Have you heard of the old Irish tradition of Drowning the Shamrock?  According to some, it's a rigorously observed tradition in Ireland. Remember that Saint Patrick's Day  falls during of lent, a time of restraint and fasting. However, these rules were lifted on March 17th. After mass and (maybe) a pilgrimage to a holy well the men met in the local pub to empty the pota Pádraig, "Patrick's Pot", liberally filled with alcohol. A lot of Patrick's followers repeated this hallowed tradition several times until the pubs closed. For the final drink a sprig of shamrock was put into the glass, covered with whiskey and finally flung over the left shoulder for good luck.  Another obscure fact was the introduction of a law that required pubs and bars close on March 17th after drinking got out of hand.  The provision wasn't repealed until the 1970's.  Crazy facts.

 

Saint Patrick's Day is one of my favorite holidays.  It could be due to the green blood running through my veins.  It could be because of the influence of our priest when I was young, Father O'Reilly.  Or, could it be the the annual St. Patrick's Day gala at our parish?  Whatever the reason, I love it because it's fun.

 

Speaking of fun, I really enjoyed spending the day making my version of "Patrick's Pot"  filled with stamped shortbread shamrocks.  I've really fallen in love with our Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps.  I love to cook but usually stay away from any kind of sugar or butter cookie.  I really don't like cleaning up the mess from rolling, cutting and frosting them.  With cookie stamps, the rolling is gone!  The clean-up is a breeze! AND the results are nothing short of fantastic!  For a copy of my special Lemon Sage Shortbread, sign-up in the VIP box on the upper left of this page.  I'll even throw in instructions for "Patrick's Scalloped Envelope Pot" so you can drown your own shortbread.  But, in this case, I think a cold glass of milk would be better than Irish Whiskey.  

 

 

 

Gotta run!  There's a cabbage with my name on it.

 

 

 

  

 

 

Nuts & Bolts:

 

Other Supplies:

* Paper – Card stock: Whisper White, Garden Green

* Fibers – 1/8" Organdy Ribbon, Pear Pizzaz #127279 (SAB Everyday

Enchantment Ribbon & Brad Pack) Only Available until

March 31st with qualifying Sale-A-Bration order.

1/2" Seam Binding #122330

 Tools:

* Die Cutting – Premium Crease Pad #113476

* Handheld Punch – 1/16" #101227

Adhesives:

SNAIL Adhesive #104332 

Mini Glue Dots #103683 

Sticky Strip #104294

Happy St. Patrick's Day!