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How do you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
When I lived in the Buffalo area I could have attended a parade and enjoyed lots of Irish food, music, dance, and drink. Here in my new neighborhood, I haven’t even noticed any shiny shamrocks popping up on front doors. Not yet, anyway.
Is there any Irish in your blood?
Do you wear green, decorate your home, or enjoy some Irish festivities?
Do you celebrate with any special foods or beverages?
There’s no Irish in my blood, but I thought it would be fun to bring out this vintage cocoa set that belonged to my grandmother. Isn’t it lovely? These little cocoa cups are like miniature mugs with saucers. And they are covered with lovely hand painted violets and just enough green to make them perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. And these delicate spoons make me swoon….have ever since I was a little girl and could appreciate such loveliness.
Since cocoa is my favorite food (Cocoa made with real milk and cream and dutch chocolate and sugar, gently heated on the stove.), I thought that we could turn it into Irish Cocoa. You may have the real Irish Cream to add to your cocoa. Or, you might like this rich non alcoholic alternative: Irish Cream Flavor
Here, cocoa is being served up in my Longaberger Oval Basket Tray which has been placed on some vintage linens woven with green accents. As an only child I inherited all the vintage items which have spent most of their time in drawers and china cabinets. Since I am on a huge spending freeze, I need to exercise my creative juices. It just might be the very best thing. After all, I don’t think I would have ever brought out the cocoa set otherwise and now it’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.
Hmmm. I wonder what I should serve along side the cocoa. A little sweet treat would be nice. What do you suggest?
I wish we could indulge in this chocolaty delight together. Wouldn’t that be lovely?
The second best thing….we can chat together here and on Facebook. I’ll be looking forward to your sweet words.
An Old Celtic Blessing
May the blessing of light be on you—light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you and warm your heart
till it glows like a great peat fire.
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Wishing you an Extraordinary day!
Diane
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I have 2 Longaberger St Patrick baskets from years past. I keep these pretty green basket in the forefront of decorating from early March until end of May. They make me happy.
I volunteer at humane society shelter with the cats and I name them Irish names like Colleen and Patrick during the month of March
Thanks for sharing your grandmothers pretty violet china
That is so wonderful, Gail! I have a one or two LB St. Paddy’s baskets, too…but they are still packed up. Often I use them at Christmas as well as now.
How sweet is it that you name the cats with Irish names. I love that!
Wishing you an Extraordinary week!
Your handpainted china coffee set is beautiful and irish cocoa sounds perfect for a wee celebration. I do not have any irish blood either but viewing irish posts are really getting me excited too. Thank you for a delightful post using what you have so elegantly.
Bonnie Morgan recently posted..Antique Boxes
Awww Bonnie….you are so sweet. Your words were like a warm hug to me.
May your week overflow with blessings!
Oh how lovely your tea set s. violets are my favorite on special things like these!!! Enjoy your cocoa
Aren’t violets just the loveliest things? At our old house we had them in the lawn…there was no getting rid of them either. It wasn’t all that bad…the yard was a sea of violet in the spring and so beautiful to look at. Thanks for your kind words.
Wishing you an Extraordinary week, Gwen!
That set is just beautiful … it reminds me of all the china painting my great-aunt did.
Randi – Dukes and Duchesses recently posted..Project Inspire{d} Link Party
Thank you so much, Randi!
I feel so blessed to have it.
You had me at hello!!! Everything from your chocolate pot to the Irish cream
I always make corned beef and cabbage and usually a chocolate cake that I add Irish cream to the frosting. Irish blessing back to you from the enchanted oven (doing Irish goodies this week and next!).
xo,
Lisa
lisa recently posted..How to make royal icing shamrocks
What nice things to say, Lisa! I will have to check out all your Irish goodies for sure!!!
Blessings!
Your chocolate pot and cups are lovely. I have my Mom’s pot but have no idea what happened to the cups; I remember using the set one deep snow event – when she was not at home! Your spoons are lovely, perfect choice.
I’ve seen some recipes on-line for sweet Irish soda bread muffins that might be a nice treat with your cocoa.
Whatever you choose, just taking the time to do something special is a treat to savor.
Elaine recently posted..Building a quilt
What a great memory Elaine!
Sweet Irish soda bread would be wonderful with cocoa, wouldn’t it?
May your day be Extraordinary!
beautiful set but I kept scrolling expecting to see them full of cocoa! ha!
Ha! Duh! What was I thinking….inviting you to enjoy cocoa with me and not serving you any.
Love the pattern on your coca set, stunning. Great vignette on the tray. Thanks tons for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty
Awww thanks, Marty!!
Hope you week is Extraordinary!
I absolutely love this coco set. It’s the colors of my home! I went to Ireland a year ago and fell in love.
I would love for you to link up to my party at http://www.memoriesbythemile.com/
New follower,
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile
Wanda Ann @ Memories by the Mile recently posted..Tuesday Trivia–TEXAS and Link Party
You home must be really lovely, Wanda.
Thank you for your kind words and your invitation as well.
May your week be Extraordinary!
That cocoa set is fantastic!
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse recently posted..The L Garden
Why thank you Magali!!!
Wellllll……..an ENGLISHman lives in this household. LOL We celebrate St. George’s Day. But not with hot cocoa….wow does that sound good with the snow that’s getting dumped on us right now! I might have to make that happen!
We do have some wonderful tea sets (go figure “tea” with the Englishman present… ) and pretties stuck away. You’re giving me permission for NOW….I’m one who sticks them away for “safe keeping”….and misses the moment to create the new memories. I think today is the day to do that.
Your set, just for cocoa is just gorgeous.
I’ll cry if I break something! LOL. Just sayin. But really, I’ll be brave cuz there’s no sentimental value attached if we don’t attach the sentiments in the moment we’re using them in TODAY…..
Oh Mel you are so right….what sentimental value is there if we don’t attach any. I do hope you get yours out and enjoy something delightful and warm. And I am so sorry you got hit with the snow. We had rain…freezing for a bit…but God answered our prayer and it warmed up to make the drive home late last night good. Still raining today. Spring is coming….
Irish cocoa? I’ll be right over! Sounds delicious, and served in those gorgeous cups, it would be a rare treat!
Oh Tricia! We would have so much fun!
Hope your day is extraordinary!
What a lovely set of dishes!
ellen b. recently posted..Set the Table…
Thank you Ellen!
Your tea set is to die for!! What a lovely tray you’ve set and with Irish cocoa?..yummy! I am one for having and treasuring sentimental things and to value them. I love to make my yearly St. Patty’s table, although I haven’t a drop of Irish blood, but as I am from Astoria-Qyueens and grew up in an Irish-Italian neighborhoos, I’m very familiar with the celebration..and being Catholic, I guess it makes it perfect! Big hugs,
FABBY
Oh yes! It does make it all perfect!! I love that you have such a wonderful tradition.
Thank you Fabby for stopping by and for your sweet words, too! [hugs]
You cocoa set is absolutely gorgeous and what lovely spoons!
All the Pretty Dishes recently posted..LUNCH WITH THE LADIES – CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE
How sweet of you to say that.
That is one stunning chocolate set!!! I do love the violets soo much. Sweet spoons too. I myself have spent a few happy St. Pat’s days in Buffalo.. and out here, well not even a mention.. so sad. xo marlis
marlis recently posted..Inspired by Blue Tablescape and giveaway
Oh Marlis…I admit…I am quite blessed to have such a treasure. Thank you for enjoying it with me. Too bad it’s not in person.
Yay for Buffalo and all the ethic traditions.
Hope your week is extraordinary!
So so Lovely! I loved your Celtic blessing at the end. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna….I have always loved that blessing.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you too!!
Irish creme in cocoa. Wow does that sound delicious. I am what the call Scotch Irish descent. So I must have some Irish. Love the green.
With your lovely name you absolutely must have Irish creme in your cocoa, Gracie!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! I think we can start celebrating now.
Diane, that’s the prettiest chocolate set ever. Just gorgeous!
I’m not Irish, but I like to give a nod to St. Patrick’s Day with a special table.
You are so sweet Sarah! Thank you! Though not Irish, I do think St. Patrick is a great person to celebrate.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
How lovely! Thanks for sharing and your photos are just beautiful. It makes me want to set up a pretty tablescape.
You are so kind, Kelli! I hope you do…my face had a huge grin when I got done. Sometimes it’s the little things that make us smile.
Love your tablescape…especially love that tall pot…coffee pot or tea pot.
Thanks Helen…it’s called a Cocoa Pot or a Chocolate Pot. And since that’s my favorite hot beverage…it’s perfect!!
That tea set is gorgeous! Your Irish Cocoa sounds wonderful, I could use a big mug of it right now, on this cold rainy morning. New follower, saw you on Thursday Favorite Things
Erin | Wholly Delicious Dishes recently posted..Tofu Omelette
Oh Erin, we have blowing snow right now…ugh! I’ll join you in a toasty mug….though these are quite tiny. Guess that just means I can have more!!!
Welcome!! Hope your day is Extraordinary! [hugs]
What a gorgeous chocolate set! What a treasure. Love the idea of Irish cocoa! The only Irish I have it Scots Irish which I don’t think counts, but I still have LOTS of shamrocks in my house. I just love a holiday!
Someone else said something about being Scots Irish….which is new to me. Regardless, St. Patrick is worthy of celebrating. Thanks for your kind words and Happy St. Paddy’s Day!
What a gorgeous post! Your grandmother’s china is absolutely stunning.
I am Irish on both sides so, yep, we decorate and celebrate – but not like the non-Irish do…………..we tend to do Mass and have a nice family dinner most years.
Occasionally we’ll go “out” and get “crazy,” but haven’t happened in a long time. It’s fun to watch though.
Lovely post.
Michele/ Finch Rest recently posted..Pretty Shamrock Teacup Gift
Thank you Michele! I’ve been smitten with it since I was a little girl. Mass and dinner sounds quite lovely. After all…St. Patrick’s Day really has a wonderful spiritual significance to remember.
It’s a bit early, however….Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Hi, Diane! I don’t think I have any Irish blood, but you would sure THINK I did on St. Patrick’s Day!!! I enjoy embracing the good qualities and fun aspects of pretty much any and every holiday or celebration! I grew up Catholic, so we always had exposure to it much like Michele from Finch Rest’s experience. If it was a school day, there would be Mass (we went to Mass EVERY morning on school days!!!), and then my Mom would always prepare corned beef & cabbage for dinner. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I really got hip to all the “other” revelry!!! As an adult, I lived in an area of town that has a high concentration of Irish establishments AND lots of Catholic churches, so….!!!!!!
Your cocoa set is just beautiful!!!! I would love to drink Irish cocoa or just about anything else from those sweetly shaped cups! Have a great weekend!!!
Alycia Nichols recently posted..Cottages & Bungalows Magazine – Published!!!
Thank you for your kind words, Alycia!
You grew up in a wonderful tradition. What a blessing.
Happy St. Paddy’s Day! Enjoy a bit of celebration too!
Your tea set is absolutely stunning! Aren’t you lucky to have been given that? It s perfect for your St. Patrick’s tea scape.
I am so very blessed!!
Thanks Kitty!
Happy St. Patty’s Day!
Irish cocoa sounds yummy! Such a pretty coffee set. I love violets. Thank you for sharing at “What We Accomplished Wednesdays.” Have a great weekend!
hugs,
Deborah
Deborah recently posted..What We Accomplished Wednesday #6
Oh and wouldn’t I love some on this blustery day!!
Stay warm and have a blessed weekend!
How lucky you are to have such a pretty chocolate set. It is wonderful that it is a family set that has much meaning to you. They are one of my favorite china pieces. I have been looking for one for some time but they are a bit pricy.
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~
~ ~ Ahrisha~ ~ recently posted..How Many China Cabinets? Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Tutorial
Yes…I am so very blessed. I hope you can find a lovely set too!
Wishing you and extraordinary weekend!
What a beautiful hot chocolate set…do hope you will come visit my little blog!
Marigene recently posted..Blue Willow
Thank you Marigene!!
What a wonderful tea party for St. Patrick’s Day! I love the combination of purple and green….so fresh and springy!!
Thank you so much for sharing your pretties with us for my party!
Blessings,
Doni
Doni recently posted..Pearls and Lace Thursday #124 Pink and Cream Collage Inspiration
Awww thanks Doni! Wouldn’t it be fun to get together!?!
Blessings!
Dear Diane,
Those spoons make me swoon too. I have several and even one with a name on it. I think monograms and names make them even more special since they meant that much to someone to have their name on them. Mine are very fine and delicate and would be perfect with such a lovely chocolate set as yours.
No Irish blood but my husband is three quarters so my children are somewhat. No matter, when it is St. Patrick’s Day, everyone is Irish. We went to Irelnad and had the most wonderful time. The people are the warmest and friendliest and most fun folks in the world and the country is gorgeous.
Saliente, Ruthie from: http://www.ladybstimefortea.blogspot.com
Ruthie Miller recently posted..Tea Pretties Are All Around Us
Oh Ruthie, what is it about delicate spoons?!!!
Of the many travels I’ve been privileged to take I have never been to the Emerald Isle. Everyone says the best things about their visits there. How wonderful for you.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day (a bit early – heehe)
The china is so perfect for St. Patty’s Day!!
patty recently posted..Christmas Ornament Wreath
Isn’t it funny, Patty, that I never thought to bring it out before of St. Pat’s?!
Hope your weekend is extraordinary!
What a lovely cocoa set! Perfect for St Pat’s. No Irish in me but I do love decorating with the green when I’m home. Love your Longaberger baskets.
hugs, Linda
Linda @ A La Carte recently posted..Packing My Bags
Thanks for enjoying my pretties with my Linda! Good thing we don’t need to be Irish to enjoy the green!
Hope your weekend is Extraordinary!
Your china is absolutely stunning! Love it!
Beth recently posted..Snowy Josey!
Awww…Beth…thank you sooo much!! [hugs]
Yes, I’m half Irish, so I really appreciated this lovely post! Visiting from Seasonal Sundays
Pat recently posted..Our First Winter in Colorado
Yay!! An early St. Patrick’s Day wish for you!!
Your cocoa set is just beautiful. Love the colors. I like real hot cocoa too. Your blog is lovely. I need to explore some more. Visiting from Seasonal Sundays. xo
Awww Barbara…thank you so much.
Don’t tell anyone…but ‘real’ cocoa is my favorite food. Outside of summer time and sometimes even then, I could live on it. ;0 heehee!
What a gorgeous coca set. Neither my husband nor I am the least bit Irish, but I do enjoy celebrating.
Thanks for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.
- The Tablescaper
Thank you so much! I am so blessed to have the set.
Hope your week is Extraordinary!
What a lovely cocoa set! So much fun
Found you on A Favorite Thing and I would love to have you share this on The Creative HomeAcre Hop today!
http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/2013/03/the-creative-homeacre-hop-5.html
And to think it spent most of its time with me in a china cabinet. I’m blessed to have it.
Thank you for your sweet words Lisa Lynn!
We used to always go to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Salt Lake City but we don’t live as close as we used to and have not attended. The last several years have been cold too.
Ruth recently posted..Sunlit Sunday – Mexico
I bet it was fun!! Gotta love a parade! I still remember my first St. Pat’s parade as a little girl. We lived in Michigan but we took the train to Chicago and I remember my dad setting me up on a stack of barricades to view the parade. What a great memory.
Thanks for stopping by Ruth. Hope your new week is extraordinary!
Diane, this is such a lovely post! How I would enjoy sipping some Irish cocoa from those beautiful cups with you! My husband is the maker of homemade cocoa in this house and my children so enjoy it too. Definitely tastier and richer than the instant kind. Thank you for sharing a piece of your collection with us today!
Thanks for linking up at A New Creation!
Jessica @ A Humble Creation recently posted..A New Creation Link Party #3
And Jessica, I would love to have you over to enjoy it also!
Every evening my husband prepare cocoa from scratch for me. Actually it doesn’t take long…but it is indeed a gift of love and one I will always treasure.
Blessings!
What a sweet set. I love St. Patrick’s Day! We live in the Irish Riviera and there is a big parade here. Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays. x
Danielle recently posted..French Linen Coffee Table
How fun! Gotta love a St. Paddy’s Day parade.
Hope your week is extraordinary!
Steaming hot homemade cocoa would be such fun in your pretty china.
Lavender Cottage recently posted..Lunch with a Friend
And it would be even more special if we could enjoy it together!!
Wishing you an Extraordinary week!
I am so glad to have you link to Friends Sharing Tea. What a glorious chocolate set! Love the violets!
Bernideen’s Tea Time Blog recently posted..THE HUNT FOR LINENS, TEAPOTS AND ENGLISH CUPS AND SAUCERS for “Friends Sharing Tea”
Thank you Bernideen! I had a lot of fun at your ‘tea time.’ What a lovely group of ‘friends’ sharing tea.
Blessings!
Marshmallows! You could serve them along side. I do love marshmallows! And cocoa is my all time favorite drink! You and I make it just the same way. I am so glad I found your tea post. For some reason I missed it twice.
You have a lovely blog and I am so glad you joined in T.T. Thank you!
Hugs,
Terri
Terri recently posted..Tea Cup Tuesday-Tea in the Art Room
After I created the post my friend asked me where the cocoa was? Well now why didn’t I think about adding it to the cups and marshmallows as well? Oh well! {hands thrown up in air} I guess I was just overcome by the set’s prettiness. heehee. Thanks Terri!!!
Beautiful! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
Hope your week is extraordinary!
Your tea set is gorgeous:@)
Thank you!! I’m feeling so blessed to have inherited it.
Hi Diane, Your cocoa pot is beautiful, and I agree that homemade cocoa is definitely worth the effort! I’m having a craving just thinking about it and would love to have some in your cups! And stir it with those pretty spoons! Linda
Linda recently posted..Crawling
Thank you Linda! I am truly blessed to have inherited it. And oh wouldn’t I love to have you over to enjoy a nice cup with me.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
What a beautiful cocoa set!! Stunning!!
Hugs.
Debbie
Awww…thanks Debbie!!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
What a wonderful set! The colors are so pretty!
Thanks for joining in the St. Patrick’s Day Blog Crawl! It was great to have you with us!
Thank you Kathleen! I am so blessed to have inherited it.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!!