Willow Faerie

Saint Patrick’s Day!

Green Beer, pot of gold, good fortune, “Luck of the Irish”, these are all typical things we hear about on this fun day.

They say we are all Irish on this day.  My mothers side of the family is Irish and  Scottish, so I certainly am,  and love to hear tales and read about the Irish culture. So what does St. Patrick’s Day really mean?

Here are just a few of the tales and reasons that  I remember hearing my grandmother, Maude,  talk about, (her maiden name Kirk, Kirkpatrick in the old country, County Court, meaning church)

Saint Patrick:

While much of St. Patrick’s life is clouded by legend, there are some
generally agreed-upon facts. Most historians agree that he was born in Scotland
or Wales around 370 A.D. and that his given name was Maewyn Succat. His parents,
Calpurnius and Conchessa, were Romans living in Britain.

It was only after finding his true spiritual self that Patrick felt he could
answer the call to return to Ireland to “care and labour for the salvation of
others.” He returned as a bishop around 432 A.D., traveled throughout Ireland
spreading the word of God, and built churches and schools

Why find a four leaf clover?

The Celtic Druids believed that a four-leaf clover could
help in spotting witches or other demons. Some modern-day spiritualists claim
that a four-leaf clover releases energy and helps one’s judgment. Yet others
feel that finding a four-leaf clover brings good fortune, not just on St.
Patrick’s Day.

Fae Folk:

Fairies fill Irish folklore. These make-believe creatures can assume various
human or animal forms. They love music and may even lead humans astray with
their pipe playing and singing. Irish fairies fall into two main groups:
sociable and solitary. Perhaps the best known of the solitary fairies are the
leprechauns. Leprechauns have the distinction of being the most solitary of the
solitaries, avoiding contact with humans, other fairies, and even other
leprechauns! These two-foot tall, unfriendly, gruff men (there are no female
leprechauns) prefer to pass their time making shoes for other fairies. They
usually wear a green coat, a green hat, and a shoemaker’s apron.

Lemon Cilantro Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 c. dry bowtie pasta
• 2 c. spinach
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 1/4 c. onion finely diced
• 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
• 2 avocados diced
• 1 can chickpeas (or navy beans) drained and rinsed
• 1 c. cherry tomatoes cut in half

For the Dressing:
Juice of 1 med/lg or 2 small lemons

• zest of 1 lemon
• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 2 tsp. dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• dash of salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Fill a pot with water and a sprinkle of salt and bring to a boil. Cook pasta until done, about 7-9 minutes. Once done, drain pasta and set aside and let cool.
2. Using a food processor (or a really good knife), process cilantro and spinach until it becomes finely chopped.
3. Add greens to a medium bowl and fold in diced garlic and onion. Next fold in tomatoes, avocado, and beans. Toss in cooked pasta, then pour dressing on top and fold into salad until coated.
4. Set in fridge for at least 10-15 minutes to let flavors set.Ingredients:

Shamrock Pretzel

Ingredients:
Package  of Yogurt Pretzels
White Chocolate Chips , about 1/2 a bag, or 1 cup
Green Frosting
Green Sprinkles

Directions:
1)  Place about 1/2 cup of white
chocolate chips in a glass dish, and microwave for 30 seconds
Stir.  Do this two or three times, until you are able to completely melt
the chips.  DO NOT OVER HEAT! You should be able to stir the chocolate smooth and free of lumps.
2. Line a surface or baking sheet with wax paper.
3.  Dip the bottom half of a pretzel
in the melted chocolate, making sure each side is nicely coated.  Place the
pretzel onto your wax paper. Continue with each pretzel and join together as shown.

4. Break a pretzel in half, dip in the chocolate and attach for the stem. Let cool and harden.

Felt Flower:

Use leftover felt, quilted cotton, or other plush fabric and cut shapes, why not Shamrocks?

large, medium  and small,  glue or hand stitch in a decorative stitch together, sew or glue on ribbon for necklace,

sew a pin on the back for your lapel, or use on a  package for decoration,

Maudie’s Irish Coffee:

Pour Irish Whiskey at the bottom of your glass , (to taste)

1 or 2 teaspoons of brown sugar,

Put a teaspoon in the glass and pour good strong  coffee on the spoon to temper,

Now this is the only tricky part:

Have ready lightly whipped cream, you don’t want it too thick for this, (use real whipping cream)

Take your  spoon and put it with back turning up against the side of the glass, just at the top of the coffee.

Pour  cream gently over the back of the spoon. If your Irish Coffee is well made it will be dark brown or black with just a covering of the cream floating on the top!

Enjoy!

Detox Water (for after a few Irish Coffee’s)

Ingredients:
2 lemons
1/2 cucumber
10-12 mint leaves

Slice ingredients, put in bottom of jar, fill with water,
Chill Time: Overnight or 8 hours

This water just looks so refreshing, especially after a day and night of celebrating!

Hope you have a fun St. Patrick’s Day!

Watch for my Easter letter in a couple weeks.

Thanks so much for your email.

Old Irish Blessing:

Celeste