Gracious speech is like clover honey- good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body. Proverbs 16:24
Around the Roman times, no one is sure about the actual date, a 16 year old boy was kidnapped from his home in Britain and sold into slavery in Ireland. This boy was Patrick. He worked for his owners in the fields as a shepherd and one day was able to escape and return home to his family. After his return home, he studied at several Abbey’s in Europe and became a cleric. Patrick had a vision of the people of Ireland calling him to come back, so he decided to return to Ireland to spread the gospel.
One legend of Saint Patrick is that of the three leafed clover. I had always heard of the lucky four Leafed clover, but not the three leafed clover. It was said that in that time, the Irish people loved things in threes, so legend has it that St. Patrick picked a three leafed clover and told them that it represented the Holy Trinity; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Irish people could relate to this story and many of them became Christians by listening to St Patrick and his teachings.
Another legend about St Patrick is that he drove the snakes out of Ireland! I don’t love snakes like I ought to, so I would love for someone to drive them out of my backyard, even though they are probably eating something that I also don’t love…bugs!
This legend has been contested for centuries. Some modern day scientists say that Ireland never had snakes, so he couldn’t have driven them out. But I like the legend, no one wants snakes slithering around!
I have a lovely collection of Waterford crystal. It is heavy, but not too heavy, and shines so brilliantly in the sun! It is made in Ireland. These beautiful three leafed green clover and their flowers were supposed to go into the vase for a pretty picture, but I didn’t know that once the clover have been taken from the garden they immediately wilt and won’t stay open. they are so sad and droopy. So, I laid them on my beautiful shamrock plate to share with you.
Look what i found at the farmer’s market this weekend! St Patricks day macaroons! The two with the clover in the center are chocolate, the white one is wonderfully cream filled and decorated with gold leaf, like a pot of gold! The bottom green one may be my favorite…it’s Lucky Charms, like the cereal. I love macaroons and if you make them themed for a holiday, I’m all in!
My adorable shamrock china is a new collection for me. I love to have dishes for all occasions! This is Aynsley China. It is made in England, isn’t that perfect for Saint Patrick’s special day? Both Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana chose Aynsley China for their wedding china. I like to find pieces of this Shamrock pattern at antique stores, EBay, and Roundtop!
I found two of these adorable crystal shamrock bowl/plates at the very first antique show I ever went to! It was at a shopping mall in Corpus Christi, Texas and I was a newlywed. St Patricks day was quickly approaching and I picked up the only two plates available. I put a fresh fruit salad in each of them and I am happy to announce that my husband loved them! He loved them so much that over the years he helped me find 3 more so that each member of our family has their own plate! Our family has grown since then and I think going to have to go shopping again…it can’t be helped!!!
Thank you dear Saint Patrick for this wonderful day to celebrate you! I love that you were once a slave in Ireland and instead of running away and never coming back, you not only came back, but brought the love of Jesus Christ with you! I will never look at a three leafed clover the same way!
