Thursday, March 1, 2012

Wearin' of the green


So it's March...and at our house...that means St. Patrick's Day is on the way. My kitchen window is wearing a wee bit of green.

We have a lot of Irish roots in our family. Mr. Mugwump's maternal grandparents both came to America when they were in their twenties. They actually grew up in neighboring villages in Ireland, but did not meet until they were both working in N.Y. city. His grandmother was a maid for the Rockefeller's, and told stories about being given beautiful clothing after the ladies of the house had grown tired of wearing it, and passed it on to the help. 

My paternal great grandfather left Ireland as a young boy, after Pennsylvania mining companies sent recruiters to Ireland to bring back men and boys to work the coal mines. At the age of twelve, my great grandfather was what they called a "slate picker".


This plaque is part of the Irish Famine Memorial in Boston. 






Happy March, everybody!

Harry Tyler's Lion***Heartstrings Samplery

Doesn't look like it's coming in like a lion where I am...how about where you are?

Enjoy the day,
Robyn


9 comments:

  1. It is coming in like a lion in our area it is snowing we could get up to 12 inches yeck
    Cathy

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  2. Hi Robyn!
    Yep, like a lion here too, but that means the lamb comes skipping in later!!
    You always do the most interesting posts and I so enjoy reading them!! The Rockefellers?? Wow!! Every girls dream to get those hand-me-downs!!
    Thank you for your sweet comments on my blog too and for the Birthday hugs!!
    Love your Irish green!!
    Blessings and Hugs~~
    Julie

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  3. Love the history lesson... So true that we need always remember the lessons of our past in order to improve our future.

    Also love seeing that Lion all stitched up... mind if I share him on my finish blog?

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  4. ...Hi Miss Mugwump! *waving* What a lovely and informative post, thank you. :o)

    ...Love the Harry Tyler's Lion! Gorgeous!

    ...Happy March to you too! It is sunny and 62 degrees here in Missouri today - nice. :o)

    ...Blessings

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  5. Wow, love your Tyler's Lion! So interesting about your ancestors and all too. Just finished a novel with coal mining in the plot. Have read more than one of those somehow. I just can't imagine working in the mines -- or being sent down at the age of 7 for that matter.

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  6. Robyn ~
    LOVE that lion. It's not the type of thing I like to cross stitch (I prefer sampler-type stitchery), but I may just have to get that pattern. If you are ever in PA, you MUST go to the Coverlet Museum. It is WONDERFUL!!!
    Pug hugs :)
    Lauren

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  7. More like "In like a lamb, out like a lamb from where I'm sitting too.

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  8. Hi, Robyn:
    I love your shamrock cookie cutter. The kitchen window looks beautiful. I know the struggles coming to a new country. My grandfather came here with my great-grandmother from Italy in the early 1900's.
    Hugs,
    Susan

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  9. I so love your ever-changing kitchen window Miss Mugwump.... And, hmmmmm - finally something we DON'T have in common....far as I can tell (which, in some cases, is a long, long, way), there's no Irish blood in these veins; nor in those of my husband....Isn't that odd??? But I do so enjoy a good meal of corned beef and creamed cabbage! Ummmm....I'd have to say March pretty much came in like your gorgeous lion here in Nod....if 15" of snow counts.... ;o) Wishing you a blessing-filled week ahead.....Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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