Wedding Favorites

Spring has sprung and Love is in the air. June Weddings are just around the corner. Here are a few of my favorite items for a one of a kind, memorable wedding.
Thanks to all my etsy friends and their amazing creativity.

Etsy: Your place to buy & sell all things handmade TexasEagle.etsy.com

Hickory, Hearts, and History

Saturday I found myself walking down the long gravel driveway that I've walked for 13 years. This time something grabbed my attention and swept me away! I spied a little heart in the dirt and quickly realized it as a hickory shell. Wow! I'd stepped on them for years, but never really saw them. Now it was as clear as day & I felt as though I'd just removed my blinders.

Of course I had to search for more, and soon had dozens scooped from the ground. Next step was - of course - the internet to learn about my treasure. I discovered that while many varieties of hickory have heart shaped nuts, this particular type had a much more distinctive shell (and hardly any nutmeat). I also remembered that the ground we now think of as home was once a settlement called Hickory Hill. In the 1840's, Hickory Hill had a school house, 2 or 3 churches, a store, gravel yard, and tannery. My mind raced with images of pioneer children gathering these precious nuts. I did indeed feel like I'd found real treasure.

We are sharing photos, greeting cards, pendants and tshirts to honor our wonderful Hickory Hill legacy. Check them out at www.texaseagle.etsy.com

Spring has Sprung!

Well, Spring is here, and as usual, daylight savings time has thrown me for a loop! Catching up a bit & getting into the creative mood again. We are currently working on several new projects. Satin bookmarks--personalized and perfect for wedding favors, birth announcements, anniversaries, or any special occasion. They are inexpensive yet beautiful & useful. We're also working on glass tile coasters featuring some of our favorite photos. Please stop in for a visit often and see if any of these new items will work for you.

And last, but certainly not least, here is the grand finale of our Irish Recipe feature.
Irish Soda Bread
5 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 Tbls baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold, unsalted butter, cut in small pieces
2 1/2 cups buttermilk
Optional add ins:
2 1/2 cups raisins
3 Tbls caraway seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease two 9x5" pans
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda & salt in large bowl. Cut in butter using 2 knives or pastry blender until the mixture is the texture of cornmeal.

If making Caraway Raisin option, add them to dry mixture now.

Add buttermilk and egg and stir until just blended.

Divide batter evenly between pans. Bake 50 to 55 minutes until golden brown. Coll on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pans to cool completely. Slice & Serve. Delicious!!!!

20% off everything in our shops!

Thanks for stopping by. In honor of St. Patrick's Day, we want to offer you 20% off any 1 item in either of our shops. Just type in the code THE HIGH KINGS at checkout and wait for an amended invoice before paying. Offer good through 12:00 midnight Wednesday, March 17, 2010.

www.weeirish.etsy.com
or
www.texaseagle.etsy.com

I Love EVERYTHING Irish

This time of year, everyone is Irish! Who doesn't love St. Patrick's Day? It's had me thinking what it is that's so appealing. Of course the unspoiled beauty of the land itself is enough to take you there - in person if you've a bit of Irish luck. But the thing that draws you back again is definitely the people! They are the most charming and agreeable folks I've ever known.

We have been blessed with Irish friends from the most famous to the quiet village folk. Without exception, they are kind, witty, and wise. They open their hearts and share their gifts with the world. They sing and play or write like no others. I believe it is because of their open hearts. Most of us are too afraid to stand up and sing. They learn at an early age that the reward is so much more than any embarrassment could possibly be. They challenge fear and plunge headlong into whatever their calling. They encourage each other and share in the joy. The craic is truly mighty! To be in the presence of their multi-generational celebration is wondrous. Take for instance my personal favorite group, The High Kings. Their songs are old ballads loved by their fathers. Their new harmonies and energy make them favorites with kids from 2 to 99! To witness them and their fans first hand is truly a privilege.

I'm thankful for the bit of Irish blood I have, and especially for the many Irish friends that I love. God Bless Ireland!

Irish Potato Candy Recipe

Looking for our yummy candy recipe...scroll down through the older posts....it's worth it!!

Magic Skirt

At the North Texas Irish Festival I purchased the most amazing garment ever. A beautiful silk wrap skirt that could be twisted into anything you needed - a dress, top, skirt or wrap! Perfect for my next trip to Ireland. Or so I thought till I got it home and hadn't the slightest recollection of how to tie the darned thing! Well, here's a link to a site that sells similar skirts online and includes brilliant instructions! Now, I can quit fretting and get back to a cuppa tea and dreaming of that trip!
Slainte!

http://www.themagicskirt.com/page/page/4607592.htm

Circle of Friends

Time to give a shout of thanks to our network of friends. No one walks alone, and we are blessed with a universe of friends. Thanks to all of you.

Special thanks to Devine Designs Jewelry for including us in her blog. You can find the post here:
http://devinedesignsjewelry.blogspot.com/2010/03/national-irish-american-heritage-month.html

Also, a thumbs up for our Etsy Texas Crafters' neighbor at Groovy Gal Designs Online. Check out her page at
http://groovygaldesignsonline.com/

Feeling very blessed! Thanks yall!

Sunny Saturday

It's a brilliant sunny Saturday and we are heading to the North Texas Irish Festival today! But first we've got to give in to this creativity bug. We've just completed a batch of new pre-matted photos that are fantastic! Be watching our shops!

Now, to thank our etsy neighbor for his fine products and service. Ron, at Gallery Frames and More has just supplied us with some great materials. Be sure to check out his shop for supplies as well as some great handmade items. Great shop Ron!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/galleryframesandmore

Enjoy the weekend everyone!!

Sharing the Irish Pride

Thanks for your visit. Our candy recipe can be found below. In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, we will be sharing more recipes throughout the month. Be sure to stop in again soon!