Sunday, March 10, 2013

Molly's St. Patrick's Day.....

Growing up the big party on the block was Molly and Jerry O'Riordan's St. Patrick's Day party.

And I was lucky enough to live next door!  You could always count on corn beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots! You new when Molly had started cooking, the whole block smelled of cabbage!


And you could count on Mrs. Kelley bringing her chocolate brownies wrapped in wax paper with a rubber band around them, and Mr. Kelley bringing his squeeze box!


Dinner over the men would move the dining room table aside, and roll up the dining room rug.....
Jerry with his fiddle and Mr. Kelley with the squeeze box and the dancing would start.....so much fun as a young girl to dance and stomp your feet on the floor......we would dance until well after bedtime.....you knew the evening was coming to an end when the adults started singing Danny Boy.


My Mom and Dad retired and moved after living next door to Molly and Jerry for 30 years! Jerry and Mr. Kelley passed away many years ago.
Molly is 88 years old now and not doing too much dancing.
.
I have such fond memories of St. Patrick's Day, thanks to Molly and Jerry!

The McKinley's always have corn beef, cabbage, potatoes and carrots on St. Patrick's Day.

And we always have music that we can do a little jig to!

chris

21 comments:

  1. What great memories of St. Patty's day and how fun to have had such sweet neighbors! I just love your pretty wreath! So neat to see it decorated for each holiday!! Thanks for sharing and have a lovely week! xo Heather

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  2. Such sweet memories! My 1/32 Irish heritage would love to have had neighbors like that.

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  3. That's a lovely story - nothing like good Irish craic with a plate full of bubble & squeak! Love your wreath too,
    Happy Monday & enjoy St. Paddy's day on the 17th,
    Xx

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  4. What fun memories. Your wreath is certainly enjoying each holiday makeover. Happy St. Patrick's!

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  5. we never celebrated st pattys day in anyway, My mom used to make boiled ham and cabbage, but I dont know that it had anything to do with st patricks day. you are lucky to have such great memories of it. even when my kids were small, it never occured to me to do anything for it, other then to dress them in green so they wouldnt get pinched in school! LOL! however, now that I have grand babies, and Im thinking clearer... about holidays and such things... you can rest assured that they will celebrate st pattys day in some form! lol!
    have a great week Chris
    xoxo

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  6. Hi Chris,
    What a delightful collection of memories...You were blessed to have such sweet neighbors. Jerry and Molly were a treasure. I do remember my Mom wrapping things in wax paper and the "unforgettable" smell of cooked cabbage wafting all the way down the driveway.
    Your happy green Irish vignettes have helped me start my day with a smile!
    Thank you for popping in for a visit, my sweet friend.
    Blessings,
    Carolynn xoxo

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  7. It sounds like you had a wonderful couple in your life. I am so glad you had such wonderful St. Paddy's Day with them. Fun memories and I love your cute wreath- xo Diana

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  8. Fun stories! I have never had any significant St. Pat's memories except for the "you get pinched if you don't wear green" ones. Love the wreath and the other decorations!

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  9. Such a wonderful memory of yours...and what sweet neighbors you had growing up. We have irish in us and mom decorated and wore her beautiful Irish brooch, but I don't remember any large celebrations for St. Pattys Day other than an Irish meal...but we did have alot of super large family parties and holiday celebrations ...I am planning of celebrating every holiday with my grandbaby..and future grand babies....

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  10. Your wreath is very nifty! I don't have many St. Pattys Day decorations...my dad made large wooden shamrocks and my mother painted them green and outlined them with glitter...and put one is each of the windows. When my mother moved she gave them to one of my sisters....I'm going to have to borrow them and trace them so I can have some for myself. I think I will have to make a wreath like yours for my front door.. :)

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  11. Many of my ancestors were Irish...but I never experienced anything for St. Patrick's Day except the pinching! A few years ago I stood over Patrick's grave...a large but simple stone...and contemplated all I had learned about his life and mission that day. He was more than just the color green.

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  12. What a wonderful memory and neighbors from your youth! Love cabbage and corn beef!

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  13. It sounds like your neighbors were a fun couple! Great memories of that time in your life. We never did anything special for St. Patty's Day in my family other than to remember to wear green to school! I never like corned beef, but do like cabbage. Your wreath and other decor is so cute!
    Thanks for becoming my newest follower! I'll be happy to follow back. I love discovering new blogs and making new friends.
    ~Cheryl

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  14. Sounds like wonderful ST. Pats celebrations. I love your wreath. I'm looking forward to some corned beef and cabbage this week!

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  15. How fun! What sweet memories you have of them living next door. I love corn beef and cabbage, yum! Your wreath is so pretty too! :) Happy Tuesday! xo Holly

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  16. What sweet memories of special times with your neighbors! St. Patrick's Day is such a fun holiday! When I was in college in Massachusetts green beer was very popular :)
    xoxo Jane

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  17. What a beautiful post of such great memories! I have now discovered your blog and LOVE it! Can't wait to read the archives! Maggie/Maggie's Lil' Fixins

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  19. I love the way you continue to transform that wreath. Thank you for sharing such a fun story.

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  20. That is such a great memory! What fun everyone had!! Thanks for sharing, makes me smile :)
    Blessings,
    Susie

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  21. How cute and what fun to remember back. Love your wreath!

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