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Happy St. Patrick's Day. On March 17, we're all Irish. Who doesn't love leprechauns, shamrocks, rainbows, and pots of gold? I'm always surprised when I see an ad where the shamrock is shown with four leaves. The story I heard is that St. Patrick used a shamrock to demonstrate the Holy Trinity - Father, Son, Holy Ghost - one leaf for each; hence, the association. 

Did St. Patrick drive the snakes out of Ireland? Did Ireland ever have snakes? No proof yet that they did; however, I heard that the myth came about from St. Patrick's reputation for driving non-believers (those serpents!) out of Ireland after introducing Christianity.

I also read that corned beef and cabbage is common Irish fare, and St. Patick's Day is a solemn and special holiday with an upscale feast. Corned beef and cabbage for dinner would be equivalent to our serving tuna-noodle casserole on Christmas.

The reason he was not a canonized saint? The practice began after he was born. Want more? Click HERE. 

I'm doing my part.

And I sent a few cards

Fannie Mae asked if I'd been to Ireland, and I told her that I'd post the part of my travel journal about Ireland. Then I remembered that I'd posted the entire trip. I can't post to the Teas and T's blog any longer, but you can still view it. Here's the link: Click HERE. Go to the archives listed on the right and start where it says Trip to Great Britain or pick the parts you wish to see.

Another soup finished - 15 to go.

STRAWBERRY SOUP

1-1/4 cups whole milk

1/2 cup white grape juice (see below)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1-1/2 cups whipping cream
1 lb. fresh strawberries, cleaned and halved
 
Put milk, juice, sugar, and vanilla in a blender and pulse to start and then blend.
 
Add strawberries and pulse to chop up berries.
 
Add whipping cream and whip on high, which will pulverize the berries and whip the cream and give the soup some body.
 
Pour into a glass bowl and refrigerate. Chill at least eight hours.
 
If you want more strawberry flavor, pour in a little strawberry Kool-aid powder.  Don’t use too much, or your soup will look like Pepto Bismol.  It’s already a deep pink. And strawberries have varying degrees of sweetness. Taste and adjust the sugar.
 
I made this once with apple juice and once with fruit punch (all juice) and I think you can substitute most any juice which is very sweet.  If you don’t have juice, just add a little more sugar.  This is a soup you can tailor to your taste
 
You can make this more of an appetizer by adding 1/4 cup sour cream.  Make it a dessert soup by serving it with cookies.  And if you want a treat in a hurry, just put it in a mug or glass and add a scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream.  Or do like my brother Sonny and put it in the freezer until it just starts to ice.

I wrestled the old area rug to the garage.

And got the new one in place. (Not striped - shadows) Living room is back to normal finally. Nice to have fresh paint.

Thank you for my birthday cards. Boy, am I getting old!

Late arrival

When I went to the wreath class at Michaels, I signed up for a credit card so I could get 20% off my purchases that day. The card just came in the mail, along with all the paperwork. I always check to make sure there's no annual fee. This time I noticed the interest rate - 33.24%. What?!!! Is that even legal? Then I noticed the late fee - $41. Sure glad I pay my bills on time and in full so no interest.

I keep a list of my credit cards: number, expiration date, 3-digit code, phone number, in case I lose my wallet. The list is well hidden. Only my family knows where, and they probably forgot.

My hyacinths are so fragrant, I don't like using the front door. I think I planted the grape hyacinths too late, because they're blooming now, and they're teeny weeny.

Just got this from a friend. I didn't know Tim Allen, so I did the internet dive, and was shocked to see that he's an actor. You really need to read this.

 From: Tim Allen

 Here are some interesting points to think about prior to the November election, especially to my friends on the fence, like moderate Democrats, Libertarians and Independents and the never Trump Republicans and those thinking of "walking away" from the Democratic party.

 

Women are upset at Trump's naughty words --  they also bought 80 million  copies of 50 Shades of Gray.

 

Not one feminist  has defended Sarah Sanders. It seems women's rights only matter if those women are liberal.

 

No Border Walls. No voter ID laws. Did you figure it out yet? But wait... there's more ...

 

Chelsea Clinton got out of college and got a job at NBC that paid  $900,000  per year. Her mom flies around the country speaking out about  white privilege.

 

And just like that, they went from being against foreign interference in our elections to allowing non-citizens to vote in our elections.

 

President Trump's wall costs less than the Obamacare website. Let that sink in, America.

 

We are  one election away  from open borders, socialism, gun confiscation, and full-term abortion nationally. We are fighting evil.

 

They sent more troops and armament to arrest Roger Stone than they sent to defend Benghazi.

 

60 years ago, Venezuela was 4th on the world economic freedom index.

 

Today, they are 179th and their citizens are dying of starvation.

 

In only 10 years, Venezuela was destroyed by democratic socialism.

 

Russia  donated $0.00  to the Trump campaign.  Russia donated $145,600,000 to the Clinton Foundation  . But Trump was the one investigated!

 

Nancy  Pelosi invited illegal aliens  to the State of the Union. President Trump  Invited victims of illegal aliens  to the State of the Union. Let that sink in.

 

A socialist is basically a communist who doesn't have the power to take everything from their citizens at gunpoint ... Yet!

 

How do you walk 3000 miles across Mexico without food or support and show up at our border 100 pounds overweight and with a cellphone?

 

Alexandria Ocasio Cortez wants to ban cars, ban planes, give out universal income and thinks socialism works. She calls Donald Trump crazy.

 

Bill Clinton paid $850,000 to Paula Jones To get her to go away. I don't remember the FBI raiding his lawyer's office.

 

I wake up every day and I am grateful that Hillary Clinton is not the president of the United States of America.

 

The same media that told me Hillary Clinton had a 95% chance of winning now tells me Trump's approval ratings are low.

 

The problem with socialism is that sooner or later you run out of other people's money. 

Margaret Thatcher

 

Maxine Waters opposes voter ID laws; She thinks that they are racist. You need to have  a photo ID to attend her town hall meetings  .

 

President Trump said

 

"They're not after me. They're after you.

 

I'm just in their way."

 

Now, go Back & Read this Again like your Future Depends upon it, Because it Does

 

I'm sure this is not new, but still worth reading. We escaped Crooked Hillary, but now we have Stumbling, Bumbling, Free College Tuition, 10 million unvetted illegal aliens, corrupt Joe Biden (aka The Big Guy). Wake up American!

If you need a dessert in a hurry, this recipe is for you. So easy, so quick.

PINEAPPLE CAKE

Cake:
1box yellow cake mix
1 8-oz can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
4 eggs
1/2 cup oil
 
Frosting:
Small box instant vanilla pudding
1 8-oz can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
1 8-oz tub Cool Whip (thawed in fridge)
 
Heat oven to 350°F.
 
Grease and flour a 13 X 9 baking dish.
 
Mix all cake ingredient on medium speed for 2 min with hand or stand mixer.
 
Pour into baking dish and bake 25-30 minutes. Cool completely.
 
Combine frosting ingredients and frost cake top.
 
Keep cake refrigerated.

A shout-out to Susan, who was in Sorrento with her sister this past week. I loved it there with all the lemon trees. Here's my souvenir. Dish towels are my favorite thing to bring home - light weight, non-breakable, and practical. You can tell I use mine by looking at the creases from being folded in the drawer. I love the ones with maps of the country, and I don't know why someone hasn't capitalized on the idea in the USA. People would want one from every state. At least I know I would.

She sent me a photo of her dinner - lemon chicken. Yum.

Hmmmmm............Click HERE.

And HERE

Did you see the Google Doodle for St. Pat's? Rows of shamrocks and green confetti.

What happened?!!!!! Click HERE.

MENU – SEAFOOD 

Not Your Mama’s Tuna-Noodle Casserole
 
Harvard Beets
 
Peas and Carrots Salad
 
Copycat Red Lobster Biscuits
 
Recipes
Tuna-Noodle Casserole, Harvard Beets, Biscuits
 
For Peas/Carrots Salad: Mix shredded carrots and thawed frozen peas in a 2:1 ratio; dress with Ranch dressing.

NOT YOUR MAMA’S TUNA-NOODLE CASSEROLE

3 small cans or 1 large (approx. 13 oz) white tuna in water
6 oz (3 cups) uncooked noodles
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/2 to 2/3 cup sour cream
2 tsps prepared mustard
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp salt
1 small zucchini
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 medium tomato, chopped
 
Cook noodles, drain and rinse in hot water.
 
Heat oven to 350°.
 
Drain and flake tuna and mix with noodles, celery and green onions.
 
Mix sour cream, mayonnaise, thyme, and salt. Stir into noodle mixture.
 
Spoon half the noodles mixture into a buttered 13 X 9 baking dish.
 
Wash and thinly slice the zucchini and spread half over the noodles.
 
Repeat layers and scatter cheese over the top.
 
Bake 30 minutes or until bubbly.
 
Sprinkle with chopped tomato before serving.

HARVARD BEETS

1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbs cornstarch
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup vinegar
3 cups cubed beets (canned or cook fresh)
2 Tbs butter
 
Mix together the sugar, cornstarch and salt.
 
Add vinegar and water and stir until smooth.
 
Cook over low heat for 5 minutes.
 
Add beets and let stand 30 minutes.
 
Before serving, heat to boiling and add butter.
 

COPYCAT RED LOBSTER BISCUITS

2 cups baking mix (I use Bisquick)

1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

2/3 cup milk

1/4 cup butter, melted

1/4 tsp garlic powder

Minced parsley, optional (see note)

 

Heat oven to 450°.

 

Mix baking mix and cheese.

 

Add milk and stir until a soft ball forms.

 

Turn out on a floured surface and flip to cover both sides with flour.

 

Roll out to desired thickness (1/2” to 1”), and cut with desired size biscuit cutter.

 

Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake 8-10 minutes.

 

OR simply drop by large tablespoons onto baking sheet and bake.

 

Melt butter and add garlic powder (and parsley if using). Brush tops of biscuits while still on the baking sheet.

 

Note: Can use dried parsley

As I'm a Francophile foodie who loves words, I adored this book. Delightful. The last page should have read Boo Hoo instead of The End.