Getting Ready for St. Patty's Day!

With the frost he kindled fire;
Drove the snakes from brake and brier,
Hurling out the writhing brood
With the lightning of his rood.
~Edwin Markham

Our St. Patrick's Day display has been out for the past week and we've been enjoying some of our favorite Irish tales. Tomie dePaola is a favorite and his book, "Patrick Patron Saint of Ireland" inspired the needlefelted St. Patrick I made. Tales of leprechauns and some of his other work, like "FinM'Coul" and "Jamie O'Rourke and the Pooka" have been enjoyed the past few nights (these books are appropriate for ages 6+, depending on the sensitivity of the child).

We've been enjoying some time outdoors. We even have been blessed by some shamrocks of our own!

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
~Irish Blessing

And today, inspired by some other bloggers out there, my Irish lasses and I decided it was time to hang some of our own wool outside on the trees for the little birdies to build their nests...


And our beautiful Plum Tree is in full bloom...It's going to be an amazing spring! The bees are very busy (can you spot the beautiful one in this picture)?

I also found an old blog post about our Irish celebrations and the Spring Equinox celebration last year here. Time to start spring planting! Happy early St. Patty's Day to everyone...I have a lovely story I'm so excited to be able to share tomorrow ;D