My children are part Irish and I made them or my mom would make us a dinner for St. Patrick's Day. We all gathered to celebrate this meal together. Even after I was divorced my mom would still make the corned beef meal with all the trimmings and she would invite us along with my former mother-in-law, a great aunt and an uncle and aunt too to dinner. See, even though one gets a divorce does not mean you have to disconnect from the family you were once connected to through marriage.
You know my mom is a gem and is most thoughtful. I remember when I was still married at the time and my father in law was dying in the hospital and she made the St. Patrick's Day meal for the family. I really loved my father-in-law and he was literally a day or two away from dying but he still thanked my mother for making the meal. My father-in-law once told my mother that if they had a daughter (they only had sons) he would have liked her to be like me. Isn't that sweet? I remember one Christmas that I took him Christmas shopping (he did not drive) and I made him listen in the car as we stopped to get gasoline the song, "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer." He obliged me in that indulgence. I could honestly say I loved him as a daughter would love her father. I miss him. He only saw my eldest daughter and never met his grandson. He died right between St. Patrick's Day & St. Joseph's Day. Can you tell I loved him? When the first granddaughter was born I had a C-section and remember he did not drive. He took a rapid transit to the nearest stop and then walked to our house and he cleaned the floors for me. I wanted a garden one year and he came over to prepare the ground for me to plant a little garden. I told you I loved him. Fond memories will always remain in a persons heart so never forget the ones in your life that bring a smile to your face when you think of them or even a laugh or song in your heart that reminds you of them.
Another corned beef dinner was prepared yesterday and my son was invited and really enjoyed the meal. He told my mom it reminded him of the times I made it and also made homemade bread. Isn't that sweet? See, children remember tender moments you create in their lives as they are growing up.
For some reason I am recalling Monday night family night with homemade popped corn. Not microwaved but actually made on top of the stove. Including melted butter on top too with garlic salt. That was the night we watched Seventh Heaven together. The other day I went to purchase some local honey and at the store they also had Troyer Farms tender white popping corn. It was a small sized bag of popping kernels so I purchased it. It was one of those moments that reminded me of our popcorn nights when the children were younger. I think the brand is also from Ohio too.
My family is scattered so what better way to celebrate the holiday then a work gathering luncheon. I do not know why I like to bake and make things to bless others it is just part of my nature I reckon. With all of the other things going on in the world why talk gloom and doom when we can bring joy to each others lives. That is what I like to do.
What I am not so happy with is the exercise room is closed now where I live until further notice. It sounded to me like the management was saying it was for the tenants protection but what I heard is it seems to be more for the protection of their employees. The doors to the rental offices are locked now and only by appointment so you cannot even get into the rental offices area. I paid to use the exercise room service and I am wondering if they will give us some sort of credit on our account. I know there are more important things going on around us but to me exercise is important. I did go walking outside tonight in the gentle rain. I really need new walking shoes because mine are getting a bit run down on the soles because of use.
Back to happy thoughts ok. Make someone's day happy tomorrow with a gentle yet tender smile. Place a phone call to let someone know you are thinking of them and their well being. Send a card or a note in the mail to boost someone's spirit and above all take the love of Jesus with you wherever you go and share His love through you ok
I am also including two of the recipes I made. On the Irish Soda Bread I did not sprinkle it with cinnamon sugar but I did lightly sprinkle on top sugar in the raw. Irish Soda Bread can tend to be a bit dry tasting but it is good with a cup of coffee or tea too. I cut pieces of the bread off and enclosed a brief note with it and gave it to 2 of my neighbors to enjoy. One more thing, I think golden raisins work better than regular raisins in this recipe.
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