St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day has always been a big feast for our family.  My maiden name is Gianni, so I don’t sound like I am Irish, but I am….a little bit.  My dad is 100% Italian.  My mom always called herself a mutt, claiming she was a little bit of everything.  I guess that makes me half Italian and half Mutt!!

Even though mom couldn’t do it all by herself for the last few years, at least she was there to guide us along and tell us what to do.  Last year St. Patrick’s Day was a tough one. We decided to go ahead with the big dinner last year, even though she had just died, knowing that is what she’d have wanted. I did all of the cooking last year and it turned out pretty well.  It was hard to enjoy it though but all being together was the best part of it.

This year, I had to work and cooking 21 pounds of corned beef was going to take a lot longer than I had time for!!  As we tried to decide how we were going to get it done this year, Dave volunteered to do the cooking.  We went shopping on Saturday and got the corned beef, 20 pounds of potatoes and the cabbage.  I cooked the potatoes yesterday, hoping to save time and pots and pans!!  This meal uses a lot of them!!  This morning, Dave headed up to my dad’s house because it is the only one big enough to hold all of us.  Tonight’s dinner was for 20 people.

I got there as soon as I could after school thinking I could help out, but when I got there, everything was done.  The corned beefs were just about ready.  Cabbage and potatoes were too.  I began carving the meat just as everyone began arriving.  They brought desserts, wine, beer and soda.  Everything was delicious.  Dave did a great job.  Everyone said so.

Now, the dishes are done, dad’s kitchen is clean and we are all back at our own homes.  Tired, full and happy after another really nice St. Patrick’s Day dinner.  Thanks Dave!  It was awesome!

Tagged: corned beef and cabbage, holidays, italian leprechaun, St. Patrick's Day