happy guinness day!

happy st. patrick's day!!!! one of my favorite days!!! not for what st. patrick did-supposedly getting rid of the snakes(i.e. pagens) of ireland-hey! wasn't he english? whatever-forget the history-it's a grand time for me to celebrate my irish roots and drink beer- and celebrate the serpent! i always dress in green on this day-a tradition from my childhood-so you wouldn't get pinched. but-we couldn't wear orange with our green because that meant you were "protestant."-god forbid!!!! i remember the chicago river dyed green for this grand day.-i hear they still do it today! here's my leprechaun outfit for the day-my last year's hand-dyed, handspun, hand knit green socks-no shawl yet- not finished. maybe next year!sorry to tell you- there will be no wild stories to tell of this nite-no singing back up to a 70's pop band at the crazy horse saloon-like last year. mellow night hanging with the family.

my mom used to make the BEST corned beef and cabbage every st. paddy's day. it's funny cause she's not even the irish one-i get my irish from my dad's side.( yes it was also my mom who made sure we wore green with no orange!) tonight we had the poor irish peasant dinner-since the family won't eat meat-i omited the corned beef from my mom's recipe- boiled potato, cabbage, onions and carrots-but i didn't have any turnips to add. i like having the kids experience this kind of meal(makes them complain less about other meals i make. you know-the olden day meal trip. carey was at his mom's so he missed this spectacular dinner. makes you really appreciate salt and pepper.when my dear friend jeanette went to ireland she brought me back this awesome poster from st. patrick's day! too cool!i leave you tonight with a picture of my little leprechaun-
erin go bragh!