St. Patrick's Day party drinks

Everyone knows ya cant have a true St. Patrick's Day party without some traditional Irish drinks. Get plenty of Guinness, but add these 2 fine recipes as well! And remember to Drink Responsibly!!!!!

Irish Coffee
2 oz (60 ml) of Irish Whiskey
1 teaspoon of Brown Sugar
Freshly made strong black coffee
Whipped Cream

Gently warm whiskey and sugar in a saute pan, stirring just until smooth. Pour into coffee glass. Add the coffee slowly,filling the glass to within half an inch of the top. Pour the cream in gently. Do not stir.

(grated chocolate can be added to the top if desired)


and, for a very "Posh" feel to the event:
Black Velvet
Makes 1 Quart

1/2 qt Guinness
1/2 qt Champagne
Combine Guinness and champagne in a tall chilled glass.
Stir gently and serve.


Recipe cards are available in our Wee Irish Gallery. You might also consider the fine Guinness card (pictured above), which is nice enough to frame!

...and now, for a SERIOUSLY Irish Dish

As hearty and filling as can be - YUM!

Dublin Coddle
Serves 6

1 pound bacon slices
2 pounds pork sausage links
2 large onions, sliced
2 cloves garlic
4 large potatoes, thickly sliced
2 carrots, thickly sliced
1 large bunch of fresh herbs, tied with string
black pepper
apple cider
Lightly fry the bacon until crisp. Remove and place in a large stew pot. Brown sausages lightly in the bacon fat. Remove and add to pot. Soften onions and whole garlic cloves in bacon fat, then add to pot with potatoes and carrots. Put bunch of herbs in the center of the pot. Sprinkle with pepper. Cover with cider. Cook 1 1/2 hours over medium heat, do not boil. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Check out our cookbooks & recipe cards in our Wee Irish Gallery.

Here's another yummy Irish recipe. This is hearty fare and perfect for a Saint Patrick's Day Dinner.

COLCANNON

2 lbs Potatoes
1 large Cabbage
1 large Onion
1/2 stick of butter
Pinch of Pepper & Salt
1 cup Milk

Peel potatoes and cut into small pieces, chop the onions and cabbage. Layer the potatoes in a saucepan and add salt and pepper. Layer the onion and cabbage on top of the potatoes then add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the potatoes soft. Add butter & milk, then mash everything thoroughly.

More recipes & cookbook available in our Wee Irish Gallery shop.

Repost: Our favorite Irish Potato Candy

Thanks for stopping by. Grab a cuppa tea & stay for a chat.

We'd like to thank you for your interest by offering this free recipe. You can also purchase a cute printed version of this recipe at our Wee Irish shop

Tanks a million!

Irish Potato Candy

Ingredients
4 Tbls butter, softened
1/2 package cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar
2 cups flaked coconut
2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Directions
In medium bowl, beat butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Slowly add vanilla and confectioners' sugar, continuing to beat until smooth. Mix in the coconut (mixture will be thick, use your hands if necessary). Roll into small odd shaped balls, and roll in the cinnamon. Place onto a cookie sheet and chill to set. If desired, roll in cinnamon again for a darker color. Makes about 4 - 5 dozen, depending on size of your "potatoes".

Notes: I like to run the flaked coconut through the food processor first so it's less noticeable. The thick mixture will be about the consistency of Play Doh and is a perfect recipe to share with your little ones. Start a child friendly tradition!

Pathways of Life

Happy New Year everyone!  After a long absence, we are beginning to see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel!  Several family members have suffered serious illness recently and so many of you have lifted up prayers in our behalf.  For your thoughtfulness we are truly grateful and we know that God will guide our way through the pathways of life.

 Additionally, we are fast approaching a new stage of our lives - retirement!  We are packing our home of 28 years and planning to move into our new nest in the country.  We've owned "the farm" for many years, and have enjoyed many weekend outings in our little apartment.  Now we're preparing a full-fledged house with room to spare.  No doubt we'll need that extra room as we adjust to spending 24 hours a day together!  We plan to post our progress here....so stay tuned to join us in the fun!  Here are a few photos of the site which we've prepared with our own hands (and a little help from our trusty blue tractor!)

(Don't try this at home!  This crazy behavior is for certified, licensed, hard-headed do-it-yourselfers only!!!!)

Stay tuned............

The High Kings and Adam Charity Single

Please, please, pretty please....watch this link then go upload this single to benefit children like Adam!



Adam was diagnosed with a brain tumor last June, and his beloved High Kings have recorded this single to raise funds for the Crumlin Children's Hospital and National Research Center where he's receiving treatment. His passion for The High Kings is infectious and he is one fantastic young man! This could be the best 99 cents you've ever spent!

Junk Mail!

Just look at this photo!  This is what's left behind after opening and sorting a typical day's mail!

I've shredded almost this much, and I've even removed the brightly colored and interesting bits that I'll recycle!  What an unbelievable waste of resources!  While I'm not a "tree hugger", I do believe strongly in managing our resources, and I hate waste!  Almost daily I receive several 9x12 flat envelopes that contain only 1 sheet of paper!  Often they contain a commission check worth less than the cost of postage!   And there are always duplicate envelopes from the same company.   Whatever happened to a system that gathered correspondence from all departments and combined it before shipping?  Could it really cost more than all the added postage and supplies?  It makes me very sad.

However, this waste is my inspiration for our JunkMail Jewels.  While they don't actually save many trees, they are symbolic of the problem and inspire me to do more.  I use them as magnets, garlands, ornaments, jewelry and hair clips.  They remind me to recycle, to be creative, and they often invite others to share the mission.  Please take a look at our creations.  Maybe you'll find a piece you love or an idea you could share.  We'd love to hear your ideas for creative ways to use all this wasted paper!