CELEBRATE THE IRISH

“In Dublin's fair city,

where the girls are so pretty,

I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone,

As she wheeled her wheel-barrow,

Through streets broad and narrow,

Crying, "Cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh…!"

St.  Patrick's Day was established as a way to recognize Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Originally it was a religious holiday, however over the years as Irish immigrants spread out over the United States, many cities developed their own celebrations and traditions. 

One of these is Chicago’s annual dyeing of the Chicago River green.  The practice started in 1962, when city pollution-control workers used dyes to trace illegal sewage discharges and realized that the green dye might provide a unique way to celebrate the holiday. That year, they released 100 pounds of green vegetable dye into the river--enough to keep it green for a week! Today, in order to minimize environmental damage, only 40 pounds of dye are used, and the river turns green for only several hours. Still, quite a fun thing to see.

I belong to a proud Irish family who celebrates St. Patrick's Day in a big way. On March 17th we will join the millions around the world who will don a bit of green and celebrate the Irish with parades, parties, good cheer, and of course, a pint of beer!
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'Molly Malone' is now for sale in out etsy store.

SPRING MORNING

A Morning Offering

I bless the night that nourished my heart
To set the ghosts of longing free
Into the flow and figure of dream
That went to harvest from the dark
Bread for the hunger no one sees.

All that is eternal in me
Welcome the wonder of this day,
The field of brightness it creates
Offering time for each thing
To arise and illuminate.

I place on the altar of dawn:
The quiet loyalty of breath,
The tent of thought where I shelter,
Wave of desire I am shore to
And all beauty drawn to the eye.

May my mind come alive today
To the invisible geography
That invites me to new frontiers,
To break the dead shell of yesterdays,
To risk being disturbed and changed.

May I have the courage today
To live the life that I would love,
To postpone my dream no longer
But do at last what I came here for
And waste my heart on fear no more.

~ John O’Donohue ~

FOR THE LOVE OF GREEN

It is the official first day of spring, so I decided I had better choose my theme color of the season. Since my very proud Irish family's favorite holiday has just passed, you may have guessed that I am going with GREEN.

Of course, green must surely be everyone's favorite color right now. After our long, drab winter, it feels good to see the beginning shoots of green life again.

 I love to use different shades of green to paint furniture. And, I am quite partial to green rugs. (The carpet throughout our home is sea green). Green is the color of nature, so it is my way of bringing the outdoors in.

Green is such a positive, energy giving color. Whether it be celadon, chartreuse, clover, fern, kelly, lime, moss, olive, pine or teal....they are all a breath of fresh air.

LUCKY IRISH BROOCH

One of my girlfriends asked if I would make some sort of multi-layered whimsical Irish brooch for her to wear on St. Patty's Day. She wanted lots of glitz and sparkle! Using Kristin's Mosaic Necklaces as inspiration, and several old Irish vintage buttons I had been saving...I came up with a funky, flamboyant, groovy brooch. Around the buttons I have added bits and pieces of sparkling antique jewels, rhinestones and glitter!