It's the big day so to celebrate I am having a BIG double give away! See details further down the post... You just have to leave a comment to be included in the draw!
Wishing you all a fabulous St Paddy's Day! I am so looking forward to it this year. Everyone in great form, lots of ultra happy tourists who seem to enjoy it more than we do!
Leprechauns leppin' about the place, (which is what they do best) green white and orange flags, faces, clothes and normally sane people shouting
" Whup -ya-boy-ya! A truly magic day to be Irish! :) ...Reality and Recession both suspended for the day.
The celebrations have been going on since last Friday here as we now celebrate it as St Patrick's Festival and they take a week - right? Suffice it to say we are in overdrive!!!!!
So many of my readers have Irish ancestors and the Irish diaspora is said to be HUGE. We always have oodles of extra visitors at this time and we give them a big "CEAD MILE FAILTE" which translates literaly as "A hundred thousand welcomes" The parades are fantastic and everyone is in very high spirits - a day when everyone loves everyone (a bit like Christmas but greener) Pity we can't bottle the feeling for later use!
Pressies from Japan!
My good blogpal in Japan -japanesekeane, who is Irish mad has sent me a great gift for the day that's in it...It popped into my mailbox this morning and I was so delighted to see the goodies he had sent me...Here they are
A gorgeous leather Hello Kitty (Dia Ghuit A Caitlin!) all dressed in green ready for the party! I love her!
Also included was this old Irish stamp with a picture of St Patrick on.
OHHH....and some yummshous chocolate beans (millsean) which I stuffed myself with all day.
Go raibh mile maith agat Keano! (this means Thank you very much Keano) he will understand though - as he speaks Gaelge! Yes, an 18 year old Japanese chap and he knows as much Irish as me! ...and Kimme (Irish Cottage Dreams) is studying it too...I'll have to catch up to keep up with them! (Kimme has some great links to the parade on her blog so I wont repeat them. (Use them to see the parades live)
Eat your National Flag!
....and speaking of yummy things how's this? I was out with Ma at a market in nearby Howth and we found these to have with a nice cup of tea when we got home.... They are done in the Irish flag colours of green, white and orange. What a great idea! The lady had made them herself and arranged them in the box. They were selling like hotcakes and what's more...NO CALORIES..... as St Patrick has given us all a dispensation just for this day. (I wish)
Someone told me the colours mean green for Ireland, white for peace, and orange for Northern Ireland. In this case I ate Northern Ireland so I did!
Check it out...just listed on my website: www.suchprettyoldthings.com a baby leprechaun hat. Unique, one of a kind (....'cos I lost the pattern) cute little hat for the little leprechuan in your life. Hand crafted in Ireland and very reasonably priced. Price includes postage! Listed under the Handmade With Love section
Next for your enjoyment I have a link to a cute piece of animation for your enjoyment... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W97M5i05xUo
Got Irish in Ya? ....Test yourself for Irishness.....
Did you like that? Yes? Well here is a real treat for you. Do yourself a favour and spend the next three minutes watching this with your volume UP! It will resonate with any Irishness in you and get your pulse racing! ENJOY.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B718RsboGEI
Phew! I'm tired after watching that!
White O'Morn Cottage Give Away
Now to the give aways...you can enter for the goodies giveaway alone or the holiday giveaway alone - or both if it suits you :-)
Goodies give away...goes like this...you will receive a selection of my hand made lavendar sachet, a hand made doorhanger heart, a small patchwork Christmas pillow (Christmas is coming fast!) Two crochet cookies, and a framed real shamrock, grown in my own White O'Morn cottage garden. More pics to follow (well I have just thought of these and don't have all the pics ready) Don't be rushin' me!
Stay in White O'Morn Cottage for Free!
Giveaway no. 2 is a week's free stay in my country cottage White O'Morn Cottage in Co. Leitrim.
In these hard times one has to do one's bit for the tourism trade. So this is my "bit"
If you are thinking of visiting Ireland soon (or even next year) you can spend up to a week FREE in a 250 year old Irish cottage that is a close copy of the cottage in the cult film The Quiet Man. It started life as a Weaver's cottage and is still known as The Weaver Duignan's. The Duignans are the family who built it and it stayed in that family until we bought it. We are good friends with the present day Duignans and they might even visit you for a chinwag during your stay! (for more details just browse my blog) The facilities are basic but comfortable, with one double bedroom and a pull down bed in the living room.
I am always offering it to people as I love to share it with others who appreciate it as much as I do and I can't spend all my time there and want to spread it around. Kimme has spent a weekend there and is coming back for more! Maith on cailín Kimme! Anyway that's why I am offering it as a giveaway to any blogger who wants it. Just leave a comment letting me know which give away you are interested in...and you're in.
(Kimme, you are disqualified from the cottage giveaway as you are my favourite American and more than welcome anytime! :) Wheee!
Everyone else is welcome - you don't have to be a regular reader or commenter or anything - just be someone who would like to stay in an old Irish cottage for free!
Have a great St Pat's Day!....love Pam
Ps.. Fur babies welcome!
Both draws close on 21st March
Here's an award I created for all my favorite blogs:
![](<a href="http://whitemorn.typepad.com/excellentblog_shannymar11.jpg">Download excellentblog_shannymar11.jpg (11.9K)</a>){kind=link}
Oh, my; you are having some fun now! The dancing Irish teddies were adorable. I loved the Irish tapdancing...the sound and the beat really get me going. Always said I wanted to learn to tap dance; but, I don't want to be in a class with little 10-year-olds and that seems to be the option here. Oh, well....someday!
I'm certainly interested in both giveaways...however, I'm only entering the first one. I'm pretty sure I won't be travelling to Ireland in the next year; probably not in the next decade..haha. Staying at your cottage would be the bee's knees; but, I can't leave our little fur babies for that long. So, I'll just have to cross my fingers for the sachet, heart, pillow, and your very-own-grown shamrock!! Good luck to me, eh?
Posted by: betty | March 16, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Níl a bhuiochas ort !
I`m really happy that you like them :-D
Please take Hello Kitty to the parade! haha!
And yes, I`m getting ready to start a parade here! hehe :-)
Posted by: JapaneseKeane | March 16, 2009 at 05:07 PM
Ok, is this a dream or are you really offering your enchanting White O'Morn cottage for a week to the lucky winner of your give away? If your answer is "yes, I'm making that offer" then "for the love of all that's holy" sign me up. I'm only the biggest Quiet Man fan on the planet, right behind you...of course. How lovely of you to make this very generous offer! By the way, I enjoyed the You Tube clips....I'm forwarding the step dancing teddies to my granddaughter, Molly Shannon, who loves Irish dancing. Our dear Molly was adopted from china. On the first day of school, each year, there is always a moment of confusion when her new teacher calls the roll...of course a teacher would assume that a child named Molly Shannon would have red hair and a fair complexion...so it's always a surprise when our raven haired, almond eyed beauty stands. Happy St. Patrick's Day from the Nashville Flynns
Posted by: Kay Flynn-The Wrought Iron Gate | March 16, 2009 at 10:54 PM
what a lovely post, all those goodies and a great giveaway as well! - please enter me in the first one. It is also my Mum's birthday today
Josie x
Posted by: Josie | March 17, 2009 at 02:21 AM
Well hi... I follow your blog and I would love to be entered in your first giveaway.. now, given my ancestry..I would love to be entered in the 2nd one two, but cant see myself gettin there. So, I will just have to settle for the first one. :) Marilyn
Posted by: Marilyn | March 17, 2009 at 03:04 AM
What a wonderful give-away. I visit your blog from time to time and have it listed on my side bar as a favorite. I knew I just had to stop by this morning. Please enter me in the give aways. If, by some divine intervention, I win the cottage stay, I will be there by all that is Holy-one way or another. I would, however, be just as excited to win the wonderful goodies you have in your first list. Enjoy your day!!!
Charlotte in WV
Posted by: Charlotte Spears | March 17, 2009 at 05:15 AM
I had posted a comment here earlier today, but I don't see that it was posted. So I'm in a panic now, I would love to be entered in both of your contests and I am sitting here crossing my fingers that I win the week's stay! WOW! WHAT AN AMAZING GIVE-A-WAY!!!! I am a HUGE Quiet man fan- Hubby and I have plans to watch it tonight- * my dvd is getting worn out! Love your little cottage! :-) Happy St. Pattys!
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 17, 2009 at 09:14 AM
A big hug and a Happy Saint Patrick's day to you!
Thank you for your friendship this last year. It has meant
so much.... Can you believe it has been a year!
~ kimme
Posted by: kimme | March 17, 2009 at 01:02 PM
Utah-Irish hugs to you and yours - this is a fine day to be Irish - as is any day!! But this day, even more than ever. One day, I WILL get to Ireland, and we'll need to have a cuppa tea (Or something stronger) - have a wonderful wonderful day!
Posted by: colleen | March 17, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Happy St. Patrick's Day! I love this holiday, and thought that a visit to your blog was a MUST for today! And what a wonderful post. How amazing it must be to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Ireland!! And please sign me up for your fabulous giveaway. I'm afraid I can't enter to stay in your cottage though...which makes me so sad. That would be such an amazing trip! x
Posted by: AnyoneCanQuilt | March 17, 2009 at 04:09 PM
Are you for real? I would love a weeks stay at the White O'Morn cottage! Who knows if I win maybe I will bring my friend Wilson from Iowa! That would be a blast! I would love to live abroad! You must be living a dream!
Theresa
Posted by: timeworninteriors | March 18, 2009 at 05:26 AM
Hi there
Just found you via Josie, what a fab blog and super generous giveaway!!! I'd love to be included in both please. WE LOVE Ireland and usually stay in Cork or Galway, haven't been over since 2007, but Twiglet loved it too, the beaches, the coutryside, the peole, the castles ,etc, etc,etc.
Twiggy x
Posted by: Twiggy | March 18, 2009 at 08:03 AM
Hello,
I just wanted to say that I have completely enjoyed your blog. The pictures and comments are great. Looking forward to your next post. Looks like you've done a good job with the cottage and getting pretty handy with the crafts. I loved the pictures of the line dancing outing and your friends look like their a blast to be with. My dream has always been to own my own cottage in Ireland someday as well. I've never had the chance to actually stay in one, but I just keep reminding myself someday. Ireland's always in my heart, I was just born on the wrong continent. Please include me in both drawings and good luck to everyone else.
Posted by: Heidi | March 18, 2009 at 01:46 PM
The cottage sounds lovely but right now, so far away.
I do love hearts, though. I would buy one from you if you sell them. We can give Kimme the money for her house in Ireland.
You are certainly most generous and I hope you find some nice visitors for your room.
Connie
Posted by: Connie Lenden | March 18, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Hi Pam, I clicked on vintage and went through twice. I am not the swiftest person on the internet as you have noticed. I just would love to find that red heart and send you the cost for our project.
Would you mind giving me some more directions, or just give me the price and I will contact pay pal.
Gotta get moving here..... we have a project !
Just love your blog !
Posted by: Connie Lenden | March 19, 2009 at 10:30 AM
Hello Pam!
Kimme's site sent me over to you. I'm so glad to find yet another great Ireland-focused blog. Yours is a real keeper.
We spent a wonderful year in '05-'06 on sabbatical in Murrisk, County Mayo and - may it please God - hope to return in the next academic year or so. It would be great fun to stay in White O'Morn for a week, so please enter me in your drawing.
Bithidh sonas an lorg na caitheamh!
Holly
Posted by: Holly Forrest | March 19, 2009 at 12:49 PM
I would love to be included in your draw for the week in your beautiful cottage. I visit Ireland at least once a year, but have never visited Leitrim. It would be great to see a new area of Ireland.
I love to visit your blog.
Here's hoping!
Stella
Posted by: Stella | March 19, 2009 at 02:11 PM
Thanks so much once again for your kind comment. I really do appreciate it.
I hope everything goes well for your sister's son next week, Jono wishes him good luck, we will be thinking of him.
Posted by: Val | March 21, 2009 at 04:32 PM