A wee bit o' Irish

I can't claim even a wee bit of Irish in me. I don't even ingest what most think of when we speak of Irish fare. Guiness is too strong for me, and I prefer Scotch to any whiskey, Irish or not. Hubby and I do love grilled corned beef sandwiches with coleslaw, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing on rye or marbled breads, but don't care much for corned beef and cabbage fixed the traditional way.

That is no reason not to decorate though.

My table has a Belleek cache pot with a shamrock setting inside it.

The March SnoWonder figure is the only snow I want to see this month (or just about any month!)

St Patrick's Day and Easter often overlap when it comes to seasonal decorating. This vase is out year round, but now always in this location. The bunny was an Avon purchase many years ago. I'll have more bunnies to show in few days.

Would you like a cup of coffee in a shamrock mug?

Or would you prefer tea in a teacup? Years ago I became fascinated with Belleek and their process of making parian china. I HAD to have a teacup but wasn't finding single teacups for sale around home. Fourteen years ago we went on a Caribbean cruise with friends. We had a few hours to spend in Barbados and the first thing I spotted while shopping was this teacup! Nothing like going to Barbados from Michigan to buy an Irish teacup and saucer!

When the boys were little, we always had shamrocks cut from green paper, paper chains draped around things and often had cakes decorated with rainbows made of colored sugars and gold foil wrapped coins in the edge of the plate. Since Colton is only a week old, I think I will skip that kind of cake this year. Maybe his parents, his uncle, his grandpa and I will just have a little Bailey's in our coffee and call that our dessert.

Soon this Beanie Baby will go back in the bin with the other Beanies. His cousin, a Beanie covered in an Easter egg print sits on another perch and will make an appearance with the bunnies, chicks and all things Spring in a few days.

I'll leave you with a simple Irish blessing:

May the best day of your past
Be the worst day of your future.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Happy St Patrick's Day everyone!

In yesterday's post I mentioned that I have quite a few little decorative ceramic boxes. They are all hinged and some have a little surprise inside. First we have the holidays represented. The little bear goes inside Santa in his sleigh. The others do not contain any treasures. Second from the right is the classic (old style) Winnie the Pooh and Piglet.

This gingerbread house came with a mouse with a tray of food and a very full tummy. Inside the lid is some very wise advice.

The apple holds the green worm, the purse holds a brush, comb and mirror, and the pea pod holds two smiling little peas.

Fresh breakfast foods from the farm anyone? Here is a pig with bacon, a chicken and rooster with a carton of eggs, and a cow and calf with a container of milk.

Thank goodness for modern appliances! The sewing machine comes with scissors and thread. The refrigerator has a bottle of milk. The dryer has one white sock and a pair of briefs (even little dryers lose socks!). The iron has a can of starch and the toaster has a slice of toast.

Last, but not least, we have snacks for the kids, food for the grown-ups and cigars for those who indulge. The animal crackers have an elephant cookie, Cracker Jacks has a whistle, Life Savers has a cherry candy, and the Popsicles has an orange popsicle. Four cigars go inside the cigar box. Hershey's has a candy bar. Swanson's TV dinner has fried chicken, mashed potatoes and mixed veggies. Wonder bread has half a sandwich inside.

Now that you've seen my collection of little boxes, be on the look out for "Little People", especially if you partake of a bit of brew while celebrating St Paddy's day.