Lighting Up the Night for St. Patrick’s Day!!!

Inflatables 

As some of you who have seen my Halloween Astros Skeleton posts may already know, I have always been a “holiday person” but that increased during Covid Quarantine – when I started the skeletons and added outdoor decorations for various holidays to entertain the many neighbors who walked past our house each day. For holidays besides Halloween, I usually start with an inflatable and I am trying to add at least one new item each year.

Above is a photo of our outdoor St. Patrick’s Day display. “Lucky the Leprechaun” is an “animated Inflatable” and he appears to jump up and then hide in the “Pot of Gold”. The Rainbow is a separate inflatable, and I love how it gives height to the scene. See the progression of the Leprechaun in the still pictures and video below.

Orchestra of Lights

In 2021, at Christmas time, I added the “Orchestra of Lights C-9 strings” along the top edge of the garage. These lights can be operated by the Orchestra of Lights app and can be changed for each holiday, and/or to any particular color.  Orchestra of lights is a Gemmy product, which as of 2022, was only sold at Lowes and usually only well stocked during October. These lights come with preprogrammed colors for each holiday and with sparkle and other effects that can be selected for each holiday. One can also select custom colors in any one color, and add “effects” to give it variety. I can’t tell you how much I enjoy not taking down lights and putting them back up. These lights have been up up since December of 2021 and plan to keep them up indefinately.

UPDATE on Orchestra of Lights (March 2023) Just wanted to let you know that I used the orchestra of light products with very few problems for 3 years, and then when I set “green” or “St. Patrick’s Day” on the Orchestra of Lights app, it would change to the colors I picked initially but within 1-12 hours it would revert to Christmas (which was most definitely NOT the colors I wanted in March). We hypothisize that something is now imcompatible, most likely having to do with wifi. We are unsure whether it is power bleps, or internet service bleps, that throw it all off. If it would revert to all white lights when it malfunctions, that would be better, but always it reverts to Christmas. Because of this I can no longer recommend Orchestra of Lights.

So below, I will show you what the lights used to do – colors, preset holidays, and special effects. I am going to give the lights one last try in the next few months to see if things improve when we change internet providers. Please, Please, Please – if you happen to have had experience with another brand of lights, that work in a similar way but without “dropping” their programming for colors, please let me know the brand you have had success with – in the comments. I would love to know what brand and product to check out, when making my new choice, (rather than having to take down lights and put up a new set for the next holiday ) because I really have loved the ease of pressing a button to change the color and effects of the lights. But in the meantime – these are the things I like about programable lights.

For St. Patrick’s Day, I use the green (of course) and I changed the effect this year to “sparkle” This effect is shown in the video below.

I like to add something to my display each year, and this year I added the shamrock “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” signs on the double front doors.

Flood Lights

I also use flood lights in my display. I use them to flood the garage/front yard wall with seasonal color. I also use yellow flood lights to light up the inflatables. I use “yellow bulbs” rather than white, as yellow seems to attract less insects.

Wishing You “Good Luck” and a Very Happy St. Patrick’s Day !!!

Other Posts I Think You May Like…

If you enjoy holiday decorating, I’d love for you to check out some of my holiday tablescapes…

A “LUCKY LEPRECHAUN” and New Dishes Inspire A New St. Patrick’s Day Tablescape

A Valentine’s Day Village & Tablescape

A “Sweet” Valentine’s Day Table at Sunset

Mickey and Minnie and their Dragon Friends Celebrate the Lunar New Year!!!

Wishing You a Wonderful St. Patrick’s Day!!!

Details and Origins

Orchestra of Lights – C-9 strings and hub – in 2022 this was exclusive to Lowes. Not sure if or where it will be available in 2023. It is made by Gemmy.  PLEASE NOTE – ALTHOUGH THESE WORKED WELL FOR ME FOR 3 YEARS, I CAN NO LONGER RECOMMEND THEM AS THEY ARE LOSING THEIR PROGRAMMING DAILY. I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A REPLACEMENT, AND WILL UPDATE THIS POST WHEN I FIND SOMETHING THAT IS MORE CONSISTENT.

LED Floodlights base – Lowes Floodlight fiixture

Yellow floodlight bulb LED – Home Depot-for exterior lighting of the inflatables themselves (they may also be lighted internally)  yellow is recommended over white for this as it attract less insects 

 Green floodlight bulb LED Philips – Home Depot

Shamrock “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!” Signs – Hobby Lobby  

Shamrock and Rainbow inflatable arch – Collections,

Moving Leprechaun inflatble in Pot Of Gold – Collections – and also available at Amazon (today) at a higher price 4 ft. Luck of the Irish, pot of gold, Leprechaun Inflatable

Link Parties 

Following is a list of websites I really like!  They are listed under the day of the week where they also host a Family Friendly “Link Party” aka “Blog Hop”.

If you click on the name of the blog (in blue) on the evening of the day of the week they are listed under, it should take you to the Link Party, where many bloggers have joined with them to share their own ideas.  I love how the link parties connect you with both a great blog, and other blogger’s ideas as well!  Many thanks to all these bloggers for bringing so many ideas to all of us!!! 

You can actually find these link parties any day of the week, by clicking on the website name below, but once you click, you may need to scroll thru a few entries to find the link party you are looking for. 

Sunday 

Life as a Leo wife (Nikki), Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly),  Décor Craft Design (Mel) ,A Labour of Life (Linda),  Ducks ‘n a Row (Sinea),  Love My Messy Messy Mess (Katie)   host “Happiness is Homemade” Link Party.  I love checking out the home decor, holiday decorations and current projects of all the hostesses as well as the ideas from their link party ! 

Life and Linda hosts “Love Your Creativity Link Party”.  I love checking out Linda’s gorgeous holiday decorations and tablescapes, and her chandelier decorations are a beautiful finishing touch!!

The House on Silverado  hosts – “Sundays on Silverado” link party. I am fairly new to Niky’s site but am loving her holiday decorating and her new grandma stories!!

Ridge Haven Homestead  – “Sunday Sunshine” Blog Hop.  In addition to the blog hop, I am enjoying reading about Laurie’s homestead, the “off the grid” lifestyle they are living and the cabin they are building. 

April J Harris – hosts Hearth and Soul Link Party monthly on the first Sunday of the month. I am enjoying reading about April’s traveling adventures, as well as her projects at home!  

Monday

Life Tales Books Blogspot  hosts Will Blog for Comments Link Party. Jennifer is a Photos and Story Treasures Consultant, and I am enjoying her ideas on photos and memory books, as well as her link party!  

Holly-Pink Lady(Holly) and Sunshine and books blog (Sarah) host “Hello Monday Link Party”. In addition to the link party, I am enjoying Sarah’s book recommendations, and Holly’s recipes and party ideas.  

Between Naps on the Porch hosts  “Metamorphosis Monday” posts, which are all about “Befores and Afters”. I love seeing Susan’s amazing home projects which are very inspiring!! I always come away with some great ideas from her posts and from those who have linked up!! 

The following link, Senior Salon Pit Stop will get you to the link party on Esme’s site as well as getting you to some great recipes and other ideas!

Charlene at A Pinch of Joy hosts “Busy Mondays”. Charlene’s website is all about home decorating, and holiday decorations and recipes. The first two things are things I love to do and the Recipes are things I like to eat!

Good random fun blogspot hosts The Good.Random.Fun. link party  Tamar’s website has some great photography, interesting places to visit, and thoughts on many things. Recently, I enjoyed reading about Hanukkah celebrations! 

Beverly at Eclectic Red Barn, Nicky at  Life as a Leo Wife, Michelle at  Moms are frugal and a few other hostesses host “You’re the Star Blog Hop” I love checking out these websites and the link party for holiday decor, crafts, money saving ideas and tablescapes. 

Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life   hosts  the “Inspire me Tuesday” link party. Marty has an eye for design and decorating, and turning your house into a home. I always enjoy reading about her projects. 

Eclectic Red Barn (Beverly)  and Penny’s Passion (Penny) host the “Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop” which often opens on Tuesday evenings. I have enjoyed Beverly’s Red Barn project and her projects and decorating . Penny’s website has both projects and recipes I have enjoyed reading about – and more – see “Thinking Out Loud” under “Thursday” in this list. 

Jenerally Informed  hosts the “Happy Now Link Party”. Jen from Jenerally informed and Leslie from playmates to parties host “happy now” which brings many craft and decorating ideas and recipes for fun holiday foods. 

Perfectly Imperfect-LWL hosts the “Tell It To Me Tuesday Link Party” which brings many decorating ideas, recipes, and ideas for family activities. 

Kim and Cassie from Lou Lou Girls host the the “Fabulous Party”. Lou Lou Girls post unique recipes, family activities, DIY and party ideas! 

Marci at Stone Cottage Adventures hosts “Tuesdays with a Twist”. Marci posts on gardening, sewing, recipes, crafts and books! Marci’s link party contains many other fun ideas as well. 

Wednesday

Karin’s Kottage hosts the “Karin’s Kottage Link party”.  I am also enjoying keeping up with Karin’s Italian Palace remodel! as well as her decorating ideas, crafts, grandchild activities and home projects. 

French Ethereal hosts a “Share Your Style”  link party where decorating, recipes, fashion, tablescape styles are all shared. 

Esme Salon recently began hosting a “Wordless Wednesday” photography link party – I can’t wait to link up!

Creatively Beth  hosts the “Creatively Crafty” Link Party. Beth’s website contains wonderful craft posts, including amazing up-cycle, from scratch, and Dollar Store Crafts. Beth’s link party contains a variety of family friendly posts including recipes, crafts, and holiday decor. 

Ridge Haven Homestead hosts the Homestead Blog Hop.  I am also enjoying reading about the off the grid home that Laurie and her family are building. 

Karin at Fifth Sparrow No More, hosts “Whimsy Home Link Party”. Karin posts about Finding the Beauty – in decorating, travel and faith and family! 

Cecelia at My Thrift Store Addiction hosts “Vintage Charm” link party. What Cecelia does with her thrift store finds is so creative!

Thursdays

I often participate in Between Naps on the Porch Tablescape Thursday. I have been following Susan for quite a long time, and absolutely love her Tablescapes!!! I also love the ideas shared on her Tablescape Thursday link party! 

Katherine’s corner hosts the  “TFT – Thursday Favorite Things” blog hop.  I love the assortment of wonderful decorating, recipe, tablescape, and inspirational ideas found here. 

Southern Sunflowers   hosts their “Home Matters Link Party” at 8 CT on Thursday.  I have really enjoyed linking to their link party and the various decorating, recipe, tablescape and craft ideas found on this website and their “Home Matters” Link Party. 

Penny’s Passion  hosts the “Thinking Out Loud Link Party” which often begins on Thursday. Thinking out Loud is a great post published each Thursday, and covers many interesting topics. Today the topic was “elf on the shelf – for empty nesters”and I love the traditions Penny has started in her home. So cute!

Roentare.zenfolio blog hosts a photography link party each week.  The photography is absolutely gorgeous, as are the places he and his wife photograph! 

Good Random Fun  hosts the “Little Things” link party, which I enjoy. Its a place for sharing and reading about lots of different topics and ideas. 

Marsha in the Middle and Melynda, from Scratch Made Food for Hungry People, and Lisa, from Boondock Ramblings host “Weekend Traffic Jam” which goes live on Thursday at 8:30 pm CT. Marsha posts about Fashion and the link party contains holiday decorations, fashion, and recipes (to name a few of the family friendly links). 

Friday

Stephanie at Crazy Little Lovebirds hosts the “Crazy Little Lovebirds link party.” It is a gathering for home decor ideas, recipes, tablescapes, reflections, etc. I am enjoying being a part fo this group. 

Building Our Hive hosts the “Funtastic Friday” Link Party which includes recipes, home decor, tablescapes, crafts, travel and other family friendly posts. 

Cindy at County Road 407  hosts the “Farmhouse Friday” Link Party, which begins at 6:30 am CT each Friday and features home decor – all styles; holiday decorating, tablescapes, crafts, etc. 

Andrea at The Cottage Market hosts “A Morning Cup of Joe” link party. Both the website and the link party feature DIY projects, Recipes, home decor, crafts and holiday decorations. 

Erika at A Little Bit of Everything and Andrea at Momfessionals, host “Friday Favorites”. Both websites and the link party feature family activities, home decor, fashion, entertaining, recipes, and holiday decorations and traditions. 

At Lou Lou Girls Kim, Cassie and Amber bring lots of good recipes and family activities to us and also host “Fabulous Friday” a link party that brings us recipes, holiday decor, family activities and many other family friendly ideas! 

Saturday

Pieced Pastimes  Hosts “Saturday Sparks Party”  which includes home decors, recipes and holiday fun foods, tablescapes, crafts, etc. Among the many things I appreciate at Pieced Pastimes is the first picture of many posts, where Suzanne shows her current view at home (in New Hampshire) I love her wonderful view in all weather!

Comments

I would love to hear about you St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and decorations, so would love it if you could comment below, I love hearing from you! Also, would love any recommendations you have on programmable lights. Thanks so much!

Please know that I am the only one who will see your email when you comment it will not be shared on the post (although your comment will be shared) and I will not give your email to anyone else. I can’t wait to hear from you!!

May the Luck of the Irish Be With You!!!