Celebrating the Emerald Holiday

Although I don't have any Irish heritage, like so many others

I join my friends in the celebration of St. Patrick's Day.

The ways to celebrate this holiday are many.  

The celebration can be as simple as

sitting at your desk and making a few phone calls

to extend your greetings.

Or the gardeners among us may decide to 

give extra attention to the shamrock plants in the garden.  

Extroverts may choose to make beautiful music

and wear their green parading down Main Street.

With all of that music, those who are light on their feet 
will choose to kick up their heels in dance.

Whispering a quiet prayer
to honor St. Patrick might be your style.

On a lovely afternoon, you may decide to tour the countryside

in a vehicle that exhibits seasonal spirit.

Some will choose to proudly display a flag to honor Ireland.

And "Good Luck, Health and Happiness"

will be the heartfelt toast for the day.

But my personal favorite way to celebrate the day

is by sharing a romantic kiss with my sweetheart.

How do YOU celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

I would be delighted if you would leave a comment
to share your story.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Until next time, live and love well.

Join the party at:

You're Gonna Love It at Kathe with an E
What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants
Share Your Cup at Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Irish Glory and Pride

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sharing just a few images as a salute to all things Irish.  

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Printed in Germany
Leubrie & Elkus Publishers, 2259
Postmarked March 18, 1912 Ludington, Michigan

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Printed in Germany
Leubrie & Elkus Publishers, 2259
Postmarked March 18, 1912 Ludington, Michigan

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Printed in Germany
Leubrie & Elkus Publishers, 2259
Postally Unused

The postcard with the young man was mailed to Marguerite and the postcard showing the lady carrying a bouquet was sent to her younger sister Mable, residing in Deward, Michigan.  The note written to Mable references being a flower girl.   The message to Marguerite discusses leaving Deward "for good".  Reading "between the lines", the comments cause one to wonder whether Marguerite is the bride in the upcoming wedding who is preparing to relocate when she sets up her own household.


Wear your green today and celebrate!




Until next time, live and love well.

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

Color of the Season

Everyone is a wee bit Irish 

for St. Patrick's Day.

Adding a spot of green is a quick way

to bring the spirit of this holiday into my home.

Inspired by all of the faux cookies that several bloggers

created for Valentine's day,

I decided to try my hand at crafting some felt shamrock "treats". 

Three colors of felt were the only supplies

I needed to purchase.

All other embellishments were already in my stash --

 leftover from prior projects.

The cute little leprechaun was hand painted in 1976

 --- by yours truly.

Doing ceramic painting was a popular pass time.

At one time there were a couple of shops in our area

dedicated solely to greenware molds, paints and firing ceramics.  Today, I wouldn't know where to go for these types of supplies.

It is interesting to look back

 at how people spend their leisure time

and the changes over time.

For St. Patrick's Day,

a green-eyed redhead has a seat of honor in my foyer.

Plaques bearing Irish Blessings

are displayed at the foot of the stairway.

Lacy paper shamrocks

and wooden Celtic crosses

bring the color of the season to the mantle.

I'm so pleased you stopped by to visit.  Come again soon!

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining:

St. Patrick's Day Party at A Holiday Haven

Luck O'The Irish Link Party

at happy hour projects and Mrs. Fox's Sweets


The Bunny Hop at Bunny Jean's Decor and More


Potpourri Friday at 2805

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!

St. Patrick's Day Symbols and Traditions

Have you ever wondered about the meaning behind the greeting

"Erin go bragh"

 that we often see on St. Patrick's Day?

The meaning is "Ireland for ever."  

The Irish immigrated to America

to escape poverty, disease and English oppression.

But coming to America was not a joyful event

because they knew they would never see Ireland again.

Although those who came loved America

 and described it as a land of opportunity,

they never gave up their allegiance to Ireland.

The postcards I am sharing today are not part of a series.
They were selected for this post
because they have several things in common. 

First, all depict a scene of the Irish countryside.
These cards would have been printed for the American market.  One Irish American would have sent the postcard to another
to refresh memories of their home land.

Second, the cards are rich in symbols.
St. Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland
and the shamrock plant was used
to explain the Holy Trinity.

Four-leaf clovers are also shown
and it is thought that finding one of these rare plants
leads to extremely good luck.
Each leaf of a four-leaf clover brings a different blessing:
hope, faith, love and happiness.

Clay pipes, called Dúidíns,  were manufactured
in the village of Knockcroghery, Ireland  for over 300 years.
Both men and women smoked the pipes
and they were an important part of an Irish wake ceremony.
The pipe was an inexpensive luxury for the poor
and demonstrated they had sufficient food
to be able to enjoy something extra in their life.

The color green became the national color
because of the green landscape that results
from the plentiful rain and mist that Ireland experiences.
Because of these lush landscapes,
Ireland was bestowed the nickname,
"Emerald Isle".

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Postmarked Minnesota March 4, 1910

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Postally Unused

Antique Postcard from my Personal Collection
Postally Unused

Antique Postcard from My Personal Collection
Postmarked Traverse City, Michigan March 18, 1912

St. Patrick's Day was traditionally a religious holiday commemorating the death of St. Patrick.

St. Patrick's Day as we now know it

with parades and celebrations was created in America

by Irish-Americans seeking to create bonds

within their Irish immigrant communities.

Until next time, live and love well.

Joining the Festivities at:

St. Patricks Day Party at A Holiday Haven

St. Patrick's Day Blessings at Scribbleprints

The Bunny Hop at Bunny Jean's Decor and More

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

St. Patricks Day Blogging Carnival 2012 by Janmary

This forum reveals random thoughts and reflections on topics of interest and events impacting the life of the founder of Doll in the Looking Glass.  Our boutique specializes in custom designed dolls that look like your child. We also design toddler and baby dolls that look real using vinyl doll components manufactured in Midland, Michigan USA by Apple Valley Doll Works.  The goal of Doll in the Looking Glass is to delight our customers with our creations.  We would love to create a special doll for you!