Saturday, March 17, 2007

Happy St. Patrick's Day

"Lucky Charms"

The shamrock (clover) has become the unofficial symbol of all things “Irish.” From Ireland to Australia to Canada and the USA; from sports teams to universities, including my alma matter, The University of Notre Dame, the shamrock is a popular symbol. Each leaflet of the clover is said to hold special meaning. The first leaflet stands for hope, the second for faith, the third for love, and the fourth for luck. Clovers have been found with up to eight leaflets, but typically they are of the three leaflet variety with only one in about every 10,000 being a four leaf clover. With the development of genetic engineering, companies are now able to produce GMO-four leaf clovers.

Saint Patrick’s Day is a secular (since 1903) holiday, celebrated around the world by both Christians and non-Christians uniting to wear green and consume green (foods and drinks), often while attending parades and social gatherings.

"Everyone wants to be Irish on St. Patrick's Day."
The brothers are no different, they are always
interested in food and celebrating.

Do we really need an excuse to get a chocolate cake?

Tanj is excited about the cake,

and "Dublin Mudslide" ice cream.

What do I get out of this ?

According to my research; the individual who became St. Patrick was most likely born to a Christian family, in Britannia (Great Britain) about 385AD. During his early years he considered himself a pagan. At the age of 16 he was abducted, taken to Ireland, and sold into slavery where he worked as a herdsman for six years, during which time his pagan beliefs began to change. After escaping, he returned to his family and eventually became a high ranking member of the church (deacon & bishop), following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather before. He became a Christian missionary and after 443AD ministered in northern Ireland, converting the native pagans to Christianity. Patrick died March 17, 461AD and by the 8th century had become the patron saint of Ireland.

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated around the world including; a five-day festival held in Dublin, Ireland as well as in many other cities and towns of Ireland. In 1737, Boston (USA) was the first city to hold a St. Patrick's Day parade. Nowadays New York City hosts the largest St. Patty's Day parade.

The family parades outside

in search of natural four leaf clovers.

HEY Uschi !!! we've found a clover patch,...

Stop

licking the grass.

Whateverrrr

Back inside,

Uschi isn't impressed
with Guinness,
but is

more enthusiastic about Killian's Irish Red
(like father like son)

Mama's boy, on the other hand, is more adventurous
and gives Guinness a nibble.

I've had enough with all the green.


Happy St. Patrick's Day


Previous ----- Home ----- Next



1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Lavs, I LOVE the two pictures of Uschi on the grass - the depth of field is gorgeous.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!