Luck O' the Irish - Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

St. Patrick's Day is upon us and I always think of clovers. Four leaf clovers for luck. Shamrocks.

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Why should you never iron a four-leaf clover?  You don't want to press your luck!

Clovers from my yard!

When I was just a wee lass, I used to sit with my friends in huge clover patches and make clover necklaces from the small white flowers. Most people mowed the clovers down, but there was a house at the end of my block (which was good because I wasn't allowed to cross the street!) that had the biggest clover patches ever! Sometimes I'd find a four-leaf clover and that was, indeed, very special!

This is a four-leafed clover that you can keep year-round for all the luck you need! Vintage Quilt Heart Shamrock by The Career Scraper.

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I have a bit o' the Irish in me and a very Irish last name. But I still wear the green on St. Pat's Day, and feel funny if I don't, for I do not relish getting pinched!

 Here's a very clever wearin' o' the green! A handpainted cuff bracelet made from a vinyl record! How totally cool is that! Irish Shamrock Cuff Bracelet by Designs by Devonee.

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What is St. Patrick's Day without it's resident leprechaun? After all, somebody's got to guard that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow! And maybe have directions to get there : ) 

This little guy is a real Irish cutie! And he's a pattern so you could crochet your own wee leprechaun -- maybe he'll lead you to his pot of gold! Pudgy Leprechaun Crochet Pattern by BVOE's Shop.

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For sure, every St. Pat's party has green beer and probably a leprechaun or two changing all the beer to green!

These two mugs are perfect for your beer, green or otherwise! St. Patrick's Day Beer Steins by Etched in Time, LLC.

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There's always a St. Pat's Parade winding through downtown USA and everybody in it is Irish! At least Irish for the day! It's a good time to take your Irish pup for a wee walk...  

When you and your sweetie pup lass are in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, she'll be so darlin' in this cute dress!   
St. Patrick's Day Dress by Cody and Company Pet Products
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After the parade, you'd better be giving your pup a few treats. After all, she was so good! 

As this seller says, "Your pup found the pot of gold!" Don't these treats look yummy? Maybe they could be a people treat too?!! Leprechauns Gold Dog Treat Box by Po's Bag of Bones Bakery. 

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

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As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

What's in a Name? ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

Today is "Learn What Your Name Means Wednesday" -- really! It's part of "Celebrate Your Name Week."  Google your name -- find out what it means! Mine means "Princess"!!

And to get you started, here are some little known, fun name facts! (You knew it was coming, didn't you?!!)

♥ M&Ms are named for the candy’s creators Mr. Mars and Mr. Merrie. Very creative of them, don't you think?  Ha! :D

Peanut M&Ms are one of my three favorite candies. If I have a bag of them, I just can't stop popping those peanuts! The whole bag. No matter the size. Just don't get me started on the great big bag... Cute M&Ms headbands for your little candy lover! M and M Peanut Candy Wrapper Headband by Presents From Alex.

♥ Donald Duck's middle name is Fauntleroy. Poor guy. No wonder he was so crazy!

Donald is my absolute favorite of the original Disney characters. He's hysterical when he gets so mad! He has nephews but we know little about their ancestry and Daisy has been his girlfriend forever but he just will not step up to the plate and marry her. Even though her shoes are so in vogue and her bow so perky...
Vintage Donald Duck Figurine by Circle the Square.

♥ Jake the Jailbird is the guy in jail on a Monopoly board. The police officer in the corner is Officer Edgar Mallory and Scotty is the scotty dog playing piece. (Another 'creative' name, huh!)

Boy do I remember playing Monopoly, both as a child and with my children! I don't know what the playing pieces are made of now, but ours were metal. And as a kid, I would more often play with the playing pieces and the (wood) houses than play the game itself. Life's Little Games by CocoPunkz Handpainted Shoes.

♥ Gidget is the Taco Bell dog. Somehow I always thought of (her) as a (he)!! The original dog actor was named Dinky, but was replaced by Gidget. (Maybe Dinky didn't like tacos?) Then there was Taco who was a stand-in for Gidget.

I miss the Taco Bell dog, no matter his name. (or gender). His commercials were funny and he was a cutie! This handpainted canvas for needlepoint really looks just like him! Ahh Chihuahua by Glitzy Mitzi.

♥ Did you know that Barbie's rightful name is Barbie Millicent Roberts? Millicent? Really? And her sidekick, Ken's last name is Carson.

Did Barbie write her name with Ken's like we all did in Junior High? Barbie Carson. Barbie M. Carson. Or, because she was so progressive, Barbie Carson-Roberts.

Here she is in her bridal gown -- she keeps it in her closet because she just knows Ken will pop the question one of these days. Sleeveless Barbie Wedding Dress with Veil by OnHoliday.

Thanks for strolling around Etsy with me today, and playing the name game!

Treasuries!!

Great discovery on Craft Cult! They have a widget that makes it so easy to post treasuries on your blog! I wanted to try it out and decided that I would the next time one of my shop items was featured in a treasury. Soooo, today's the day!

And I was thrilled to find that I'm in two treasuries!

The first is called Spring Green with Blossoms and it's made by Splendid Little Stars. She used lovely creations from members of the Etsy Blog Team. I'm thrilled that my Key Lime Pie Washcloths are included!



The second treasury, made by Into the Light, is called And on the Lighter Side... and features beautiful creations by members of My Texas Friends -- a team made up of Etsy crafters who reside in, or used to reside in, Texas. My Bridal Keepsake Pouch proudly sits side by side with wonderful Texas-made treasures!



Well, that was pretty easy! I'm glad I found out about this widget! Another cool aspect is that the item photos in the treasuries are clickable!! Brings you right to the shop!

To do it yourself, go to Craft Cult and click on Widgets at the top and then Treasury. Enter your Etsy username and choose the treasuries you've made, or those you're featured in. Choose your treasury from the drop-down and copy the code that comes up. Paste the code into your blog post using "Edit HTML."

The best way to do it (after a bit of trial and error on my part) is to type all your post and THEN paste the code where you want it. It doesn't show up on your "Compose" page so it's hard to tell where to put it. It will show on your "Preview" page, however.

I hope that was at least as clear as mud!  As Mikey's pals used to say:  Try it, you'll like it!!

Oh, and be sure to go visit the shops of the lovely friends who made the treasuries, as well as the featured items themselves!

The Official Party ~ My Little Pony Style!

Yesterday was Noli's birthday party!  It was at a local park and was a beautiful day, a little chilly if you were in the shade, but perfect out in the sun. I can't believe she's already five! The time seems to have passed so quickly but then, looking back, it's hard to imagine a moment when she was not in my life. She's getting so big and grown up -- even though we still do a lot of cuddling, I wish I could turn back the calendar and replay those sweet, sweet baby days!

You couldn't miss the location -- you were greeted by this sign made by Daddy (Noli helped by putting on the stickers).

And this very cool Pony balloon. Noli loves, loves, loves My Little Pony! And of course, the ponies were very visable at her party!

Her cake was pony inspired -- made by a baker friend of a friend of Daddy. Or something like that. Anyway, it was a cute cake with a chocolate and strawberry surprise inside! Yum! Noli placed the star candles just where she wanted them to go. And loved the fact that she got another pony!

Mommy's cake that she makes for Noli each year (a yummy apple one), so it's become a tradition, didn't turn out so well this time. Mommy said she would bake another one, so I said we would have another, special, celebration. Besides, she has to use the sweet silver Winnie the Pooh candle holders that she got when Noli was just born and has used on the apple cake each year.

Aren't traditions wonderful?

The kids all had a great time -- a park is a perfect place for a birthday party! When my kids were little, we had many a party at the park! Easy clean-up and the kids make their own games -- what could be better?!!

They climbed.

They rock climbed.

Oops, I'm stuck!!

They rode bikes.

Noli got a new one, all pink and glittery, and I think there's a pony on it somewhere. She also got a new Razor bike from her cousin so they'll have the same thing. It's kind of an updated Big Wheel look. Good grief, the kid now has a bike, the Razor, a skateboard, a scooter. There's even a trike out on my patio that she won't let me get rid of! She is wheel city!! But I think the glittery bike with horn, bell, cool pouch, foot brakes AND hand brakes as she's so quick to point out, and of course, handlebar fringe, is her favorite!

They ate cake.

And they opened presents.

All in all, it was a fun time!

Whose Birthday Is It Today? ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

A couple of pretty important people share a birthday today -- the ever sweet Noli and that all-time rhyming genius, Dr. Seuss! So it's not only Dr. Seuss Day and Read Across America Day honoring the great man, but it's also......Drumroll, please!......Miss Noli's FIFTH BIRTHDAY!   

Tonight we will celebrate family style at a restaurant with Mom, Dad, and both sets of Grandparents. Noli is a lucky girl to have her grandparents living nearby, and she sees all of us every week! Then Sunday is her big birthday bash!

The first stop today is the shop of a Facebook and CreateCrochet Team friend who has this cute Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat hat. by Desert Diamond.

Cute to wear while you're reading, well, The Cat in the Hat  :p
Vintage Dr. Seuss The Cat in the Hat by Junk Master.

This is so cute that maybe I could learn to love those green eggs! Love the fork sticking out of the ham!
Green Eggs and Ham Playset by Ms. Magpie Girl.

 I do not like them in a box, I do not like them with a fox, I do not like them Sam-I-Am, I do not like green eggs and ham! Possibly one of the coolest Dr. Seuss books of all time!!
Vintage Green Eggs and Ham by Fam in a Van. (Brand new vintage shop -- go check them out!!)

I love Horton! And when he's hearing a Who, he's just perfect!! No matter the size size size...
And this one is handpainted -- and edible! Fondant Elephant by Edible Details.

I remember reading the Dr. Seuss books to my children -- I always thought Horton was such a good guy!
Horton Hears a Who by Storybook Charm.

The Grinch is my absolute favorite Dr. Seuss character -- I love the old cartoon movie (and watch it every year). I love the way his heart is so teeny tiny at first and then GROWS three times its size. My kids always said they were going to get me Grinch slippers, but, alas, they never did!
Sip a bit of Christmas cheer from this wine glass and maybe you won't be so Grinchy anymore!!
The Grinch - Handpainted Glass by The Blushing Ivy.

And, of course, the book. Love it, love to read it! How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Missenpieces.

I really don't remember Dr. Seuss books from when I was little but I sure read my fill of them to my kids! Sometimes all the repetition drove me insane, but they were so funny that it didn't matter. We were all in giggles by the time we were through! I'll have to get more Dr. Seuss books for Noli. We have a few that I've kept thru the years but I'll have to get her more. She'll love them!

Soooo, a big HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Miss Noli and to Horton, Grinch, Cat, Sam-I-Am and all the others!

"Still Alice" ~ On the Bookshelf

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about LEFT neglected,  a book by Lisa Genova. I knew early on that I would read anything this author wrote. It was only her second book, so I do hope she puts pen to paper again, SOON!!

Her first book is entitled Still Alice and it is every bit as well written and interesting as LEFT neglected. Definitely a page turner! It's about a woman who finds out that she has early-onset Alzheimer's -- she is only 50 -- and is a psychology professor at Harvard. Alzheimer's is a harsh disease usually affecting the elderly so to read this from the point of view of a younger person was really an eye-opener.

I really found myself paying attention and taking the memory tests put forth by Alice's neurologist (and passed them all) because, just like we all do as we age, I occasionally forget names (usually singers and actors, not friends and acquaintances) and have to run down the alphabet until suddenly the right name pops into mind! I don't know why I forget singers and actors -- just not so important I guess. Or I go into another room to get something and then can't remember why I went there. So I have to retrace my steps, and then the thing I was going to get pops into mind! Anyhow, I did the tests and repeated the memory phrases with flying colors. Thank the good Lord.

John Black, 42 West Street, Brighton. There!! I still remember it!!

Alice has her own set of questions which she keeps in her Blackberry and looks at every day. What month is it? Where do you live? Where is your office? When is Anna's birthday? How many children do you have? And as the book, and her disease, progresses, the answers get more and more vague.

Ms. Genova does her homework and is very factual in the medical end of things. The book has even been endorsed by the National Alzheimer's Association. She has done an excellent job of writing with compassion and a bit of humor.

If you belong to a book club, this would be an excellent one to read. Included is a Reader's Club Guide with sample questions and "A Conversation with Lesa Genova" where she details why she wrote the book.

I'll definitely be watching out for a new book from Ms. Genova!

Have You Hit the Courts Today? ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

Tennis Courts, that is!!

Today is "Play Tennis Day" -- who would have thought it!! I, myself, don't play tennis -- I took a couple of semi-lessons way back when but never really caught on to it. I remember having some cool tennis shoes though -- white leather with green accents.  Seems that my racquet had green on it somewhere. Oh I was quite the fashion plate!

Sooo, let's go find us some tennis on Etsy!!

There's nothing better to a dog than a ball he can chase! and catch. and bring back to you all soggy and yuck. so you'll throw it again real quick since it's all soggy and yuck. This cutie pup looks like he's just tail-wagging, backside-wiggling ready for you to throw that ball again!! English Springer Spaniel Tennis Ball Print by Wild Wild Things.

And the score is  Love - Love! Wedding cake topper for the tennis couple. Hmmm, do you think she's about to smack him with her racquet because he dared to sneak a peek at her bridesmaids? Nooo, not on their wedding day! She's just declaring that she's the way better player! Love Love Tennis Bride and Groom by Becky Kazana.

How cute is this?!! Make your own tennis stationery and then stamp the envelope when you're finished! I simply cannot imagine carving my own stamps -- of course, I've never tried but I still can't imagine it. I'd goof up somewhere for sure! This seller makes all manner of stamps -- really fantastic stuff! Tennis Racquet  and Balls Stamp Set by Brown Pigeon.

After the game is over, toast the winner with these cute wine glasses! I love the neon green tennis ball on the bottom! Too clever... Tennis, Tennis, Tennis Wine Glasses by Jennifer 347. Lots of cute painted glass items in Jennifer's shop!

Cute tennis cookies to eat with that wine! Yum! These are definitely the sweetest cookies, ever!!  ;-)  Have a peek at her shop -- you won't believe the cookies! There's even Saints, Cowboys and LSU cookies!  How cool is that? Well, cool to me anyway. Tennis Gift Cookies by Ruthie's Cookies.


Well, that was fun! Anybody ready to take up tennis? Ummm, probably not me. I think I got rid of the racquet and the shoes are long gone....

"LEFT neglected" - An Excellent Book ~ On the Bookshelf

I'm reading a new book by Lisa Genova entitled  LEFT neglected.  It is excellent!!

From the title, even the way it is written, I assumed that the "star" of the book has perhaps left her 9 month old son in the car and something happens, or that she has left her family neglected in some awful way. (Yes, I read the flyleaf but was on the run at the library so didn't closely read it...)

Anyway, she has this terrible accident, leaving her with a brain injury and THAT is the "left neglected" part. She has no knowledge of the left side of her body. She can't see anything to the left. She can't feel anything on the left. She can only read on the right side of a page so nothing makes sense. If someone is standing to her left, she can only hear them. She intellectually knows that she has a left arm and leg, but cannot see them.

Can you possibly imagine this? I took a placemat (hey, it was handy) and held it down the center of my face. Everything to the left disappeared! I just cannot conceive actually having this happen.

But, on a lighter note -- the way the book is written is hysterical! You really get inside Sarah's head (no, not MY head, heaven help you! Sarah is the left neglected lady).  She's this powerhouse of a woman, doing 20 things at once, has the great career, lots of people to manage, the home, the kids, the husband. And a mother she now has to deal with to help her in her new life -- a mother she doesn't want around.  There's a lot of laugh-out-loud stuff -- the author is an excellent writer.

She has written one other book, " Still Alice?" Oh, my what is that one about? I'll be running  back to the library to check it out as soon as I finish this one! Lisa Genova is definitely my new favorite author!

Hearts to Your Love ~ Wednesday Wanderings and the Shops Found Along the Way

Valentine's Day is only a few days away -- have you gotten your valentine for your honey yet? This is the time of year that Hallmark sees the most men (this and Mom's Day too!!) -- I know, I used to work in a gift shop that also had Hallmark cards. It was a kick to see the guys all lined up in front of the cards! Some would spend a really long time picking out their card, while others would walk in, look for a moment, grab a card and that was it. And of course it was always fun to see what other goodies they bought for their sweethearts.

We would make balloon gift baskets which were always popular. They would contain a heart shaped box of chocolates, a stuffed Valentine plushie animal and some small goodies like candles, topped off with a balloon and lots of curly ribbon. Very fun to make, except when the helium tank went too fast and the balloon popped!

♥♥♥ So, in anticipation of that day of chocolates and flowers, I'm looking at shops with heart!! ♥♥♥

Who could resist this cute little hedgie? Hedgies are so adorable by themselves, but put them with a heart and the awww factor really kicks in!! And he's only 2" long from the tip of his nose to his cutie backside!! Mercibuckets also makes the sweetest little gnomes you've ever seen -- I know because I have one! I actually won it on her monthly Facebook page drawing (you should check it out -- maybe you'll win one too!) Hedgie Love by The Jaunty Gnome.

This heart is absolutely gorgeous! It is beautifully stitched with floss and embellished with a metallic thread and small beads. Spectacular. I hope she will add more cross-stitch to her shop (I love to cross-stitch and can really appreciate the time it takes to make something this lovely). The 3 Poinsettas Timeless Elegance by Craftastic Creations.

Uh-oh, Jellyfish Love!!! And they're holding, uh, hands...  OK, tenacles, but it doesn't sound as sweet. : )  This would be the coolest valentine for a couple with a beach house, or even just an aquarium! Too cute! Jellyfish Love You and Me by Tributary Handmade. (Go see the shop -- really nice embroideries!)

Choo choo! What a sweet valentine train -- a vintage postcard sent to Miss Elizabeth Jones -- you'll have to visit the shop to see what's written on the back! And notice the heart smoke coming out of the train's smokestack! I love these old cards... Train of Love Vintage Valentines Day Postcard by Paper Piggy.

And for your Valentine munchies.....I know you'd love to find these yummy cookies on your doorstep! I can just taste them now... mmmm! There are other Valentine cookie bouquets in this shop too -- you must go look!  Love is in the Air Valentine's Day Cookie Bouquet by Sweet'n Treats.

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Thanks for heart shopping with me today -- hope you found something sweet for your honey!!

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