St. Patrick’s Day is soon upon us. Another centuries old holiday tradition and celebration. It is said that St. Patrick drove out the snakes from Ireland. It seems that all of us, especially here in America enjoy this day. Of course, the Irish celebrate this with much vigor, and we hold a toast to them on this great day!

I recall my first St. Patrick’s Day working as a teenager at a local florist. I could hardly believe my eyes when I un-crated a thousand green carnations flown in from some country in South America…Columbia I believe. GREEN CARNATIONS! What would they come out with next…I really thought I was living in the modern era! I was only 15 at the time, and I had to be in school on St. Patrick’s day, but what I really wanted to do was go downtown to the plaza with some of the staff of the shop and hand out free green carnations to the people that morning. It sounded so exciting…giving away something free…just being nice!

Well…I was 15…I couldn’t drive and I had to be in school (yuck!) Thus my only part in this was that I was one of the “lucky ones” to attach a card to each of those 1,000 green carnations that said “Top of the Mornin’ to you!”

I remember when the ladies from the shop would tell me later how much they enjoyed their morning of giving out free carnations. I can still see the smiles on their faces, hear the joy in their voices…the simple pleasures of life in a small town.

I have always enjoyed designing a St. Patrick’s Day Fairy, and now you know the story and inspiration behind this year’s design!

Top of the Mornin’ to you!