I am part English, part Irish and part Cherokee Indian. :-)
My poor gene pool wants to drink green beer while eating scones and dancing around a fire. :-D
I have never been a big follower of St Pat's Day - but I will say I love a good brisket with cabbage and potatoes. This year, I made a Shepard's Pie. What can I say? It was easy.
Can I help it if St Pat's Eve fell on the same night as a new House episode? LOL
So - I have a secret.
I have a passion for castles. I think Irish Castles are the most interesting. There is a haunting quality about the medieval ones. I think it has something to do with all that blarney.
My husband and my son and I spent 14 glorious days driving through Ireland.
Here is a typical verbal exchange that repeated day after day...
Driving through the countryside, rounding a corner or topping a hill...
Barb: "Oh my goodness, this is the prettiest scenery I have ever seen."
Son: "You said that five minutes ago, Mom."
We round another corner...
Barb: "Oh my goodness, this is the prettiest scenery I have ever seen."
You get the idea! It is truly the greenest and lushest country I have ever visited.
Prior to our trip, I had mapped out about 20 castles with intentions of seeing them all.
We saw six!!! :- / I guess that's not a bad average considering we had a very whiny 12 yr old along.
Barb: " Oh goody! One of the castles is about 20 kilometers to the South."
Son: "Mom if we look at another castle I am gonna puke."
Barb: "You said that five minutes ago, Son."
See the pattern here? :-D
I had all intention to blog on my scrumptious brisket with Guinness Mashed Potatoes (no lie, I got this recipe from a Dublin pub!)
But like I said....Dr. House and I had a date! (that charming man!) :-)
So...please enjoy (again) my blog post and recipe for my Shepard's Pie.
http://gritsglamour.blogspot.com/2009/01/mmmmmm-good.html
In closing, I want to leave you with one of my favorite Irish Blessings!
May the Good Lord take a liking to you... but not too soon!
Don't forget What's On Your Wall Wednesday!
Mr. Linky will be up by 9pm Tuesday night. I look forward to seeing all your posts.
May the Luck o' the Irish Always Be With You...Barb
Barb, those pictures of Ireland are just dreamy. I've always thought I'd love Ireland! Your post is hysterical! Traveling with a teen can be tough! It's nice that you can remember it "fondly". I hope you and Mr. Grits are doing well. laurie
ReplyDeleteFabulous St. Patrick's Day Post!!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of Ireland, I would LOVE to visit someday! Awww and with a teenager..fond memories! =)
ReplyDeleteHave a great St. Patty's Day!
Oh Barb, That's the prettiest scenery I've ever seen! ☺ The pictures are absolutely gorgeous! I loved post. Happy St Paddy's Day! ♥ Diane
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures of Ireland. I've always wanted to visit, so thanks for the tour lol. Great St. Patricks post. Hugs, Kathy
ReplyDeleteThis was a wonderful & fun St. Pat's Day post! Oh, I am a huge "House" fan too! ;-) Bo
ReplyDeletegorgeous pics! i would be the same way.. photographing castles against that lush backdrop is breathtaking to me! :) what a lucky girl you are to have seen such beauty in person.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing!!
hope the mr. is doing well.
happy st patty's day!
Tracie
I, too, have a penchant for castles and the Irish have some of the most grand.
ReplyDeleteCan relate to sightseeing with a 12 year old!
What gorgeous pics...I see you found my ancestral castle ;-)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful you got to visit one of the most beautiful countries in existence!
Happy St. Patty's day...enjoy your green beer and scones and don't step in the fire!!!
;-D
barb,
ReplyDeletethanks for the great st pattys day post...i love your heritage jokes!!! best to you
kate
ps i will be trying your shepards pie, one of my favorites
Happy St. Patrick's Day
ReplyDeletefrom Raggedy Girl/Roberta Anne
Ireland's on my GOTTA GO SEE ONE DAY list! Your pictures are SO pretty. I'm afraid I'd be life you and just AGOG at over all the beautiful scenery and castles. Things just don't LOOk like that here! Happy St. Patty's day--the shephards pie looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteLoved all of the pictures! Thanks for always sharing your travel with us. Glad to see usual posts from you - I'm assuming Mr. Grits is still on the road to recovery - still praying, however. Happy St. Pat's Day. Sally
ReplyDeleteHow gorgeous is Ireland!
ReplyDeleteYummy recipe! :)
Well, just when I thought France had all the pretty castles - you go and do this post. I am impressed with the Irish castles - just beautiful! Hope Mr. Grits is having a better day today. Linda
ReplyDeleteOh I am so with you in that Ireland is just about the greenest place I have ever seen. I havn't been, but the pictures like yours are alway so lush. I love castles, and I did visit a few when I was in Germany and Austria. They are just fascinating. Your Shepherd's Pie looks and sound wonderful. I will give it a try. Happy St. Patty's Day. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDelete