and the award goes to ……….
me me me me me me me me and oh me!!!! I have just picked up my little trophy from Maz at La Cucina so it finally feels real that I won. I have to say a big “grazie” to her as she guarded it with her life on the night and transported it safely on the train from Dublin to Limerick, pity the champagne didn’t travel as well;) I’m a bit disappointed that I missed the night as it sounds like they had a great time and if I thought that I had a chance of winning I would have tried to get someone to babysit or else just bribed the princess with a full bag of white buttons to look after herself;), she still believes only half bags exist - long may it last!! I mentioned in my last post that Bru was at a stag and both grandmothers were out of babysitting action as the MIL works in the restaurant on Saturday nights as it is naturally the busiest and my own mother inconveniently decided to have an operation on her shoulder a few days before, the selfishness:) so I spent the weekend with her intending to give her some help around the house but I think we caused more havoc than anything else. It’s just as well I didn’t go because the princess got the vomiting bug which had been going in the creche so I spent my night cleaning up and comforting her but knowing I had won made it a little easier:)
Laura rang me to tell me the good news and at first I thought she was joking and didn’t believe her but then it sunk in and I did a little celebratory dance around the sitting room. Maz and Val then rang and did a bit of hysterical shouting down the phone, I think they were even more excited than me:) My younger sis ran over to the off license and bought a bottle of pink moet and we all had a little family celebration!!
I really can’t believe I won and am genuinely shocked but absolutely thrilled!! I didn’t think we had a chance as I thought, because my blog is only about Italian food that not everyone would like it as it’s quite specialised and wouldn’t appeal to the majority but I’m delighted to have been proven wrong!! I often question whether I should be a bit more adventurous with my food as all I basically do is post about our dinners but that’s all I have time for with the princess and the shop but hey if it’s not broken don’t fix it:)!! I would just like to say a big thank you to the judges whoever you maybe - you can have free pizza in La Cucina for life;) and a big thank you to Damien who organised everything and made this night happen. Anyone who doesn’t blog may not realise the time and effort that goes into these blogs so it’s great to have just one night to celebrate this hard work and without Damien this wouldn’t happen so “grazie mille” Damien. And last but not least I have to thank all of you who read my blog everyday because I know it’s the obvious thing to say but without all of you blogs wouldn’t exist, I love getting your comments and feedback or even checking my stats to see how many have visited the site every week so please never underestimate how much your comments and feedback mean to us bloggers!! Ok, now pass me the Kleenex:)
just in case you think the award has gone to my head, there is so much more to learn:)
the princess is so proud of her mommy she won’t let it go;)
Thanks Everyone
Ciao
Lorraine
xxxxxx
Congratulations Lorraine! Sorry the princess isn’t feeling good! Enjoyed meeting your fellow Limerickians (???) and am going to be in Limerick on April 5th for a craft demo I am doing. I will not leave without coming in to get some pizza and picking up some store cupboard goodies!
Congrats again and hope to meet you soon!
Ha ha ha Can’t believe you got the picture with the princess - its great! Mary T x
Great pictures, and it looks as if you actually did polish that award! It’s gleaming. Thanks for the yummy salad today, who said there’s no such thing as a free lunch!
Next time I’m in La Cucina I’ll have to bring a bottle of prosecco with me to get you to stop going on about that champagne!!
Well done and congratulations on winning!
Lor, I’m so happy for you! I’m raising my glass to you! Well deserved, I’m not at all surprised. I voted for you (even though I wasn’t suppose to, ha ha) A job well done in everyway, Congrats from one of your avid readers!! Love the Princess picture! So cute!
You SO SO SO deserve this, you’re an inspiration to everyone who does and doesn’t blog! WOOHOO for the Italian Foodies
Deb - thanks a mil, I look forward to meeting you in april!! Let me know what you need and I’ll have it ready for you just in case it’s not in stock! They’re mad that Limerick bunch, I’m a lot more subdued and tame;)
Mary T - thanks to you who put the idea of taking it when she was asleep:)
Maz- believe it or not I didn’t touch it, it still has all the finger prints all over it!! I’ll shine it tonight when it’s all wrapped up beside me in bed;)
Bock - thanks a mil, dissapointed to see you didn’t come home with anything!!:( Maybe next year!!
Marie - you’re such a sweetie, thanks for voting:) I’ll have a glass with you!!
Rachel - ahhh thanks a mil, such a lovely comment:)
Congratulations!
Congrats Lorraine! Well deserved and love the acceptance speech. Hope the little one is feeling better. Joe
I have that “how to be a better foodie” book too. I never wanted lamb more after reading it…….
Well done. Great food, great blog.
Thanks Anon and Joe!!
Manuel - I just picked it up in Tk Maxx recently so I haven’t read it yet, the name got me!! I’m intrigued now, will have to read it!!
Thanks Amanda, all these compliments will go to my head:)
Well Done Lorraine! Some of those fingerprints were mine btw
Superb. Fantastic. Damned fine news. Amazing. Wonderful. Red white and green white envy.
Devin - I know I saw the photographic evidence:) It took me ages to shine it back to it’s former glory with all the grubby fingerprints from the 3 of ye;)
Abulfia - thanks, thanks and thanks:)Come back pleeease!!
Well done on the blog award!You have a lovely site and it is a pleasure to read
I’m only hoping you’ll some day open in the city centre too 
Congratulations again, Lor. Love that pic of the princess and the award
ftloc - thanks a mil, I too hope we open in the city centre, proving quite difficult:(
Jen - thanks again:)
well done and well deserved. best of luck in going for the 2 in a row………