Friday, March 16, 2012

Revisiting St. Patrick's Day 2011


Hi, I hope everyone is having a great St. Patrick's Day, with lots of fun, and good food. 
This time last year, I had just started blogging, and since some of you may not have seen these, I thought I'd re-run my St.Patrick's Day posts from then. 

The first one is a short tribute to my husband's grandmother, Mary Jane Hamill.
The second is a little story that might have happened...
I hope you enjoy them.    

Ireland to America

As March approaches, and I'm making plans for St. Patrick's Day, I think of so many Americans with Irish roots. 
One of those who came in the 1800s, as a young girl, was my husband's grandmother, Mary Jane.

I never met her, and we have very few photos of her, but I always think of her as a courageous young girl with a dream for a better life here in America.




She is shown here, later in life, with her husband Charles.

Wishing everyone a very Happy St. Patrick's Day!



Wanting to send you best  wishes, I began "shopping" the house for things which might remind everyone of Ireland.
As I searched, thoughts of my husband's Irish grandmother came to mind, and this little Irish tale began:


It was almost tea time when the mail finally arrived.
Mary Jane placed the mail on the little tray, made a cup of tea and seated herself at the desk.



Looking at the card, she closed her eyes and  remembered her father with his wool cap and blackthorn walking stick as they walked down the lane together.


Sweet memories of long ago.


Wishing each of you a very Happy St. Patrick's Day.

The vintage postcards are from an antique mall perhaps 10 years ago.
The silver tray from Good Will
Teacup from a china set by Arcadian, "Old Rose" pattern, given to me by my aunt.
Monogrammed napkins are from Marshall's last year.
Irish cap and blackthorn walking stick belong to my husband
and the Hellebores (Lenten roses) are from our yard.


20 comments:

Sarah said...

Babs, this is such a sweet post. I'm so glad you shared this again. ~ Sarah

Christina at I Gotta Create! said...

Beautiful, Babs! I didn't want the story to end!!

Unknown said...

Love your post thanks for sharing your sweet story joann

Shirley@Housepitality Designs said...

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you too...Loved your story and your beautiful vignette...

My dad was Irish and my granddaughter was born on St. Patrick's Day...a bit of divine intervention I believe!

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

My kind of post. Love it Babs!

Suzy said...

Thanks so much for sharing this sweet tale with us. I love vintage photos and really enjoyed seeing the photo of your inspiration. My heritage is mainly Irish/English - maybe that's why I fight with myself so much!

Leslie's Garden said...

I'm so glad you replayed this, I would hate to not have read it. What brave youngsters they were to travel so far from the homeland. I love the little story, the arrival of mail was so happily anticipated back then. I'm sure that a letter would have been a cherished moment and I can just see her making it special with a little time out and tea!

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

So sweet and sentimental! Thanks for sharing again! I reposted mine from last year too! I'm heading outdoors today to enjoy our unusually warm weather!
A wish that every day for you will be happy from the start and may you always have good luck and a song within your heart.

Kelly said...

Happy St. Patricks Day to you! You have some wonderful Irish ephmera. Hope you enjoy your day.

Ann@A Sentimental Life said...

What a sweet picture of your husbands grandparents..to be cherished.

Savannah Granny said...

Babs, Thanks for sharing this again. I did not see it last year. Such a beautiful tribute to your husband's grandmother. You vignette is beautiful.

My grandfather, Milton Freeman Emmet was also an Irish immigrant. I have so many fond memories of him.
Thanks for jogging memories.

Shenita @ Embellishments by SLR said...

Babs, this is such a beautiful post!! Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!!!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

I remember this lovely post, Babs...so sweet! Hope you are having a great St Paddy's Day!...hugs...Debbie

Elizabeth said...

What a lovely post! happy St. Patricks Day!

Ivy and Elephants said...

Such a sweet post. It is so lovely of you to share a bit of family history with us. I think the picture of her is the best treasure!
Hugs,
Patti

Anonymous said...

Hi! This is a lovely post Babs. Love the pictures.Love to look at old photos too.
Happy belated St. Patrick's Day and Happy Spring.
Pat

Debbie said...

What a great and DIFFERENT way to post about St. Patrick's Day. My favorite part of all was the cap and walking stick for some reason.

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

How wonderful and what a special tie to St. Patrick's Day for you and hour husband. I love that shot of Mary Jane. She looks so vibrant and happy, even later in life!

Meredith said...

So so pretty! I love family histories!

Mary said...

Babs~ I love the dear photo of your husband's grandmother & grandfather! What courage it had to take to come to this country. Of course love your vintage postcards :)