Happy St Patrick's Day

I love this vintage card for its nontraditional
but springtime charming motifs of snowdrops and violets.
Unusual, rare.

Hi! You know what they say---"On St Patrick's Day, everyone is Irish!" My immediate family isn't Irish, but that never daunted my mom. On March 17, she always made corned beef, cabbage, and boiled potatoes. Later she switched to the fancier version of colcannon*, a favorite of mine.We were as Irish as a bunch of third or fourth generation Americans of Anglo-European heritage could be.
In college--green beer, hahaha. And Chicago, home, with its green river and green road stripes.

I'll never forget my first St Patrick's Day in NYC (it's a big deal here in NY.) I was home with bronchitis on a snowy frigid day, when I heard--bagpipes! Row after row of  marching bands, in their kilts and high fuzzy black fur hats or tams, bagpipes wailing. The kilts were fabulous: bumblebee yellow and black, brilliant turquoise and red and black. It was an amazing sight right below my apartment window.

Mo is all set if the parade should pass by here. This is his fancy party collar.

It has bells! "I'll be there, with bell's on!"  says Mo.

Mo also got presents, of course. Shamrock green "Greenie" breath mint treats.

And since it's so cold he's been wearing his woolly shamrock neckwarmer too.

This gives you a better idea of how this neat yarn works. This is with flash in a dark room.

Meanwhile, the great big blizzard of '17 was a huge flop. Mostly sleet and freezing rain. The chairs are turned over by me, in case of high winds. Ha!

I wasn't exactly disappointed--more like--annoyed! When we can't trust the weatherman , what's left? No wonder we don't evacuate when a hurricane ''might'' come, these guys have cried wolf way too many times.

I hope you have a fun St. Patrick's Day! Here's some fun vintage menu ideas.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach............

*colcannon is a delicious hot buttery creamy mixture of mashed potatoes and steamed cabbage. There are many recipes : HERE   Leeks and bacon optional/ not essential.

Happy St Paddy's Day!

Into each day
put about one teaspoonful
 of good spirits
a dash of fun
a pinch of folly a sprinkle of play
and a heaping cupful of good humor.

Add some green beer and have a Happy St Patrick's Day!

some wonderful vintage postcards....

I love the big American flag!

Note his very NY Dutch name!



So sweet---violets...and good luck!

Mid-March! The garden stores are filled with tiny daffodils and pansies!

For some reason, fresh firm, green artichokes appear on St-Patrick's Day, along with new asparagus and the requisite corned beef and cabbage.....

shamrock green butterfly on Irish linen "blouse"...in my etsy shop

And Irish soda bread...yum! When I was growing up in the Midwest my town used to dye the river green! Probably that's no longer "done"---but in New York the pubs do sell green beer (eeew!).

 I am making shepherd's pie: the day is sunny and warmish but brisk winds are blowing....The guys at the grocery store gave me a green carnation! What do you do for this holiday?

love

         lizzy

gone to the beach.......

Vintage Valentines

Happy Valentine's Day! I adore old Valentines of all kinds---don't you?

Most of these are from the January flea market---I found come cuties! These are classic kiddie Valentines. All three have "action" or honeycomb, so fun. On the puppy, note his little pink paws at the top, he is supposed to be doing a handstand. I have NO idea when these date from---pre-WW2? 

 

Then there were some early 20th century postcards.

Sweetest kittens and violets:

And  swallows dressed up as love birds! See the tiny golden hearts in their beaks [below]? And more violets (sigh...)...

I love the aquas and purples used at this time, c.1905-1910...with the dash of Valentine red.

The next two are special finds---I especially treasure Valentines that are handmade with doilies and old scrap or photos.

This pretty girl did not sign her name!

But this cute embellished heart, a real "find", is signed "Auntie"....

If you look closely I believe the children are on a carousel! Very unusual...And Auntie's name is written over something else, a little re-gifting c. 1920?

My mother generally abhorred doing crafts...but every year she made handmade Valentine's for her children and friends.

These are two of hers that I have saved.

But this flea market card may be my all time favorite!

 

                    

Yes, the tiny girl and her army of dolls is adorable (though perhaps a little creepy and surreal?)....But what I love is the message, dated 1912, NYC:

Here's a close-up:

"Am having a nice time and now and then some chocolate. [signed] Frances.

Darling  Frances! I so agree! Forget the red roses, just send me chocolate!

So...tell me, dear friends: do you prefer a romantic card from a sweetheart? A crayon-scribbled and glittered doily heart from your child? Red roses? Or like Frances, would you secretly just prefer a box of yummy truffles to call your own?

Have a sweet day, whatever your preference may be!

                               

love

                lizzy 

          

    gone to the beach....

New Years Postcards

Hello, everyone!
In honor of our New Year, today I am sharing some postcards from the flea market!
I don't really collect postcards! No, reeeally...I just buy them for their old-fashioned charm and interesting graphics. To use as tags or in my collages. These are a few offbeat and fun New Years cards. They date from 1908 to 1912.
This is the first one I ever bought...

because I DO collect (and make) Man-in-the Moon images and  things.

He's a little bit scary!

As is this card. Carpe diem, anyone? Or do I mean tempus fugit...

Not sure I'd be thrilled to receive Grim Reaper wishes, how about you? LOL!

This pretty card has a more genteel aspect, very dainty!

I like the Christmassy holly and bow---and the tiny violets, so sweet.

I also enjoy the old penny stamps and postmarks, the messages and old-timey names: Horace, Isabell, Ellis, Elliot...

PS I made it through the drifted snow and fog, down to my beach! More on that in a day or two.

Have a great year!

love

             lizzy

        

                      ...gone to the beach