Evangeline...

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    Wednesday, March 16, 2011

    Leprechaun Traps and Book Drawing

    Happy Saint Patrick’s Day. I love the story of Saint Patrick. So much so, in fact, that Chunky’s middle name is Padraig, the Gaelic version of Patrick. More on that later.

    Of course everyone’s familiar with the tale, but if you’re interested in a good fictional account of Patrick’s life, I recommend Stephen Lawhead’s Patrick: Son of Ireland. Or, this informative short (9 minutes) from Big Idea.



    I have to admit, whenever I use a metaphor in my writing, I find myself mumbling, “Oh great metaphor” in a cheesy Irish accent.

    So we always celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day in some form or another. We’ve tried attending parades but Monkey is very sensitive to strong odors and loudly objects to the horses and a few of the bagpipers. I usually make corned beef and cabbage or Guinness stew, which Monkey also loudly objects to.

    For several years I tried to make Irish soda bread, but I’ve only ever managed to make Irish soda rocks. This year my brother is in town, and since he’s an accomplished baker, he’ll be the one cutting an X on the dough to let the fairies escape.

    Speaking of fairies, my six-year-old constructed a leprechaun trap out of a cardboard box, wrapping paper tube, and popsicle sticks. This required the poor kid to eat five or six popsicles in a row. I’m not sure how he survived the brain freeze.

    If you follow this blog, you know about our recent Epic Tooth Fairy Fail. I’m worried we’re headed for the Great Leprechaun Disappointment. So worried, in fact, that I tried to convince my husband to let me buy a hamster to put in the leprechaun trap. I planned to tell Chunky the legend of Binky the Leprechaun, a rather jumpy member of the wee folk, who turns into a hamster when startled.

    Being sane, my husband gently discouraged my scheme. So I found this instead.


    I’m going to leave it in the trap with a note from the “real” leprechaun. I just hope this doesn’t lead to a new tradition of yet another benevolent fairytale creature funded by Mom and Dad’s savings account. But if it does, at least we’ll make some fun memories along the way to bankruptcy.

    I’m curious. Do you celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day? How? If you leave me a comment about how you spend your St. Patty’s Days, I’ll put your name in a drawing for The Dragon and the Turtle Go on Safari. After all, it’s not a coincidence that both my son and the little red dragon are named after Saint Patrick.

    To give you time to party, sober up, and make up a good story, I’ll give you a week to make comments. I’ll do the drawing next Thursday, March 24th.

    Now get your green on!

    6 comments:

    Amy (ArtsyBookishGal) said...

    I drink Shamrock Shakes. :) That's how I roll. :)

    Jeanne Takenaka said...

    What a fun post, Evangeline! I was laughing out loud, and I learned something. I didn't know that Padraig was Patrick. I can't wait to tell my kids who love those books. :)
    As for celebrating, with all our food issues, I'm careful on what is served. Our main tradition is to wear green, unless you want to be pinched or tickled. I would have loved the leprechaun trap a couple of years ago, maybe. :)
    So enjoy your writing!

    Renee said...

    The kids and I wear green and pinch each other if we're not wearing it...same with my husband when he gets home from work. My son, who is four, told me just a little while ago, "Mommy, your butt's not wearing green." Then he proceeded to pinch me through my black pants (I AM wearing a green top).

    Andrea Downs said...

    We always have corned beef and cabbage and depending on the day it falls on green pancakes. This year I started at the beginning of the week and made all new recipes from Betty Crocker. Grasshopper Fudge cake was first(yummy but next time will use less mint). Kirk said he wasn't sure if he was eating cake or toothpaste. Then an amazing Slow Cooker Beer and Cheese Potato Chowder which I will be making again. I made green white and chocolate chip cookies yesterday for Justin's class and for dinner I tried Irish Brown Bread(not sure what we think of the bread yet, maybe with lots of jelly it will be better). Today we will have "Taste a Rainbow" cupcakes (from Family Fun) And because of a crazy evening we will have our Corned Beef and Cabbage tomorrow night (trying out a new recipe in slow cooker with beer).

    Jennifer ♥ said...

    I love Binky in his cute hat! You're such a good, fun mommy!

    I made Irish Cream Brownies with Irish Cream Frosting and took them to Brandon's work today. They were yummy! I'm making an Irish dinner tonight - Shepherd's Pie, cabbage, Irish Soda Bread (bought at KS because mine turns out like a rock too!) and some of the brownies I kept for us to have for dessert. I love holiday food :)

    Linda B said...

    Well, we wear green of course (I'm at least one-fourth Irish). Normally I make corned beef, cabbage and potatoes, and Irish soda bread and/or barm brack. After supper we all watch our beloved VHS recording of Riverdance and the kids all try to dance along. I also have a video of Irish rail journeys that I sometimes watch too. And sometime during the day, I try to read out loud the poem "Patrick's Breastplate" and maybe also sing Be Thou My Vision. Is that going overboard?