Happy Good Friday! This week I shared the most recent books my kids and I have read together. Plus, how I’m teaching them how to type. It doesn’t actually involve me teaching, so they are knocking it out of the ballpark! Here’s what’s on my Happy List. Good Friday Newspaper Ad I thought you might like to see an example of how grocery stores in Ireland advertise for the Easter season in the newspaper. At the last count in 2011, 84.2% of people self-identified as Catholic in the Republic of Ireland, so you can see why advertisers are choosing to speak to one specific religious group. Also, fun fact. You…

Hello! My kids have a half-day at school today…the excitement was palpable in our house this morning! But the angst over the one toy they could bring for “toy day” was…intense. This week I shared the gorgeous spring flowers that are blooming in our Irish garden. All thanks to my green thumb, I’m sure. Actually, I think the blooming flowers are proof that nature finds a way. I also walked you through the “should I, shouldn’t I” decision of switching to linen bath towels. Decision was probably the wrong word there. Maybe indecision would be more apt. Here are some things I’m not indecisive about! Old Fireplace I don’t know…

It’s a snow day of sorts here in Dublin. No, we don’t have actual snow, but we have the second best (or is it worst?) thing. We woke up this morning to a public transportation strike, which makes getting to and from school a real pain. Handy Husband called me from the train station to tell me everyone was frantically trying to get a cab into work – with mixed success. There was no warning about this strike, so everyone was caught off guard. It’s a little chaotic here today. It seemed like a good day to surprise the kids with NO SCHOOL! If you want to know why we…

Hello everyone! How is spring treating you? Fun tidbit. We don’t spring ahead for daylight savings time here in Ireland until this weekend! That’s why my posts have been publishing an hour earlier recently. Here’s a list of countries around the world and when and if they do the daylight savings time switch. Also, Sunday is Mother’s Day in Ireland. I had been wondering why the stores have been carrying Happy Mum’s Day items for weeks. Now, I know! I’m not sure losing an hour of sleep is a very good way to celebrate moms though. This week I discussed how well my green thumb is working with my newly acquired…

How cool is it that the 17th edition of my Happy List falls on the 17th? And not just any 17th, but St. Patrick’s Day! I couldn’t have planned it better myself. When you’re reading this, I will hopefully be watching the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in DUBLIN. We’ve got to do it at least once, right? Be sure and follow A Pretty Happy Home on Instagram to see what all the fuss is about or if we even make anywhere near the parade route. This week I shared our easy Irish flag centerpiece. You could easily modify this idea for any country, so go forth and celebrate! I also gave…

Why, hello again! I hope the first week of March has treated you well! The ol’ blog posts have been Irish-themed this month. Give me a theme and I will run it into the ground. This week I shared an easy felt shamrock wreath craft and some mostly authentic Irish recipes. Someone needs to make the Guinness Brownies – STAT! Okay, I will make them. Today’s Happy List is largely home-focused. While I love Ireland, my Irish home has me feeling a little meh. I’m determined to get out of this decorating funk one way or another and I’ve been finding a lot of inspiration online lately. It’s not always inspiration that helps…

Hello, hello! How are you? This week I shared what’s happening in my daughter’s colorful room. Emphasis on colorful. I also kicked off March with a burlap pot o’ gold craft. It’s fun, happy and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day. Here’s what’s making me all happy and inspired this week. Kitchen Makeover Adrienne and her husband started flipping homes in Arizona awhile ago. The before and after pictures of the homes they’ve remodeled are pretty incredible. This is the kitchen in their latest completed project. I’m loving those dark cabinets with that waterfall counter. I’m also a sucker for ceiling beams. See more pictures at Dream Book Design. (image) Bathroom Vanity…

Hello, hello! This week felt a little long to me, so I’m all about the TGIF today. Earlier this week I took you on a tour of my local grocery store in Ireland and showcased some of my favorite food items for your viewing pleasure. In honor of Valentine’s Day and all of you who make my world a happier place, I also shared two free love printables. Here’s what’s on my Happy List this week. Girl Scout Gum? Someone makes Girl Scouts Gum now. I read somewhere that the gum holds its flavor for an hour. An hour? Really? What can’t those Girl Scouts do? I haven’t tried it though. If you’ve…

It’s your lucky day, folks. I’ve got some doozies on the Happy List to share. But first, earlier this week I shared how I got distracted and learned that 1960s wood paneling can actually look pretty decent. Continuing with my “living in Ireland” series, I also shared pictures of my hot press. It was so not hot. Here we go… Copper Roof on a Farmhouse I have followed Joan’s blog for quite awhile. She’s living my dream of renovating an old farmhouse and converting a barn into part of her home. You should really dive into her story. I am loving the new addition to her farmhouse, a copper roof over the…

Hello, world! I had a first-ever experience yesterday. I was walking down the sidewalk minding my own business when a car driving by sped through a gigantic puddle. A huge wave of water sprayed out and completely, and I do mean completely, drenched me. I’m sure my reaction was comical to anyone observing the incident. But, really, Ireland is great. You should totally visit in February. On the blog this week I shared the most amazing, earth-shattering tutorial on how to turn a makeup bag into a hidden cell phone pocket in a fleece scarf. If you haven’t made one yet, what are you waiting for? I also shared our experience…