Happy St. Patty's Day...

   Okay everyone, get out your green and get ready to PARTY!!! This is the one time of the year everyone is Irish or at least acts like they are.

   So this post is dedicated to Ireland....

Eire and Ireland are the same
(I love this Map)

  So to celebrate you can go to the green island to visit the castles...

Malahide Castle home of The Talbot for over 800 years (1185 to 1973)

Cahir Castle

Walk in the green fields with the sheep....



Dance in the moonlight at the Druid's Altar (clothing optional)...




But of course a trip to Ireland just isn't complete without a trip here...

Blarney Castle

To climb to the top of the battlements for a quick kiss here...

   Did you know the Blarney Stone is also known as "The Stone of Eloquence" . Legend has it that if you kiss it you will have eternal eloquence and never be at a loss for words. 

   

   Does it really work? Ask these people...

Winston Churchill

Mick Jagger
singer, songwriter

  

Milton S. Hershey
Yeah the Chocolate Kisses guy
Wonder were he got his idea...
 

Sir Walter Scott
Author

Nelly Bly
Pioneering Female
Journalist 

One of the few who made it from Silent to Talking movies

(Hmmm, I think I need to make a trip to Ireland.)

But if you are like me and unable to make the trip to Ireland, no problem.

Just wear your green and lift a pint of your favorite Irish stout...

Guinness

Add caption

(What you thought there was only Guinness...)

And make your favorite Irish toast....

Add caption

(Don't know any.... click here)

And don't stop until you see Green People.

May you have all the happiness,

And luck that life can hold-

And at the end of your rainbows

May you find a pot of gold.

For more fun, games, songs and stories check out this Ireland site.

Happy Halloween...

Happy Halloween!!!!

Drawing by Pamela Jo

Do you know the origins of Halloween?

Well according to History.com, it was a Celtic holiday. Check it out.

Ancient Origins of Halloween

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort and direction during the long, dark winter.

To commemorate the event, Druids built huge sacred bonfires, where the people gathered to burn crops and animals as sacrifices to the Celtic deities. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter.

The above article is from The history channel website at www.history.com/topics/halloween 

The also have articles of Famous American Ghosts...like the ones that haunt the USS Constitution. The history of the Jack-o-latern...an Irish folktale about a man named "Stingy Jack" and lots of other fascinating things.

Since I live out in the woods and don't get trick or treaters, we will be spending our halloween watching monster movies.

How are you out in blogland going to spend yours?  Let me know in the comment section. While your there see if you can guess who my pumpkins are...hint 2 of them will really crack you up and the other one could solve problem of who the mischief makers are.

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada....

   I almost missed it... again.

   But this year, I was reminded before it was over.

   I would like to wish all those in the great lands of Canada....

   HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Picture from  prek-8.com

*** I wish I could claim the above picture but I borrowed these pictures from free locations on the internet....Did I mention I almost forgot until the last minute again!!!! I'll try to do better next year and draw them myself....

Let Freedom Ring...

   Just think the fireworks that started in 1775 at Lexington and Concord....

   And re-ignited in 1812....






   Would lead to these fireworks 236 years later....

   Happy Birthday United States of America!!!

    You may not be perfect but you are my home and that makes you perfect to me....

Happy Father's Day to all you Daddies...

Image by Jim, the Photographer via Flickr

   I would like to wish all the Dads of the world a Happy Father's Day. I am not sure if it is celibrated around the world or on the same day, but it doesn't matter. The Fathers of the world deserve praise everyday of the year. With out you we would not be here.


   I would like to wish an extra special Happy Father's Day to all the Daddies out there, after all it takes someone special to be a Daddy.

   A Daddy is the person who raises you to be who you are, even if he isn't you biological father. He wipes your tears, teaches you to ride a bike, how to fish, and how to drive (though I will never know how he could hold his breath that long).

   It's your Daddy who chases away the monster's under your bed and out of the closet. Daddy is the one to squash the big icky bug that chased you. He is the one who makes the best hamburgers and bar-b-q.

   He is also the one who taught you right from wrong, even when it hurt him as much as you. He is the one you never wanted to disappoint. The one you want to live up to.

   Yes, just about every man can be a Father, but there are a special few who can be a Daddy.

 

This Picture of my Daddy was taken by my Sister.

 

What is Memorial Day...

   What is Memorial Day? To many people, Memorial Day means a  3 day weekend, picnics, bar-b-q's, and SALES.

   When I was growing up it meant the official start of 3 whole months of Summer Vacation. School ended at Memorial Day and didn't start back until Labor Day. Family vacations were scheduled and planned. Now school doesn't let out until the first of June and starts back the middle of August. So much for getting in that extra day of Family time.

   But is that all Memorial Day means?

   No. That is not how it started out. My Grandfather was a marine in World War II, so I knew it had something to do with the remembering the dead. We would meet up with my relatives and all go to the cemetery to place flowers on the graves of our relatives.  My parents would point out the graves of great Aunts and Uncles, Grandparents and cousins. They would share stories about them and their lives. It was interesting, but hey, I was a kid that wasn't as exciting as the beach. Now I wish I had paid closer attention.

   Later on I found out that Memorial Day was actually to honor our service men who paid the ultimate sacrifice, and died for their family and their country. Veteran's Day is to honor all who served, but Memorial Day is for remembering those who died.
 
   Memorial day was originally called Decoration Day, and was started after the Civil War to honor the soldiers who had died. It was an unofficial ceremony that grew thought out the United States, until 1868 when General John A. Logan gave an official proclamation. The proclamation was made on May 5, 1868 and the first official holiday was May 30th, 1868.

   Decoration Day was changed to Memorial Day after World War I, when it became the day to honor all military who had died in any war.


   So in honor of those who fought and died for their families, beliefs and country I am posting these songs.




   This one was written and sung by Ssgt. Barry Sadler a medic in the Green Berets...





   This one was written by the grandson of Sgt. Charles Stuart MacKenzie, a member of the Seaforth Highlanders during World War 1, who died by bayonet while protecting a fallen friend....




   This one is dedicated to all military men and women. I have to warn you you will need another hankie for this one....

Happy Mother's Day...

   I am a little late posting this today. I think I over did it at the party I threw my brother yesterday. So with out further delay I would like to wish everyone out there a Happy Mother's Day.

   The mother's of the world are the most important people there are. With out them we would not be who we are. Mom molds us into what we are with love and guidance.

   A true Mother doesn't have to give birth to give love. I am sure all of us have had more than one mother help us along our path. With a gentle touch, a tender smile or a kind word they, they guide you along.

   Mother's are just angles in disguise. When the light is right you can even see their wings.

picture from Flash-screen.com

    Happy Mother's Day to all the hidden Angels through out the world, past, present and future. 

   Momma I love you always and miss you much.

Wishing Everyone a Happy Easter...

  

 Taking a moment on this glorious day to wish everyone a Happy and Enjoyable Easter.  

I hope you and yours have a great day, however you chose to celebrate.

R is for Real Simple...

   Today I am not talking about something that is simple, I am talking about something that is Real Simple. Have you ever noticed that when someone tells you “It's real simple”... IT'S NOT. 

   Like the time you got directions to a friend's house for dinner party.

 “It's real simple just turn at the church right after the chicken place...”  Sounds easy enough. Then you when you get there, you see 3 chicken places on both sides the road and no church. Now what???

   You don't want to appear like a fool, after all remember it is real simple to find, so you keep driving up and down the road. You finally give up and call to say your lost, only to find out the CHURCH is the old grocery store with a banner in the window that you can't see after dark.

   Another example I just saw was in the Magazine REAL SIMPLE. They show you how to naturally color easter eggs. They actually use these words... “Easy recipes for adding colors to your eggs the all-natural way”

   Here is how they color an easter egg blue...

      Ingredients:
      1 lb frozen blueberries
      2 cups water
      1 Tablespoon lemon juice

      1)  On the stove top, bring the frozen blueberries and water to a boil in a pot. Boil for 5 minutes.
      2)Pour liquid into cup or bowl, straining out blueberries with a strainer.
      3)Add lemon juice.

Letting him do it would be real simple.

   Here is how we always color an Easter egg blue...

       Ingredients:
       blue food coloring
      1 Tablespoon vinegar
      ½ cup Room temperature water

       1)Put vinegar in a small bowl or cup add 20 drops of blue food coloring. Stir to mix.
       2)Pour water in to cut or bowl.


   So which one do you think is real simple. Don't get me wrong, I am all for doing things the natural way with out chemicals. Just don't tell me how real simple it is.

    Besides I like my blueberries in muffins or pancakes, not on my Easter eggshells.

   By the way if you want to find out how to make the colors yellow and orange the all-natural way check out the article on-line here.

Image via Wikipedia

       Next I suppose someone will tell me these are real simple to do.

Related articles

• Color Easter Eggs with All-Natural Dyes (education.com)

Happy St Patrick's Day...

   Okay I just made it.  The power went off yesterday and the surge blew out the DSL modem.  So my wish list yesterday didn't happen.  But I made St. Patrick's Day... barely.

   So here goes....

                  Happy St. Patrick's Day Everyone

drawing by Pamela Jo

    In honor of the day here are a few things Irish for your reading pleasure.

   Just about everyone has heard of Irish Coffee, but do you know it origins...

    Irish Coffee was born on a miserable winter in the 1940's.

A group of American passengers on a PAN AM flying boat landed in Foynes port, County Limerick*.  The chef at the restaurant and coffee shop was Joseph Sheridan.  Seeking a way to warm the freezing passengers, he added a measure of Irish Whiskey to their coffee.  The grateful passengers enjoyed their drinks and ask if it was Brazilian coffee.  Joe quickly informed them no it was IRISH coffee, and the legendary drink was born.

Pam AM Boeing 314 Clipper

    I have found 14 different recipes for Irish Coffee on line, but this one is the original ....

                                  The Original Irish Coffee Recipe

1) Preheat a stemmed 6 oz. whiskey goblet or Irish coffee glass with boiling water. Pour out the boiling water.

2) Add one jigger of good Irish whiskey.

3) Add three sugar cubes.

4) Pour in strong black coffee. Leave an inch below the top. Stir to dissolve the sugar.

5) Gently pour in some very lightly whipped heavy cream to the brim. You can pour it over a spoon so it won't mix in with the coffee.

Image via Wikipedia

   Here are just a few Irish blessings to brighten your day...

May the roof above us never fall in, and may the friends gathered below it never fall out.

May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.

May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past.

May your neighbors respect you,

Trouble neglect you,

The angels protect you,

And heaven accept you.

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door.

Image via Wikipedia

  And I will end with an Irish Ghost ....

    Ballygally Castle in County Antrim, currently a hotel owned by a major chain, is allegedly one of the most haunted places in the country. Lady Isobel Shaw, whose husband built the castle in 1625, is said to knock on doors at night and then disappear. While alive, Ms. Shaw was locked in her room by her husband and starved, until she leapt to her death from a window. 

   Check out this fun site here for recipes, games, and many things Irish.

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone...

   I would like to wish everyone everywhere a Happy Valentine's Day.
I hope you enjoy your handmade (okay, computer made) Valentine.  This is from me to you all my family, my friends and fellow bloggers.

  

    Have you signed up for the BPB Blogfest yet.
If not why not join the fun just click on the badge on the
sidebar and sign up today.  Only 2 more day left.

Happy New Year ...

   I would like to take a moment out and wish everyone a Happy New Year.

My New Years wishes for you...

May all your muses not run out of inspiration.
May you always know the best words to say.
May your computer never crash.
May spell check correct every word and your punctuation.
May your cameras take the pictures as you see them in your mind.
May always be ahead of schedule.
May you have food and shelter through out the year.
May all those you hold near and dear remain that way.
May all conflicts, be deflected before they start.

In other words...

May your new year bring you all the success and love you can imagine and more...

Now let the Time Square ball drop and the fireworks begin...

Image via Wikipedia

Any one seen Dick Clark???

Image via Wikipedia

Image via Wikipedia

And may this not be you the morning after...

Image via Wikipedia