A Wee Bit of a Journey

Last year I celebrated an early St. Patrick's Day with a trip to Portland's
Irish Famine Monument and lunch at Kell's with a good friend and one of my sons.

Both places were memorable!

This year, saw me looking for ways to augment our St. Patrick's Day celebration at home.

As you may know, both hubby and I have some Celtic ancestry 

and I find myself identifying with it more than my German and Pilgrim heritage the older I get.

I think this, in part, may have something to do with the fact that it was one of my Celtic lines who came to the Pacific NW over the Oregon Trail so many years ago.

Or maybe it is my love of green (or the fact that we have so much green year round here--LOL).

Or maybe it's because I find something very mysterious and lovely about Celtic music...

especially Celtic Christian music like Eden's Bridge, etc

Ah, who knows? But I really do love my Celtic roots.

Anyway back to our journey...to a little bit of Ireland right in SE Portland

(actually a little bit of all of Great Britain).

I had known about this place for awhile--

since finding their website earlier this year when I was looking for places to purchase tartans.

But what finally brought me here was I wanted to buy a shortbread pan I had fallen in love with,

but didn't have time to have delivered before St. Patrick's Day.

Besides I am always up to exploring new places...

especially when it seems like the whole world is in bloom!

When we got there, they remembered my call and were quick to retrieve the pan

(by the way I absolutely, totally LOVE it!)

I also asked about the tartan scarves

thinking I would have to order them before one of my clan's special days this year.

I was overjoyed to find out they had quite a few in stock,

and soon set to work trying to decide which tartan to choose

(I have several clans in my ancestry so this tooka bit of time)

Do you see any you like?

The one I chose is this one and I LOVE it...

it was also a favorite with both the wonderful lady who helped me

and my best friend who had come with me.

I can hardly wait to wear AND use it at home!

The colors are much prettier than they look in this photo--

it is the hunting tartan of the Macfarlane clan.

After that we set to work choosing chocolate for the hubby man

*a confirmed chocolate lover*.

This costume caught my eye...it looks perfect for this Sunday...

but I think this Celtic lass will just go casual since I am cooking at home

(actually I will be cooking Irish themed meals 2 days in a row).

Loved our trip here...

they have so many nice things to celebrate your Celtic heritage with--

and if you aren't Celtic at all,

well I know they'll make you feel quite at home too.  

(Of course, everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day)

And now to the blooms...

as I have said it seems like the whole world is in bloom right now!

In the city we saw blooming trees, camellias, daffodils and magnolias.

And here at home we have in bloom--

forsythia,

one flowering plum tree,

a magnolia,

daffodils

(dwarf and larger varieties),

camellia

(both the sausanqua and japonica--amazing),

a daphne,

lots of dandelions and common daisies,

pieris...

and the evergreen huckleberries are going crazy:)

I LOVE spring, don't you?

Everyday I find myself exploring the gardens and then bringing more spring blooms inside.

Blessings,

Aimee

Notes:

You can find more about the Scottish Country Store here on their very nice website:

http://scottishcountryshop.com/

Very, very nice people there!

All kinds of imported items -- some food, music CDs, books, kilts, etc.

Oh yes...disclaimer here.

I am not associated with the shop at all--just wanting to share with those who may be interested.

Oh---and the cookie above?

The delicious, scrumptious, totally yummy shamrock shortbread cookie above?

Well you can find that here at Baker + Spice,

one of my fav bakeries in the SW Portland area!

Their website is here:

http://www.bakerandspicebakery.com/

(same disclaimer as above)

They carry lots of very yummy items!

A BIG thank you to both of these shops for helping me celebrate my Celtic heritage

and giving me permission to post photos:)

And now--to work

(well after I devour the rest of my shamrock goodie)

Last note:

Sorry about any typos and grammar errors...

Note to self -- posting using your laptop and smartphone

at the same time and in a hurry can lead to very amusing results!

Fortunately things can be undone...LOL:)