The Wearin' of the Green

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy St. Patrick's Day! 1 year ago today, Anastasia was baptized. What a year!! A. and I are all decked out in our green sweaters and jeans (although her jeans are too big and have fallen down around her knees!!! lol). I need to go to the grocery store and pick up a few items for my Corned Beef and Cabbage. THIS is the best recipe I have found... even Nick who HATES corned beef and cabbage thoroughly enjoyed this last year.

I am 1/4 Irish and take pride that we Irish have our own celebrated holiday which surprising enough is intended to celebrate a Saint. Instead I feel most people just celebrate good Irish Beer. Not that I have a problem with that, but it is always good to remember that God is the one worth celebrating... and that His good works through His faithful need not be overlooked.

Speaking of Saints... I chose St. Therese of Lisieux as my confirmation saint. I even recently ordered her autobiography (which I would like to start reading this holy week if it comes soon). She seems very humble and innocent (as many saints are I suppose) and I feel she lives what it means to "have faith like a child"--something I feel I constantly need to remember to do. I had really wanted to pick St. Francis originally because I liked how he truly lived the simple life, rich in faith for God. He seemed very in touch with nature and the way it reflects its creator. He also saw beauty in the small and simple things of this world... and that is AWESOME. I surprised a woman when I told her I had picked St. Terez instead of St. Clare, "I thought for sure you would have picked St. Clare!" I feel as though I already share a name with St. Clare and therefore she is already a very special saint for me. Which is great!

So anyways... upon browsing pictures of Clare, Ireland I started to fall in love. Is there any place so picturesque as Ireland? I would love to visit sometime and hope that in this life I will get that opportunity. So I leave you with these lovely pictures of Clare county, Ireland (don't you LOVE the castle?). I wish you all the best St. Patricks Day.