St. Patrick's Dinner at McDonagh/Valentine Cottage and a Sunday Saying . . .

Friday night we feasted on corned beef with all the St. Patrick's Day trimmings, compliments of my husband. 

The chef.  : )

We caught up with friends and family that we haven't been able to spend much time with lately and these two besties got to run around and play for a few hours. 

The many faces of Megan and Gracie!!

Lucky indeed!!!   🍀

Happy Sunday to you!! ~ Wendy xo


 

Digging Out and Preparing for the Wearing O' the Green . . .

 

All I can say is God bless the inventor of the snow blower (I say the same thing about the inventor of central air conditioning in the summer!!)!!  Twenty two inches of snow is not easily shoveled.  We actually heard about a man only in his 30's in the town over from us that suffered a fatal heart attack after shoveling his driveway.  So sad.  When the snow is wet and heavy like it was it's great for snowballs and snowmen but not so great for the heart and back.  : (   Trevor and Brendan were out a total of three times to clear the driveway and walkway.  The poor dogs have been doing their business in the same six square foot spot outside the back door since Monday.  The little guy, Sparky, actually ventured into the deeper snow this morning and did a pretty good job of making a path for the big guy, Brady.  He's 11 now and his legs aren't as strong as they used to be but that doesn't stop him at all.  : )

Miss Meggie Mack went out to help her brothers shovel but didn't get very far.  She has never seen this much snow before and couldn't believe how deep it was.  I love how colorful she is against the snow!!

 In other news . . .

Our fireplace mantle.  I used only things that I had around the house to decorate it.  : )

tonight Jim and I shop for the fixings for his world famous (almost) corned beef, cabbage and potatoes for tomorrow's St. Patrick's Day feast.  We've invited some family and friends over to help us celebrate.  I'll be visiting my favorite little farm in Cornwall for their homemade Irish soda bread and somebody will be bringing a pistachio cake (keeping with the green theme!).  It should be a nice gathering.  I think we all need it after being snowed in for a few days!!

Now I'm off to pack up some Etsy packages that need to be mailed out.  I think I'll take along my camera when I head to the farm and post office.  It's a beautiful day out today.  The wind is blowing but the skies are blue and the sun is shining.  There's another chance for a bit of snow this weekend but I'm crossing my fingers that Mother Nature is done with it for this winter.  Bring on spring!!  xo


~ Wendy

Where Family Gathers . . .

Chef James.  : )

"Tis himself, my father in law from Galway."

Jim and his beautiful sister (my sister from another mister!!), Michelle.

Five corned beefs, four Irish soda breads, red potatoes and carrots to fill our bellies.  Family from out of town and lots of cousins catching up with each other.  It all made for a most wonderful St. Patrick's celebration.

I almost forgot the yummy shamrock cookies!!!  : )

Many blessings for a brilliant St. Patrick's Day ~ Wendy

Sunday Sayings . . .

Happy Sunday!!  ~ Wendy

An Early Celebration . . .

Today we're welcoming a houseful of family for an early St. Patrick's celebration.  My honey started cooking the first batch of corned beefs last night before we went to bed.  I woke up at 3 am to the wonderful smell of  them cooking in the crock pot.  Jim's alarm went off at 4 while I was still awake playing Words with Friends (love that game!!!) and he was off to the kitchen to begin cooking the next batch.  He's cooking 5 all together. 

Some of the finished products.  Yes, I did grab a pinch at the bottom.  Couldn't resist!!!  : )

Jim's been cooking our annual St. Paddy's dinner for the last few years since my mother-in-law passed away.  My very Irish father-in-law gives it two thumbs up!!!  : )

Many blessings for a very happy Saturday ~ Wendy

'twas a Happy St. Patrick's Day, Indeed!! . . .

Other then "Sunday Sayings," I've really been neglecting this blog.  We've had lots of goings on around here and I have so many photos to share.  The kids are off this week and so is my husband so it's a bit busy around here but I wanted to share some photos of St. Patrick's Day before we're on to Easter!!  : ) 

My nephew Danny, son Brendan and niece Taylor.

St. Patrick's Day is a big deal around our house.  My first husband was Irish and his heritage was a huge part of who he was.  This has trickled down to our three sons.  I guess with names like Connor, Trevor and Brendan McDonagh you can't help but be in touch with your Irish roots!!  : )

This year, we had two special guests for our St. Patrick's Day feast.  My niece Taylor and my nephew Danny joined us along with my mother, father-in-law and some neighbors.  It was a wonderful day and the food was outta this world!!!

My wonderful husband slicing the corned beef.

My wonderful husband has taken on the task of St. Patty's Day dinner.  This year, he started cooking the night before so we woke up to the smell of corned beef in the crock pot.  We have one crock pot and he cooked five of them this year.  Lots of complaints of not enough leftovers last year!!  He also made potatoes, cabbage and carrots.  My mother brought the Irish soda bread baked fresh that morning at Jones' Farm in Cornwall, NY.  (I've done several posts about Jones' farm.  One of my favorite places to visit!!)  It is a meal that we look forward to every year!!!! 

My very Irish father-in-law.  He's from Galway, Ireland and has a brogue and an Irish wit and we adore him!!

Green tulips.

Glittery shamrocks.

Shamrock cookies for dessert!!

Our day ended with some Irish step-dancing compliments of Megan!!

And no St. Patrick's Day would be complete without Meggie's favorite pastime ~ a little jumping on the couch with her Daddy!!


It was a beautiful day filled with love and laughter, family and friends and LOTS of delicious food and we're already looking forward to next year although we've taken a family vote and decided a year is too long to wait for another corned beef and cabbage dinner.  Are you reading this, Honey???  : )



Many blessings for a wonderful Monday ~ Wendy