House and Home

House and home - a category about all things housekeeping, tidying, and tips from our Irish ancestors for keeping house and home.

I think my whole family is laughing at the title of this section. First, let me clear one thing up.

I Am A Lousy Housekeeper.

A red cubby with a broom and hanging pant — An old fashioned broom

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I can shout it out, and feel no shame. This Irish American Mom is definitely no “Stepford Wife.”

My reality is no movie, and I have no intention of trying to make it so.

I am the Mom that I am; untidy, a bit frazzled, but always, there for my kids.

I will never live up to a ridiculous, Hollywood ideal, but that is a lesson I learned, very early into this parenting journey.

Mom at door with broom — Vintage image of a housewife at a cottage door

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My housekeeping may not be perfect, but it certainly is good enough. I embrace my imperfections.

Here I open up my messy cupboards to you. If you are beating yourself up, because you think you do a bad job creating the 'perfect' home environment, then stop. You are in good company. Together we can discuss our failings and learn to laugh at them.

Growing up in Ireland my mother established many annual rituals for us. Amongst them was the annual planting of daffodil bulbs in the fall. We eagerly awaited the first appearance of spiky, green leaves, popping through the brown, crumbly earth of spring.

We picked strawberries in summer, stirred gooseberry jam in late summer, glued leaf paintings in autumn, and picked holly at Christmas time.

Close up view of seeds on the surface of strawberries — Strawberries

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Now that I am a proud mother of four, beautiful children, I feel an overwhelming need to establish our Irish-American family traditions. In Backyard Tales I will share my attempts at developing a green thumb, and family routines based on the cycle of the seasons. Wish me luck! I will need every bit of it.

During my schooling in Ireland, the nuns did a great job, teaching me how to knit, crochet and sew. I only recently picked up a pair of knitting needles again. A mother of a child in my boy's class, asked me if I knew how to increase a stitch, when knitting. I think she hoped I might be able to knit, because of my Irishness. It was a pleasure to help her out, but the experience got me thinking.

A woman by a cottage door knitting surrounded by a shamrock frame — Irish Woman Knitting Beside a Cottage Door

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I too, should be knitting. My four-year old, little girl will soon be ready to learn. Heck, her three brothers can learn also. No more Irish, Mama's boys in this house. When I embark on my Crafts journey, I shall share the painful details.

My two sisters are now rolling around the floor, laughing as they read of my proposed Fashion category.

Let me explain!

If I still lived in Ireland, they no doubt would have suggested my suitability for the 'student' or 'victim', in the Irish or English version of the hit TV show, “What Not to Wear”.

Fancy Wellies or Wellington Boots on Display — Wellington Boots

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I like comfortable clothes and shoes. A few items of my beautiful wardrobe, remain in my parents' house in Ireland. When I visit home, I do not have to do a lot of packing.

Who cares if I wear the same, out-of-style, fashion mistakes, for five years in a row? Into the bargain, I love my wellies, or rain boots, as they are called in America. They are an extension of my persona. My sisters, just do not understand.

Since, my four-year-old girl has now taken to pointing out my fashion faux pas, I feel no qualms of conscience, if I use this blog, to explore the world of fashion, Irish and American trends, jewelery, or shoes. We can discuss Claddagh rings, Tara brooches, or whatever else takes our fancy. No expertise required.

Close up view of heart and hands on a Claddagh wedding band — Mens Claddagh Design Wedding Band

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In Keeping House & Home, I will share my love of newly-discovered gadgets like toaster ovens, and crock pots. There are so many things I love, like dish cloths and candles, I believe they deserve a category all of their own.

Enjoy my homely musings.

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