SLAINTE, BIG SIS

My sister and I are Irish. Well... we are about 1/4 Irish {or something like that}, but I would say we both cling to that little bit and like to think it's more. {There is a magnet on my fridge that says, "There are only two kinds of people in the world, the Irish... and those who wish they were."} We both have an abnormal love for St. Patrick's Day {second only to Christmas}, bagpipes, and green beer. Some of my favorite memories from the years I lived in Chicago hail from St. Patrick's Day - watching the river be dyed green, being in a bar downtown... with bagpipers coming in to play. I used to call my sister and Mom and just hold the phone up for them to hear. Ireland is at the very top of my wish list of places I'd like to visit. 

Tomorrow is a big day for my big sis. She leaves for Ireland tomorrow morning {with our cousin, A}. To say I am jealous would be putting it mildly... but I am definitely more happy for her than I am jealous. Most days. 

In honor of my sister's trip, I wanted to share a recipe for one of my favorite things - Irish soda bread. Truth be told... I love bread in general... any bread. The below photos and recipe are from a lovely blog I found via pinterest, The Pastry Affair. I will be trying out this recipe very soon, maybe this weekend!

 

I love you, big sister. I hope you have the most wonderful time in the history of wonderful times. Take lots of pictures, drink lots of beer, and bring home something really cool for me.

"May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields,

And until we meet again,

May God hold you 

In the palm of his hand."

{Ireland landscape image credits: 1 / 2 / 3}