Of Irish music, dolls, and books

Here are just a few fun Irish items that I wanted to share with you....

The first two CDs are ones that we got for the previously mentioned Irish birthday; we still listen to them. :)

The first is more classical, while the second has a different style to it.

(I recommend this one highly :))

Crossing the Waters CD

(a pretty, relaxing piece of music found on this CD)

Tra: Water's Edge CD

(a fun CD)

Irish Hymns CD

(A very good instrumental hymn CD played by traditional Irish instruments!)

And here are some pretty little dolls that I used to long to add to my doll collection :)

Irish Madam Alexander doll

Another Irish Madame Alexander doll

Little Irish Girl Paper Doll

Not only are the paper dolls in this series fun and sweet, they are educational since they portray very accurately the folk clothing of the country! This is one of my favorites.

When I was younger, I wanted to own this Irish princess doll. :)

Everyone loves an elegant medieval costume!

And lastly:

A nice childrens' book. The author writes delightful books- more about her other childrens' books in another post! This Irish story is not my favorite of her books, but it is still sweet.
(note: I appreciate this book because of it is a story about a family in Ireland; I do not agree with their religious beliefs.)

Cottage at Bantry Bay

I hope you look into some of these special Irish items, since I'm sure you will enjoy them!

Irish Birthday party

Irish step dancer costume

Several years ago, for my sister's tenth birthday, we did an Irish-themed party since she loves Ireland as well as all things the color green!

Our Mum decorated by draping shamrock fabric over the window valance, and placing a bit of ''rainbow'' over the fan! The birthday girl loved it all. :)



Irish woodland party table



The table was decorated as an Irish woodland, with a real log in the center, little handmade gnomes wearing green shirts, a green teddy bear waving an Irish flag, little woodland creatures such as foxes and rabbits, and more.

(note: Norwegian flags stand for the fact that Ireland was first settled by Vikings.

Thanks to P.B for pointing out that many Irish inherited their signature brilliant color of

 red hair from the Norse!)

I made this step dancer costume for my sister's doll Kirsten. In this picture, it is modelled by

a more Irish-looking doll. :)

On the birthday, even the weather co-operated with the theme by acting very wet and green!

(rare for the middle of September in Missouri!)

Of course on the birthday, we watched a video of Riverdance. (which is amazing for the most part!)

And the birthday cake was.....

A log cake!

You can easily make this delightful cake; there are dozens of recipes online!

such as here, here, or here!

Enjoy.

(pictures are actually from a different, more recent birthday party when we also made a log cake.)

(The very happy birthday girl with her log cake, which was decorated with meringue mushrooms!)

Try making  meringue mushrooms!

And another cute idea which we discovered later is... green pepper shamrocks!

I hope you are inspired to do a little Irish party this weekend!

Or any time this spring!

Or even for a September birthday, as we did. :)