A Little Irish...

...soda bread that is!

Ingredients

5 cups sifted all-purpose unbleached flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 pound (1 stick) butter

2 1/2 cups mixed light and dark raisins, soaked in water for 15 to 20 minutes and drained

3 tablespoons caraway seeds

2 1/2 cups buttermilk

1 large egg, slightly beaten

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Generously butter 2 (9 by 5-inch) bread pans.

Stir together the sifted flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Cut in the butter and mix very thoroughly with your hands until it gets grainy. Stir in raisins and caraway seeds.

Add the buttermilk and egg to the flour mixture. Stir until well moistened. Shape dough into 2 loaves and place in the pans.

Bake for 1 hour. Test with a toothpick for doneness. Cool in the pans for 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Enjoy!

May your St.Patrick's Day be filled with good food, warm
laughter & the joy of being surrounded by loved ones.

Rath Dé ort!

An Irish Giggle

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

I needed a giggle today and nothing cheers me more than dancing with my favorite Irishman. I am not sure what's in Brian's tankards but MINE is filled with Root Beer!

Can you believe that St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow! Don't forget to be a wearin' a bit o' the green!

A Blessing

“May you always walk in sunshine. May you never want for more. May Irish angels rest their wings right beside your door.”

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all.

Wishing you a sweet day filled with sunshine and happy smiles!

Leprechaun Shenanigans

Leprechaun shenanigans were afoot near my town Tuesday night! A house not too very far from Rabbit Run Cottage has long treated the community to a little holiday *rock* festivity! Each season and holiday a group of stones receive their finery and bring a smile to the face of each passerby.

But in the wee hours of St. Patrick's Day eve, a naughty leprechaun, or gaggle of leprechauns,

played an evil trick on the happy home's residents. They awoke Wednesday morn to discover their stones had been beheaded!

Yesterday the home owners crafted this sign and placed it where

the sweet stone faces once sat... No word yet on whether or not a ransom is being offered!

Kip's Big Irish Adventure

Happy St. Patrick's Day from your friend Kip!

Hi all you Irish dudes! My Mom says that everyone is Irish today, even if you are not, which I am. My name is actually Kipper T. McGhee, the T stands for *trouble* and that is what you get with me dudes. Trouble. My Mom says I am a little Irish hooligan from the streets of Belfast. (That must be in Tennessee dudes 'cause that is where I was born) My Dad says I am as cute as a leprechaun but you know? I have never actually SEEN a leprechaun.

One comes to our house in the wee hours before dawn on St. Patrick's Day and causes lots of messes. He leaves paper all over the floors and throws socks in the hallway. He also leaves a buncha gold coins that smell a lot like chocolate. (Which, by the way, I am not allowed to eat. Phooey).

I have tried to stay up and catch this leprechaun in action dudes but a guy's gotta sleep sometime right? I think it is my cats that make the messes and blame it on those poor leprechauns but where would my cats get gold coins that smell like chocolate? They don't have any money dudes! So I have decided to go out looking for a leprechaun. Ssh. Don't tell my folks 'cause they would worry 'n I will be home by sun up anyway 'kay dudes?

Let's go! I've got my leprechaun trackin' device (Otherwise known as my nose) and that's all we need right?

I have seen all sorts of pictures like this 'round town this time of year. But does a REAL leprechaun look this happy all the time?I have also seen this picture of a leprechaun and he looks mighty angry. I think he works at a school somewhere. Do leprechauns look mad dudes? I DO know they live in Ireland most of the time. It is a place far from my house and my parents want to go real bad. They say it is green and pretty and the people there are cool an all and I think that sounds good but let's get back to findin' one of those trouble makin' leprechauns 'kay?

I was gonna ask these dudes if they know where a leprechaun is but gee whiz. These guys are....ssshhh....*wearin' skirts*. That is why the poor dog is hiding his face dudes! Skirts! On guys! Dudes!

I started to ask this horse if HE knew about leprechauns but he looked a little green 'round the old gills if you know what I mean. HA! That was a good one dudes! But hey. Dad says it is really green in Ireland so even the horses must turn green. Whoa.

I thought these dudes might be leprechauns so I sniffed 'em. Nope. Not leprechauns but they smelled good anyway. Kinda like corned beef.

Wow! This dude has his own leprechaun!! Oh. Wait a mo...that is NOT a real leprechaun. I KNOW leprechauns and he is NO leprechaun. Okay, so I DON'T actually KNOW leprechauns but I was just sayin'...

This is Chauncey. He is a cool Irish dog like me and he says I can ride in his car to look for wee people. Keep a close eye out Chauncey dude!

Look out! Cats! Whoo Hoo...hey cats. Do you know a leprechaun? Phooey on you...I didn't want to kiss ya anyhoo.

I hear the river in Chicago magically turns green on march 17th every year. Must be the work of tricky leprechauns. Let's look there dudes...

Aha!! A leprechaun. Um...nope. It's just Elton John! Ooh. My Mommy

would not like THAT joke. Just teasin' Ma!

I thought this dude was a leprechaun but on closer sniff I discovered he was a dog. Sneaky huh?

These guys were all in green but they didn't know any leprechauns. They said to call 'em if I needed any help tho' and not to play with matches.

I thought my search was over dudes! I mean, his shirt even SAYS he is a leprechaun and all. But a quick sniff let me know he was a human baby. And he needed a change too! Another sneaky dude.

Wait!! Look at this! We must be getting close right?

Aha!!!

Wait.Um..you are SO not a leprechaun dude! But I do like your tie...huh? What?

Our buddy Winston here says he has seen a few animals...ssshh...*drinking beer*. I do NOT believe it! I do NOT believe it! Just because it is St. Patrick's Day does not mean...

Oh NO!!! Squirrels drinking an Irish ale! What to do, what to do....yikes!!!

CATS drinking an Irish ale!!! Well, thank goodness no dog would ever be caught drin...um...huh? Oh dude...drinking!! And drinking a nice Irish ale! What would your German ancestors say dude? I guess we ALL are Irish today...even little dachshunds.

But I want you to know dudes that I do NOT drink Irish ale. Or beer. Or fruit punch. My only vice is the ever so occasional (And only because my folks won't take me more!) cuppa 'scream! Well, I got a little side tracked there...let's get this search back on course!

Are YOU a leprechaun? You are wearin' green and you are wee...oh. Leprechauns don't have feathers? Sorry dude!

Is THIS a leprechaun? Nah...but he IS a spiffy dresser dudes!

Éirinn go Brách anyway cat dude!

Are YOU a leprech...no. You are not wee...you are a cow. A green cow. Hey! Do you give green milk? That would be totally awesome cow dude!

Well, I am just about ready to give up dudes. I am tired and I need to sleep. I will go to bed and dream of this all green land where cows and horse are green too. The cats dress in hats and the squirrels drink beer and the dudes wear skirts. Sometimes.

WAIT! There! In that little house!! A LEPRECHAUN DUDES!!!!!

CATCH him dudes!!!

HA! Gotcha!

(In case you don't recognize me in the hat, it's me. Kipper.)

~~~~~~~~~~

I hope you are wearin' some green today because

if you do not wear green you can get a pinch! So wear it! Dudes! That is my St. Paddy's Day advice for you!

Excuse me for now 'cause I smell some corned beef cookin'

somewhere and I just have to find it!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Luv,

Your Irish Dog Pal,

Kip T. McGhee

Irish Blessings

May the Irish hills caress you.

May her lakes and rivers bless you.

May the luck of the Irish enfold you.

May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

~Irish Blessing

There are many myths and legends about Saint Patrick.

Saint Patrick apostle of Ireland. Fifth century Ireland is a lost world, virtually closed to both historians and archaeologists, and what little is known about life and work of Patrick comes from his own writings in Latin, now accepted as authentic, and from brief references in annuals written about two centuries later. In his Confessions, an apologia written in his old age rough Latin, Patrick says that he was a native of Roman Britain, the son of Calpurnius, a deacon who lived in the village of Bannaven Taberniae. Scholars disagree as to its location, ascribing it variously to Cumberland, the Severn valley and the island of Anglesey. He was captured by Irish raiders at the age of sixteen, and sold into bondage to tend sheep and swine on the slopes of Slemish mountain in Antrim for a chief named Milchu. His thoughts turned to God, and he spent many hours in solitary prayer. After six years he escaped, and made his way home. He relates how in a vision he saw a man who came from Ireland with letters, and how he heard the voices of the Irish imploring him to return. He does not say where he studied for the Church, but tradition makes him a disciple of St. Germanus of Auxerre, and he may also have spent some time at Tours and at the monastic island settlement on Lerins off the coast of Provence. According to the Chronicle of Prosper of Aquitane, a contemporary source. Pope Celestine sent one Palladius in the year 421 to the Irish believing in Christ, to be their bishop. This fragment of evidence suggests that there were Christians in Ireland at that time in numbers sufficient to warrant the appointment of a bishop. According to tradition, Palladius' mission had little success, and he was forced to leave within a few months, dying in Scotland about 431. The uncertainty surrounding the date of Saint Patrick's arrival has occasioned the theory of two Patrick's, whose careers were confused by later chronicles, but this remains merely theory. It seems reasonably certain that St. Patrick's mission spanned some thirty years, in the latter half of the fifth century, that it was very successful, and that Ireland, unlike any other country in Western Europe, was converted to Christianity without the shedding of martyrs' blood. In his own words, the saint 'baptized thousands, ordained clerics everywhere and rejoiced to see the flock of the Lord in Ireland growing splendidly.' It is probable that most of his missionary was carried out in the Northern half of the country. The date and place of his death are uncertain; tradition says that he died at Saul, near Downpatrick, Co. Down, on 17 March, the day now celebrated as the national festival.

What Blarney!

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin

transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.

~Adrienne Cook

A Little Blarney For Ye...

The Blarney Stone is a stone set in the wall of the Blarney Castle tower in the Irish village of Blarney. Kissing the stone is supposed to bring the kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence. The legend says that an old woman cast a spell on the stone to reward a king who had saved her from drowning. Kissing the stone while under the spell gave the king the ability to speak sweetly and convincingly. It's difficult reach the stone. Kissers have to lie on their back and bend backward or downward, holding iron bars for support. Found at the top of the Tower...kiss it and you’ll never again be lost for words. But don’t take my word for it – everyone from Sir Walter Scott to a host of American presidents, world leaders, and international entertainers has been eager to take advantage.

The Stone of Eloquence For over 200 years, world statesmen, literary giants, and legends of the silver screen have joined the millions of pilgrims climbing the steps to kiss the Blarney Stone and gain the gift of eloquence. Its powers are unquestioned but its story still creates debate. Some say it was Jacob’s Pillow, brought to Ireland by the prophet Jeremiah. Here it became the Lia Fail or ‘Fatal Stone’, used as an oracular throne of Irish kings – a kind of Harry Potter-like ‘sorting hat’ for kings. It was also said to be the deathbed pillow of St Columba on the island of Iona. Legend says it was then removed to mainland Scotland, where it served as the prophetic power of royal succession, the Stone of Destiny. When Cormac MacCarthy, King of Munster, sent five thousand men to support Robert the Bruce in his defeat of the English at Bannockburn in 1314, a portion of the historic Stone was given by the Scots in gratitude – and returned to Ireland. Others say it may be a stone brought back to Ireland from the Crusades – the ‘Stone of Ezel’ behind which David hid on Jonathan’s advice when he fled from his enemy, Saul. A few claim it was the stone that gushed water when struck by Moses.

Blarney Castle was built nearly six hundred years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, and has been attracting attention ever since. Not all of that has been welcome, as Good Queen Bess and Oliver Cromwell could testify. But over the last few hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney, making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures.

Shamrock Cookies

So easy it's ridiculous...and that's just how a girl like me likes a recipe!

Easy maybe but they are also tasty and festive and

a sweet idea for a St. Patrick's Day treat.

Ingredients 1 roll (16.5 oz) refrigerated sugar cookies 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup green sugar Directions 1. Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, break up the cookie dough. Stir or knead in flour until well blended. Work with half the dough at a time; refrigerate remaining dough until needed. 2. Shape dough into 70 (3/4-inch) balls; reserve 7 balls. Roll each of the remaining balls in green sugar. To form each shamrock, place 2 balls with sides touching and 1 ball on top on ungreased cookie sheets. For stems, divide each reserved ball into 3 pieces. Roll each piece into ball, then in green sugar; shape into a triangle. Place 1 triangle pointed side up at bottom of each cookie between 2 balls for stem. 3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.

And as Grace would like to point out, dunking these babies in

a tall glass of ice cold milk will turn that stuff green! And you can never have enough green on March 17th right?

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

St. Patrick's Day Pizza

How about a twist on traditional St. Patrick's Day fare? You must admit it IS different right? But it has most of the *traditional* ingredients that many of use at this time of year. I think the folks here at Rabbit Run Cottage will give this a try!

Ingredients For the dough: 2 teaspoons sugar 1 package active dry yeast 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the bowl 3 cups all-purpose flour, or 2 3/4 cups plus 1/4 cup whole-wheat flour, plus more for dusting 1 teaspoon fine salt For the toppings: 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for the pan 3 cups sliced green cabbage Kosher salt 1 teaspoon pickling spices, tied securely in cheesecloth 1 large potato, peeled and thinly sliced Freshly ground pepper 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 3/4 cup shredded monterey jack cheese 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 6 ounces sliced corned beef Directions Make the dough: Whisk 1 cup warm water (105 degrees) with the sugar in a bowl; scatter the yeast over the top and set aside until foamy, about 10 minutes. Stir in the olive oil. Whisk the flour and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the yeast mixture. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients to make a rough, shaggy dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. (Add more flour to prevent sticking, if necessary.) Form the dough into a ball; place in a large oiled bowl, turning to coat with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside at room temperature until the dough has doubled in size, about 90 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the toppings: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the cabbage, season with salt and cook until just soft, about 5 minutes. Add the pickling spices and just enough water to cover. Simmer over low heat, covered, until the cabbage is tender, about 20 minutes. Drain the cabbage and set aside (discard spices). Place a pizza stone in the oven, if you have one, and preheat to 500 degrees. Toss the potato with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in a single layer on a baking sheet until golden, about 15 minutes. Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces. Roll one into a 14-inch round (keep the remaining dough covered). Place the round on a floured pizza peel (if baking on a stone) or a large oiled pizza pan; drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Scatter half of each of the cheeses, corned beef, cabbage and potatoes on top. Season with salt and pepper. Carefully slip the pizza onto the hot stone, if using, or place the pan in the oven. Cook until golden and crispy, 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat with the remaining dough and toppings.

And enjoy!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

A Little Irish Revelry...

...was found at Rabbit Run Cottage this past Saturday evening! We had our family and a few great friends over for a bit of Irish cheer. Everyone came dressed in something green and were filled to the brim with the St. Patrick's Day spirit! It was a sweet evenin' to be sure!

You have to have something sugary don'tcha know!

And goody bags are a must! Everyone took home little bags of green and gold wrapped candies, gold chocolate coins, silk shamrocks and little St. Patrick's Day pins all tied up with green checked ribbon!

This is a girl who loves a holiday! She always decks out in the *dress style of the day* and on *this* particular day, it was the "wearin' o' the green"!

Why, even our Kipper got into the spirit!

Hey Kip! How do you feel now that St. Patrick's Day is almost at an end? "PFHTTTTTTTTTTTTT............................" Ah...that's what I thought you would say...he so loves a good holiday! Don't worry sweet boy. Easter is only a few days away! WHAT?? Uh oh. I better get to work clearing away the shamrocks and get to work adding a rabbit here and a chick there. An egg here and a basket there... I hope your weekend and your St. Patrick's Day were lovely! Blessings, love and hugs to you all! Susie Q

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

Tis I, Declan P. Dugan L.I.T.

"St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time... a day to begin transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic!"

~Adrienne Cook

A top o' the mornin' to ye....tis I, Declan P. Dugan, L.I.T. (Leprechaun In Training) at your service. A more handsome leprechaun ye will not find in alla me land. I have come all the way from me house, dear Ballybrack Cottage in old County Cork don't ye know...

Aye but isn't me home lovely?

...to speak to ye in hope that I could be o' service to one and all. An L.I.T. must perform many good deeds or, dash it all, we simply will not be promoted! Tis a shame I tell ye. And me, bein' as poetic a lad as I am and all. But, to quote me dear Sean O' Casey,

"All the world's a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed. " But o' how I digress...

So me lovelies, what canna do to help ye?

I am here today on Suzie Q's blog (A sweet lass but a bit daft I tell ye. And not a drop o' Irish blood inner. Tis a shame...the lass has me all flummoxed!) to ask ye just what canna do for ye. Just ask and old Clancy will do his wee best. Now, I canna no promise anything but I canna promise I will do me best. So, whether your name be Flannery , McGhee, Donnelly, Finnegan, Sullivan or, *gasp*, DENNEHY (Oh but this lass has it bad for this Irishman),

I am but at your service.

Now, I canna be no help to make ye Irish...there bein' only two kinds o' people in the world, the Irish, and those who wish they be ye know. But onna day like today, all people can be Irish.

I speak no blarney! Just like that! Poof. It lasts but 24 hours...sadly for ye...tis but a wee thing for me to do...say thank ye!

Now, I gotta get back to me bowl of carrots and parsnips.

Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!

Éire go Brách