Pam's White O'Morn Cottage in Ireland

Fàilte (Welcome)! And happy St. Patrick's Day. 

Are you wearing green today?

Pam and her husband Paul are Irish, and owners of White O'Morn Cottage in the photo. All week I've looked forward to writing this post and sharing their cottage with you.  (Pam, Happy St. Patrick's Day and thank you for welcoming us to your lovely cottage.)

If you happen to be a fan of the vintage film "The Quiet Man" with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, as I am, then you may recall that Sean and Mary Kate's cottage was called White O'Morn. Pam is a big fan of the movie and has "copied and recreated the cottage in the film as far as is practicable." I stumbled across her blog "White O'Morn Cottage, Ireland" last week and contacted her to ask if I could share her photos with all of you. She graciously gave me permission. Currently Pam is busy opening up a new clothing shop and hasn't blogged for awhile. Which is too bad, because she has wonderful cottage things to share and has an engaging blogging style. However, judging by what Pam sold on her Etsy store, I'm sure her new shop will be fabulous and she'll bless many people with it.

See more of this gorgeous dress here

I'm crazy for this vintage wedding dress Pam sold on Etsy. So romantic, so feminine. Fitted bodice, adorned with rosettes and lace. Dropped waist, full skirt. To me, this is the perfect dress for a young bride. What groom wouldn't melt at the sight of his beloved gliding up the aisle in this lovely frock?

Remember the little green shamrock shoes I posted earlier this week? (I know, I was a terrible tease not to tell you where they came from.) 

Pam made them. 

Okay, so that gives you a little background on herself. I know you're dying to see more of Pam's cottage, so let's move on.

The emerald green half door (what we Americans typically call a dutch door) is so welcoming, isn't it? In the first image you saw the flower boxes on the window sills. Here you get a better view of those wonderful sunflowers.

I've noticed from the comments you leave that you share my thought when I see a jewel of a cottage like Pam's. 

"Oh, how I'd love to see inside.'

 Well, here's our chance. I think you'll find her cottage as charming as I do.

Looking from the interior through the half door 

you'll feast your eyes on this lush scenery. Pam says she never gets tired of the view and likes to lean on the door and contemplate. I would like to join her.

Isn't this a glorious view?

"Mary Kate so loved her crockery and such. She used the beautiful Willow pattern dishes and so do we. This dresser is in the living room of my cottage opposite the door just as she had it in the film. I noticed she had some white cups hanging so I must get myself some of them too." ~ Pam

The Living Room

Smart kitty to curl up here for a nap

Living Room Mantel Decorated for Christmas

"The Quiet Man Corner"

The Kitchen

"We never got to see that end of the cottage but it must have been the kitchen end as is mine. My cottage has exactly the same layout as the original (but then most of the three roomed cottages were laid out like that. I wonder if it looked anything like this. This is an original 1920's handmade dresser and it came from an old cottage in Ballinamore, Leitrim. It was taken out about 8 years ago and placed in a damp shed. It was to be used in another cottage in Aughvas but the owners got a new kitchen and it was never used. When I got my cottage and needed furniture they very kindly offered it to me. The feet/legs had rotted away on the wet floor but I managed to prop it up and give it a painting and it is my pride and joy." ~Pam 

Ahhh, so much bout this kitchen to love.

"OK, I know this is not a pretty picture - but to me it is fantastic! It shows the vintage Belfast sink (butler's sink) with its copper taps/faucets. We got it up -FINALLY - after two years of storing it. The kitchen seems to be an endless project."~Pam

(I think the picture is perfect. 

Love that "farm" sink and the copper fixtures.)

"Simplify" is the motto at our cottage too.

"When the Light Is Right"

"Another set of pictures I took I call... 'When the Light is Right' These are mostly of items in the deep window sills with the sun streaming over them."~Pam

I've always wanted deep window sills like Pam's. Delightful.

"Pink, porcelain, paper or  painted . . .you just gotta love roses. . ." ~ Pam

More Lovely Treasures

Could you love Pam's super charming lamp? You distract her, I'll snatch it.

Pam made these delightful chenille and flannelette cot sheet pillows

"Hmmm...these are just begging to be crafted into something SWEET! Let me work on it 

and I'll get back to you." ~ Pam

Pam copied this customized chandelier

"I may add some more  to it and even fix some of the matching saucers around the stem. Like many of my projects it's a work in progress!" ~Pam

(Are you feeling inspired yet?)

The Garden

"This little fairy has been sitting in the corner of the garden for about two years. In that time she has lost her wings and if you look closely you will see tendrils of some kind of moss entwining her legs and arms and waist. 

She is being claimed by nature." ~ Pam

Isn't Pam's cottage heavenly? A couple of years ago she had a giveaway and the winner was awarded a week's stay in her cottage. Can you imagine being so blessed?

The original White O'Morn cottage used in "The Quiet Man" looked like this. . .

Sadly, it now looks like this. . .

The owners let it deteriorate.

But Pam and her husband have lovingly cared for their own White O'Morn, and if we close our eyes and listen carefully I think we'll hear Maureen O'Hara singing 
"The Isle of Insifree."

You can see more of Pam's cottage and her wonderful crafts at her blog White O'Morn Cottage, Ireland.

I hope you enjoyed the tour.

Blessings,

Linking up with
Inspired Tuesday

More Irish Cottages

Photo by ILoveButter 

I'm really excited to share this beautiful thatched roof cottage with you. It's located in Adare, County Limerick, Ireland. I usually don't get too pumped up over bright yellow trim, but on this cottage -- with the dark roof and wall -- I think it really works. Very cheery. The painted gate is an interesting contrast to the stately stone wall, don't you think? It's whimsical, fun and seems to say, "Don't take me too seriously." Delightful.

Photo by Ilovebutter

I wanted you to see what's on the other side of that marvelous stone wall. Now this is a garden I could love tending. There is so much wonderful going on here. Eye candy for a gardener's soul.

Photo by Ilovebutter

Let's zoom in on that hanging basket, and flowers on the window sill. And take a closer look at those casement windows. Love those!

Photo by Maryaamna

And yet another white, thatched roof Irish cottage trimmed in yellow. Is it just me, or is this beyond charming? Many thanks to Maryaamna for allowing me to share her lovely photo. I only use photos that have some rights, or those for which I have permission. The caption on Maryaamna's photo will take you to her Flickr link, or go here to see more of her images. Her food photos are yummy.

Speaking of food, I made banana walnut bread yesterday. I baked my first quick bread at the age of ten and I have enjoyed making them ever since. Living at a high altitude, baking can be a challenge, but this recipe turns out great every time, and it is very low in sugar -- one reason I like it so much. We try to limit our sugar intake and I can reduce the sugar in this recipe to 1/3 cup and it's still delicious. I think it's because the recipe calls for 4 bananas; which makes it naturally sweet, not to mention very moist. The other reason I like this particular recipe is that you can quickly whip it up in a large mixing bowl. No mixer needed. You can find the recipe here at Simply Recipes. A great cooking site, if you haven't yet discovered it. If you come over for a visit, we can have a slice of this delicious bread with our tea. :)

I found out this morning that I won Elizabeth's giveaway at her blog Just Following Jesus in My Real Life. I'm elated because this is my prize (yes, all of this!). . .

and, well, I hardly ever win anything. Thanks SO much Elizabeth. I highly recommend going to Elizabeth's blog to snag her recipe for Cranberry Walnut Cinnamon Rolls with Orange Butter Cream Frosting. She's got photos that will make you want to chomp down on your computer monitor. Really.

So, what's new in your cottage?

Blessings,

Cottage in Green

© Copyright Joseph Mischyshyn and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Glenveagh National Park Ireland - Gardener's cottage

St. Patrick's day is Saturday and I'm celebrating early with this "green" cottage. I mean, except for the walkway and stone wall, the roof, the walls of the cottage, the sky and a few flowers, everything is green. Very Irish, right?

I would love to know what those large green top-of-a-pineapple looking plants are. They're almost like a yucca. But yuccas in Ireland? Hmmm. I'm sure one of my cottage friends will be able to tell me, so I'll wait for your comment to find out. Whatever they are, they're gorgeous. As is the rest of the landscape.

© Copyright Joseph Mischyshyn and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.

     Niarbyl - Thatched cottage (Ned Devine's cottage) on the Isle of Man

If you've seen the movie "Waking Ned Devine", you may recognize this quaint Irish cottage. It was featured in the film as Ned's cottage. A cottage by the sea is my idea of a dream come true.

© Copyright Joseph Mischyshyn and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Onchan - Church Road - Molly Carrooin's cottage

I love the red door and trim on this Irish cottage. Seriously, that is RED. Stunning.

And since we should always have something cute in our cottage to look at. . .

How about these adorable shamrock shoes? Are they not the cutest thing ever? I'll tell you where I found them later. Oh, maybe I should tell you now. . .no. Yes. No.

I'm going to wait. 

It'll be hard, but I'm going to wait.

Have a very Irish week.

Blessings,

Cottage Arbor

This photo of Pleasant Cottage is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Isn't this a quaint cottage? I love the eyebrow window. But what really grabs my attention is that arbor. The way it frames the window is pure delight.

Photo by Miss Bliss 55

My grandfather had a white arbor covered in roses outside his lakeside cottage. Pale pink roses, like the ones in the photo. As a little girl I'd stand under the arbor and drink in their sweet scent.

Photo by wai.ti

An arbor over a garden gate is very charming. I'd be happy to have one like this. 

Do you have an arbor? 

Blessings,

Evening Cottage and the Winner of the Artwork Giveaway

Photograph by: Gary Knight. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cottage_in_St_James's_Park_at_Evening.jpg

I love the light coming from the windows of this cottage. Warm and glowing. Beautiful.

By the way, that's an Egyptian Goose standing on the fence. And another by the way, I love that fence. Not to mention that fantastic gingerbread trim on the cottage. And the pond. 

Are those little birdhouses on the rooftops or just cupolas? I'd like to know.

Well, I could go on and on about this delightful cottage, but what I really want to do is reveal the winner of our Artwork Giveaway. 

May I have the envelope, please?

And the winner is. . .

Paula!

Paula blogs at "This Beautiful Life"

Congratulations, Paula! I'll be emailing you to find out which print you would like as your gift.

To everyone who participated in this very fun giveaway, a BIG thank you! I've never met a nicer group of people in my life. You are all so sweet.

And now, let me share your top three favorite paintings by Dennis Reinke. :)

#1 - Quiet Time

#2 - Wind Breakers

#3 - Poppies

We loved reading your comments and seeing the final results of your voting. You have played a huge part in helping us decide what to feature in our shop. More about all that later.

Right now, I just want to thank you again. We definitely will do another giveaway like this in the future. Honestly, you're all so wonderful, I wish you all had won so I could send you a print.

Hope your cottage is warm and glowing with love.

Blessings,

Cottage Shutters and Window Boxes

"The windows of my soul I throw

Wide open to the sun."

~John Greenleaf Whittier

Source:Photograph by Guido Gerding http://www.exnatura.de/. Used with permission under GFDL lother_versions. 

I just love the shutters framing the recessed window on the Brittany cottage above. And did you notice the flower box sitting on the window's ledge? Charming, charming. 

Source: Stock.xchng.com. Photo by Chemtec - http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?gallery_id=416179

This ivy-covered cottage with shutters closed is enchanting. I'm crazy for that shade of blue.

I once lived in a pretty little townhouse with this flower box under the kitchen window. I filled it with petunias so I could enjoy their lovely fragrance wafting through the open window above my sink.

A window box might be nice under this window of our cottage. 

How do you feel about shutters and/or window boxes?

There's still time to enter our art giveaway, if you haven't yet done so. Click here for details and a chance to win a print of my husband's beautiful artwork.

Blessings,

Cottage Gardens

Source: http://s131.photobucket.com/profile/uinen_alcarin

Do you enjoy cottage gardens as much as I do? When I'm not dreaming about them, I'm looking at photos like the one above. I think I see iris, delphinium, climbing roses, herbs, maybe some vegetables. I love the stone pavers, quaint furnishings and, of course, the cottage itself. 


Until spring comes here in the mountains, my flower garden is confined to a sideboard in front of our south window.

I'm grateful for my geraniums that bloom all winter long. 

Do you have a garden -- cottage or otherwise? If so, I'd love to see it. 


If you haven't already entered our wonderful giveaway, may I suggest you do so now? There's absolutely no purchase necessary, nor will I ever contact you or use your information for marketing of any kind. We are in the throes of opening a retail shop where we will sell some of my husband's beautiful artwork and your voting will help us decide what to focus on. So, please, help us out and see if you're the winner next Wednesday. Here's the link to the post with all the details: A Joyful Cottage Giveaway.


Blessings,