Celebrating Green and Saint Patrick’s Day
While you may or may not want to “wear green” on St. Patrick’s Day, you can still bring the best of luck to you and yours with any type of celebration to welcome in and usher in spring, which is part of the Saint Patrick’s Day festivities. It’s so nice to go from the soft, muted colors of winter to the vibrant, inviting hues of green and spring.
One of the staples of St. Patrick’s Day dinner is Irish soda bread. There are so many different recipes available on the net that you can pick and choose to your heart’s delight. This bread is so named because “baking soda” is the leavening agent and the “X” cut into the top of the bread is a sure way to ward off any evil spirits that may be on the prowl. Watching the St. Patrick’s Day parade from New York City is a relaxing way for family and friends to get into “green” mode. Drink cool and refreshing soda or ice cream, or if you prefer a hot beverage, like mint green tea, Irish coffee for the grown-ups, or even mint hot chocolate with whipped cream that has some crushed “spearmint” candies. it just adds up to the day. The “cockles of your heart” will be hot and ready to have corned beef and cabbage pansies, and all the trimmings.
The first Saint Patrick’s Day was celebrated in 1737. If you like authenticity, going to “Dublin” is easier than you think. You don’t have to cross an ocean, just go cross country. There’s Dublin, CA., Dublin, OH., Dublin, NH, Dublin, GA. and even Dublin, VA.
Hallmark claims to sell more than 12 million St. Patrick’s Day cards and greetings sent each year. Opening an envelope with a wish, such as “May your neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, angels protect you, and heaven accept you” is a great day.
I grew up watching the Chicago River turn green every St. Patrick’s Day; okay, a nicer shade of green than the norm for that river. Using tons of vegetable dye, the old Chicago River is turned into a “green” flowing river for a few days, which is a really beautiful sight from the windows of some of the Chicago Loop’s tall buildings. It makes you want to turn to the person next to you and offer, “May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.” kind of nice!!!
Kissing the Blarney Stone is a legend in Cork, Ireland. A great way to recreate this tradition is to kiss the chef who makes homemade blarney stones for dessert. Using your favorite cupcake recipe, just follow the directions and bake. He chills the cupcakes then frosts with any snow-white frosting and covers the entire top with green-tinted coconut. Just add 1 tbsp. water to green food coloring until green is the shade that suits you best. Put the coconut in a jar, add the colored water, put a tight lid on top and start shaking that jar with some really hot Irish jigs. When the coconut is evenly tinted, pat dry with paper towels, then add to the top of your own Blarney Stones.
Shamrocks and gold coins cut from brightly colored paper are a great decorating tip for tables. You can even place your guests’ initials on the bottom of the coins, and before you set the table with goodies, give everyone a minute to try and collect as many coins as they initial. They can then purchase their chosen desserts, which are sitting on a side table waiting to be snatched up for the right price.
Corned beef and cabbage are a mainstay, but with a little “green” imagination, side dishes can be made that carry out the theme of the day. At the end of any meal, pass around a green bowler hat you can make from construction paper and fill it with well wishes and blessings that are sure to please. Your family and friends will enjoy opening your special notes with phrases like “May God bring good health to the enemies of his enemies” or “May he live a hundred years with one more year to repent.” So here’s to St. Patrick’s Day and Slainte’ (pronounced Slan-cha and means “Cheers”).
Wishing everyone the opportunity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in an affordable and fun way. Remember: if you ever wonder what God thinks of money, just look at who he gives it to.”
Enjoy.
©March, 2010
Arleen M. Kaptur