Ireland in my heart, mind & soul - Happy St. Patrick's Day

My hair is red, my face has freckles and my name is Kelly...Is it any wonder I have a bit of Ireland etched in my heart, mind & soul?If the hair, face & name wasn't enough, my grandma, Sally McDonnell Clifford, made sure being Irish was part of me.Feisty, independent Grandma Sally loved family, worked hard, threw lots of parties & had those shining Irish eyes.Being Irish meant so much to my Grandma that when she passed the road to the church for her service was painted with a green line.The green line, just like the one painted in NYC for the famous St. Patrick's Day Parade, was courtesy of my Dad.  After church the line led to a hall where we had a big party just like she would have wanted.Sally and my Dad gave me Irish roots.When I roamed, as a wild Irish Rose is wont to do, I traveled to the fair Isle to see for myself.A summer "studying" at Trinity College in Dublin sealed the sights, smells & lore that is Ireland in my heart, mind & soul forever. (these pics are little b/c they are scans of photos taken with film years ago -  that is me in the field!)Here is a bit of Ireland for you to share in today.Bake my soda bread.  Click here for the easy recipe. I made a few extra for our neighbors, but I could eat them all myself!

Tour an Irish Cottage Garden. This lovely tour via Gardenista gives you all the details you need to get the look for your own home & garden.Follow my St. Patrick's Day Pinterest Board.Listen to the haunting strains of the fiddle & pipes.This last photo my Mom captured on a trip to Ireland.  Love the blue door & the invitation to come in...May you always have...Walls for the windsA roof for the rainTea beside the fireLaughter to cheer youThose you love near youAnd all your heart might desire** Kelly **