Tuesday, March 17, 2015

A St. Patrick's Celebration

I'm not quite sure how it's come about that our family, who has barely a drop of Irish blood, ends up celebrating St. Patrick's Day every year . . .

Our celebration this year began in downtown Chicago, early last Saturday morning, where we went to see the annual dying green of the Chicago River . . .


A boat, manned by a small crew dumps about 40 pounds of a harmless vegetable dye into the river, turning its waters a bright green for a few hours . . .  Do you notice the brave little ducks trying to stay out of the path of the boat?  This article explains how Chicago's quirky tradition came about . . .


My husband is the guest photographer for all of the pictures taken downtown, since he has a shiny new smart phone with a cool new camera that he wanted to try out . . .


Me, I usually get so caught up in whatever is happening that I forget to take pictures . . .


We found a nice spot to watch on the Riverwalk, right across from Trump Tower, the skyscraper that has given so many Chicagoans heartburn because of its 20-foot-high Trump sign, which is seen as brash and tasteless . . .


Mr. Trump does seem to have a way of antagonizing folks . . .


The people watching was . . . marvelous . . .


The dyeing of the river was followed by the St. Patrick's Day parade . . .


But it was crowded, with so many young people walking in packs, and drinking, I felt like I was at Daytona Beach during Spring break . . .  


Even though we only stayed for a few minutes of the parade, by the time we got home our day was pretty much gone.  Chicago is always fun, but with a crowd like this, everything moves slowly.  We got home and collapsed on the couch and you wouldn't have been able to budge us if you tried . . . And I had to conserve my energy for our St. Pat's dinner party the following night . . .


Now THIS way of celebrating is more my style!  I really, really love my florist, Robert . . . He's made so many beautiful arrangements for me over the years, that I've lost count . . .


With minimal instructions from me via e-mail, this is what he managed to put together:  Three baskets that held white daisies, lime green button pom poms, white limonium, white wax berries, minty green carnations . . .


And, Bells of Ireland spikes gave the arrangements some height . . .


Robert placed the arrangements in brown rattan baskets, and that became the inspiration for the rest of the table . . .


I used my Spode Delamere Brown . . .  Somehow, this pattern feels right at home whether I dress it up or down, and seemed to get along very nicely with the rustic rattan baskets . . .


The napkins were an Etsy find.  I alternated the two designs throughout the table . . .


Each place setting included an individual butter dish that held delicious Kerrygold Irish butter to spread on Irish Soda bread . . . St. Patrick's Day is the best excuse ever for eating Irish Soda Bread . . .


And a great opportunity to bring out my Laguiole spreaders with the cute little bee on the handles . . .


The hurricane lantern votive holders added a touch more green . . .


Then I scattered some lucky charms on the table . . .


To hopefully lead us to the end of a rainbow, so we could find a pot o' gold!


These brownies with mocha cream frosting and chocolate chips would do very nicely for those who preferred chocolate to a pot o' gold . . . Especially when served with mint chocolate chip ice cream on the side . . .  After they finished their corned beef and cabbage, of course . . .


It was all so much fun, we were all happy to pretend being Irish for a little while! Éire go Brách!

Joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday.  Please stop by!

5 comments:

Nicki said...

You did the Irish proud. Can only imagine the energy in Chicago on St. Patrick's Day - fun!

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Hi Maria, We were just discussing how it could be that they dyed the river in Chicago but not in Boston! That story was so interesting! I can't believe all those people lining the stairways (or ramps?) along the river and how close the building are to the water. I need to make a trip there to see the city someday! Your dinner party looks like fun and your table was certainly beautiful. It's so nice to have a florist that understands how to make an attractive and unusual centerpiece. Linda

Chloe Crabtree said...

Wow! You sure packed a lot into a day of celebrating, didn't you? It must be magical to see the river turn green. You table is just beautiful, I love all the little details, especially the spreaders and the individual dishes of the butter. It is so nice to see someone use Bells of Ireland in their flowers for the holiday, too, so many people aren't even aware of them, and of course they are perfect for the holiday!

Zuni, Chickadee Home Nest said...

Hi, Maria! What a fun post! Your table was, as always, so pretty! I noticed the Bells of Ireland right away. And those spreaders...I'm pretty sure I need those! They're beautiful!

A funny story to share with you: Terry always thought he was of Irish descent, and one day the doorbell rings and it's so-and-so with the same last name, just dropping by to meet Terry. He proceeds to tell Terry that he's working on tracing the family, and folks with their last name are from England!! Talk about stripping your identity!! LOL But we've never done much for St. Patrick's day (a table or two a few years ago), so kudos to you for going to the river dying, then a full-blown dinner!

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on my two recent posts (purple Easter table and spring china cabinet). No, I'm not teasing you with the Limoges plates you love! I think we'll use them the next time you're here!!

So you think the sweet little spoon is a tomato spoon. Pinky thinks it's a cranberry spoon, which is how I've always used it, and someone else thought it was a sugar sifter! Hmmm...thank heavens we no longer have to stick to protocol with serving pieces!

Hugs to you! ~Zuni

FABBY'S LIVING said...

What a great and fun story! I guess when you live in the USA you just ecome whatever nationality the festivity that was next in line, hahaha... I grew up in Astoria-NY and in those days it was Irish and Italian, therefore, one day we celebrated St. Pat's and another St. Genaro, lol!
I'm sorry I'm late visiting you, but I've been so busy with dinner parties and various invitations, plus my mom has been needing my attention. Soy su unica hija!
Te deceo muchas bendiciones miguita bella en union de tu linda familia de chicos.
Que Dios les bendiga ampliamnente.
FABBY