Emeralds are a Colleen’s Best Friend

Did you know that emeralds can be more precious than diamonds?  The components and pressure needed to create an emerald are rarer than those with which diamonds are created.  (Yeah, I look up info like that!) 

I was wondering how Ireland received it’s nickname of the Emerald Isle.  Turns out if you want a gorgeous emerald you go to Columbia, but, if you want to see beautiful, lush, green countryside you go to Ireland!  I found a picture from NASA taken on a rare cloudless day that shows just how ‘emerald’ Ireland really is!

Okay, that’s great, but I still need me some jewels!  One of the most famous emeralds is on display at the The National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian

It is the Chalk Emerald, donated in 1972 by

Mr. and Mrs. O. Roy Chalk.

Now, that is a sparkler!  Which brings us to my St Patrick’s Day tablescape…are you serious?  This is how you start a tablescape description??  Hey, I like to educate!  Besides, how am I going to work in my ‘Chalk Emerald’?

I know!! Pretty good looking!  This is a replica I purchased from the Smithsonian Collection.  It’s just so ‘emeraldy’!  Now a tablescape to complement my ring!…

Dressed for an elegant evening the table is draped in a sparkling gold mesh, layered with a cutwork topper I purchased in St Kitts, thank you Captain Butler! Ivory plates sit on gold chargers.  Both from Target.  The dinnerware has a simple beaded and gold banded rim.

Each place card is framed with a golden wreath/Christmas ornament, I have written the names of my Irish guests on cardstock and added a Celtic accent.

The flatware is from ShopNBC many years ago and my beautiful green Depression glass dishes are gifts from my mother, Eileen. The pattern is Georgian Lovebirds.

A better look at the detail.

Miniature Depression glass pitcher and glasses.

The creamer and sugar are gold with an embossed floral pattern, marked Pickard, from my mom along with the candy dish.

Some Irish coffee and soda bread of course!

The cherry cordials are displayed on a hand painted porcelain plate inherited from my Mother in law.

Leafy green napkin rings from Goodwill, and marked Shafford, Japan.  They will be beautiful in a variety of settings.

At the end of the day, champagne and emeralds aren’t bad dinner companions!

Please join me and other like minded individuals at the party hosted by Susan at

Between Naps on the Porch

Gone to match dishes to the Hope Diamond!

Scarlet

The flutes, coffee glasses, place card holders, column salt and pepper shakers and candles were given to me by my friend, Amy.  Without whom my home wouldn’t be half as decorated!!

 

 

 

Eibhlin of Cork.

Join me for a lovely breakfast of blueberry scones and tea at my house!  The creamy ivory shamrock dishes are a yard sale find.  Five dollars for the set.  Ooh…Ahh!  As soon as I saw them I knew they would look great with my Cloverleaf depression glass, I don’t remember where I bought those, but I know they are from the 30’s. 

Every year we head to the town wide yard sale in Bloomsbury, NJ.  The white ivy teapot and pedestal plate are both finds from there, total purchase, a whopping $1.50.  Bloomsbury is a charming little town located in scenic Hunterdon County.   Another event this town hosts is ArtsFest.

My Grandmother gave me the sugar spoon and my Mother, Frances Thomas crocheted the table topper, which I think is just beautiful!

The Irish lass is on loan from my good friend Maureen (Moe) Seaberg, a first generation American of Irish descent.  Dressed in her traditional Cork plaid wool skirt and Irish linen blouse and apron, our lass looks like she might be going shopping for the ingredients for her famous Blueberry Scones!

Eibhlin is the Irish version of my name, Eileen and amazingly enough it means Hazelnut!  My “favoritist” nut and flavor!!  I have surrounded Eibhlin with green votive holders, gold coins and of course a Blarney Stone.  Did you know the Blarney Stone is Bluestone?  Here in Pennsylvania we are well known for our Bluestone too! Isn’t that a coincidence?

 

The napkins are Quaker lace and every other item on the table is from a yard sale!  I just love looking at the snowy white tablecloth with the pretty green. 

Come to breakfast again!  Until then…

May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

Eileen

Join the tablescape fun at...
Between Naps on the Porch

Blue Skies

I’m feeling blue today…

Happy Blue….Bright Sky Blue…Turquoise Water Blue…

Blue Eyes Blue!!!!

We’ve almost made it through Winter and there is a promise of blue skies ahead!!  My blue-eyed Mom created a sweet blue tablescape to share with you today.  Her lovely friend, Laurie Mace created the placemats and runner.  Take note of the quilted trivet, isn’t it adorable?.  Laurie is a quilter par excellance! If you are lucky you may be able to catch her browsing the bolts at Endless Mountain Quiltworks in Tunkhannock, PA. The snowflake candleholders were a gift from a secret sister at church.  The lovely oval tureen was a yard sale find for a whopping $1.00!  We have Uncle Jacks oval restaurant ware dish from the turn of the last century! Each place setting is layered, beginning with Cobalt Blue Fiesta plates used as chargers.  Next we have W.H. Grindly and Co. dinner plates in the Malta pattern. The wide band on these transfer ware plates has a trellis feel and dates to about 1900.A birds eye view of the charming quilted placemats.  Standing in as butter plates are little decorative ornaments  from Denmark. Simple white china bowls and napkins add a crisp touch while curly willow branches complete our tablescape.

Blue skies
Smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies
Do I see
Bluebirds
Singing a song
Nothing but bluebirds
All day long

Irving Berlin

We are linking up to Susan’s Tablescape Thursday Party at

Between Naps on the Porch!

Gone out singing the blues….

 

Scarlet