My Scottish Thistle Mug

  Before I get into today's post I want to mention my GIVEAWAY POST. Please go HERE if you want to see what's up for grabs and have a chance-or two- to win!!

 Anyone celebrate St. Patrick's Day??? Well, I sure did. Hubby and I spent Saturday in town (walking distance- very convenient) for the Celtic festivities. We anticipated seeing the parade from the street but after we got there the wind kicked up considerably and it was a cold wind so we opted to watch the parade from inside the Hotel Bethlehem while enjoying a pint of Guinness then meeting with friends to see their honeymoon pics of their trip to Ireland and grabbing a bite to eat.

  The two young men at the top left played for hours and were excellent!! We found a table on the upper level where it was quiet compared to downstairs and enjoyed watching the parade from the huge windows. Oh, the many dogs-mostly in dress were SO cute! There was also a violin exhibition where you could buy, trade, tune violins and even sign up for lessons. The dessert was a special Chocolate Guinness cake- which our friend had. I just had a crab cake considering I'd already downed enough calories with the two Guinnesses I had:):)

 I also bought a new Scottish mug from my favorite local Celtic shop - Donegal Square (a birthday gift to myself). They have a lovely restaurant with the most wonderful fresh brewed teas and now a pub too!

  The thistle is the official flower of Scotland. I thought this was such a beautiful mug... and I also bought it (and wore my plaid top and a Celtic cross necklace) in honor of George Donaldson of the group Celtic Thunder the group I mentioned the last two Tuesdays and in previous posts. It was a bittersweet Celtic celebration. George died suddenly and unexpectedly of a massive heart attack (thankfully at home though in Glasgow with his wife and young daughter-13) this past Wed. at the age of 46. Hubby and I had the pleasure of meeting him and talking with him on several occasions. Yes, he came to live his dream of singing and playing for a living all over the world , but he still left us too early...

  In between tears and festivies I kept busy by baking:

                                                     two dozen raisin bran muffins

  and having wonderful phone calls, e-cards, messages, and cards for my b'day:

     Thank you all for all the sweet thoughts and wishes!! Special hand made cards from my dear friend LuAnn (the orange, green St Patrick's Day card and the yellow dress card) and a retro looking origami dress card-LOVE) from my friend Patty.

   Mostly I began blogging for art reasons but there is no art to share today. If you wish to check out the art part I tend to post most of that on a Friday. Thanks for stopping by and happy T Day!!

  Linking to Bleubeard and Elizabeth for "T Stands for Tuesday". Feel free to join us for anything "T" and/or beverage related :).

  I don't know about any of  you but I am both a coffee and tea drinker so I definitely related to the following quote :
 
 "If this is coffee, please bring me some tea; but if this is tea, please bring me some coffee." Abraham Lincoln