Kiss me! I'm Irish! No, really... I am.

Ok, so I'm 1/4 Irish - 1/4 Italian - 1/4 Lebanese - 1/4 English. Quite the mixture, isn't it?

My dad's mother was Irish and I was told my black hair and blue eyes are from the Irish side of the family. My dad had black hair and blue eyes -- as did his mother and about half his siblings. "Black Irish" is the term my father used.

I've occasionally met people who are surprised to hear there is even a twinkling of Irish in me because apparently I don't look the part.

St. Patrick's Day is an e.v.e.n.t. where I live. It goes on for days and is very cool. The town is named for the Irish patriot, Robert Emmet, and there is even a statue of him outside the courthouse in the center of town. We happen to have one of the only 4 statues in existence -- I believe the others are in Dublin, Ireland and California and Washington DC.

I do enjoy aspects of the celebration but for the most part, I'd rather read about it afterwards. Too many people and too much celebrating for me!

Quietly at home is more my speed. And with that said, I'm very excited to share my 2nd ever tablescape today!!

Table is set for brunch and location is in our sunroom at the lake:

Centerpiece is a Shamrock plant still in the florist container with the pretty ribbon
 

A tiny whimsical touch of Irish on each spoon
 

I love the shamrock design on the embroidered cut-work table topper

Closer view
 

Individual butter dish for each person
 

Side table held the Irish coffee mugs with sugar and Bailey's Irish Creme
 

Closer view. You can see the lake beyond the windows. Still ice right now!
 

Place setting



Another angle



Using the flatware I discovered in my own home a few weeks ago
 

View of the sunporch. It's actually on the upper level of our home with a fantastic view of the lake.
 

Using my favorite goblets
 

From above
 

My helper, Holly. She loves to be involved with whatever I am doing!
 

A few glittery shamrocks in the Shamrock plant

What's on the table:
Dinner plates and bread plates: Mikasa Italian Countryside
Salad plates and small fruit bowls: Martha Stewart "Hudson" from Macys
Water goblets:  Villeroy & Boch "Boston Green" Collection
Flatware: S. Kirk & Son "Kingsley" (found in my home!)
Butter dishes: Crate and Barrel
Napkins: Walmart
Table square: Already owned
Shamrock plant centerpiece: local garden center

I had fun with this tablescape! I used the shamrock square top without a tablecloth underneath it as I love the open feel of the glass table.

The individual butter knives were collected from the various flatware sets I have.

Loooove those butter dishes. they are two pieces (the bowl to hold the butter and the lid to cover it). When it is just Hubby and me for dinner, I don't mind using the 'community butter dish' but otherwise, I much prefer giving each person their own.

Each butter dish holds about 4 tablespoons of butter. I usually add 3-4 tablespoons. Just cut them from the stick and put inside the bowl and let it soften to room temperature. You can also soften it in the microwave (as my photo below shows) but it can over-melt if you don't watch it closely. Once softened, I use a tiny fork and give the butter a quick stir and put a swirl on the top!

You could also use the top as a tiny cloche!

Add 3-4 tablespoons of butter to bowl.



Let stand until it is room temperature or soften in microwave (watch it closely!)



Give the softened butter a swirl and put the lid on!

Thanks for reading!



I will be linking up with:

Show and Tell Saturdays at Be Different Act Normal
Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper
Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage
Mosaic Monday at Little Red House
Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Third Annual St. Patrick's Day Blog Crawl on March 15th at Cuisine Kathleen's