Snacktastic Saturday: Homemade Shamrock Shakes

I'm not going to beat around the bush here. I love Shamrock Shakes. of course when you have a family of 5, those trips to McDonald's can get to be a bit pricey. Which makes me so happy that I know hoe to make them at home with just one extra ingredient. 

Simply add a bit of Creme de Menthe syrup (I use Torani) with the milk & vanilla ice cream. That's it! A little does go a long way, so trying to get that same green color will most likely be too minty for you. But even though it may not be as green, it still tastes just the same. If not better!

Fun Friday: Construction Paper Shamrock

I love to decorate for the holidays, but sadly, I don't have many when it comes to St. Patrick's Day. Unless you count the 50 million window clings (which I don't). But I do have plenty of construction paper, staples & kids who like crafts. And for the record, yes, I consider three kids plenty for me. 

I used green & yellow construction paper for my shamrocks.

•Cut the paper into strips lengthwise (we used a ruler as a guide, not the measurements, the ruler itself).

•Cut the yellow strips in half & the green strips about 3/4 of the way down. 

•Layer 4 strips, 2 long & 2 short, with the short ones on the outside. Staple one end in place. 

•Flip the yellow ends up to join together, followed by the green ends. Staple the ends together so that the paper strips now form a heart. 

•Join 3 or 4 of the "hearts" & staple or glue them together.

•Take 1 long green strip (full length), fold it in half & attach it for a stem. 

•Manipulate the paper into more of a shamrock shape.

Think It Thursday: Kiss Me, I'm Irish! (Not Really)

Kiss me, I'm Irish! Actually I'm not, but I do love St. Patrick's Day. And with Easter not immediately after, we really get the chance to show off our inner...Irish-ism. 

Now I don't go all out & dress head to toe in green, but a little bit (preferably a shirt) is a must. Corned beef & cabbage...must. Soda bread...must. Shamrock shake...must. Leprechaun hunt...must. Paper shamrocks...must. And of course there's Boondock Saints & a nightcap of some sorts with Irish Cream something or other, after the kids go to bed (usually it's just decaf coffee with some creamer). So I might as well be Irish, right? At least on St. Patrick's Day. 

 

Happy St. Patty's Day

Today I was Irish. Slightly. At least in the kitchen.

Crock Pot Corned Beef & Cabbage with Beer.

Layer large chunks of potatoes, carrots & onion. Followed by water, corned beef brisket (fat side up) & beer. Sprinkle the seasoning packet from the brisket evenly over the fat. Cook on HIGH 6 hours (or so). Brush off seasoning & remove fat as best as you can. Top with sliced cabbage, salt & pepper. Continue cooking on HIGH 30-60 minutes or until cabbage is wilted.

 (*measurements based on personal preference.)

  Irish Soda Bread. This recipe was amazingly simple & delicious. 

And then there was dessert.

A Green Velvet Cheesecake Cake. Let's just say that Recipe Girl is a genius. And I'm officially addicted.

There was also a homemade "Shamrock Shake" made with vanilla ice cream, a bit of milk & some Torani Creme de Menthe syrup. (They were slurped up before I could get a picture.)

Did you have any festive food?