One day recently I was searching on the computer for Irish sayings. I found this little poem or song.
Oh, Paddy, dear, an' did ye hear the news that's goin' round?
The shamrock is forbid by law to grow on Irish ground!
No more St. Patrick's Day we'll keep, his colour can't be seen,
For there's a cruel law agin' the Wearin' o' the green.
~Author Unknown
When law can stop the blades of grass from growin' as they grow,
An' when the leaves in summer time their color dare not show,
Then I will change the color, too, I wear in my caubeen;
But till that day, plaise God, I'll stick to the Wearin' o' the Green.~Author Unknown
Later in the morning I drove downtown to an antique mall to browse around as I had not one thing (so I thought) for a St. Patrick's Day tablescape. I have been collecting white milk glass goblets for some time and thought I might find a new one to add to my collection.
As I was about to leave the mall, I asked the manager/owner of the mall if he had any items for St. Patrick's Day. He thought for a moment and replied that he did have a vintage decanter somewhere in a box as he had seen it recently. My hopes were ignited and asked him to please look for it as I continued to shop.
In just a few minutes he came bearing this great old spirits decanter with a Leprechaun on it and some writing. To my astonishment, the poem/song I had just read before leaving home was printed on the bottle!
As you know by now, this 1968 Weller decanter will be my inspiration piece for the St. Patrick's Day dinner that I will be sharing with some friends. Of course, we all think of green ....so now my plans are falling into place.
The gleaming white porcelain and 24K gold add a shimmer that is lovely. And I forgot to tell you that I only paid $3.00 for the decanter and found exactly the same one on Ebay starting at $48.00.
Mr. Piggy loves to attend parties in the casual dining area (actually, the breakfast room) but casual dining room sounds better to me. He is sporting a new kerchief that I found in the dollar spot at Target.
Don't you just love it when things fall easily into place!
I found this miniature English bone china cup and saucer complete with its own little stand on the top shelf of the built-in bookcase beside our bed. It was a huge surprise to me as I had forgotten I had this. Now you KNOW that I do not dust on the top shelf very often.....well, I am not very tall, and I cannot see dust "up there" ! This was an estate sale find.
Setting the table I used two place mats that I found at Kohl's on the 40% off rack....a round one with cute shamrocks that is woven straw and the rectangular one of quilted green fabric. I liked the contrast of the different shades of green.
On the placemats I layered a white ironstone plate from TJ Maxx that was on sale for $3.00. On top of the white plate, I added the Italian pottery leaf from Ross that was on sale, also, for $3.00. The votive candle holder is a DS find for one dollar. The cute bread plate is from TJM and a set of four for only $4.99. The greenish yellow flatware was a bargain from Ross for $14.99 for four place settings.
The little white basket is from TJM and has the sweetest little shamrocks on the bottom of the basket. I filled it with one of my favorites......hot Wasabi Peas by hapi snacks available at Target.
The napkins rings are white ironstone from the same antique shop as the decanter....a set of 12 for not much money......like cheap, and the napkins from Kohl's sale.
I am loving the white milk glass goblets that I have been collecting. This one is the quilt pattern. Each goblet is different as I thought this would be fun to talk about at the table.
This short chunky little glass has been waiting in the backfield for a party to attend. It is part of a set of eight that I have owned for years. The leaves are grape leaves but shhhhhhhhhhh......we will not tell the Leprechauns.
Looking closely at the flowers in the centerpiece.....apple green mums and white altermera.
The base of the centerpiece is a buy from online shopping many years ago. It is a neat concept of many tiny clear glass vases glued together in a circle. It has a round piece of glass cut to fit the opening at the top of the vases and allows a focal point to rest in the center, and the flowers in the tiny vases form a wreath around the displayed object. It would be so easy to copy. Look closely and you can see a couple of the vases that are glued at angles. This next week I will dismantle the floral arrangement and post photos of it if any of your are interested in the project.
I am just about ready to entertain a couple who live down the street from us.
The menu is not finalized yet, but I know that I will be serving Creamy Onion Soup for starters topped with green onion tops.
I wanted you to see the table with the candles lighted.
Now, all I have left to do is start cooking. I am so happy you dropped by today, and as always, it is so much fun to have the company and read your comment.
Have a great week and until next time.......Tea Party Everyday......why not?
