My first memories of a “beautiful woman” was Maureen O’Hara in “The Quiet Man” and “The Parent Trap.” I loved everything about her: her spitfire spirit, her red hair, her creamy skin, her enchanting brogue. She was soft and feminine, but would kick your butt in a second #girlgoals. She made me want to be Irish, but this olive-skinned, brown-haired, BIG brown-eyed, Cajun girl was anything but.
Fast forward 23 years, and I married a Keating. We honeymooned in Ireland; I kissed the Blarney Stone. I was finally “Irish” … or at least my children would be.
Needless to say, St. Patrick’s Day is a big deal in our house. We sport that Irish (in-law) heritage proudly and enjoy celebrating the day. Here are some of our favorite ways to do so.
- All. the. GREEN. Green milk? Green apples? my kids will sometimes even EAT their broccoli because it’s green.
- Sprinkles: green, gold, shamrocks. On yogurt, on oatmeal, and for a special treat, fairy bread (literally buttered toast, sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar and sprinkles … plus the Irish love fairies)
- Cook something Irish. Think Shepherd’s Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, toad in the hole, or maybe something sweet like sticky toffee pudding or Iirish soda bread.
- Play the pipes. Ask Alexa to play some bagpipe music, harps, or an Irish band like The Dubliners.
- Train your kids right with famous Irish rockers like U2 and The Cranberries.
- Watch an Irish Movie like The Quiet Man or Song of the Sea.
- Look for 4-leaf clovers in clover beds.
Seven is the LUCKIEST number, so we will stop there.
And we always end our celebrations after the kids go to bed with a Guinness, Jameson, Bailey’s on ice, or if you want to blend the three, an Irish Car Bomb. #SLAINTE
And so, let me leave you with this famous Irish proverb.
May the road rise up to meet you. may the wind be always at your back. may the sun shine warm upon your face and rains fall soft upon your fields. and until we meet again, may god hold you in the palm of your hands.
