A Bit o' the Green

Hello Dear Friends! 

In celebration of St. Patrick's Day 

and Spring, 

I've brought out a bit o' the green! 

I've always loved the color green and what better time 

to enjoy it than now.

It just reminds me of lovely green grass and leafy trees

and all things spring.

So come inside and I'll put on the kettle

and show you around the kitchen. 

My kitchen already has the basics with a green door, chairs

 (that need a new coat of paint), 

and my little rolling cart that holds my bowls and picnic basket. 

I'm so looking forward to having picnics again!

So nice to bake something yummy, make some sandwiches

with a carafe of something good to drink,

and bring it down to my picnic table

for a little break during the day. 

The grand-boys love picnics, although they only eat dessert :)

But right now, the weather is cold and wet, so that dream will have to wait.  

I've already outfitted the daybed in mossy greens. 

But I added some green checks to liven it up. 

A cozy place to sneak in a bit o' readin'.

xx

You might remember that I love memoirs, especially if 

they involve faraway places where I can pretend to live:)

This one just seems so appropriate right now!

The Mr. and I had Irish grandparents. 

 Or, how about this one?

Full of Irish sayings, and strange little stories.

 xx

 

I've had the green jar since I was a newlywed. 

Such a simple little thing, 

but for some reason I've brought it along 

 everywhere I've lived. 

It started out in New England and now, 

over 3000 miles away, and 50 years later, it still makes me smile.

I keep things like marbles or sea-glass in it, 

but it looks pretty, empty by the window, too.

This old hutch has stayed with me for many years, too.

 

It came from a tiny cottage we rented in Oregon

when we first moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1977.

The landlord was going to throw it away!

I was in need of something to store dishes in, 

so, it became mine. 

I did the painting and sewed the curtains and it's 

weathered the wear and tear of a busy family and many 

sets of dishes over the years. 

It still holds my everyday dishes and glassware and miscellaneous

baking pans and serving dishes.

 

It's like part of the family now. 

xx

My Irish Angel. 

My Kitchen Queen Hoosier cabinet is also part of the family. 

I found it in the early 80's to put in the antique shop

my mom and I had, as a display piece. 

 The shop was in the attic of a blue Victorian house. 

The owner had her shop downstairs, called 'Country Pleasures'. 

Our shop was called 'Under the Eaves'. 

When we closed the shop, it went home with my mother. 

She painted it mauve :)

When she remodeled her kitchen, she gave it to me and I 

repainted it this creamy white. Behind the drawers, I can see the original 

paint from the 1930's. 

It's a mossy green. 

What do you think? 

Should I repaint it?

The cream color does show off my dishes nicely, though. 

I have a few shamrock teacups that go well with my 

green depression glass. 

The sweet honeypot and little green teapot 

were gifts from my dear sis-in-law. 

xx

I just crocheted the shamrock garland. 

If you like to crochet, this little book has the sweetest 

crochet edgings. 

I used the same pattern to crochet the shamrocks in the door wreath. 

I just used a different yarn. 

I wrapped the garland around an existing wreath of white flowers.

 Shamrock cookie cutters. 

I have a thing for cookie cutters :)

I may or may not get around to baking with them this year. 

xx

I also love vintage potholders. 

They are perfect to put under a pretty bowl, pitcher or teapot. 

 

xoxo

My 'Easy Bake Oven' has a little touch of green, too. 

Vintage refrigerator dishes hold food thermometers,

egg timers, and other small helpers. 

My spice drawers hold cloves, cinnamon sticks, bay leaf, toothpicks, etc.

Some even have tiny treasures I stashed inside, 

like stray monopoly game pieces and Tetley tea figurines. 

Does anyone remember those? 

Green tea towels, of course. 

I have to be very creative with storage in my small kitchen. 

The 'Himself' and 'Herself' mugs 

were gifts from a dear one. 

xx

And of course, green plant pots! 

This is a north-facing window, so not too many plants 

like it here. 

The African violets won't bloom, so I need to find 

some more philodendrons, which seems to be very happy.

The green salt and pepper shakers were a gift from 

daughter, Heather. 

The lace trimmed vase was from daughter, Jennie. 

Love having sweet reminders of those I love. 

Speaking of those I love... 

It's a good thing that I love you, 

because you can be very naughty sometimes:)

The picnic table that waits for me :)

Signs of spring :)

Deer Baby

Then we woke up to this...

So, while we wait for the thaw, come back inside 

and we'll have something to keep us warm. 

Broccoli Cheese Soup

and Irish Brown Bread hot out of the oven. 

I added a couple of handfuls of golden raisins 

to the bread batter this time and it came out so 

delicious! 

It makes great toast in the morning, too. 

xx

May God give you...

For every storm, a rainbow

For every tear, a smile

For every care, a promise

And a blessing in each trial. 

For every problem life sends,

A faithful friend to share,

For every sigh, a sweet song

And an answer for each prayer

Happy St. Patrick's Day, 

dear friends, 

and Happy Spring! 

xx

 

 

 

Wearin' O' the Green

 Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you are seeing a few signs of spring

after this very long winter!

I know that some of you already are, some of you are still 

dealing with Old Man Winter, and some of you are just now

moving towards autumn. 

Here in the Cascade foothills of Washington State, 

we are seeing a few signs of spring, such as crocus, 

early daffodils, pansies and some tiny buds on the trees.

Although, we do still get a few snowflakes or hail drifting this way. 

So, while I wait for the warmth of the sun, 

I've been busy bringing a bit o' the green inside. 

With a little help from my friend, Kai. 

xx

(Who always has to be the center of attention,

which we lovingly indulge.)

I guess he is a little bit bored! Shhhh!

Let sleeping dogs lie. 

The sun finally came out, with rays shining through the skylight. 

I made the little heart pillow with a crochet edge a few years ago. 

The green check and gingham pillows are sewn from tea towels. 

I've had my 'Irish Lace' pillows so long that they are 

considered 'vintage'. 

As am I. 

xx

'The older the fiddle the sweeter the tune'

-Irish proverb-

I imagine that this could be a scene from the Irish countryside, don't you think?

'May you never forget what is worth remembering

nor ever remember what is best forgotten'

-Irish Proverb-

Pretty, hand-painted plates. 

xx

Those of you who have followed my blog for a while,

know that I am mostly Scots Irish, so I always

try to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. 

This is the 12th anniversary of the start of my blog, 

by the way! 

Time certainly likes to fly by. 

I have made so many talented, kind and creative friends 

during this time. 

All truly kindred spirits. 

Thank you for your dear friendship!

It means so much to me. 

xoxo

What's a green polka-dot bucket without two green birds?

I love green depression glass. 

I've been collecting it for years - a little at a time. 

It's not so popular anymore, and pieces are harder to find, 

but I always keep my eyes open to add to my collection. 

The 1930's is definitely my favorite era. 

My (and Ramblin' Man's) grandparents lived through the Great Depression,

and our parents were born in that decade. 

Times were very hard and they told us stories 

of their lives growing up during that time. 

Of gathering coal, fallen from railcars along the tracks

to heat the house. 

Of having only two sets of clothes, down to the socks, 

and washing them out by hand in the sink to 

make sure they always had something to wear. 

Of going barefoot in the summer, to save the only pair 

of shoes they had for church. 

Of buying one soup bone for the week

and making stew every night with that one bone to 

feed a family of ten, with vegetables they picked

as wages. 

Of my father selling newspapers on the streetcorner

at only five years old to help make ends meet, 

and a well-to-do couple approaching my grandparents 

about adopting him, and my grandparents saying, "No, 

we might be poor, but we are blessed with an abundance of love."

What shines through all their stories is their love 

for one another, and their resilience and determination 

to work hard throughout their lives to make 

sure their children and grandchildren had 

better lives. 

These pretty dishes are symbols of the hope and desire 

to make the best of a difficult situation during 

those trying times. 

Amazing that they have survived this long to be 

enjoyed by the descendants of those brave homemakers 

all those years ago. 

This little honey-pot was a gift from a dear loved one. 

xx

All ready for a spot of Irish tea. 

A sweet embroidery - a thrifty find. 

The measuring cup was the first piece I found, many years ago,

when I was a young homemaker. 

There are two bowls, one inside the other. 

I'm sure there is a middle size, 

because the bowls don't quite nest properly, 

so, I will keep my eyes open for that. 

The spice jar is one of 3 and is a reproduction. 

My Irish angel. 

A gift from a dear one. 

The Ball canning jars were a re-issue of a vintage style

that I bought new a few years ago. 

My shamrock mugs were a 'lucky' on-line find. 

May the sun shine all day

long, everything go right and 

nothing wrong.

May those you love, bring love

back to you, and may all the 

wishes you wish come true! 

xx

The green egg cup is a survivor of a set from 

one of my Mom's wedding gifts in the early 1950's. 

A Dear Friend gave me the shamrock mugs: 'Herself and Himself'. 

I have only two of these pretty transferware plates. 

I feel another collection coming on...

I am ready for some serious tea drinking. 

I need to dig out all of my scone recipes! 

The 'Happy' mug, plaid plate and small green teapot 

are sweet gifts from loved ones. 

My son, Gabe, painted this when he was in Jr. High School! 

He's never pursued his artistic talents beyond this, though, unfortunately. 

He's a very busy husband and father, with a demanding 

job in the tech industry, so no time for artistic pursuits at the moment. 

A basket full of St. Patrick's Day cards sent to me over the years. 

Vintage cards I have collected here and there. 

Postmark 1909. 

Not really a St. Patrick's Day card, but could pass for one. 

Sweet little tokens of remembrance from so long ago. 

Some blooms from my indoor garden. 

I've had this orchid for years - a gift from my daughter-in-law. 

This is the first time it has rebloomed! 

Such a sweet surprise. 

These are 'Donkey Tail' cactus blooms. 

Believe it or not, I've had these plants for over 30 years. 

They are easy to propagate, and so I have quite a few. 

It always makes me happy to see them bloom. 

Flowers outside my windows. 

xx

I've been incredibly busy the last few weeks. 

Ramblin' Man has had a few minor health scares, 

which didn't seem so minor at the time, but are resolving 

themselves in a positive way. 

That has been pretty stressful. 

We've also been very busy with the grandboys - having them over, 

going to a science fair (a home-made volcano was exhibited),

and visits with the family. 

I had a nice lunch date with my two daughters recently, 

and everyone (all four families) are coming over on Easter. 

A good friend of ours also had a health scare, 

and that has us worried, too. 

We are having him and his wife over on St. Patrick's Day for dinner. 

They've had a rough time of it the last few years, 

having lost their son to an undiagnosed heart condition, 

 and also losing several friends and siblings. 

Their positive attitude and resilience are truly 

inspirational and they are wonderful 

role models for their daughter and 4 grandchildren, 

two of whom lost their father (their son).

xx

I've been busy trying to empty an upstairs bedroom

to turn into a guest room for grandboy sleepovers, and guests. 

It was once my craft room, (after my boys grew up) but then it turned 

into a sort of storage space for miscellaneous orphaned things. 

In other words - a big mess. 

 Ramblin' Man has been busy doing yard work 

in between all the health issues, and we are having gutter guards

installed next week to keep him off the 30 ft. ladder. 

Oh, and we had Covid a 2nd time, but thankfully 

it was a relatively mild case. 

So please forgive me if I have been distracted lately and 

not around much. It seems since Ramblin' Man retired, 

we haven't had much time to actually 'retire', but 

that's what keeps you going, I guess.

 

Still, sometimes I'd rather be sipping something tropical on a beach!

xx 

' May the most you wish for be the least you get'

-Irish Proverb-

But, for now I am just grateful for many small blessings and positive outcomes. 

And the beautiful view of Mt. Rainier whenever the clouds lift. 

Spring is here, the flowers are blooming once more, the birds are singing, 

and we can finally put Old Man Winter to bed once more. 

Hopefully. 

I know so many are dealing with terrible weather, still, 

and disastrous in some places, and my heart and prayers are with you. 

"There but for the grace of God go I."

-John Bradford-

xx

May there always be work for your hands to do.

May your purse always hold a coin or two.

May the sun always shine on your windowpane.

May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.

May the hand of a friend always be near you.

May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you. 

xx