There are shamrocks everywhere. In stores, on sweatshirts, and even painted on the street. Parades are planned in countless cities featuring leprechaun-themed floats and people dressed in every shade of green.
Some of them will bring dogs tinted the same color. I don’t know how dogs feel about St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, but I do know most people will recognize the day in some way or another, whether they’re Irish or not. Many will wear something green (or a leprechaun may pinch you), while the more adventurous add a plate of green eggs washed down with green beer.
My own celebration is a modest one. I prepare my one-time-yearly meal of corned beef and cabbage. The recipe is (as you might expect from the Easy-Peasy Queen) uncomplicated, and goes something like this:
Plop one slab of corned beef in a large crock pot. Quarter a head of cabbage and put it on top. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of water over all, and slow cook for about eight hours or until meat is done. You’re welcome.
In the area I live, celebrations are abundant, but nothing like Chicago, named one of the best cities for St. Patrick’s Day (or week) parties. There are parades, bagpipers, races, Irish dancers, pub crawls…well, the list goes on and on. One of the most interesting events, though, is what happens to the Chicago River. They dye it – what else? – green.
Back in 1961 (or 1963, depending on which source you choose), plumbers were using a special green dye to check for leaks. After finishing a job, the men had been stained such a charming shade of emerald, someone had a brilliant idea. “Hey, can we put this in the river?”
And that’s the way traditions are born.
Tradition. Not to be a party-pooper, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention most of our St. Patrick’s Day traditions really don’t have much to do with Ireland at all. Here’s more on the truth about St. Patrick’s Day.
While the majority of us won’t be in Chicago watching a river turn green, we’ll still enjoy the idea of being Irish for a day. My green t-shirt is ready to go, and I might even watch a parade.
But green eggs and green beer? That’s where I return to my German/Scandinavian roots and just say no.
8 Responses
Thanks for the recipe. I have one, and only one, and it is a CAREER. It takes all afternoon, so as you might imagine, we don’t enjoy corned beef very often. But I’m sure game to give yours a try. I’ll let you know how it turns out!
Please pop over to my blog when you have a minute. You’re one of my nominees for the Sunshine Blogger Award. Rules etc. are on my blog. 🙂
Hi Lisa! I’m sure your recipe is fabulous, but if it isn’t easy, I know I’ll never do it. You’ve got me curious. I’ll be visiting your blog shortly.
No green eggs or beer for me either! My husband will be making a crockpot of corned beef and cabbage, outside on the deck so he doesn’t stink up the house. The boys and I will order pizza.
Oh no, Sarah! Is corned beef and cabbage on the same list as candy corn? You must expand your culinary horizons. 🙂
Those were some interesting facts about St. Patrick’s Day. One of my most favorite holiday celebrations when I taught preschoolers. They each did the Irish jig and ran around the room tracking the leprechaun’s footsteps and discovering his treasures.
Linda, I’m sure the kiddos had a blast scampering around.
And congrats on the exciting announcement about another new grandbaby. How awesome!
I have drank green beer in the past, and I would probably do it again. But green eggs just seem wrong. Right? 🙂 Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
I agree Margo. Green eggs are wrong. Even when they come with ham. Happy St. Paddy’s Day to you, too!