The Luck of the Irish

I have often wondered what my Jewish grandmother was doing with a four-leaf clover. Recently, I have come to discover that this lucky charm has nothing to do with its three-leafed brother, the shamrock - Ireland's most recognizable national symbol. Don't I feel silly.    

It is the shamrock, with its three leaves, that helped St. Patrick explain the concept of the holy Trinity to the Irish back in the 5th century. According to legend, the leaves of a four-leaf clover represent hope, faith, love and luck.  

Glad I have that sorted out.  

I still plan to wear this necklace on Thursday in celebration of my Irish roots. Roots, that thanks to dedicated family and hours online, have become much deeper and clearer over the last few years.  

So, my clover has an extra leaf. I won't tell if you won't.  

Pretty close match

Pillbox Hat



Shamrock Pin

Erin Go Braugh



Charmed



Blue Hawaii

Clover Bouquet Necklace



Velvet Sheath

Tiny Bows... Made in Japan

All Tied Up

A Cheerful Mixing Bowl

Until recently I have spent little time in the kitchen, but these brightly colored, cheerfully patterned bowls actually make me want to cook.  Yes, mom, I said it.  

Evocative of all things wholesome, you can almost taste the imaginary cake batter swirling around inside.  Or cookie dough...

Like many, my grandmother had several Pyrex pieces.  Unfortunately, my mother is not yet willing to part with them.  Lucky for me, you can find great Pyrex almost anywhere vintage items are sold.  Sure, you have to sift through pieces with fades, cracks and scratches, but Pyrex is pretty durable and there are plenty of good ones still out there.  

So, until my mom changes her mind, I will gladly use this surrogate collection: 

Although, I found so many wonderful pictures putting this post together that I'm tempted to expand to patterns.  Then I'll really need to cook more. Anyone have any good cookie recipes? 

Photo from Miss Lillibug

Photo by Jolly Polly Pickins

White Mixing Bowl by CalloohCallay

Primary Color Bowls from Sevenbc

1955 Ad from I Adore Style

Photo from Look What I Saw on Flickr

Mugs from Kaboodle

Covered in String by Freshly Found

Photo from the Vintage Wren

Pyrex Love

Photo from 8 Skeins of Danger

Butter Ramekins from Buttontree Lane

Clear Pyrex from Aunt Ruthie's Sugar Pie Farmhouse

Photo from Flick River

Photo from Yarn Attacks

A Holiday Keepsake

Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the miracle of the oil - said to have kept the eternal light burning in the Holy Temple for eight days, when it should have only lasted for one.

My grandmother lived to be 90 years old. The menorah I now light each year belonged to her. We were never a very religious family, but we had our own traditions and ways of celebrating that I looked forward to each holiday season. I still do.

I was fortunate to have had my grandmother in my life for so long. Many people don't have that privilege, and it's not something I take for granted.

Some might say it's a miracle to live that long.  I guess it depends on what you believe.  Either way, Chanukah is about counting blessings, and I have plenty to count.

Happy Chanukah.

My grandmother, Pauline.

Vintage Chanukah Items:

Vintage Brutalist Style Menorah from Maison21 Marketplace

Colored Hanukah Candles Photograph by Herzl

Electric Menorah

Vintage Myer Adler Dreidel from Dreidel Fun

1954 Hanukkah Activity Fun Book from Hello There Cutie