“I arise today through the mighty strength of the Lord of creation.”  St Patrick

 

I just ate two perfectly fried eggs from my own backyard hens.  Delicious.

I’m still in my pj’s and big red fluffy robe.  (my little seth and sarah call it a “rope” by mistake–so dear).

The sky is clear and blue, the sun is shining but it is only 19 degrees outside.  Inside it is cozy and warm because of the sunshine.  Seth and Sarah are watching Winnie the Pooh.  Sarah didn’t sleep well last night, she had a nightmare and ended up in Grace’s bed with her for the night.  Both my girlies will be tired out today but I loved seeing the love and care that Grace showed for her sister.

Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day and I am not Irish, however, I very much admire St. Patrick and honoring him with his own day.  I wore green and went to a brunch with the CBS leadership in the morning.  We had coffee, tea, and coffeecake, then a time of prayer and devotion, and then Carol taught us an Irish dance, which filled the room with Irish music and lots of laughter.  I absolutely love all these women.  We enjoyed organic pizza and salad for lunch.

Afterwards, I went to the grocery store with Seth and Sarah so we could pick up supplies for our suitable dinner.

I had wanted to decorate my tree for St Patrick’s Day but didn’t figure out the best way to do it until Saturday, when I noticed at the thrift store downtown someone had decorated a tree in the window with green gumdrops.  How easy and fun, I thought.

I got two bags of store-brand wintergreen gum drops for 99 cents a bag, and then a box of large paperclips for 2.50.  For less than five dollars I was able to do a theme for our tree and Seth and Sarah had such a fun time helping me.  We sat cross-legged on the floor as we worked.

sweet and simple

While they took their little afternoon catnaps, I mixed up a batch of brownies.  After they cooled, I frosted them and sprinkled a bag of mint M n M’s over the top.

When David got home from school, he ate a big piece, with joy.

I drove down to school to pick up Grace and drop off a bag dinner for Jacob, who decided to stay after until the variety show at 7pm.

When we got back home, I started making dinner~ corned beef and cabbage (a boiled dinner).

It takes a good three or more hours, so we had time to go outside for some fresh air.

While the boys jumped on the trampoline, I visited the chicken coop……

This funny hen was curious and brave, and pecked at my hand and ring.

The stream is melted, all except the edge, where I found thin, delicate and beautiful ice.

I broke off a piece to hold it up like rippled glass.

This section was so thin and intricate, it was formed to the edge of the bank and the water was running underneath, leaving a space of about 4 inches.

Like spun sugar.

I called Caleb over to show him, too.

He ate quite a bit.

I ran back up to the house, freezing cold, and found my husband home early at 4:30.  The funny thing was, I had run right past his truck without even noticing it.  He was on a conference call in the kitchen.  I squealed with joy to see him.

St Patrick’s Day table with my green fiesta dishes and gumdrop tree to tempt the children.

Irish soda bread with raisins and caraway seeds (store bought).

cabbage for the pot

Caleb was the only school child who wanted to wear green for the day.

boiled vegetables with a drizzle of mustard glaze

platter of corned beef with the pitcher of glaze.

Caleb took one look and said horrified, “Is it RAW?”  (I haven’t made this dish in years)

I wasn’t sure how the kids would like it but they did rather well with it.  Seth did throw up his last bit of veggies, but he was fine.

They all got a gumdrop (or 2, or 3) for dessert.

Looking at these pictures makes me want to go warm up some leftovers and eat them for breakfast.

After dinner, I took Grace and Ethan to school and we watched the Variety show.  It was such a fun night, the kids all did so well, with singing and playing of  instruments, and dancing, too.  We have some talented kids in our town!  I loved it all and it was a special night to be out with my teenagers.

***

Today is a day with no plans or appointments.  I think I’m going to go turn off that noisy TV and invest some time into my little ones…maybe give some bubble baths, vacuum their rooms, read books, snuggle, sing, listen to music, color.  All nice preschooler things to do.

Another lovely quote from Patrick:
“Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.” —Saint Patrick

You are loved, my friends.  God is very near.  Enjoy Him today as you work and go about your day.