In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, I’m sharing a summary of a decades-long journey in search of our family’s Irish ancestry. Tracing the family tree combines my interests and love of history and genealogy. The fruits of this research and effort were recently rewarded during an Ireland Vacation: 12 Day Itinerary.
Today, I’m taking you back to the Emerald Isle, where we visited this past August. First, were ten days traveling throughout Ireland, learning and experiencing it’s history, geography, and culture. It was a dream, pandemic-delayed trip that took us to the Irish emigration port of Cobh, Blarney Castle & Dingle Peninsula, and continued on to the stunning Cliffs of Moher & Arian Islands.
We finished our trip in Dublin, where I had the opportunity to do first-person research at the Irish Emigration Museum (EPIC). At it’sIrish Family History Centre, Mr. Buzz and I had a personalized 90-minute consultation with a professional genealogist.
Utilizing my past research and DNA analysis, she opened new pathways and online resources to our family’s Irish ancestry. Most exciting was breaking through brick walls in my search, and making thrilling new discoveries! I hope my experience will inspire others to trace their Irish ancestry, and see how technological developments are opening new windows into the past.
This is the second year in a row that I’ve organized a St. Patrick’s Day theme hop, and I’m delighted to have 13 other talented blogger buddies join me!
For the When Irish Eyes are Smiling party, I’ve expanded from just holiday tablescapes to include vignettes, crafts, and foods. You’re sure to find plenty of inspiration for celebrating —whether you’re Irish or not! Links to each feature are listed at the end of the rainbow post.
Today, I’m sharing my favorite St. Patrick’s Day dish, a stout-infused Irish stew with herbed dumplings. It’s the ultimate comfort food! And, perfect for the season here in Pittsburgh. On March 17th, we’re usually still experiencing cold, if not winter weather. Rather than seeing the green, it’s not uncommon for a blanket of white snow to cover the ground!
Mr. Buzz loves this flavorful, filling dish, with it’s fork tender meat and rich, deep brown gravy. He wishes I’d make it more than once a year. Happily, there’s usually enough leftovers to enjoy another day.
My approach to making Irish stew offers numerous options, so you can pick and choose the ingredients and cooking method that is sure to please family and friends.
March has arrived and I’ve already set the kitchen table with a “new” Irish shamrock cloth in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day.
I’m actually the 12th Keeper of the Cloth to incorporate and style the Irish linen into a holiday table top.
My blogger friend, Linda of Life and Linda, bestowed me with the honor for 2022. See her Keeper of the Shamrock Clothpost for the origin and complete history of the tradition that began in 2010. There’s also a listing and pictures of all the previous posts as the shamrock cloth passed from one blogger to the next.
Six of those ladies are among a wonderful group of stylists who I regularly join in seasonal and holiday tablescape blog hops. Although I’ve never met any in person, they are all part of a supportive and talented community of acquaintances with shared interests. Sadly, we lost two fellow bloggers and bright lights recently; dear Paula of Virginia Sweet Pea, and Michelle of The Unpainted Hinge.
Lovely Linda sent me the Irish shamrock cloth — and it’s traveling leprechaun companion — all the way across the country from California to Pittsburgh. I’ve waited months for my opportunity to style the St. Patrick’s Day table, and hope you enjoy the results.
Welcome to a pot of gold worth of St. Patrick’s Day table setting and centerpiece inspiration — all in one place!
It’s the first time I’ve ever hosted a blog hop, and I’m so lucky to have 13 talented table stylists share their holiday settings here. Follow the rainbow to each, with links at the end of this post.
Come March, my everyday Ireland Pursuit pattern dishes are showcased in a St. Patrick’s Day tablescape, along with a trio of place settings on the adjacent island. Also wearing a wee bit of green are the overhead chandelier, and several vignettes on the kitchen counter and open shelves.
To do something a little different this year, I layered my husband’s great grandmother’s vintage Havilland and woodcut chargers into the dish stack. And, I topped it off with a new clover napkin fold.
In anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day, I’m sharing a 3 leaf clover napkin fold to embellish seasonal table settings with a wee bit of green.
Folding napkins into attractive and creative shapes is a cheap and easy way to dress-up a table and impress guests. Over the last several years, I’ve used 18 different napkin folds in tablescapes. See them all in, Napkin Folds for All Seasons, Holidays & Occasions.
Most are super fast and easy to do! Others have more steps, or require practice to learn the technique. Think of it as very basic origami, but with fabric rather than paper!
The 3 leaf clover napkin fold is part of this month’s Craft Hop hosted by Andrea of Design Morsels. Links to all 14 posts are listed at the end. If you’re coming from Cecilia’s and her lovely fresh citrus and herb bouquet, welcome!
It’s super easy to set a St. Patrick’s Day table using my everyday, Ireland Pursuit dishes.
With a wide band of green decorating the rim, the Noritake pattern is perfect for the holiday. Medallions around the border depict foxes, pheasants and rabbits. Hunt scenes and thatched cottages also decorate the dishes and serving pieces.
I’ve been setting the table with the Ireland Pursuit pattern for breakfast, lunch and dinner for something like twenty years! To transform the setting into a St. Patrick’s Day table, required a change in linens and pulling out seasonal decor to create a festive centerpiece.
Because we are going to be out of town for the actual holiday and won’t be entertaining guests, I decided to mostly use what I already had to set the table. But, due to a lack of specialty dishes and accessories for a St. Patrick’s Day table in the stores, I did craft shamrock-decorated napkin rings and painted pilsner glasses for the holiday. Easy peasy.
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Hi! I'm Debbee, a maker of all manner of things, who likes to incorporate themes into craft projects, holiday and seasonal decor, table settings, and parties. My friends call me, the Queen of Theme lol!
Home is the suburbs of Pittsburgh, but I also enjoy exploring the world with my husband. We raised two wonderful sons and are now early retirees.
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Meet Glenfiddich "Whiskey," a brindle coat Scottie and full of vim and vigor!
