Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! Well, it's the "week of" St. Patrick's Day. As I was driving through our small town this weekend, the streets were closed for our annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. I was thrilled to see folks lining up, dressed in green and SMILES ear to ear! It's so nice to see everyone smiling again. With the mask mandate - I missed seeing others smiling. Smiles are contagious, don't you think?
“The luck of the Irish" is probably a saying you've heard time and time again, most likely around St. Patrick's Day! I always thought the meaning had something to do with the extreme good fortune of the people of Ireland, but originally the Irish phrase had a different connotation. During the gold and silver rush years in the second half of the 19th century, a number of the most famous and successful miners were of Irish and Irish American birth. . . .Over time this association of the Irish with mining fortunes led to the expression “luck of the Irish.” Fun fact!
Meantime, being an American, I find we are all extremely lucky! I love that we can celebrate all of these wonderful holidays, simply as our right of passage, being Americans together! On St. Patrick’s Day – we all are Irish! Throw on your green sweaters and soak up some green sudsy beer! At least this is my opinion on how being an American has some really great, not-so-obvious privileges. This incredible melting pot of unique cultures and heritages offers us the ability to be “all in” whenever there’s anything to celebrate! Isn’t that wonderful?
However, my grandma from Florence, Italy would roll over in her grave right now if I didn’t mention this important fact: although many assume that St. Patrick is of Irish descent, he was actually not born in Ireland! No one really knows where St. Patrick was actually born, but historians believe he was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland. St. Patrick’s parents where Calpurnius and Conchessa who were Italians living in Scotland. So technically, he’s an Italian!
A fun Irish Recipe in honor of St. Patty’s Day:
Ingredients:
-1 1/3 oz (2 parts) Irish whiskey,
-whipped cream
-1 tsp. PERKS FOR PASTRIES
-2 2/3 oz (4 parts) Hot coffee
Preparation:
Heat the coffee, whiskey and sugar; do not boil.
Pour into glass and top with whipped cream; serve hot.
Other ideas:
Try this with HOT COCOA, no alcohol or coffee
and finish with chocolate syrup for a kid-friendly
non-alcoholic treat!
“The luck of the Irish" is probably a saying you've heard time and time again, most likely around St. Patrick's Day! I always thought the meaning had something to do with the extreme good fortune of the people of Ireland, but originally the Irish phrase had a different connotation. During the gold and silver rush years in the second half of the 19th century, a number of the most famous and successful miners were of Irish and Irish American birth. . . .Over time this association of the Irish with mining fortunes led to the expression “luck of the Irish.” Fun fact!
Meantime, being an American, I find we are all extremely lucky! I love that we can celebrate all of these wonderful holidays, simply as our right of passage, being Americans together! On St. Patrick’s Day – we all are Irish! Throw on your green sweaters and soak up some green sudsy beer! At least this is my opinion on how being an American has some really great, not-so-obvious privileges. This incredible melting pot of unique cultures and heritages offers us the ability to be “all in” whenever there’s anything to celebrate! Isn’t that wonderful?
However, my grandma from Florence, Italy would roll over in her grave right now if I didn’t mention this important fact: although many assume that St. Patrick is of Irish descent, he was actually not born in Ireland! No one really knows where St. Patrick was actually born, but historians believe he was born in Kilpatrick, Scotland. St. Patrick’s parents where Calpurnius and Conchessa who were Italians living in Scotland. So technically, he’s an Italian!
A fun Irish Recipe in honor of St. Patty’s Day:
Ingredients:
-1 1/3 oz (2 parts) Irish whiskey,
-whipped cream
-1 tsp. PERKS FOR PASTRIES
-2 2/3 oz (4 parts) Hot coffee
Preparation:
Heat the coffee, whiskey and sugar; do not boil.
Pour into glass and top with whipped cream; serve hot.
Other ideas:
Try this with HOT COCOA, no alcohol or coffee
and finish with chocolate syrup for a kid-friendly
non-alcoholic treat!