While the folks over in Paris were all in wintery mood because it was snowing, the weather in Dublin since yesterday has been less than kind as it stays showery, albeit in small doses. Still. I want the clear blue sky back…

Well, I’m sure everyone has by now cleared out all Irish pork products from your fridge/freezer, including sausages, bacon and ham, after the recall last week following detection of high levels of dioxin in them – up to 200 times over the allowed limit! There shouldn’t be unnecessary panic though and I think it’s good that the recall is being done, and the shelves are now being restocked with pork from outside of the republic and if it’s Irish they’re new uncontaminated stock.

Faced with all these gloom and doom, a little cheering up would be nice. Christmas cheer in particular. So why not head over to the IFSC for 12 Days of Christmas?

“The 12 days of Christmas market at the Docklands is full of more Christmas cheer than your Da when the in laws leave!”

That’s the tagline! Cute, lol…

There are lots of food stalls selling bratwurst (contamination-free all the way from Germany), herby roast potatoes, mulled wine, pretzels, chocolates, truffles, crepes, hot nuts… (I’ve got to stop listing since it’s making *me* hungry right now) as well as gift stalls where you can hunt for some Christmas presents including jewelleries, toys, clothings, decorative items, books, woodcraft and more!

At weekends, Santa Grotto will also be open. On top of that, there would also be entertainments in the form of brass band, face painter and balloon modeller. Just the thing to keep kids happy and cheerful.

I’ll definitely be making my way there at least a couple of times in the next 12 days. Hmmm… I’m dreaming of the grilled sausages with roast potatoes and mulled wine as it is…