Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the sun shine, all day long,

everything go right, and nothing wrong.

May those you love bring love back to you,

and may all the wishes you wish come true!

source

The story of St. Patrick

The St Patty's Day ranting and thifting post!

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Well the luck of the Irish must have been with me yesterday and  today because I scored some AWESOME deals when I went thrifting! Wa-hoo! I will go in depth on my finds in Monday's blog post of Funky and Frugal Finds Monday #6.

Remember how I talked about my the hubbs BFF getting a mobile home that we are helping him remodel? Well apparently between the two of them they decided I wasn't busy enough handling the painting and decorating. They gave me EVEN more stuff to take care of  (and I have a cold so I have very little tolerance--for anything right now)!  My responsibilities now include personal errands for his bff (like clothes shopping, laundry detail,  bank transactions, post office, and grocery shopping) Somehow I am now a personal assistant. An UNPAID personal assistant. What the huh? ggrrrrr Can someone please tell me how two men both 51 and 50 (the hubbs and BFF, respectively), can be so completely helpless, clueless, demanding?!

Last time I checked I was only married once. To one man.  Having 1 husband is bad enough at times. Now I have my hubbs AND a stray.  They are finding things for me to do so I will leave them alone. (I think I am getting played...hmmmm)

http://www.eons.com/groups/topic/1423481-how-to-be-a-195-s-housewife 

Ok, now that I have that out of the way...the hubbs BFF asked me to pick some jeans and tee shirts for his work. Yesterday I did manage to score a pair of Levis (like new!) for $2.98 (at New to You Thrift store) and 5 tee shirts for $6.50 (St. Vincent de Paul). Those were some good prices! And the hubbs BFF freaked out (in a good way) and was all like, "NO WAY! I would have spent like $100 on all that".  To which I replied, "Hey  you can pay me the difference" They both laughed.  I was serious... Of  course the hubbs was all proud and braggin' about what a good shopper I am. (well duh!) To make up for them running me ragged, the hubbs BFF did buy pizza  for dinner last night. So I didn't have to cook or do dishes. I GUESS that makes me less ranty and stabby feeling....for now

 The GOOD news is they are both gonna go to the barber shop today (awww they're so cute, haha)  and then head over to the trailer to do work. So I won't see them ALL day! Not to mention I got me some thriftin' plans! If the weather holds out I have some gardening stuff to do. And I am back on track working on some projects. hoo-ray!

I already hit the Goodwill in Lebanon this morning (50% off day-woo!) and found some cool stuff. And because I spent over $25, I got a coupon for a free Goldstar cheese coney. Cool thrifty finds AND a free lunch?! Heck yeah! I came back home to eat lunch, finish my blog post and rest up because I have more shopping, thrifting, money to spend! Da-da-duh-danta-duhda...CHARGE IT!
 

So I will chat at y'all tomorrow. And I totally plan on recycling all my shopping receipts since I am pretty sure I am gonna kill a tree today!

Wherever you go and whatever you do, May the luck of the Irish be there with you.  

Chubbs and Tovah wanted to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day

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Foodie Frugal Friday #5

Welcome to Foodie Frugal Friday #5 ! Fridays are my "day off" from my blog. Every Friday I will feature some recipes from across the web and blog-land.

Feeling a wee-bit-O-Irish with St. Patty's day on Saturday. Here's a mind blower- approximately 30 MILLION Americans claim they are of Irish descent! This is according to the census 2010.

What is it that brings out the Irish in us all for St. Patrick's Day? I am sure for some it is a nod to familial history. But for most I believe it is simply just a chance to celebrate with friends and family, enjoy some good food,  enjoy some fine drink and usher in Spring. Talk about welcoming the green! 

Most Irish dishes tend to be meat and potato heavy. Did you know corned beef and cabbage isn't traditional Irish fare? It wasn't popular until Irish immigrants came to America where beef was affordable did this dish become synonymous with Irish food.

A great many of Irish recipes resulted from using leftovers from previous meals. That is what frugality is all about- using what you have!

Doesn't this traditional Sausage and Potato Coddle look delicious? This is a hearty one dish meal, easy to make and easy on the pocketbook.

http://southernfood.about.com/od/stpatricks/r/bl80315l.htm 

The traditional Dingle Pie is simple a lamb pasty. Originally they were made using mutton. The Dingle Pie were to believe originated from the famous Lammas (loaf mass) fair in Dingle, Co Kerry and offered a portable option to the traditional Shepherd's Pie.

http://www.europeancuisines.com/Ireland-Irish-Dingle-Pie-Pastry-Recipe-2008 

Speaking of Shepherd's pie...It is a mutton or lamb pie with out a pastry, topped with potatoes. However when used with beef it is a Cottage Pie. (And in true frugal foodie form, I have a cheat version where I use left over sloppy joe's.  And top it with either mashed potatoes, cheesy mashed or if I am feeling adventurous, cayenne spiced sweet potatoes. But then I guess it isn't traditional Irish !)

http://www.food.com/recipe/cottage-pie-authentic-irish-recipe-19091 

The traditional Courgette soup is nothing more than Zucchini soup!  This is a great Spring dish, served chilled and we ALL know Zucchini is ever prolific! What a great way to use up some of your Zukes (instead of hiding them in your neighbors car or on their porch, ha)! Serve this with a nice salad and some traditional Soda bread or Brown bread--aye!

http://www.irishabroad.com/culture/kitchen/Recipe.asp?RcpID=86 

Craggaunowen Chicken is a dish named in honor of Craggaunowen  "the living past"  a heritage site located near Quinn in County Clare. Serve with Boxty, Colcannon or a Leek Tart.

http://www.irishabroad.com/culture/kitchen/Recipe.asp?RcpID=259 

 This is the traditional Boxty which is simply an Irish potato pancake. Boxty is great for breakfast, brunch, an appetizer or a side dish. Here's a funny dittie about Boxty...

"Boxty on the griddle,

Boxty in the pan

If you don’t get boxty

You’ll never get a man "

http://gourmetfood.about.com/od/appetizersandsoups1/r/irishtatercakes.htm 

Ireland has 7500 km (that's 4660 miles to us yanks) of gorgeous, unpolluted coastline that is rich in aquatic life, resulting in some exceptional seafood. Seafood is also one of Ireland's economic boons. Traditional fish cakes often use Cod or Salmon.

http://www.irishabroad.com/culture/kitchen/Recipe.asp?RcpID=93 

Some other traditional Irish dishes worth trying are:

Red Onion Tart with Cashel Blue Cheese 
Truffled Wild Mushrooms Tartlets 
Seafood chowder with potato and spring onions 

Traditional and contemporary Irish desserts often use apples. But the dessert everyone talks about is the Guinness Chocolate cake! (Which is to die for!)

http://www.nigella.com/recipes/view/chocolate-guinness-cake-3086 

 And of course nothing is more authentic than an Irish Coffee! Irish whiskey (Jameson), brown sugar, coffee (strong!) and whipped cream. Wooo-weeee!

http://www.traditionalirishcooking.com/traditional-irish-cocktails.html 

If Irish coffee isn't your thing (don't hate) here are some guaranteed  good time Erin Go Braugh libations!
http://dailycollegian.com/2012/03/15/authentic-irish-cocktails/ 
http://cocktails.about.com/od/cocktailrecipes/tp/st_pty_cktl_tp.htm 

And now to leave you with some breathtaking photos of the land that inspired such a simple and savory fare 

alcjourneys.com 

triporiginator.com 

Dublin, thetravelpeach.com  

mernin.com 

irelandscape.com 

Beannachtam na Feile Padraig

(Happy St. Patrick's Day)