Wearin' O the Green

When I was 14, Sister Clark introduced me to her family's tradition of a Green Dinner in honor of St. Patrick's Day.  Our Mia Maid class enjoyed one at her home and I've been hosting one ever since. Throughout my teen years, in college with roomies, with my extended family and now with my own little Leprechauns.

You would think that a mom could clean her house, set the table and cook up some green food on a Saturday, right?  Not with this particular Leprechaun...

The extra Chocolate-Mint Surprise Cupcakes (with mint middles) I had set aside to share with some deserving neighbor family had suddenly become accosted.  Oh well...they probably didn't like mint anyway. And by the way, I put that clean shirt on him seriously 20 minutes before he wiped chocolate frosting all over it. Blimey.

You would have thought I had run a marathon by the time 6:30 rolled around and Officer Long arrived home from work.  No, just spending the day with some curly-haired-almost-two-year-old.

The McLong Family's Green Dinner Menu

Saucy Chicken and Asparagus

Buttered Rice

Crisp Green Salad with Green Herb Ranch

Cheesy Parsley Toast

Chocolate-Mint O'Carter Surprise Cupcakes (not really, there were a few 
unadulterated ones spared)

(Carter adding some Romaine lettuce to the cupcakes to enhance the green experience)

I know what you're thinking, "What about corned beef and cabbage?"  Well, Sister Clark served all green food, regardless of it's origin.  And frankly, I would eat a Reuben but I don't think my kids (or Officer Long) would.  So that's why the McLong's enjoy entrees like Fettuccine with Pesto and Broccoli Chicken Bake.  It would have also been delightful to sip some green Kool Aid or limeade but as mentioned before, it's all this mom could handle to not have to run to the store.