Irish Spring Decorating and an Anniversary

Hello my Dear Friends, and Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

I know I have not been around to visit you lately, 

but put out your calling cards because I am 

ready to make my rounds <3 

First, though, I and my daughter, Jennie, 

want to thank you so very much

for your heartfelt condolences on the loss of 

our little dog Peanut.

Your kind and caring comments really are

balm to weary hearts. 

xoxo

As you can see, I have brought out the 'spring greens' 

to redecorate my little cottage kitchen. 

This is partly to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and 

partly to bring out a fresh look for spring, 

which is just around the corner, 

here in the northern hemisphere. 

I also have an anniversary announcement! 

Tomorrow is the 6th year anniversary of my humble

little blog! 

I started this blog to celebrate and share

 my love of home and family, 

cottage style decorating, gardening, 

home-cooking, and crafting, but most importantly, 

to connect with like-minded people 

who share these simple joys. 

I've been blessed to have connected with

 so many wonderful and creative blog friends 

over these last 6 years, who have taught 

me the value of friendship, 

and daily renew my faith in the kindness 

and goodness of people the world over. 

xoxo

I've been gathering all things 'green' to celebrate spring. 

Some things I have had stored away, 

and some are recent 'finds'. 

I collect vintage potholders and these two little beauties 

were recent finds. 

I've borrowed the green, vintage coffee cans 

from Ramblin' Man's toolshed :) 

He likes vintage finds, too! 

Coffee cans hold all sorts of manly things

like screws, nails and other 'necessities'. 

Now they hold large jars of garden herbs. 

Two more vintage potholders double as hot-pads 

for tea and baked treats. 

I also found this wonderful vintage apron

to add to my collection. 

This apron inspired my hand-sewn curtains 

by the glass door. 

 The sweet, stitched dog picture is also 

a recent find. When I went vintage shopping with 

my dear friend, Julia, a few weeks ago,

I searched for little things 

to add to my 'green' decorating. 

 My green enamel top farm table holds some 

of my green collections - bottles, postcards, 

and St. Patrick's Day badges. 

I found the tiny hand-painted landscape a couple of 

years ago, along with these authentic reproductions 

from the Ball canning jar company. 

I hope they keep re-issuing these - I have blue

and purple, too. 

I like to coordinate the colors of my art. 

Thrift store paintings add sweet charm. 

I sewed the banner a few years ago 

from a collection of linen tea towels and rick-rack. 

It comes in handy for spring and summer

celebrations. 

I have green print fabrics to sew pillows

to add to my collection 

and I will share those with you when I am done. 

I am a firm believer that you can't have too many pillows :)

Another recent find was this little wire shelf. 

My Irish elf and lucky horseshoe 

take top honors. 

My doily pillow sports one of my badges. 

A small collection of green depression glass

inspired my green decorating. 

I try to add a piece or two every year. 

This year I found the little glass basket, 

the small plate behind it, and the candle holder above. 

The jar holds biscuit and cookie cutters with green handles. 

I also found the square glass cake plate standing against

the wall. 

I made the framed Irish Blessing out of scrapbook paper. 

My lucky clover tablecloth :)

Looking out the windows, you can see 

it is a cool and rainy day. 

We are sun-starved here,

50 miles south of Seattle, this time of year. 

Kai likes to watch me taking photos. 

His pet door is behind the curtain:)

Ramlin' Man's sweet note :)

I will leave you with five Irish Blessings and sayings,

Dear Friends. 

A turn of the century postcard addressed to 'wife'. 

Thank you for your sweet visit, Dear Friends! 

xoxo


Today I am linking with: Five on Friday
the last one hosted by Amy @ Love Made My Home.
Thank you, Amy, I've enjoyed participating
and have made some wonderful blogging friends.

xx

A Sad Goodbye to Our Precious Peanut

We lost our precious Peanut last Tuesday, 

to a sudden illness and our hearts are broken once more. 

Those of you who have followed my blog for a while

know that Peanut was my daughter, Jennie's little 

mini-dachshund, along with her 'sister' dog, Weenie Baby. 

These were my daughter's 'babies' and my 

'Grand-pups' for 11 years. 

My daughter is beyond heart-broken. 

The vet said she died of a tick-borne illness

that could have been dormant for a long time,

 with devastating results. 

Heroic measures were taken to save her, 

but it was not to be, and now 

a bright, shining light has gone out of our lives. 

Peanut and Weenie-Baby have been inseparable since 

they were 8 week old puppies, and now poor little 

Weenie-Baby is left on her own. 

I have taken her in and with lots of love and sympathy, 

she is finding her way. 

She has been grieving, and it shows in her 

big brown eyes how sad she is feeling. 

Here they are as puppies - Peanut in front - 11 years ago. 

They were truly part of our big, extended family. 

On an autumn walk with my old girl,
Little Bear (who has since passed on), 

Whitey Bear when he was young,
and Peanut and Weenie-Baby leading the pack, 

barely visible among the fallen leaves. 

A visit to 'Gramma's House' was a wonderful adventure 

for them and when my daughter would say,
'Want to go to Gramma's?'

 excited squeals would ensue. 

Here she is with Whitey Bear,
Champ - our departed Border Collie, 

and Sissy, on one of our many morning walks to retrieve the newspaper. 

Yes, I have had to say a sad goodbye, too many times,

in the last few years.

And more recently, romps with our young dog, Kai.

I would frequently pet-sit, sometimes for extended periods

when Jennie was traveling or in between moves.

She has since bought a little cottage with a big yard 

just for her little friends. 

But now she cannot bear to leave 

Weenie-Baby by herself all day, as she lives alone 

and works long hours. 

Over the years we've had many adventures together. 

Whenever they would be my house-guests, they loved 

helping me in the garden :) 

Mention the word, 'Squirrel' and Peanut was on high alert! 

As tiny as she was, Peanut ruled the roost around here, 

and no other dog dared to cross her.
She was 'Queen Bee'. 

But when it came to people, Peanut loved us all. 

She was happiest when she was sitting in your lap

and able to gaze 'deep into your eyes' to let you 

know how much she loved you. 

And when you least expected it, she would get you with 

a big sloppy kiss.

Although she was tiny, she was such a big presence
in all of our lives.

We're going to miss you so much, our Precious Little Peanut.

You stole our hearts and you most certainly captured mine.

Now I must try to stitch together the pieces of my tattered patchwork heart.

xoxo

I am sorry that I have been absent my Dear Friends,
but I know that you understand.

xoxo