Happy St. Patrick's Day

When I was growing up I always wished I was "something" - Italian, French, Danish. I didn't care which since it was better than being 1/16 of anything. Don't get me wrong, I love my family, but I longed for the traditions and values that came with identification in a single culture. Now that I am Irish by marriage the matter is settled and I can celebrate St. Patrick's Day while happily pretending to be one of them!

On the menu today? Well, corned beef and Irish soda bread, of course, with a side of macaroni and cheese for old time's sake! I've never made Irish Soda Bread. In fact, I've always been a little intimated by it. Is it a bread, a cake, or something in between? Turns out it's a lot easier to make than I thought. I used Martha's Stewart's recipe from her Baking Handbook (2005) but you can see the recipe here. Leave it to the Irish to offer a simple, slightly sweet bread made of ingredients already in your pantry. I didn't even have to break out the stand mixer!

Even if you don't have time for Irish soda bread today, I leave you with one of my favorite Irish proverbs (for any day o' the year!) My German, English, Cherokee grandmother even had this one hanging in her house. So, for our friends and family.....

An Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields and,
Until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!