Happy St. Patrick's Day to you! Unfortunately, things aren't looking real green and cheerful around here today. More dismal weather, filled with gray skies and cold rain. To be fair though, it rains an awful lot a wee fair bit in Ireland, too. That's why everything is so lush and green there. They're not plagued with the hot, humid weather that we get here in the summer, or the frequent periods of drought.
The lush green grass and rolling hills are just a few of the things I like about Ireland. I was happy to be a guest blogger at Decor To Adore, authored by Laura Ingalls Gunn last Friday. I participated in her weekly series, "My Favorite Five," where I shared five of my favorite Irish things in honor of St. Patrick's Day. If you're not already familiar with Laura's blog, I highly recommend you pay her a visit. I think you'll be glad you did. :) Below is the post I shared at Laura's blog on Friday, March 14th.
The lush green grass and rolling hills are just a few of the things I like about Ireland. I was happy to be a guest blogger at Decor To Adore, authored by Laura Ingalls Gunn last Friday. I participated in her weekly series, "My Favorite Five," where I shared five of my favorite Irish things in honor of St. Patrick's Day. If you're not already familiar with Laura's blog, I highly recommend you pay her a visit. I think you'll be glad you did. :) Below is the post I shared at Laura's blog on Friday, March 14th.
Hi, I'm Denise from House at Forest Manor and I'm so happy to be guest blogging here at Laura's blog, Decor To Adore. Laura is one of my favorite bloggers; I enjoy everything about her blog.
Today I'm sharing five of my favorite Irish things, in honor of the month of March and St. Patrick's Day. For starters, one of my favorite things is Ireland itself; it is truly a beautiful country.
I was fortunate to be able to travel to Ireland with my husband when he was there on business in 1999. You can read about that trip Here...
...and Here.
A second favorite of mine is Irish linen. The people of Ireland make such beautiful linen and lace goods.
This table runner that my in-laws brought me from Ireland is a real treasure. I love the embroidered shamrocks at each corner and the hem stitching, which gives it such a classic look.
More hem stitching here. These are linen napkins given to me by a friend. Her mother had purchased them many years ago on a trip to Ireland. The orange and green napkins represent the colors of the Irish flag, and the white napkin is one I already owned.
Another of my favorites is Irish china and crystal. Waterford crystal is world-renowned for its beauty and quality, and I love the delicate look of Belleek china.
I don't own any Waterford crystal, but I did manage to acquire three small pieces of Belleek. The little round box with lid on the right I found in Dublin when I was there. On a later trip, my husband bought the Christmas ornament for me (center). The bell in the back is one I found at an antiques shop in South Carolina several years ago.
This Royal Tara china bell is one that I brought back to my grandmother from our trip in 1999. I put together an Irish tablescape for St. Patrick's Day Here.
A fourth favorite Irish thing is Irish tea. :)
I found this cute "tea for one" set at HomeGoods last year. I love HomeGoods; if they were Irish, I'd have to say they were one of my favorite Irish things. ;)
I especially like Irish Breakfast Tea and Irish Cream Tea. I almost always start my day with coffee; it really helps me get going. But, if I'm ever sick with a cold or just feeling a little under the weather, tea tastes much better to me. I like Irish Breakfast Tea in the morning because it packs a nice punch -- almost like coffee. Irish Cream Tea is just a good, all around tea to drink any time of day.
There's a tea shop in our town that carries a selection of teas imported from England and Ireland. That's where these came from. I love the little wooden tea caddies, and inside, the bags are packaged in foil to keep them extra fresh.
The tea shop also carries gift items and tea accessories, including some Irish linen goods. I found this pretty shamrock tray cloth there, as well -- love the Celtic knot pattern around the border.
My fifth favorite Irish thing is the wonderful Irish Shamrock plant.
Did you know that shamrocks are bulbs? They are -- you can plant them outside and they look really lovely. They die down in the fall when it gets cold out, and then they come back in spring and grow and bloom all summer.
It's easy to name more than five things about Ireland that I like -- the food, the music, the handmade jewelry, the wonderful woolen goods, and the people themselves, who are so very friendly and welcoming.
Thank you for stopping by, and don't forget to wear your green today. :) What are your favorite Irish things? I'd love to hear from you!
All the best,
Denise
This Royal Tara china bell is one that I brought back to my grandmother from our trip in 1999. I put together an Irish tablescape for St. Patrick's Day Here.
A fourth favorite Irish thing is Irish tea. :)
I found this cute "tea for one" set at HomeGoods last year. I love HomeGoods; if they were Irish, I'd have to say they were one of my favorite Irish things. ;)
I especially like Irish Breakfast Tea and Irish Cream Tea. I almost always start my day with coffee; it really helps me get going. But, if I'm ever sick with a cold or just feeling a little under the weather, tea tastes much better to me. I like Irish Breakfast Tea in the morning because it packs a nice punch -- almost like coffee. Irish Cream Tea is just a good, all around tea to drink any time of day.
There's a tea shop in our town that carries a selection of teas imported from England and Ireland. That's where these came from. I love the little wooden tea caddies, and inside, the bags are packaged in foil to keep them extra fresh.
My fifth favorite Irish thing is the wonderful Irish Shamrock plant.
It's easy to name more than five things about Ireland that I like -- the food, the music, the handmade jewelry, the wonderful woolen goods, and the people themselves, who are so very friendly and welcoming.
Thank you for stopping by, and don't forget to wear your green today. :) What are your favorite Irish things? I'd love to hear from you!
All the best,
Denise
You forgot me, I am an Irish thing! :) I love that tea towel, so pretty!
ReplyDeleteMy apologies, Kathleen; what was I thinking?! :-D You're the best Irish cook and hostess I know! Thanks a bunch for the visit, and I hope you had a great St. Pat's Day!
DeleteWarm Hugs,
Denise
My sister taught me to appreciate Irish linen. There are times when nothing is more comforting than a cup of tea. Your tea set is delightful.
ReplyDeleteI love your Irish fives! I would love to visit Ireland if I were not so scared of flying and so cheap about spending money for tickets. Everything you posted was wonderful, but my favorite was the shamrock plant. I try every year (well, I didn't this year) to get one and keep it alive. Every year, I fail. I think I over water them or something. I love them.
ReplyDeleteSorry about your weather. We do get a fair bit of rain in the Northwest too which we credit for all our green. Green moss on everywhere. I need to go to Ireland and compare our greens!!
ReplyDeleteHope your week is going well. Tomorrow is the first day of Spring...hope it behaves like it!
There's that gorgeous Belleek again!....I always try to have a shamrock plant all year round in the house...Is it true that the "green" in Ireland is the most exquisite green around?...
ReplyDeleteHi Denise,
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty assortment of Irish accesories you have, my friend. I especially love the tea set on that gorgeous Celtic tray cloth! I usually plant my shamrock outside in a bigger pot and yes, they do come back. xo
I'm looking for a newer post; maybe you took it away. I think I read this on your friend's blog -- enjoyed it! hope you and the puppy are having a great weekend! Such nice weather we're having right now.
ReplyDeleteI don't know which I like better, the beautiful Irish linens or the the sweet shamrock tea set. I did not know that the shamrocks are bulbs. I have pitched my shamrocks every year when they died down. I do think I will take the ones I have for this year and plant them in my fairy garden that I am making.
ReplyDelete