Monday, March 7, 2016

A Touch o' the Irish - Spring Greens


Hello my friends, I hope you all had a lovely weekend! 

Ramblin' Man was away at a Sales Conference all week, 
and then we met in Seattle on Friday night
to celebrate his company's 30th Anniversary
with 250 of his business associates, 
many of them good friends. 

We stayed at a lovely hotel downtown, called 'The Maxwell', overnight. 
We had a lot of fun - sorry no photos :(

The rest of the weekend was spent hanging out inside,
as it was cool and rainy, so I decided to do a little
redecorating in my kitchen for spring.


I 'shopped my house', and gathered all things green
to add a little touch of spring, and honor
my Irish roots. My Grandfather, John Leo, (husband
of Beatrice Euphemie :) was from County Cork, Ireland.
He had a lovely Irish brogue.
You can see their wedding photo on my sidebar.

Ramblin' Man's Grandfather was also from County Cork!
I hope to travel there one day......

In the meantime, I will celebrate the wearin' o' the green,
by dressing the kitchen in this lovely color.

So step inside and I will brew a pot o' tea and I will show
you around!


I've added a subtle touch of green to the table with
 faux checkered lilies in a basket-weave pot.


I like using table runners rather than whole cloths,
as I use this table for many things, including meal prep
and crafts, so it is easy to just slide the whole table runner
down to one end :)

My hand carved wooden candlestick was a thrifty find.
The shell and brass candle snuffer was from Pier 1 Imports a few years ago.


I've replaced the Royal Albert tea-set for Valentine's Day,
with my collection of green Depression Glass and
similarly hued modern finds.

The green canning jars were a Ball Limited Edition
release just a couple of years ago.


I sporadically collect green glass and
I have had many pieces for years, but the
two center platters and the relish tray
were recent finds on a shopping trip with daughter, Heather.


I also found this vintage St. Paddy's Day postcard.
Can you see the little shamrocks in the window?

I need to find a sweet frame for this.


A favorite cookbook comes out of hiding.

This one is illustrated by Tasha Tudor.


The napkins draped over the cupboard door are a set of four,
found a couple of years ago.

They are beautifully embroidered with crochet lace inserts.
I can't bear to use them as napkins, but they are
lovely as tray liners or pretty accents under serving dishes
or bowls.


The other door holds a sweet tea towel.


Charming embroidery.


Some of my own handy-work - crocheted
shamrock garland around the cake dome,
and two little crocheted baskets.


I found the directions for the garland in this sweet book.
( I receive no compensation for mentioning it)


The baskets holds green handled cookie and biscuit cutters
and green stevia packets for tea.


My spice racks get a green update, too :)


More sweet canning jars.....


A miniature painting I recently found.


Sweet vintage shamrock cookie cutter and St. Paddy's Day mug
for a cuppa with treats.


I've added some spring green to my cozy
daybed corner, too.


A thrift store painting takes center stage.
I've hung this painting in many places,
 depending on my mood.
I keep a little collection of paintings in storage
 - all thrifty finds.


A gathering of green and cream colors.


Handmade pillows of 'Irish Lace', made with
vintage doilies, place mats and table runners,
taken from my living room.


'Shamrocks' (Redwood Sorrel) that I have had for
several years. These winter inside, but reside happily
on the shady side of the deck in summer.

Marbles found in the garden where my children's sandbox
used to be.

An appropriately titled book....


A collection of green bottles in the light.


The view from the daybed.


My green vintage tool box.


A perfect seed box - my next project inside!


Thank you for visiting, Dear Friends!

I hope this inspires you to bring in a little
 green to your home
for spring.

xoxo

Here are a few Irish Proverbs:

The smaller the cabin the wider the door.

Great mansions have slippery doorsteps.

God is good, but never dance in a small boat.

Be kind to those that you meet as you rise,
you may pass them again as you fall.

Long loneliness is better than bad company.

A guest should be blind in another man's house.

A loud voice can make even the truth sound foolish.

xoxo

Today I am linking with:
Julie's Lifestyle - Cooking and Crafting with J&J

The Enchanting Rose - Roses of Inspiration

Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth - The Art of Home-making Mondays

Join Our Monday Link Up Party at Julie's Lifestyle!Join Our Weekly Link Up on Mondays!

48 comments:

  1. Karen, your green glass is gorgeous! I love all your green touches. I gravitate toward table runners vs tablecloths too. Thank you for sharing your lovely home with us.

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  2. It is all so beautiful! I love your pretty green glass. I got some of those Ball jars when they came out. You day bed looks so inviting I don't know if I would ever get up again, lol.

    I'll remember not to dance in a small boat. Good advice! :)

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  3. Love all the green glass and the day bed. Such sweet proverbs. It sounds like you had a lot of fun in Seattle. It's good to get away sometimes. xoox Su

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  4. I love all of your touches of green. Nothing like have a bit of Irish in the family!!

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  5. How pretty it all is, Karen. Your kitchen, with its fresh green, is ready for spring and St Patrick's Day. I think a little redecoration like you've done is very spirit-lifting!

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  6. Dear Karen, I love your green depression glass! What a great idea to get it out for St. Patrick's Day! I also like your seed box very much. I won't do any special decorations for St. Patrick's Day, but I am thinking of getting my Easter decorations out.
    Warm regards,
    Christina

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  7. Love all of your green touches set around.I especially like the green glass jars and plates. Green is beginning to be my favorite color (instead of blue). Thanks for sharing!

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  8. Your time in Seattle sounds like it was great! I love a little getaway. And I need one.

    I'm absolutely in love with your kitchen, my dream. And all of your St. Paddy's Day touches are so wonderful. You really have the spirit! I live in avery big Irish neighborhood. Our parade is almost as large as the one in downtown Chicago, and also well known for it's antics...;-D) I love your green Depression glass, you are a great collector!

    Have a great week, Karen!

    Jane

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  9. Oh my...I love these! SO pretty! :)

    Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!

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  10. Everything is so sweet and charming, my friend! I love your touches of green! My precious great-grandma Maxie was Irish and came to the USA with her parents...I believe I got her green eyes {{smiles}}

    Have a beautiful week, my friend. Hugs!

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  11. And wouldn't you be having lots of pretty green things to be celebratin' the Irish day! LOVELY!

    Brenda
    Xox

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  12. Dear Karen, this is so beautiful, your home in irish spring greens ... so wonderful !
    I love it!
    Have a lovely and wonderful week, my dear friend,
    sending Love and hugs and blessings to you!
    Claudia xo

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  13. It is so lovely the way you have dressed your beautiful and warm home for St Patricks. I love your collection of green glass, too. And, thank you for the kind thoughts you left on my blog today. It put a smile on my face. I feel you are a dear friend although we have never met. May you have a wonderful week, Pat xx

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  14. Karen, I love your Irish touch and Shamrocks are wonderful!
    Have a nice day

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  15. I love to stop by your kitchen it is always such a delight. The green just enhances its beauty. LOVE the table runner such a great find. Hope you manage to fulfil your dream of one day visiting Ireland. Take care.

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  16. Green is my favourite colour! Love all the green canning jars. Your house looks lovely. B xx

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  17. What a lovely, Irish, green spring post! :)
    Your kitchen is so very beautiful and the proverbs are really wise.
    Have a happy new week! xx

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  18. Hello, I love all the touches of green around your kitchen. The collection of green glass is just beautiful. I am part Irish too. Lovely post and images. Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Happy Tuesday, enjoy your day!

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  19. My comment can be exactly the same as Eileen's, above. I love the green, especially the glass. And yes, I'm a wee bit Irish, as well.

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  20. The clear green glass really sparkles in your home! I love those Ball jars...how neat! And the quotes are fun. I'll have to remember the one about not dancing in the boat! haha! Hugs!

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  21. All so very pretty! How I love the green depression glass. :)
    Sending hugs,
    Lin

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  22. I love love it all, Karen. Everything looks so pretty and fresh with the spring greens and white. I always enjoy seeing how you decorate your kitchen queen. Delightful!

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  23. So wonderful to go and meet your husband and join in on the celebration of his years in work for the company, I have never heard of that place I wonder if it is a West coast thing.
    Your green decorations are so lovely, I enjoyed the embroidery and your lovely crocheted garland that is a cute idea for it. I was on the look out for some green crocheted baskets from the very start of your post :) I don't know that I have seen your cupboard with the fabric doors, that is so pretty! I have collected a few Irish sayings that I use in my cards.

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  24. Love all of your green! I have that same little Kitchen Gardens cookbook, and also a bowl just like yours in your little cupboard. It is one of my favorites. I paid $2 for it at a flea market eons ago.

    Enjoy your week ~ FlowerLady

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  25. My darling, the things I do love in your wonderful home are too many to say, I have no words to enumerate them all ... just know that I love it more and more, it's cozy atmosphere warm my heart every time I come and visit you, you always welcome me with such a gladness ... and I go away with my heart filled with joy and a smile on my face, I'm so very grateful to you for this, dearest Karen !

    Have a wonderful remainder of your week, sweet friend,
    sending much love and dear hugs to you

    Dany

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  26. I love all your green decorations. I see nasturtiums seeds in your box. I plant them every year.

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  27. Beautiful spring greens! Perfect for St Patricks and for spring. A partial proverb for you, may the sun be always at your back! xx

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  28. oooooh i am just loving that white cabinet, doors open, what a clever idea. i also adore the book shelf/holder inside, very clever. i really enjoy decorating for the season's but i never "do" st. pat's day. it's just always so close to easter i go from valentines to easter!!!

    everything looks really beautiful, you have a great eye for decorating and details!!!!

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  29. Karen, how wonderful that you're part Irish. My kids are part Irish on their father's side. I love all the green glass that is displayed on your hutch, so pretty. And the Vintage postcard with the shamrocks is cute. How I love vintage cards. The green canning jars are delightful. I saw an assortment of colors on my last visit to Joann's. The marbles that your children played with when they were little are so very special, what a treasure. I still have Nel's crayons when she was in grade school hehehe.

    Everything looks so nice around your home, Karen. It's nice to change things around every so often. I've always thought that Irish people were special. I was married by an Irish Catholic Priest, and loved him so.

    Enjoy your charming green space, Karen. It's just delightful.

    ~Sheri

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  30. Oh, everything is so beautiful! I love the cozy corner, the green glassware, and especially those embroidered napkins. What a treasure they are! I have a couple of green glass salad bowls but that is the extent of my green glass. I ought to keep a lookout for pieces. Thanks for sharing this lovely, lovely post.

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  31. Dear Karen,

    the photos are so beautiful. I love everything. And the wonderful green glass. Everything is so inviting, so warm hearted. Every lttle thing tells a story and the nice shamrocks everywhere. You must be a lucky person.
    Here in the Ruhr-Region in Germany we have a special affinity to Ireland cause the first coal mines were built by Irish engineers in the beginning of the 19th century. They were named Erin or even Shamrock. And my wonderful dog is a red Irish Setter Lady.
    Green is the colour of hope, never give up hope.

    Best wishes from Dortmund/Germany, Barbara

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  32. You have such a lovely home, Karen...I love all of your Irish touches! The green glass is all so pretty...I decorated with the same green jars, too! I am amazed that you could keep the shamrock plant so long...it is beautiful.

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  33. Dearest Karen,
    Wow, you are all set up for the Saint Patrick's Season and so lovely.
    I've only hung the special St. Patrick's wreath on my front door... That's about all I got also.
    So happy for having completed Pieter's East Asia story yesterday; they're all scheduled now and I feel happy. Pieter likes it this way and is now more vividly recalling all those days.
    Sending you sunny hugs, (77°F today and Friday 85°F...
    Mariette

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  34. Everything is so pretty! I didn't think your cozy home could get any cozier, but it has with all your pretty green things. Love the Irish sayings at the end. I had to read the last one to my husband....he tends to be on the loud side :-)

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  35. Hi My Friend, being half Irish I just love this post and the viewing of the green in your lovely home. I adore the green glass and the way you have displayed it so beautifully. Great Irish quotes. I will have to safe these.
    Thanks for sharing. I adore your style!! xo

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  36. All your Spring green looks so fresh and clean, Karen, and perfect for St. Patrick's Day, too. My great grandmother was from County Cork, too. My late beloved and I went to our dream vacation of Ireland, several years ago...sweet memories for sure.

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  37. I love your glass collection, very pretty. Perfect for St. Patrick's Day. I enjoyed the Irish Proverbs too.

    Enjoy your week, Kelly.

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  38. What a glorious display! Your green glass collection is sublime! Love, Mimi xxx

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  39. I have never had a shamrock. I may have to be on the lookout for one!

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  40. It's such a good idea to change the colours for each time of year, it makes so much difference and you can clean everything when you put them back in storage! Lovely as ever x

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  41. Thank you, I so enjoyed my tour of your lovely home. What gorgeous green treasures you have collected. You have displayed them beautifully. Have a wonderful Wednesday :)

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  42. wow just loved your beautiful kitchen ,shamrocks are so lovely ,liked your green set and the most that wonderful painting

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  43. Hello Karen,
    I love the way you decorated your house with the green accents, so pretty! I am glad your man is back and you had a fun time meeting up together. :0)
    Thanks for joining us and sharing at Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
    Enjoy the week.
    Julie xo

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  44. Hi Karen! Green is my favorite color, it's why easily I love all of your touches of green! Irish lace is so gorgeous! The lace pillows and table runner are precious too! You have a cozy room and well prepared to springtime.
    I also want to thank you for all kind comments left on my blog. Much appreciated!
    Hope you are having a lovely week!
    Hugs and love from Portugal,
    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  45. I just love seeing your bit 'o green Karen! So sweet!! Your kitchen is just the sweetest coziest place. ;)

    I especially love the Irish proverbs. Lol! Blessings. xoxo

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  46. Oh I love your home and the special decorating you did for the season simply by "shopping" your home !

    I noticed the photo of your grandparents right away, what a handsome grandpa and pretty grandma.

    Our weather right now is perfect for indoor decorating and making cozy nooks for tea and reading, you've sure made your place cozy. Happy St. Patrick's Day to you !

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  47. I love this idea of bringing out the green! And let me tell you, I can look at pictures of your pretty home all day long! :)

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  48. Green is absolutely perfect for this time of year when spring brings back this colour to nature. Your display makes a lovely kitchen.

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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