Luck O' the Irish!

Pshaw.

Who am I kidding?

Luck has absolutely nothing to do with all that went on in this old house this past weekend.

 The gathering that commenced had everything to do with the unmitigated, miraculous gift from the gracious hand of God.  Period.

 There is no other explanation of the incredible blessing that a gathering of that magnitude could take place.  There are schedules to orchestrate, travel in fickle weather, illness to hopefully stave off, menus to design, recipes to cull, bathrooms to clean, beds to make and all the endless everyday that happens in life.  
How else could this be done except His powerful Hand?

 And speaking of His Hand, what about the reason for our gathering?
To celebrate the lives of people that have profoundly influenced so many.

Hubby, celebrating an exuberant 60 years.

Miss Viv, whose birth altered my life forever, turning The Big Four.

My Thirdsie, my intellectual, philosophical, mercurial, hilarious son, turning a chapter in his life at age 28

My absent son in law, Baby Girl's Hubby, who makes us so proud and pleased to share him with his family, turning 26.

These special, special people were created and designed for this world, this family at this time, is nothing short of divine.

Former babies of mine, turning delightfully into the most wonderful of adults and bringing their babes into the gathering, is something that is not easy to describe.

Seeing parenting skills that are remarkably, comfortably familiar yet vastly improved upon, makes me smile down to my toes.

Watching the next generation play with the things of play of many years ago, brings to life the bygone days....

Feeling the joy of adding an additional Big Girl pretend granddaughter with all her wit and input and help, well -over the moon....

I think you get the idea.

*sigh*

Now, the REAL reason we gather:
The. Best. Corned. Beef. Recipe. Ever.

4 lbs corned beef brisket
2 onions, sliced
1 bunch parsley, tied
1 bay leaf
1 onion stuck with cloves
Pepper to taste
1 large carrot, sliced
2 lbs small round new potatoes
2 lb cabbage, cut in wedges

Place beef in large pot, cover with cold water.  Bring to boil; discard water.  Add fresh water to cover, and all the ingredients except potatoes and cabbage; bring slowly to boil, uncovered.  Skim foam.  Cover' simmer gently about 4 hours.  Remove parsley, cloved onion.  Add potatoes, followed 10 minutes later by cabbage. Cover; simmer 20 minutes or until potatoes and cabbage are cooked.  Makes 6-8 servings.

(author's note:  My group of 11 consumed 4 hefty briskets...All that was left was photographed and used in the BG's Hubby's own recipe: Corned Beef Hangover Omelets, the next day.

VERY IMPORTANT!!  YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS MAKING THE IRISH MUSTARD SAUCE!!

IRISH MUSTARD SAUCE!
1 TBLS cornstarch
2 tsps sugar
1 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup water
1 tbls butter
1/4 cup cider vinegar
2 tsp grated horseradish
2 egg yolks, beaten

Combine cornstarch, sugar, mustard and salt in heavy quart pan.  Add water. Stir over low heat until mixture thickens and boils.  Remove from heat; add butter, vinegar, horseradish.  Beat a little of hot mixture into egg yolks, then add yolk mixture back to pan.  Cook slowly, stirring, until sauce thickens slightly.  Serve with corned beef. 


Enjoy!!
(interested in the Irish Soda Recipe from Dublin?  Leave a comment! :D 

And a good time was had by all.......

In these frenetic days with myriads of things vying for our attention and locales defined by career opportunities, it is indeed a rare opportunity to collect all my progeny, their spouses, significant others, their babies and even their doggies under one roof.  And when we do gather it is a Big Deal.  To Us.  And we wring out all the fun we can capture while that fraction of time exists.

 The Patriarch and Matriarch enjoy just having their Big Grown Up Kids around.  They are highly entertaining and very interesting.  Purely objective opinion.  And their kiddos are truly The Most Amazing Little Girls.  Ever.  Another objective viewpoint.

 Most of our entertainment revolves around eating.....Whether its Sweet Sharon's Stir Fry Extravaganza, or

 The Big Kahuna of Meals to my kids: The All Day Simmer of Corned Beef  O'Cabbage, this year calling for four loaves of Irish Soda Bread.  This addition called for by the in ordinate carb addiction of Miss Viv, who eshewed any other form of nutrition during the meal, calling for more and more bread from her Mimi.  What a Irish Gal!  

 Then there was the well planned photo shoot by the mamas of the granddaughters.  Coordinating outfits were purchased for the Mimi requested event: Both(all three:D) grandbabies in the same square footage for several days!  The weather cooperated and all the very expert cameras were brought out for the best photos ever of two of the most adorable little girlies.  Mimi just watched took photos with her hand me down camera and absorbed the wonderfulness of the  moment.

 After going to church on Sunday, we gathered at the local Mexican Restaurant to watch in awe as Miss Viv ate nearly every bit of her quesadilla and most of the plate, we believe, since we waited for her to complete the meal for a very long time....

 Even the Doggies behaved themselves, even though they got left out of the photo shoot....

 There was the quiet time with Papa...Helping him celebrate his birthday week....

 And Nature Walks with Auntie Lovely Wife...Next year, at our March Spectacular Reunion, Miss Vivie will have to share Auntie with two more cousins

Then it was time to wind up the weekend...We missed Wonderful Man who stayed at home with a roaring case of sinusitis.....All the new thoughts on the Living Room Makeover were stated and helpers abounded.  Tummies were full and memory banks were added to.  Hugs and waves goodbye while our hearts yearned to stay this close all year.....


As they all departed to their own homes in faraway lands, I thought back to the Young Mama Days and how I never could have imagined the joy of watching these four of the most interesting people grow into such delightful grown ups; sensitive and caring, strong and moral, funny and tender....And finding mates that fit in so well....


Thank you Lord, for family....