It’s almost the end of February, and my thoughts are turning to spring, aren’t yours? So this weekend I created this St. Patrick’s Day display on our kitchen chalkboard. Every time I pass by it, I just have to smile because spring has arrived in our kitchen! 🙂
And yes, you can go ahead and kiss me because I’m part Scotch-Irish! Just no pinching, please!
This is a very old photo of my great great grandmother Peggy Edens. The people on my mother’s side of the family migrated here from Scotland and Ireland during the 1700s and eventually settled in the OolenoyValley in the upstate of South Carolina.
There’s a great family story about Granny Peggy. During the Civil War, she had two sons away fighting. One day a group of Union soldiers came to Granny’s home and one of the young soldiers was seriously ill. She nursed him back to health praying that someone would be as kind to her boys. When he was about well, another group of troops came through and indicated that they were going to take what food was left in her home and then burn it down. The young soldier announced to his Yankee counterparts that they would do no such thing. He explained to them how kind she had been and they departed. Eventually both of her sons returned home from the war, and Granny Peggy died in 1916 at the ripe old age of 92. She was known far and wide for her courage and spunk. I hope I have just a wee bit of her in me.
To create this display, I started with this grapevine basket that was already covered with greenery when I purchased it at Carolina Pottery in Columbia, SC.
I picked up these artificial flowers and the shamrock at Hobby Lobby. I couldn’t believe my good fortune to find a shamrock already painted in the colors that I use in the kitchen.
I just tucked the flowers into the basket.
Love the mix of the green and white flowers! So spring-like!
The floral pick was stuck in the arrangement.
The little pennants were made from some fabric left over from my ruffled kitchen stool cover that I showed you last summer.
Then I added two of these little butterflies. Aren’t they pretty? They were only 99 cents each and I wish I had bought more of them!
And since I was decorating for spring in the kitchen, I decided to put my spring centerpiece made with the new green Ball jars on the ledge. The pot holder with the peas on it is new and came from Target.
It has a matching tea towel, too! A few days ago, Leo and I planted our pea seeds in the garden, and it won’t be long before we enjoy some of those fresh peas!
In the meantime, Rascal and I are enjoying these early spring touches in the kitchen!
Shirley@Housepitality Designs says
February 24, 2014 at 8:31 pmI loved reading about spunky Granny Peggy….My dad was Scotch Irish too…and St. Patrick’s Day was a very special day in our home…and still is today…Beautiful job on the chalkboard Jane..love your Spring touches in the kitchen!…
Jean Windham says
February 24, 2014 at 6:28 pmWell Jennifer and I just returned from Carolina Pottery and guess what we bought some of the same items for” The Woody” to decorate for the up coming St Patty’s Day Party. I love the green Jane and especially the basket. Great job. Love it…..Jean
Cynthia says
February 24, 2014 at 1:46 pmJane what a great story. My husband’s grandparents are from Ireland. Love your touches as always.
Cynthia
Donnamae says
February 24, 2014 at 10:09 amI definitely have thoughts of spring…but me thinks Mother Nature has other plans for the upper Midwest! Loving the whole chalkboard…especially the basket! What a great picture of your great, great grandmother…love the story too! 😉
Barbara F. says
February 24, 2014 at 9:27 amLove it! so creative, Jane. xo
priscilla says
February 24, 2014 at 8:38 amLove the story of your Granny ! Your chalkboard came out so cute ! Love the basket !
Shan Walker says
February 24, 2014 at 8:32 amHey there Jane! I LOVE the Spring decorations. Always so charming.
I shared your green mason jars this past week on social media and they were also included as some of my FAVORITE things at my Sunday Shindig yesterday!
http://www.the-how-to-guru.com/2014/02/sunday-shindig-february-23rd-2014.html
Blessings,
Shan Walker
The How to Guru
Dawn says
February 24, 2014 at 7:03 amJane, this is my favorite so far and the story was a bonus.
Melanie says
February 24, 2014 at 5:35 amLove the story of Granny Peggy!
All of your green is very pretty.
Diane @ The Checkered Apple says
February 24, 2014 at 12:07 amHi Jane!
Your chalkboard looks great and the story of your great, great grandmother was a terrific! Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you and Leo.
Vanessa says
February 23, 2014 at 11:22 pmJane that is just darling! I love it! 🙂
laurie says
February 23, 2014 at 10:48 pmJane, that looks so pretty. I love that basket filled with flowers. Love the old photo of your great grandmother, and what a fantastic story! She must have been an incredible person. Your kitchen is always so cheerful. Rascal probably enjoys it any time of the year. laurie
Dolly Sarrio says
February 23, 2014 at 8:27 pmI love it all and glad you included the wonderful picture of your great-grandmother. Green is my favorite color anyway and your beautiful display has such gorgeous colors!