St. Paddy's Day Spread

Cost: free

Prep time: none

When I was a child, my mom and I had a tradition for Saint Patrick's Day. We would have a picnic on the living room floor and watch Darby O'Gill and the Little People. THe food would be mostly green: veggies, dip, pickles, olives, jello, Kool-aid, as well as some things like crackers, cheeses, and meats. We would even lay out a blanket.

We don't do this anymore, and I am kind of sad about it. My mom claims that it is a thing that was just for her and I, but my brother remembers doing it too, so I think she is wrong about that part. We didn't do the picnic this year, but I think Matt, Charlie and I will maybe bring about the old tradition next year. Besides, it would have been really difficult to try to get Charlie to eat this year while he has the ability to run away. His desire to play is much stronger than his need to eat.

Anyway, my mom put on quite the spread. I did have pictures, and I thought I posted them, but my post failed and I have already deleted the pictures, so I guess you, my faithful three readers, will have to just believe me that this food actually existed.

So, the appies were green chips and guacamole and green grapes. The main dish was a Guiness Beef Stew. Delicious. It had large chunks of beef, potato, turnip, carrots, and onions. This was served with salad. (My brother had mini-slider burgers, but why have something so non-Irish today?) Our friend Wendy and her daughter made soda bread, and I could have eaten it all day. Wow, was it good.

My mother never fails with dessert. Tonight, she made three. The first was a key lime pie. I love limes, and this pie was very good, although I think it was out of a box. The second course of dessert was green Jello. Charlie slurped some up, but I took a pass on this one, as the third course looked too good! It was a chocolate bundt cake that was very moist. Some guests paired it with chocolate peanut butter ice cream, but I had mine naked as it was so perfect on its own.

Anyway, I just want to thank my mom for filling my belly tonight. Thanks mom!