With Irish eyes ashinin’, Kathleen has invited her friends to participate in a St. Patrick’s Day bash. Not having a speck of Irish blood, I would probably do better thinking rodeo since it’s that time in Houston and bar-b-que may be the food of choice.
But Kathleen is so much fun and creative to boot, I’ll don my fedora and see what I can find to share at her party. (Note: as predicted earlier, the pollen has settled on my car. It’s part of the season.)
Off to World Market I go hoping to find a pot of gold, but all that was there was spirits, enough for a pint or two for those so bold.
On to Costco in search of something green. Who would have thought it would be shamrock pasta filled with dubliner cheese? Cases also were filled with corned beef, perfect for an Irish wannabe and I bet for the slow cooker as well. Now, I’m really getting into the swing of things.
Now it’s time to think of a table to set. White azaleas and green leaves from the yard are a good place to start, and these little bottles (how I love bottles!) with their tint of green are filled with their blooms.
White dishes debut on an appropriately green background and are accented with colors bright as those blooming outside.
Even little birdies sit for a spell
taking it all in and looking forward to the kitchen smells.
So, Kathleen, despite my lack of Irish blood, I’m excited to join your party. What a good time we’ll have going from place to place, getting to know one another and sharing our space.
Just in case you are preparing corned beef for St. Patrick’s Day dinner, here’s how I’m doing mine.
Slow Cooked Corned Beef
4 lb. corned beef brisket
6 red potatoes, cut into quarters
2 c. baby carrots
12 oz. bottle dark beer or stout
1 head of cabbage
In a slow cooker, cover the corned beef with potatoes and carrots and sprinkle with the seasoning packet contents. Add beer or ale and cook on low setting for 7-8 hours. About 30 minutes before cooking is finished, add cabbage that has been cut into wedges and continue cooking making sure all ingredients are tender before removing from the cooker.
Slice and serve with a grainy mustard/horseradish sauce and cornbread. (That’s the southern girl coming out in me.)
For dessert, I am going to try cupcakes made with some of that Irish beer purchased at World Market. The recipe is here. Don’t those sweets sound like a kick?
i love your thoughts, so jump right in and share yours
Joining Cuisine Kathleen, Tablescape Thursday, Foodie Friday and Friday Food
Lulu's Musings 
Absolutely lovin’ those fun ravioli, what a great find:@)
Lovely! Thanks for sharing Joann
Well, i am honored! Look at you all decked out! I wonder if the Costco here had that ravioli, what fun!
Wonderful table, and those cupcakes look delicious!
I have been in the kitchen all day cooking for my dinner party! Dh , no Irish in him, but we let him come to the party!
Thanks for this wonderful addition to the blog crawl, Lulu!
such cute pics~
Thanks!
Linda, how have I missed you in blogland??? What a fun time I had in reading this post and several others. We live in Texas, also. We had to travel down to Houston VERY often when my hubby was on a clinical trial at MD Anderson. Anyway….. the pasta from Costco looks yummy! I wonder if they still have some? I read your post on going gray and I just don’t have the nerve yet, but I admire those that do. It sure would be easier, wouldn’t it??!! It’s nice to meet you and Happy St. Paddy’s Day!!!!!
Well, welcome aboard, Kitty and you can be sure I’ll check you out as well.
I’m really enjoying your blog… especially when I scrolled down and found your post about the history of West U… where my son and his wife live. They love it there. So unique! I had no clue that it was started in 1900. Can’t wait to find that historical marker.
I’m your newest follower… which is so different… mailed to my inbox!
Have a great weekend!
Karen
Ladybug Creek
If your son and his wife have kids, there’s just no place better than West U for a family. As I wrote, it is a small town with total access to the big city.
Linda, beautiful non-traditional SPD table…love the napkins. I need to hightail it to Costco for some ravioli!
What a cute hat! That’s the way to get into the spirit! The ravioli stuffed with Dubliner cheese sounds great! I don’t even know what Dubliner cheese is but I like cheese! I like your mix of colorful elements on the table! Your food sounds great- I should try that recipe as I haven’t got a plan in place and my husband would be impressed if I tried something with beer! THX for sharing!
Love the hat! A friend gave it to me, and it may become part of my standard attire!
I don’t know of any Irish blood in me either, but I could certainly go for those shamrock raviolis! No Italian blood either, but what does it matter?!!! Your hat steals the show – but of course you had to know that!
How beautiful. So fancy setting with those gorgeous color touch.
Happy TS & a blessed w/end to come.
/C
I do love your little hat….very cute! Your table looks great all set for the big day. I would love to try those ravioli!
If you have a Costco nearby, all their ravioli is quite good.
I’m all for playing THAT Harp on St. Patrick’s day!
Right there with you, girl!
I’m not Irish either, but growing up in Astoria Queens, I always remember fondly cabbage and corn beef for St. Pat’s festivities and I love yours! You look so pretty in your lil’ fedora! Your table is great, I love all the elements and those cute raviolis make me want to have them too! Thanks for your lovely visit and yeah, I think the tablecloth is woven in green. Hugs,
FABBY
You have NO Irish blood? Pop’s entire lineage goes back to the Isle of Man, so you are half Irish.
Frank and Casey came for an early St. Pat’s dinner last night. Same corn beef recipe as your’s ‘cept in the oven using Mother’s old aluminum roaster. So good,wonder why we only have it once a year.
guess I’m still thinking we’re Spanish descent!
Cute hat 🙂 You are very festive! I would love that ravioli, Dubliner cheese is so good. The corned beef sounds delicious. I buy two, one for the freezer so we can have it any time.
We had the ravioli last night and it was delish! Thanks Costco!!
You look so cute in your little hat! I’m not Irish, either, but I always get in the spirit of things with a little corned beef & cabbage and a refreshing glass of Irixsh cream on the rocks for dessert. Yes…DESSERT! I have my priorities in this life! 🙂 Your table looks really great! How cool that you guys already have azaleas in bloom! And they’re white!!! Love ’em! Everything here in the Kansas City, MO area is blooming very early. My daffodils have been up for several days, when normally they would not bloom until the first part of April. Trees are budding, too, and the pollen counts are high. I have never seen the pollen settle on things like it does there, though. That must be a nightmare for allergy sufferers! (Somehow, premenopause has seemed to eliminate my allergy problems after 45 years of sneezing, sniffling, itching, etc.!) Have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day weekend!!!
The azaleas are not only in bloom, they are quickly disappearing. I wish they stayed around longer because anywhere they are looks better. And, you are right about the pollen this time of year being a nightmare.
Linda:
So much fun wrapped up in one post. Love the table, particularly the blooms.
– The Tablescaper
PS That’s not a lamb under the cloche.LOL! It’s a figurine of a Beddlington Terrier. One of my two makes a cameo in the last photo. But they do look like lambs!
Well, that goes to show you see what you want to see when a memory is triggered. I didn’t confuse the dog though!
Hi Linda~ I ;ove your glittery fedora perched on your head and you’re wearing green to boot 🙂 I so wish we had a Costco close by~ the nearest one is an 1hr+ away. Ravioli Shamrocks with Dubliner Cheese fits the bill for St. Paddy’s Day! Your slow cooker Corned Beef recipe sounds delicious!
Costco is now about 5 minutes away and I love it except for the fact that I always spend more money than I intend.