St. Patrick’s Day
March 17

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

St. Patrick is the Apostle of Ireland.

He was born at Kilpartick, near Dumbarton, Scotland in the year 387 and died at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland March 17, 461. St. Patrick was the second Bishop to Ireland. In his conversion of non-believers St. Patrick was arrested several times. After escaping his captures, St. Patrick traveled throughout Ireland establishing monasteries, schools and churches that would aid in the conversion of the Irish country to Christianity.

One tradition that still continues today is the icon of the shamrock. St. Patrick used the 3 leaf shamrock to explain the Trinity. The shamrock was used to represent how the Father, the Son and the Holy Sprit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. The shamrock are still used today in celebration of St. Patrick’ Day.

The St. Patrick’s Day celebration came to America first in 1737. That was the first year St. Patrick’s Day was publicly celebrated in this country in Boston.

St. Patrick’s Day Recipes.

Irish Soda Bread

4 cups Flour (do not sift)
1 tsp. Baking soda
2 tbls. Sugar
1 tsp. Salt
1 cup Raisins
1 cup Buttermilk

Mix flour, soda, sugar and salt in large mixing bowl. Stir in raisins. Make a well in the mixture and pour in buttermilk. Stir until well blended. Knead dough 8-10 times on a floured board. Roll dough into a ball.

On a lightly greased baking sheet, place dough and pat into a 9 inch circle. Using a floured knife make an X on top of the loaf.

Bake loaf in preheated 350 degree oven for about 50-55 minutes or until top is golden brown. Cut into wedges and serve warm with Irish stew.

Irish Stew

2 ½ lb Boned lamb
4 Large Idaho potatoes
2 Large onions
4 Medium carrots
1 pt Water
Sate and Pepper to taste

Cut meat into bite sized chunks. Peel the vegetables and slice into bite size chunks. Choose a stew pot with a well-fitting lid and put in the ingredients in layers, starting and finishing with the potatoes. Pour in the water and season to taste. Cover bring to a boil then turn down to a very low heat for about 1 ½ hours cooking time or until the meat is tender and the potatoes have thickened the liquid.

Enjoy

 

Easter and Eggs

Easter Sunday this year is March 27th. Easter is the first Sunday after the first full Moon of Spring. (The first day of Spring 20th March with the Full Moon 25th of March). This was the time of the year was set by the Roman Emperor Constantine in 325 AD.

The dyeing of eggs has become a symbol of Easter. This tradition of dyeing eggs has a long history going back to the Egyptians and Persians. They used to dye eggs in spring colors and give them to friends as a symbol of renewed long before Christ was born.

Happy and Blessed Easter season

 

 

 

Holiday Pet Care
Susan Baker

Sometimes we just have to
leave home, reluctantly,
without the family pet. My
cat, Charly, a very large tabby
does just fine being home alone.
Most pets do not like or do well being
left for more that a few hours. Give
Carol Litzebauer she will take care of
your pets in own home. Carol moves right in making
your pet a happy and
home much less vulnerable. Carol
has taken care of Teddy and Shasta the ferrets, Oreo
the rat, lots of dogs and cats.

Give Carol a call so you and your pet
have an opportunity to meet and make
arrangements for your pets care.

Carol Litzebauer
345-9714 or 922-5746

 

AARP’s 55 Driver Safe Program

If you are 50yrs. or older and looking for
a way to potentially lower your auto insurance
costs, this may be just the right program for
you.

The AARP Driver Safe Program course
is a total of 8 hours and is usually given over a
2 day period, 4 hours each day. The fee is $ 10.00 for
each participant and they must attend all the 8 hours to be
awarded a Certificate of Course Completion. Although
our program is basically for those 50+, the course is
open to everyone, regardless of age, who
would like to refine existing skills and develop
safe defensive driving techniques. It is also an
excellent way to get an update on new Idaho
traffic laws. Drivers 50 and over may be eligible for
insurance discounts. This course is also recognized
By the Idaho Department of Transportation as a
means of reducing certain points against a driving
record.

For addition information go to www.aarp.org/drive
or call Betty Chatburn at 375-7518