Will You Be Wearin' Of The Green?

St. Patrick's Day is almost here! Isn't it fun to celebrate with a few special extra touches? Life is meant to be enjoyed and a little *Irish Spirit* can be yours easily and for very little money! Just have fun with it...holidays are meant to be savored~

On March 17th, all of us are just a wee bit Irish! The three-leaf clover, or shamrock, became linked with Ireland through the missionary work of Saint Patrick, who used its trefoil pattern to symbolize Christianity's Holy Trinity. In celebration of the holiday that commemorates the saint's death (March 17)

Isn't this cupcake sweet? Just bake some cupcakes using your favorite cake mixes or recipe. Ice and add a tiny spring of clover. Just remember to remove it before you take a nibble! Or sprinkle a bit of green sugar on top...green M & Ms would also be fun! Or, for the shamrock, flatten 3 green gumdrops or spearmint leaves with a rolling pin (sprinkle on a little sugar, if necessary, to keep the candies from sticking). Use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut a heart from each flattened leaf. Place the hearts together on the cupcake to form a shamrock. Cut a stem from the excess of one of the flattened candies and set it in place below the 3 hearts. Voila! A shamrock you CAN eat!

Set a sweet "Wearin' Of The Green" table ever so easily...In expensive green glassware can be found so many places. I found some very pretty ones at our local dollar store! I got green glass plates from good old Walmart and have seen them at our K Mart as well. Create a centerpiece from pots of shamrocks (clover) that can often be found at this time of the year in local supermarkets. A green or white table cloth and napkins will do the trick! Tie green ribbon or raffia around the napkins. Gather some greenery from out of doors or from your local florist. Toss a few green apples in a bowl. Choose a few of them to hollow out and place tea lights inside. And don't forget the Leprechaun's gold! Gold foil-covered chocolate coins can be added to your table decorations! Hey! Even a few green Jelly beans tossed around the table would be cute!

~Leprechaun's Lemonade~

Mix 2 parts lemonade,

1 part lemon-lime soda,

and 1 part Surge soft drink.

My wish for all of of you, my dear, dear friends... May you always have Walls for the winds, A roof for the rain, Tea beside the fire, Laughter to cheer you, Those you love near you, And all your heart might desire! Blessings to you all! Love and hugs, Susie Q