Wednesday, March 12, 2014

I'm not Irish but.....


I am doing my first St. Patrick's Day tablescape and happily partying with Cuisine Kathleen for the 6th Annual St. Patricks's Day Blog Crawl. Be sure and click on the music links and stomp your feet and clamp your hands.


According to Google:
One traditional symbol of Saint Patrick's Day is the Shamrock.
"Shamrock" is the common name for several different kinds of three-leafed clovers native to Ireland.
The shamrock was chosen Ireland's national emblem because of the legend that St. Patrick had used it to illustrate the doctrine of the Trinity. The Trinity is the idea that God is really three-in-one: The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.
Patrick demonstrated the meaning of the Three-in-One by picking a shamrock from the grass growing at his feet and showing it to his listeners. He told them that just as the shamrock is one leaf with three parts, God is one entity with three Persons.
The Irish have considered shamrocks as good-luck symbols since earliest times, and today people of many other nationalities also believe they bring good luck. The history of the shamrock is quite interesting. Check on this link from Fine Gardening to learn more about it. 
As a gardener, I always desire something fresh, organic and real on my tablescapes. Oxalis can be bought in stores in March in the U. S.  Since this is my first St. Patrick's Day tablescape I was glad to find a live shamrock plant ( oxalis tetraphylla) to use as a  centerpiece and placed it in my Johnson Brother's vegetable casserole dish.

As we participate, in tablescape linky parties there will be much written about the history of St. Patrick's Day. I agree with Jacqueline from Purple Chocolat Home that who would have thought you would learn so much from doing a tablescape! Check out Jacqueline's wearing of the green tablescape and learn about the history of St. Patrick's Day.

I'm not Irish.......but it is easy to get caught up in the festivities. All of us like Irish music don't we? Hopefully, I can link up several You-Tube videos for you to enjoy. My husband and I had a great time this weekend talking about Irish songs and old movies. It is nice to have a theme to reminisce about and he always teaches me something. As you listen to the music I beat you will be caught up in the festive mood too.

Our grandkids favorite song is Finnegan's Wake.


Our favorite movies are: The Quiet Man ( John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Barry Fitzgerald, Ward Bond, Victor McLaglen and Mildred Natwick) and Waking Ned Divine (Ian Bannen, David Kelly,  Fionnula Flanagan, Susan Lynch, James Nesbitt. This film was set in Ireland, but was filmed in the Isle of Man. I googled irish movies and there is a long list. My husband and I watched Waking Ned Divine last weekend so we'll watch a few more gearing up to having a festive St. Patrick's Day. 


The Parting Glass is another famous irish song sung in the movie, Waking Ned Divine.  Sung by Shaun Davey (View here and get in the irish mood.)
Do you see several layers here? For those that follow my blog do you see anything new?
Not the Mansard by Spode that I have used often recently. Not the Independence Glassware from the 70's.  Something else.
The answer is : the white chargers. For the last several years, I  have been hoping to find white chargers at an affordable price. Last week totally unexpected I found  white chargers at a great price at IKEA. Yay!
One thing  I would enjoy on St. Patrick's Day would be a cup of Irish Coffee so I set coffee cups in anticipation of an after dinner cup of Irish Coffee. Not sure what the rest of the menu will be yet. Probably the traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage. 

Green Pimpernel Placemats
Glassware- Independence (70's)
Dinner and salad plates-Mansard by Spode
Napkins- Husband brought back from Korea
Napkin rings- my mother's
Flatware- William Sonoma
Assorted  Bordallo Pinheiro pieces, Home Goods, Ebay
Vegetable casserole dish -Johnson Brother's Ironstone 
White Platter- T. J. Maxx

It was fun learning many things about St. Patrick's Day and the Irish traditions this year doing my first St. Patrick's Day tablescape. I would love to visit Ireland someday. 

Linking to : Cuisine Kathleen's Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl Let's Dish, Tablescape Thursday, Seasonal Sundays, Inspire me Tuesday and Wow Us Wednesday.

Living Thankfully, Bonnie

43 comments:

  1. Very cute! Lovin' your cabbage bowls and great glasses Bonnie:@)

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  2. Such a pretty table! Love it. xo

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  3. Hi Bonnie, Hooray for white chargers! We have an Ikea in Charlotte but it's about 45 minutes away and off my beaten path. Love your Oxalis set in a place of honor at the table! Your cabbage bowls are perfect for St. Paddy's Day and Easter too.

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  4. I love your pot o' shamrocks Bonnie! I feel like everyone has pretty cabbage dishes but me! Looks lovely!
    Jenna

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  5. Bonnie!
    Gorgeous table and so much to learn from you.. you are right, there really is a lot to learn from tablescapers..I am glad that some of you are researchers..because I am not..LOL
    Those white chargers are beautiful..makes me want to visit IKEA...They do go so well with your Mansard pieces..and those glasses are nice too...
    I love your beautiful table..
    Love, Mona

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  6. Love your table. This holiday really shows how striking green and white are together!! Your tablecloth is just lovely, as well. Happy St. Patrick's Day! Rosie @ The Magic Hutch

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  7. Hi Bonnie! So nice stopping by to visit and peruse your lovely blog! Beautiful tablescape! I was recently at Target and picked up a kids starter kit to grow oxalis for $1. I also have the same Johnson Bros piece :)

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  8. Boy I do love those 70's Indepence glasses! I like how you tucked some green moss around the Shamrock plant. Your table covering is beautiful and so are the dishes. Don't you love those cabbage bowls! I have them in pink and the small plates. Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  9. I've never ventured into Ikea, but the next time that I'm in Dallas, I'm definitely going to check it out! Your matelasse cloth is gorgeous, and it gives such a beautiful stature to your table. Thanks for inviting us for a peek, and Happy St. Patrick's Day! Cherry Kay

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  10. Your pretty green Pimpernel placemats are the perfect background for each setting! I love your live oxalis as your centerpiece. Your cabbage bowls are wonderful to use on each place setting Have a delightful March 17th!

    Pam

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  11. Your pretty green Pimpernel placemats are the perfect background for each setting! I love your live oxalis as your centerpiece. Your cabbage bowls are wonderful to use on each place setting Have a delightful March 17th!

    Pam

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  12. I love that you planted your shamrock plant in your vegetable casserole dish, the shape is beautiful, making it the perfect vessel!! such a. Pretty table!

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  13. Gosh Bonnie, where do I start? There is so much to love about your post. I enjoyed what you wrote about the shamrock; they have been one of my favorite plants for years. I had one when I first moved away from home, and I kept the same one for several years of our marriage. I just bought a new one, and I'm hoping it will grow well for me. They really are unique plants.

    Your table looks beautiful, Bonnie. I love the second image with the sunlight shining through the green goblet onto your shamrock plant. Your tablecloth is beautiful, as are your new chargers. I love, love the soup tureen! I also love your napkin rings, the Spode plates, and the cabbage bowls.

    I haven't seen The Quiet Man, but my husband has. We both loved Waking Ned Divine -- such a funny movie. :) The scene with the phone booth by the side of the road is hilarious. I enjoyed your post, Bonnie, and I hope you have a fun St. Paddy's Day.

    Warm Irish Hugs,

    Denise

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  14. Glad you found your white chargers. They are lovely with that beautiful border. Your table is crisp and refreshing. Makes me want to dance a jig. '-)
    Happy St. Pat's Day!

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  15. Beautiful setting. I love the chargers and those green glasses.

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  16. Great idea to put your shamrocks in your veggie bowl! I love using organic elements, too. Congratulations of finding those BEAUTIFUL chargers!! Happy St. Pat's Day!

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  17. I love it all! The shamrock plant in that rocks really pops and makes a statement. Thanks for sharing. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  18. Oh, what a pretty table! This is my favorite style -- simple and elegant. I love all the textures and the serene green and white color scheme.

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  19. Very elegant and fresh -- I am crazy about it all!

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  20. Good job, my friend. Several years ago a friend gave me a shamrock. Every year it comes back and blooms and blooms. This year I thought it was totally gone, but yesterday I saw it had popped up once more and has its little white blooms. It made me think of friendships that are lasting.

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  21. For not being Irish, you sure did an excellent job creating this lovely St. Pat's tablescape! Love those Ikea chargers!

    DD

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  22. This is so beautiful, Bonnie. I love the white quilt table cover, so pretty and delicate. Love the plate layers too and the centerpiece. Happy St. Patrick's Day!...Christine

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  23. What an elegant and pretty table! I love your quilted tablecloth and of course those cabbage bowls are wonderful! Happy St. Paddy's Day!
    Miss Bloomers

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  24. Love those green glasses! Your table setting is so lovely. Thanks for your visit to my "crawl". To answer your question, the photo of the Celtic Cross is from the Graceland Cemetery in Chicago, Illinois.

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  25. This is beautiful! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
    Sherry

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  26. Oh Bonnie, you sure got the spirit of St. Pat's perfectly, that goes to prove you don't have to be Irish to set such a gorgeous table in White and Green, so crispy and fresh. Your quilted tablecloth is lovely with pretty dishes and glasses, plus a great centerpice. Enjoy your weekend.
    FABBY

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  27. Oh dear Bonnie... I am your follower, I do hope you like to follow back. Thanks in advance!
    FABBY

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  28. I love, love, LOVE your centerpiece. I just say some shamrock plants on sale....hmmm. I know there is a tureen around here. Beautiful!

    Happy St. Patrick's Day weekend!

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  29. Thank you for sharing your first Irish tablescape with us! It is perfect! Love the shamrock centerpiece.
    Thanks so much for taking part in the 6th annual St. Pat's Bog Crawl! Slainte'!

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  30. Hi Bonnie! oh, what a love tablescape and your centerpiece is so pretty! Thank you for popping in to see me and hope you have a nice weekend.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  31. Bonnie, your table looks like it should be featured in a magazine. It is lovely and the photographs are wonderful. I love the green glasses on top of that stunning tablecloth - drooling over this one!

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  32. We are both sharing shamrocks! I love using live plants on the table too! Your table is crisp and lovely with the white and green. Have a fun celebration!

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  33. Being portuguese and fan of this king of blogs about tablesape i couldn't feel more happy about the buzz on bordalo Pinherio cabbage bowls.

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  34. Oh Bonnie, your table looks incredibly beautiful! You always set a lovely table, sweet lady. Hugs to you!

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  35. Your first St. Patrick's Day table? Ha! I don't buy it, sister! No way, Jose! This is to spot on to be your first! Either that, or....THERE it is: You've just got a natural knack for nailin' the look!!! FABULOUS job, Bonnie!

    The new chargers are going to come in SO handy in the coming months and years! They're a terrific design that will allow you to use them over and over and over...I'm jealous! We have an IKEA store coming here to the Kansas City area in the fall, and I am SO psyched!!! I'm probably going to to camp out at the front door! :-)

    Beautiful table, darlin'! Have a beautiful week to go with it!

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  36. Your blog is so lovely Bonnie! I hope we get to meet again at another blogger meet-up. Lorraine

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  37. Oh what a delightful St. Patrick’s Day tablescape. I love the green on the lovely while linens and the cabbage bowls on the white place settings. Perfect for this celebration.
    Have a lovely day Bonnie............

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  38. I can hear the lilt of an Irish brogue.... ;) Beautiful setting, Bonnie (as always!). I'm glad you found those white chargers... it is always so fun to hold out looking for something you want... and then to find it! blessings ~ tanna

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  39. Wow, what a GORGEOUS table!! Oh that glassware and the Spode! I do not know either of those patterns...what I have been missing! Your table is breathtaking:-)

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  40. I did visit this post originally, but had forgotten about the meaning of the shamrock, fascinating. It is funny how much you can discover while doing blog research! Your simple green and white table is stunning!
    Jenna

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