I LOVE the Holidays!!!! and now that we have finally finished our new home, I can breathe again.  My husband, who usually tries to put off the tree “thing” until the last possible minute, actually switched gears this year on us.  Off to the tree farm we went just a day or so after Thanksgiving.

I think Thanksgiving might just be my favorite though.  I love to cook.  Chris and I spend the evening before cooking together.  the kids are old enough now to pitch in and help and they love to cook. We go as a family  to town in search of the biggest turkey we can fine.  It is a game for us.  The gold is a 24lb. Turkey.  We have a house full every year.  I get so tickled watching my four kids turn those big birds over looking for the perfect one.

We would really like to raise our on “Tom”.  We now have the perfect place to do so.  But the kids and I are so attached to our chickens that Chris said we would never be able to eat “Tom”.  He is probably right.

But on to Christmas now…The tree is decorated with tiny lights and beautiful funky hand made ornaments and antique glass ornaments.  I love the contrast.  My kids help with every step.  That is the best part for me.
They help make my husband’s favorite Gingerbread Cookies (which he hides in his closet so nobody can eat but him)…..yes I make two batches so the kids can have some too.

Each day we unpack something else that adds to the Holiday enjoyment.

Pictures coming

“Wearin’ o’ the green”

The shamrock became symbolic in other ways as time went on. In the 19th century it became a symbol of rebellion, and anyone wearing it risked death by hanging. It was this period that spawned the phrase “the wearin’ o’ the green”. Today, the shamrock is the most recognized symbol of the Irish, especially on St. Patrick’s Day, when all over the world, everyone is Irish for a day!

The original Irish shamrock (traditionally spelled seamróg, which means “summer plant”) is said by many authorities to be none other than white clover (Trifolium repens), a common lawn weed originally native to Ireland. It is a vigorous, rhizomatous, stem-rooting perennial with trifoliate leaves. Occasionally, a fourth leaflet will appear, making a “four-leaf clover,” said to bring good luck to the person who discovers it.

The above is an interesting excerpt I found on another site.

My husband and I have enjoyed helping our children, who are very interested in our Irish heritage, research where our ancestors came from.
The Irish family name that I bring to table comes from County Donegal. Both of my husbands parents have an Irish Family back ground.  One coming from County Antrim and one from County Cavan. All three are in the Province of Ulster and Counties Antrim and Donegal are part of Northern Ireland and are both on the Northern Irish Coast.