Céad Míle Fáilte!

One Thousand Welcomes to you all today! Or as my Grandma would say in Irish, Céad Míle Fáilte! Not much really happens in March unless you’re Irish I guess, and if you’re like my Gram, maiden name Cecilia Mulligan, you’re getting excited about St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t you just love my Gram’s name? It doesn’t get any more Irish than that! Andy’s Gram’s name was Elizabeth McDermott, and we’re sad they never had a chance to meet because they are SO much alike! Irish people usually have big personalities and our Grams’ are proof of that!

Isn’t she cute?!

Anytime you walked into my Gram’s house, you were greeted with the One Thousand Welcomes sign as well as a plethora of other Irish inspired knick-knacks with shamrocks, leprechauns etc. Oh! And on St. Patty’s Day everyone calls my Gram and when she answers she says, “Top of the Morning to You” to which the caller replies “And the Rest of the Day to Yourself!” It’s a fun tradition and the holiday wouldn’t be the same without this annual morning greeting! And although I don’t live in Chicago anymore, I used to love watching the Chicago River being dyed green!

Another thing that reminds me of St. Patty’s Day is Cecilia’s Irish Soda Bread made with raisins and caraway seeds. Did you know the Irish didn’t invent this bread? It’s kind of like the bagpipes; the Scots didn’t invent them but they are most associated with them. Weird huh? Soda bread is a quick bread that rises due to the reaction of the acid of a liquid like buttermilk (which I used) and a base of baking soda or powder. Traditionally, it’s baked for good luck, hence the luck of the Irish I guess! I will post this recipe again on the actual holiday, but today, I’m sending off a care package to my Gram filled with yarn, crossword puzzles, an Irish knick-knack for her door and this here bread. She’ll love it and you will too!