Last week, I was a complete newbie, and after a long break away from writing on the block chain, I jumped back in to have some fun with a collaborative challenge with Market Friday and DreemPort. What fun!
I visited a local farmer's market last week, but this week I decided to go to one of Ireland's largest retailer, Dunne's Stores. This decision was not made lightly, as I knew I was on a mission this week. I had a list of things to find, because in Dreemie's fun-fueled way, the members of DreemPort were sent on a scavenger hunt!
The great thing about Dunnes Stores is that it sells fashion, food and homewares, so I thought I'd be very likely to find everything on my list. And now, I'm sure you're wondering what was on that list. Well, I could easily tell you, but you might want to join in the fun yourself, so instead I'm going to send you on a journey through time and space to the round up of last week's challenge where, if you scroll down to the bottom, you'll find the deets to the scavenger hunt.
Or, alternatively, you could just read on, and all will become clear as I share my lovely finds for this week's challenge. š
The first thing to go in my shopping trolley today was quite heavy. There were lots of them packed out on a pallet and they were in prime position.
You Can't Beat the Real Thing (1990 Advertising Slogan)
For a glassful of bubbles to tickle your nose with. The brown nectar that I'm afraid I'm completely addicted to. Don't judge me! I'm pretty sure I was weaned on the stuff, because I don't remember a time when I didn't have it to drink. Thankfully, now though, I don't drink the full-sugar variety.
So, straight out of the starting blocks and I had found the first item on my list. I had bubbles galore! For the next item, I didn't have to look very far, albeit, the prickly little thing was a wee bit hidden.
Right in the center of a beautiful display of flowers, I found an assortment of cacti. I snapped the beauties with my phone, and left them well alone. I didn't need to buy one as I had my own beautiful one flowering at home. But the second prickly part of my scavenger hunt had been delivered up. Woohoo!
I was on a roll! At that very moment, with the fragrance of flowers all around, I heard something. It was subtle, and I'm pretty sure it was for my ears only. But I could have sworn that something was calling my name.
I listened carefully, and was drawn around the display of flowers. Yes, there was something there, and they were calling to me. I knew I couldn't ignore them. They were delightful and they just had to come home with me.
Beautiful lillies now adorn my kitchen table.
The modest Rose puts forth a thorn,
The humble sheep a threat'ning horn:
While the Lily white shall in love delight,
Nor a thorn nor a threat stain her beauty bright.
William Blake, From Songs of Experience
Now, at this point, I did think, aha, I could so easily complete my scavenger hunt with my sweet lillies. For they not only called my name but they also **smelled beautiful"".
But where would the fun in that be? So, no, I continued. I strolled further, up and down aisles. My nose was now in the lead, sniffing out my next find, until it hit on not one, but two beautiful fragrances that made my tummy grumble.
Freshly made bread and freshly squeezed orange juice assaulted my nostrils and I suddenly realised I was committing the cardinal sin of shopping:
Shopping on an Empty Stomach!
But it was okay, because I'd reached the end of the scavenger hunt. I'd found everything!
- something bubbly
- something prickly
- something that smells nice
- something that is calling your name to buy it!
With my scavenger hunt done and dusted, I wanted to mention
I love viewing houses, although, I usually do this via the web. But, it just so happens that my hubby and I did go a viewing recently. It was about three weeks ago, and my husband was perusing daft.ie, Ireland's No. 1 Property website, and he found what he said was his dream home.
It was a three-bedroomed home on the foothills of the Sliabh Aughty Mountains, in the village of Feakle in County Clare. Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures, but if you click the daft link above it will take you to the property we visited.
Between you and me, we didn't really have any intention of buying, but with a maiden name of Parker, I do have a natural born right to be a bit nosey. Lol! So, along with quite a few other hopefuls, we had the grand tour. We were shown around the home by the lady of the house. She had so many stories to share of her 35 years in Ireland with her husband, who unfortunately had passed two years before.
It was a beautiful home and for the hour or so we visited, I allowed myself to dream of living within the 5 acres of land, growing my own food, and having a few chickens. Perhaps, one day, we will move again, but for now I'm happy where I am.
