Erin go Bragh
- Ireland Forever!!
March 17th! Leprechauns
and Shamrocks await...
Saint Patrick’s Day – wearing of the green! After to traveling to Ireland
, I understand why green is so important to the Irish people. I was there in the month of November and just look at how green the grass was at Blarney Castle.
It was just as green on the Dingle Peninsula
, which was one of my favorite places in Ireland. My friend, Jane, who had visited there, told me not to miss it. I am eternally grateful.
Another of my favorite places was the Waterford
glass factory in Waterford, Ireland. I carried back several treasures from my trip. One was a Waterford biscuit barrel for my mother-in-law.
Recently, my mother-in-law gave me several pieces of crystal that had been in her collection and, happily, the biscuit barrel was among them. I used it as a centerpiece
on the table to hold the green and orange flowers (Irish flag colors!).
Waterford is not the only manufacturer of crystal in Ireland. The other crystal on my table is made by Galway
. It is the old “Longford” pattern and I have had it for many years. The shapes of the pieces have changed a bit, since then, but I still love mine. I acquired it, when my mother gave me a surprise check and told me to buy myself something pretty. I used the money to order the footed iced teas and champagne/sherbets from Ireland. I never set my table with “Longford” that I do not think of my mother who died fourteen years ago.Many thanks to my mother and mother-in-law for helping to make my table beautiful!
I was determined to have Belleek "Shamrock" salad plates for Saint Patrick’s Day this year. Some time ago, I ordered them from a company who does business in Ireland and America. Not only did I never receive them, but the company does not answer my e-mails! Fortunately, I have green dishes. They are the “Samarra” pattern by Royal Doulton
. This china was one of the patterns that I chose, when I married.
The sterling flatware is “Strasbourg
” by Gorham.
The green tablecloth was purchased at Ross and the napkins are ones that I have had for years. The napkin rings
came from Dillard’s. I used several shades of green on the table - they remind me of all the greens of Ireland!
I found the shamrock place mats
at Home Goods.
The pretty beaded coasters
were bought at TJ Maxx, I think, and the darling etched shamrock Irish coffee mugs were an Ebay purchase.
Watching over the table are two Annalee Leprechaun elves.
Also, decorating the table are sprinkles of leprechaun and shamrock confetti. Hopefully, the Leprechauns left the gold coins
for some lucky dinner guest!While I do have some Irish heritage, I am afraid that my ancestors came from the northern end of the isle – the Scotch-Irish. However, on Saint Patrick’s Day, we can all be officially Irish. Who would not love a man who ran the snakes out of a country?
, we can all be officially Irish. Who would not love a man who ran the snakes out of a country?
Instead of an Irish recipe, I am going to leave you with the lyrics to an old Irish song
:AN IRISHMAN'S DREAM Sure I've roamed this wide world overBut of all the lands I've seenThere's no spot I'd rather dwell inThan my little isle of GreenOnly last night I was dreamin'Of a sight that thrilled me throughBut what I saw I'll see no more'twas too good to be trueSure the shamrocks were growing on BroadwayEvery girl was an Irish colleenThe town of New York was the county of CorkAll the buildings were painted greenSure the Hudson looked just like the ShannonOh, how good and how real it did seemI could hear me mother singin', sweet Shannon bells ringin''twas only an Irishman's dream
Sharing at:
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
http://itssoverycheri.com
http://www.aholidayhaven.com/
http://savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/
http://iloveprettylittlethings.blogspot.com/
http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/
http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/
http://www.whipperberry.com/
http://bellavita-bellasblog.blogspot.com/
http://ljm-alacarte.blogspot.com/
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/
http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2011/03/alphabe-thursdays-letter-v.html
http://jennymatlock.blogspot.com/2011/03/alphabe-thursdays-letter-v.html
