Remember the scene in The Godfather when Vito bit the dust in the tomato patch? The tall plants stood staked in nice neat rows, full of fruit, and bees were buzzing about all over. Well, I too have a tomato plot, but this is my first attempt at vegetable gardening and I simply didn't allow for how huge everything would get. Ergo, unlike the orderly plants tended by the head … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Dancing at Lughnasadh
irish recipes
Sláinte! Patriotic Potatoes
are Perfect for Summer
In the early days of the American Revolution, a number of battles took place in New England eventually causing the British to flee their Boston stronghold. The flight took place on March 17, 1776. George Washington was commander in chief of the colonial forces. His password for the day was `Saint Patrick.'
I stumbled on that fact a number of years ago, and it has never ceased … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Patriotic Potatoes
are Perfect for Summer
Sláinte! The Hedgerow Harvest
Recently I had an opportunity to visit Kauai, The Garden Isle of Hawaii. While pouring over tourism info prior to leaving LA, I noticed a place that locals are so proud of it's marked on maps in red. Tiny letters named it a `tree tunnel.' Anything special enough to be highlighted always piques my curiosity. The spot was close by the airport, so as soon as I picked up my rental … [Read more...] about Sláinte! The Hedgerow Harvest
Sláinte! Rhubarb:
The Sweet & Sour of Irish Pies
Often when I sit down to write Sláinte! I find myself ruminating about my Dad's favorite foods, which writing this ongoing series has revealed to me are almost always directly related to the dishes his Fermanagh-born and raised mother had prepared. This month, I drew a blank.
"What is there," I mused, "that is connected to both spring and Irish food that I have not already … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Rhubarb:
The Sweet & Sour of Irish Pies
Sláinte! The Irish Roots of Halloween
Ask anyone to name five favorite holidays, and it's a sure bet Halloween will be on the list. Then ask how the celebration came to be. More than likely you'll be told Halloween means All Hallows Eve the night of prayer preceding the Feast of All Saints. Yes, but there's more to it than that. The night we celebrate by dressing in outlandish costumes and traipsing about the … [Read more...] about Sláinte! The Irish Roots of Halloween