.
.
.

GREEN table for ST PATRICK's DAY and a PARADE on the side

 
GREEN table for ST PATRICK's DAY...
and a PARADE on the side

Are you celebrating in green this coming St Patrick's Day?
Do you need a little inspiration to celebrate in the very best way?


First, however, let's get a little background on this Saint that so many people around the world celebrate with such anticipation.
Did you know that Saint Patrick spent six years of slavery in Ireland until he escaped and undertook religious training abroad?  Saint Patrick is believed to have been born in the late fourth century. He was the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland.
...Statue of St. Patrick at Leaba Padriag (St. Patrick's Bed) in    Connemara, Ireland...Photo: monasette.com


Saint Patrick's Day has come to be associated with everything Irish: anything green and gold, shamrocks and luck.
Many folks ask the question of why is the Shamrock the National Flower of Ireland ? The reason is that St. Patrick used it to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagans.
photo: yanowhatimean.com







Most importantly, to those who celebrate its intended meaning,
St. Patrick's Day is a traditional day for spiritual renewal
and offering prayers for missionaries worldwide.
***
 
In the emerald isle of IRELAND...
the St. Patrick's Day is a national holiday of utmost importance.
There, they celebrate not for one day, but for FIVE days and nights.
Now, that is really taking celebration to new heights.
 To really authentically celebrate...Dublin, Ireland is definitely the place to be.
 

Here's more extravagance splurged on their celebratory St Patrick's day parade.
Photos: shamelesswords.blogspot.com

If it’s not possible for you to make up there in Dublin...
well there's no reason not to find a place near you that does.

International celebrations became increasingly common after the great potato famine which then forced huge numbers of Irish folk to flee to America, Australia, and Europe.
Nowadays, the festivities are more of a secular celebration, but it is actually a religious feast day that falls during Lent. Custom has it that fasting was set aside for one day to allow the nation to celebrate their culture and rich harvest.
So, why is St Patrick's Day celebrated on March 17th?
One theory is that that is the day that St. Patrick died. Since the holiday began in Ireland, it is believed that as the Irish spread out around the world, they took with them their history and celebrations. The biggest observance of all is, of course, in Ireland. With the exception of restaurants and pubs, almost all businesses close on March 17th.
most reference info was extracted from : st-patricks-day.com
Read more about this great man by clicking here



In American cities with a large Irish population, St. Patrick's Day is a very big deal.
The very first year that the St. Patrick's Day custom was celebrated publicly in America was in Boston in 1737.





Big cities and small towns alike celebrate with parades, "wearing of the green," music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green!
City river of Chicago, U.S.A. 




 
 
Regardless of our heritage...
who wants another reason to celebrate one more event?
Finding the time to feast along with a few leprechauns can prove to be very amusing.


 
 
 
Many parades are organized
throughout many large cities...
such as my lively city of
Montreal, Quebec.





 
 
 
Here's a little history of the St Patrick's celebration in Montreal:
St. Patrick's Day has been celebrated in Montreal as far back as 1759,
after the Conquest, by Irish soldiers of the Montreal Garrison.
In 1817, the initial Irish community here, the observance of St. Patrick's day
was marked by special dinners and the celebration of religious services.



The parades of that era were a manifestation of the Irish success in the community and parades were held in Old Montreal on exactly the day that March 17th would fall. Church services would precede the parade and a splendid banquet was held after the parade with numerous toasts in celebration.


     Throughout many years in between there had been many upheaval situations which disturbed the event of the parade from continuing.
One of them being during the times of the Depression in the 1930s.
The St. Patrick's Parades of Montreal became just about marching as floats were discontinued to defray expenses.
     In 1942, Montreal's 300th anniversary, fifteen parish priests petitioned the United Irish Societies to cancel the parades for the duration of the war.
     Many years forward...each year in March, the citizens of Montreal and visitors are invited to enjoy this celebration of St. Patrick, the Irish community and the welcoming of Spring.




The Montreal St. Patrick’s Parade:
A very long green line (started in 1963) is temporarily painted throughout the downtown route ... and a giant replica of St. Patrick lead the way at the onset of the parade.
Montreal's Grand Marshal ...
and the designated chosen
St. Patrick’s Queen
and her  princesses (added in the parade in 1956)...lead the three hour parade.

 


Lively bands...
colourful floats...
cheerful community...
and cultural groups...
 show their vitality gloriously by transporting...
themselves through our downtown
streets of Montreal.






Please note: Some info and most photos were extracted from
MontrealIrishParade.com
***
 
It's also believed that one very big reason why so many other nationalities latched on
to this celebration by parading, wearing and also eating everything comestibly green...
was that this day fell just a few days short of the FIRST DAY OF SPRING.

What better color than GREEN is there to represent both well awaited events.
***
For those that would like to integrate some of this cheer into their lives...
here are some very interesting and fun ideas to get into the spirit.
 
Therefore, whether you are of Irish descent or not...
join along the festivities and share a little warmth from your kitchen too.


Green as the foundation.
Let's start with a primary TABLE SCAPE...
here’s a very festive example:

source: tablescaping.blogspot.com
***

 Let's start with the EASY GREEN FOODS first.

FRUITS
apple - fig - grape - kiwi - lime - pear
For decor: unripe bananas and pineapples
VEGETABLES
artichoke - asparagus - avocado - bell pepper - broccoli - chives - cucumber
herbs: basil, mint, parsley etc...
greens in general: bok choy, kale, lettuce, spinach etc...
olives - peas - sprouts - zucchini

Some FAST and EASY already GREEN pre-made products:
Beverage: Gatorade, Kool-Aid, Mint liquor
Candies: gummies, jelly beans, M&Ms, Skittles etc...
Ice-Cream-Pistachio
Jell-O - lime
Pudding - Pistachio
Basil pesto - Mint jelly
***
In the KITCHEN for a
stupendous ST PATTY's FEAST

photo:culinary.net


 
 
ST. PATTY inspired SNACK:
Popcorn...with a lime tint
(Level of difficulty: easy)
 
Ingredients:
. 1/4 cup popcorn (unpopped)
. a few drops of ' Green Food ' coloring
. 1/4 cup butter (melted)
. Sprinkle of sea salt
Preparation:
Put both popcorn kernels and a few drops of the food coloring in an air popcorn machine.
When all the kernels have popped...drizzle the melted butter...and sprinkle with a little salt.
my recipe above...however this photo from: DivineParty was lovlier than mine.








St. Patty inspired
SWEET TREATS
paperorchidstationery.com





 
 










  
 
 
Pistachio Cake
(Level of difficulty: easy)
 
Note: Too many recipes available to just pick one…therefore, I recommend that you search engine it ;o) 















 
...Italian gelato style
(Level of difficulty: intermediate)














Grass Hopper Pie
(Level of difficulty: easy)
 
Note: Too many recipes available to just pick one…therefore, I recommend that you search engine it ;o)
 














(Level of difficulty: intermediate)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Here are OTHER worthwhile IRISH inspired DESSERTS to try:

other Related IRISH selected RECIPE sites:


DRINKS and SPIRITS
Add an extra touch of Ireland to your St. Patrick's Day festivities.

Raise a glass of green beer, Irish Cream, or Irish Coffee
and give a traditional Irish toast on March 17th!
photo: ehow.com

Here’s my very easy recipe: start with a light coloured beer.
Add a few drops of green food coloring first to the glass...
Add the beer slowly into the desired glass.
Voila, you have green beer.
Don't worry...the beer's taste is not affected in the least by the food coloring.

***
Cocktail recipes with
Zen Green Tea Liqueur



Non-Alcoholic Drink
Green magic Lantern drink 
Although met with sceptics at first...here's my version of a glowing green cooler with chlorophyll.
serves about 6
 
. 1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
. 1 cup cold water
. 1/4 cup lime juice
. 1/2 cup maple syrup
. 1 can of Club soda
. green food coloring (a few drops will do fine)
. ice cubes -about 12
. Lime slices for garnish
Use a blender to puree and mix very well all ingredients except for the club soda.  Strain the whole mix through a cheesecloth and sieve into a pitcher. Add the ice cubes.  Pour in the individual glasses with 2 ice cubes each.  Now add the club soda to top off the glasses.  Garnish each glass with a slice of lime. Salut!






Also...why not raise funds for your favourite
CHARITABLE EVENT with a friendly challenging game 
on your GREEN matted POOL table.
 


EXPLORE other related subjects:
Wish to one day TRAVEL to IRELAND


Here's hoping you enjoyed some of the St.Patrick's
historical background and celebratory food ideas.
I, for one was at times enlightened, most times amused...
and definitely inspired to go GREEN in a very interesting manner.

 
Is any one trying out any of these ideas?
Who's making the TRADITIONAL IRISH ST. PATRICK's DAY MEAL?
Let us know of all your fun creativity this coming St Patrick's Day.

"May the leprechauns be near you,
To spread luck along your way.
May all the Irish angels,
Smile upon you on St. Patrick's Day."

fairychildheirlooms.wordpress.com

May the Luck of the Irish bless your day and table...flavourful wishes,
Foodessa
Comments ... ??? ... or suggestions ... write me :o)
Claudia at: foodessa [at] gmail [dot] com


The following...may ALSO be of INTEREST:




 
We'll see you soon for our
EASTER SPECIAL.










 
Please Note:
Some of these IMAGES and PHOTOS were randomly borrowed from a few UNKNOWN and PROPERLY TRACEABLE owners. If you are the original artist...please notify me so that I can quickly and appropriately credit
you concerning your work. Thank you.

Category Labels: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,