“Are YOU like me – and still needing to learn new ways to do the old things – we did learn to do, but in a much better and different way – a hundred years ago?”
Erin go bragh! St Patrick’s Day is here, with events in honour of the patron saint of Ireland taking place across the globe this weekend. Recognised annually since the 1700s, the people of Ireland celebrate their heritage and culture on St Patrick’s Day, with the day growing as a commercial occasion rather than a religious event in recent years.
While Ireland embraces its patron saint day by holding vibrant, green parades, wearing shamrocks and flying Irish flags more than usual, celebrations also take place in other countries around the world, including the UK, United States, Egypt and Australia.
Here is everything you need to know about St Patrick’s Day, from the patron saint himself to Irish…
St Patrick’s exact birthplace is unknown and debated. Born as Maewyn Succat around the year of 385 AD in either England, Scotland or Wales, the patron saint was captured by Irish pirates at the age of 16 and brought to Ireland as a slave.
Working as a shepherd, Patrick was held captive for six years and grew closer to spirituality and prayer during this period of isolation. After a voice in his dream told him it was time to leave Ireland, Patrick successfully fled his master and sailed back to Britain to continue studying Christianity.
Shortly after his return home, an angel in Patrick’s dream told him to go back to Ireland as a missionary, and following this, he decided to travel to Gaul, to study religious instruction under Germanus, bishop of Auxerre.
Later ordained a bishop and eventually returning to Ireland, Patrick began his mission to spread the Christian message. During this time, Patrick converted thousands of people to Christianity and built churches, schools and monasteries across the country.
Legend suggests that Patrick used the three-leaf shamrock on his mission to explain the Holy Trinity, teaching his followers that the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit exist as individual elements of the combined entity. While some experts claim this story was invented centuries later, the tale has led to the common practice of people wearing the symbol on the feast day.
Patrick is also thought to have banished snakes from Ireland to help remove the evil and introduce a new age. But experts claim this is a myth due to evidence snakes never existed in the country in the first place. Some say this was due to the icy waters of the Irish Sea while others believe the cold weather stopped the snakes travelling to Ireland from Britain or afar.
Around 431 AD, Patrick was appointed as successor to St Palladius, the first bishop of Ireland, and during his later years, he wrote about his spirituality and life in his ‘Confession’.
Believed to have died on March 17, in the year 461, Patrick’s spiritual path led him to become a legendary figure, as he left behind an established church and an island of Christians. Today, his work is commemorated annually on March 17.
Other celebrations around the world
March 17 sees millions of people around the world, even those without Irish connections, turn out to celebrate St Patrick.
In the United States, the White House first recognised the Irish holiday and the countries’ relations more than 50 years ago, after President Harry Truman received a box of shamrocks from Ireland’s ambassador. In 1956, the first St Patrick’s Day meeting between the President and the Irish Pistachio took place and since the 1990s, the White House visit has been held annually.
Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, presents US President Donald Trump, with a bowl of Shamrocks during the annual St Patrick’s Day ceremony at the White House in Washington D.C.CREDIT: BRIAN LAWLESS/PA
Every year, London showcases Irish heritage and culture as part of its annual St Patrick’s Day festival and parade. While live stage performances and food stalls can be enjoyed in Trafalgar Square, colourful floats, dancers and Irish communities make their way through the capital’s streets. This year, the festivities take place on Sunday March 17.
In Tokyo, the “I Love Ireland” parade takes place over two days, on March 16 and 17, with vibrant costumes and marching bands, while in New York, 150,000 people join the parade travelling up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
In fact, a range of celebrations are held across the globe to celebrate the legendary Irish figure, including parades in Sydney, Australia, Auckland, New Zealand, and Oslo, Norway.
In the British West Indies, the island of Montserrat has a public holiday for St Patrick’s Day and observes the patron saint with a seven day festival and parade. Dubbed the “Emerald Isle” in memory of their Irish settlers, Montserrat even use a green shamrock as their official passport stamp.
St Patrick’s Day is also a provincial holiday in the Canadian province of Newfoundland, where a significant number of Irish people emigrated to during the 18th and 19th centuries.
In Chicago, their river has been traditionally dyed bright green on March 17 since 1962, with thousands heading to the city to see one of the most famous St Patrick’s Day sights.
Planning a St. Patrick’s day meal? Try this healthier spin on the classic Shepherd’s Pie! This recipe is lighter and has less fat and more fiber. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
1½ pounds lean ground beef (90% lean or higher) 2 large carrots, peeled and shredded (about 2 cups) 1 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon onion powder One 15-ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed One 14½-ounce can all-natural tomato soup 1½ cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper 4 cups mashed potatoes 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly oil or coat a 9 x 13-inch baking pan or dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
Place a large Dutch oven or nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, carrots, garlic powder, and onion powder and cook, breaking up the large pieces, until the meat is no longer pink and the carrots are tender, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat.
Stir in the beans, tomato soup, cheese, and corn. Simmer until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Arrange the meat mixture evenly in the prepared pan. Spread the mashed potatoes evenly on top, and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese.
Bake until the meat mixture starts to bubble and the potatoes are heated through, about 15 minutes. Turn the oven to broil and broil until the top turns golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Serving size: 1 slice Serves 8
Calories: 370; Total Fat: 10; Saturated Fat: 5g; Sodium: 520mg; Total Carbohydrates: 41g; Protein: 7g.
“Two terrific things to do, TODAY – and they are both so good for you!” “Just think, of all of those VITAMINS in the “Artichoke Hearts” and then, All of the “FUN” you will have – when you start using all of that old material, you were saving, just – for a raining day – to do something – like making “Quilts” that you can pass on to Family and Friends for gifts – that they will LOVE and have forever!”
NATIONAL QUILTING DAY
National Quilting Day is observed annually on the third Saturday in March. It is a day that is celebrated around the country with special quilting shows, classes, open museums and much more. This is a day to appreciate and to recognize quilt makers, along with all of their long labor, love and skill that goes into the making of each quilt.
A quilt is a layer of batting or stuffing between two layers of pieced together fabric. Early American quilts were the result of patched together pieces of worn out blankets and clothing. Since they had to weave their own fabrics, there was little time for creative piecing together of colorful, artful patterns. These items were purely functional.
By the mid 18th century Americans were making elaborate quilts designed to be handed down from mother to daughter, often pieced together from salvaged pieces of clothing and other bedding.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Buy a homemade quilt or make one yourself. Use #NationalQuiltingDay to post on social media.
HISTORY
At the 22nd annual show of the National Quilting Association in Lincoln, Nebraska in June of 1991, a resolution was passed and National Quilting Day was started.
NATIONAL ARTICHOKE HEARTS DAY
March 16th is National Artichoke Hearts Day. According to the California Artichoke Advisory Board, artichokes are a good source of antioxidants, vitamin C, folate and magnesium. The antioxidants in artichokes are very good for your liver and help promote healthy skin. Artichokes are also high in fiber, calcium and protein while low in calories. For all of these reasons, along with being fat-free and cholesterol free, artichokes are truly a healthy and delicious food to celebrate!
The total antioxidant capacity of an artichoke flower head is one of the highest reported for vegetables.
The fleshy base of the artichoke is perhaps the most enjoyably edible part of this oddly-shaped vegetable.
You can find artichoke hearts that are packed in vinegar, oil or marinade and canned.
They make for a great low sodium snack and lend themselves well to other snacks like artichoke dip, as well as a pizza topping.
Toss them in the skillet for a savory sauté.
They might just turn into a healthy addiction!
California is known as the artichoke capital of the world. They supply nearly 100% of North American fresh artichokes.
When you take the time to think about “GRANDMA” – you almost immediately think about all of her “Treasured Heirlooms” – that she has collected over all these many and long years. So often you will see something new – something that she may have had hidden and wrapped for safety and protection –since it is difficult to display “fragile items” for everyone to view – when little children may be playing in and around and not know to be very careful???
Well, this “Grandma” does have some true “antiques” – something well over 100 years – and since it does not seem that most people “TODAY” are interested in “OLD” stuff – and also most young people are not collectors of the finer types of collectibles – as their parents were –there is very little value – since there is no interest? And , so – I -too- now – have the same thoughts – since the general thought is – “”everything is too electronic – everything is going too fast – and we cannot take all this collectible junk with us – the world is now in a “ME ONLY AND FIRST” mode – since the “FAMILY” is no longer as it once was???
This “Grandma” does have a different kind of “Treasured Heirloom” collection and one that even when I leave this earth – I’m taking my “Treasured Collection” with me! I am betting – that you are wondering what can you take with you – when you leave this world?? “If you give up thinking – I’ll tell you!”
The answer is; “My FAMILY!” – So now you ask “How can you take your FAMILY?” “Here’s the answer” – ever since I was a little girl – I started saving stuff – when I was in grade school, there were notebooks with all kinds of important information that I wrote and every so often – when I am looking through those keepsakes – I remember all the good times associated with the real life memories that come back as if they were just yesterday, again. Not only my own important papers and photos and even some items of all my FAMILY members – living and dead – all bring a special remembrance, to me.
As the oldest – I always thought – what if this item is wanted again by the FAMILY member that left it behind – it is now safe – and if they ever want it – I’ll have it for them. Of course I have some special things that did belong to my Mother, Father, Grand Father and Mother and even my Aunt Irene Brady Riley – and if they are looking down on this earth – they all can know that I am taking good care of their special “Treasures” and hope to pass all of these items on to the next generation – weather they like it or not??? So much – for the older folks in the “FAMILY’ – and what I call all of my “Treasured Heirlooms!”
Now, for the “Treasured People” – in my life today – “my Sons and their Families” – “Where do I begin?” I just really cannot say that I did anything special to deserve such a wonderful and precious gift – “my Husband – my Sons – my Grand-children!” These are the very best of “treasures” a person could have or ever receive – and I owe all the “THANKS” to the one and only “Almighty Yahweh” – the true and only “Giver” of all good gifts!
“Memories made here – – will go with me to the next realm of my journey!
So here I go – thinking way, way back into the “1940’s” and, in this PHOTO of me – you, see me holding a doll.
That was the one thing, that I really enjoyed, was to have a “Doll” that will looked terrific, and when, you and everyone that will see it – would just LOVE to have it for themselves!”
Lucky for me – that, my MOM also would like “Dolls” – and that, they were very well made and crafted – “Dolls” that would end up as “Keepsakes forever” – always to be with you, and would last forever – as each “Doll” would have special status – a memory maker – all of her own – just something that she had – that no other “Doll” would have – or even be – as one of my “Dolls” was the famous “Snow White” doll which was on the market – when the movie, “Snow White” came out in 1937 – making it a collectible doll!
