If you feel like having a traditional Irish meal this St. Patrick’s day, what better way than having Steak & Guinness Pie? Exported from MasterCook, check out the below recipe to make your own…

Steak & Guinness Pie

Ingredients:
2 1/4 pounds of Round Steak
1 tablespoon of Flour
1 teaspoon of Brown Sugar
1 tablespoon of Raisins (optional)
5 Onions
10 fluid ounces of Guinness
8 slices of Bacon
Parsley Chopped
1 Recipe of short Pastry*

*For double-crust pie in deep pie dish, Cut the steak into bite sized cubes, roll in seasoned flour and brown in the lard with the bacon-chopped small.

Directions:
Place the meat in a casserole dish. Peel and chop the onions and fry until golden before adding them to the meat.  Add the raisins (if wanted) and brown sugar.  Pour in the Guinness. Cover tightly and simmer over a low heat or in a very moderate oven (325-350F) for 2½ hours.

Stir occasionally and add a little more Guinness or water if the rich brown gravy get too thick.  Meanwhile, line a deep pie dish with half the pie crust and bake it blind.  Then add the Guinness/beef mixture from the casserole dish, cover with the top layer of pie crust and bake until finished.  Probably about 10 more minutes.  Serves 4

Source: http://fp.enter.net; Exported from MasterCook

Green doesn’t just have to be the color for your party, make it the theme!! Green living can extend to how you entertain! Making it green is easy on the environment and easy for you to do! Mimicking the tips we’ve already given you for St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas, we’ve matched some eco-friendly ones. Check out these tips:

Tip 1: Invitations
As I always suggest, send out electronic invitations. Besides giving your party a more casual tone, you also save on paper that is just going to be thrown out later.  Or if you’re party is going to be formal and dictates having an invite, try to use recycled paper invitations.

Tip 2: Decorations
Just for the sheer expense, I always try to recommend fun crafty ideas for holiday decorations. Take a look at our St. Patrick’s Day Party ideas. But it turns out, not only will these save you money; they are also more environmentally friendly! Making your decorations would be a creative and a fun thing for you and your friends or kids to do.  And as much as it hurts, my favorite party staple that I always recommend–balloons–is actually pretty bad for the environment! They often end up in the ocean where they are consumed by sea life, which eventually die from balloons blocking their digestive system. So looks like all my ballooning days are over! 

Tip 3: Food & Drinks
A cute and easy idea to avoid waste is serving finger food. By serving finger food, you alleviate the need to have utensils or plates.  Your guest can just have their little sandwiches, cheese & crackers, cookies, chips on napkins.  And if you want to save on purchasing cups, offer your guests canned or bottled beverages. You can recycle them when they are done!  Wow, this tip allows you to save on a little bit of money as well! Cha-ching!

Tip 4: Entertainment
If you’ve read our blog about St. Patrick’s Day  Party ideas then you know we suggest doing contests, having music or a movie playing in the background.  These ideas don’t require too many materials. But another idea I’d like to add is doing Karaoke! You don’t necessarily have to have a machine (although it helps), but just grab a bunch of your already ‘tipsy’ friends for some movin and groovin and perhaps a little singing!  This should make for a lot of entertainment!! 

While we are making suggestions about how to make your St. Patrick’s Day party more eco-friendly, please remember these tips can certainly be used for your other parties.  If you’re having a Birthday celebration soon, think about using some of these ideas. Not only are you helping the environment but you also may be saving some money in the process!! Bonus!!

Source: Progressivekid.com

“The Quiet Man” Movie Review

I’m not sure how many of you have actually seen this classic film of an Irish tale.  But I truly recommend it. Being that I have a father who is a John Wayne fanatic, I have seen numerous movies starring him. ‘The Quiet Man’ is probably one of only two that I am able to sit all the way through!

This movie is of an unusual love story between a man and a woman with their cultures colliding.  John Wayne plays a gentle man from America, Sean Thornton. He has returned to the Irish village where he was born to retreat from a horrible memory of his last fight as a prize fighter where he accidentally killed his opponent. Burdened with his death, he seeks peace and comfort.  After his welcome home he encounters Mary Kate Danaher, played by Maureen O’Hara, in one of the most breathtaking scenes of the movie.  The red-haired colleen is herding a flock of sheep across a meadow. With the lush Irish landscape, Sean is mesmerized by her presence.  Once he realizes she is unmarried, he is determined to pursue her. This is where Sean is forced to learn the education of Irish culture and tradition. “Uh uh, no patty fingers if you please.”  From their first encounter Mary Kate and Sean reveal a passion and desire to be with one another. But the constant conflict between Sean, Mary Kate and her brother, Will, makes for an engaging story. The momentous retrieval of Mary Kate from the train station, where Sean literally drags Mary Kate 5 miles to a field where her brother is working, is compelling. With the cute and quaint town joining in all the festivities of this dispute, including waging who the winner might be, you’ll be laughing at the whirl wind brawl!

I’d recommend ‘The Quiet Man’ to anyone. It’s a heart-felt romantic movie that is such a joy to watch!

Source:  speakeasy.org

If you plan on celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day this year, make sure you do so with traditional Irish foods.  Here’s a great recipes for Corned Beef and Cabbage that you can make this holiday!

Corned Beef & Cabbage with Horseradish Sauce

Serving Size: 8               
Categories: Beef, Irish                            

Ingredients (Amount & Measure)
——–  ————  ——————————–
   1      Onion
   4      Cloves-whole
   4      pounds Corned beef
   2      Parsley sprigs
   8      Peppercorns-whole
   2      pounds of Cabbage
   1      cup Sour cream
   1      tablespoon Prepared horseradish

Work Time: 15 minutes   
Total Time: 3 hours 45 minutes

Directions:
Peel onion and stick with cloves.  Put corned beef, onion parsley and peppercorns in a large pot and cover with water.  Cover, bring to a simmer and cook gently until tender, 2-1/2 to 3 hours.  Cut cabbage into wedges and core. Add to the pot, cover and simmer until tender, about 30 minutes. Combine sour cream with horseradish.  Serve the meat and cabbage with some of the broth ladled over all and the horseradish on the side.

Nutritional Value:
Per serving: 553 calories, 36g protein, 40g fat, 2808 mg sodium, 11g carbohydrates, 135 mg cholesterol.

*Exported from MasterCook*

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Source: http://fp.enter.net

ForRent.com would like to bestow a wish on all our friends with the following Irish Blessing this Saint Patrick’s Day!

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.

May your neighbors respect you,
Trouble neglect you,
The angels protect you,
And heaven accept you.

May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

Source: corsinet.com & ireland-information.com

Children and Adults will enjoy doing the crafts this holiday. It’s a good way to add holiday spirit with fun activities that’ll instantly give your home a festive look! Just put your creative minds together and take a stab at one of these crafty ideas:

Pot of Gold Party Favor:
For this simple activity all you need is a few household items to create it. You can use a paper plate, a toilet paper or paper towel roll (or yogurt cup), glue and paint. Cut the toilet paper or paper towel roll in half and paint it black. Then take the arc of the paper plate and cut it (make sure the arc can fit into the hole in the painted toilet paper/paper towel roll). Then paint it the colors of the rainbow. After both the rainbow and black pot dry, glue them together! You can make them for all your guests or just for little decor all over the apartment.

Shamrocks and Flower Wreaths:
The materials for this wreath are really up to you. You can use the traditional shamrock theme or go for flowers which will be reusable for your doorway all of spring. Regardless, you’ll need about a small to medium sized plain wreath. Ribbon color/design is your choice, obviously depending on the style you want. If you’re going for a shamrock themed wreath, then you’ll need a green or white ribbon preferably with shamrocks on it. Thickness would depend on the actual wreath you have. For little decorations you can get shamrock confetti, green silk leaves/clovers, green pipe cleaners and maybe even a few white satin roses to add some color. Arrange the materials in an order you like and glue all into place! You’ll have a decor element for years to come!

Shamrock Mobile:
With three different hues/shades of green construction paper, scissors, trace of a shamrock, glue and yarn you can create this lovely idea! Perfect for decorating your home for St. Patrick’s Day parties! Cut out various shamrocks in the different color card stock. Save the leftover paper (with the shamrock cut out) and cut around the rim (leaving a couple centimeters). See picture. Then punch a hole at the top of each of the pieces and assemble together using ribbon, yarn or string. Viola! You’ve got yourself a handmade mobile!

And finally, this next idea is most appropriate if you have children. Making a Hand print Rainbow is best using multiple colors of green. (You are forewarned that this is a messy craft!) Use a large piece of poster board and have your child’s hand dipped in paint. Each child can be a different shade of green (or you can vary outside the traditional colors for St. Patrick’s Day and use the colors of the rainbow). Use a blow dryer to dry the paint in between colors so the colors won’t blend together and look messy! Have each child (member of the family) sign his/her name too! To keep this memento, have it laminated for future holidays!

Hope you enjoy all the crafty ideas. If you have any of your own, please feel free to add them!!

Source: amazingmoms.com, kinderart.com, 123greetings.com

St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations

In the United States there are many festivities to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day. It goes back to the first celebration in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737 where the first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade took place on March 17th.

From the major cities like Boston or New York to your home town. Here is a brief list of some major festivals, parades and events happening in the U.S. Feel free to add your city’s celebrations to our list!

Savannah, Georgia
Savannah’s Saint Patrick’s Day parade usually takes place on March 17th, regardless if it’s during the work week. However for 2008, the parade will take place on Friday, March 14th to honor Holy week in the Catholic faith. The parade route changes each year but usually travels through Savannah’s Historic Park District and Bay Street. In additional to the parade, Savannah’s Waterfront Association has an annual celebration on Historic River Street which mimics Mardi Gras on Bourbon Street.

New York City, New York
According to Wikipedia, the New York parade has become the largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world with more than 150,000 marchers and close to 2 million spectators on the street! The parade marches up 5th Avenue in Manhattan and ends by the U.S. 69th Infantry Regiment.

Seattle, Washington
A unique fact I did not know is that Seattle and Galway, Ireland are sister cities given that Seattle has many Irish residents! The annual Irish Week Festival is enormous and includes activities such as Irish step dancing, food, historical and modern exhibitions and Gaelic lessons. It starts on March 14th and goes through the 17th.

Chicago, Illinois
The dyeing of the Chicago River has been a tradition for over 40 years. While many cities have tried to mimic it, none can get as true of a St. Patrick’s color as Chicago’s river can. This year the dyeing is to take place on March 15th. Chicago also has a St. Patrick’s Day parade that takes place on the same day.

San Francisco, California
On March 15th, San Francisco will have the 156th anniversary of its Saint Patrick’s Day parade. At the end of the race there will be a family festival with games, music and various other ‘green’ activities!

If you enjoy celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, there are many options to choose from! Regardless of where you are, cheers to you having a great time!

Source: Wikipedia.com

With St. Patrick’s Day approaching the theme of merchandise available in stores will be shamrocks. And when you see one this holiday season, you’re going to know why it’s the symbol for this holiday and what it means to the Irish people.

The shamrock is a symbol of Ireland and is also a registered trademark of the Republic of Ireland. Its shape is a three-leaf old white clover which is frequently used as a name and symbol for Irish pubs throughout the world. Many (especially those of non-Irish origin) confuse the four leaf clover with the Shamrock.  While the four leaf clover is a symbol of good luck, the three leaf shamrock is mainly an Irish Christian symbol of the Holy Trinity and has a much greater significance.  The Holly Trinity is taught by Christians to represent the “three persons in one God”, the Father, Son and the Holly Spirit.  Traditionally the shamrock was used for it’s medical properties as well as being a popular motif in Victorian times, but today it is commonly associated to represent St. Patrick’s Day in decorations, face paintings, signs, etc.

When you’re thinking of images to decorate your Saint Patrick’s Day party this year, definitely use the shamrock. Not only for good luck but also for it’s meaning & representation to the Irish.

Source: wikipedia.com

We all know to wear green on St. Patty’s day or else you’ll get pinched! But do you know who the day actually celebrates? Do you know who Saint Patrick was and why he is remembered? If you’re like me and don’t know or simply want to read more on Irish culture, read on!

The holiday to commemorate St. Patrick takes place on March 17^th, the date on which Patrick is said to have died. He was taken into slavery by Irish Raiders and escaped after six years of captivity. Guided by visions from God, Patrick began religious training and returned to Ireland after his ordination to be a priest. Saint Patrick was known for bringing Christianity to Ireland so the Irish had a feast to honor him and from there the holiday has emerged. To many Irishmen this holiday is a religious one to memorialize St. Patrick and to others it is a day to celebrate their heritage and all things Irish. Originally March 17^th was a holiday in Ireland where all pubs were required to close, however in 1995 the Irish government decided that this would be a good day for tourism and a way to showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Today, especially in North America, there are many celebrations all over the world such as parades & festival, wearing green, eating Irish food and/or green foods and drinking is how’s it’s celebrated. The symbols of this holiday are usually leprechauns and shamrocks.

So this St. Patrick’s Day when you put on your green clothing and shamrock head bands, remember Saint Patrick and all he had done for Ireland.

“May good luck be your friend in whatever you do and

may trouble be always a stranger to you.”

-Irish Blessing

Source: History Channel

Here is a list of ten classic romantic movies to watch on Valentine’s Day (in no particular order).

Do you have any extra to add? Are there any specific movies you like to watch on this beloved holiday? Let us know!!

1. The Notebook (Rachel McAdams & Ryan Gosling)
2. Notting Hill (Hugh Grant & Julia Roberts)
3. Sleepless in Seattle (Meg Ryan & Tom Hanks)
4. Dirty Dancing (Patrick Swayze & Jennifer Gray)
5. Casablanca (Humphrey Bogart & Ingrid Bergman)
6. West Side Story (Natalie Wood & Richard Beymer)
7. Romeo & Juliet (Leonardo DiCaprio & Claire Danes)
8. Ever After (Drew Barrymore & Dougray Scott)
9. Sixteen Candles (Molly Ringwald, Justin Henry & Michael Schoeffling)
10. When Harry Met Sally (Meg Ryan & Billy Crystal)