Leprechaun Traps for St. Patricks Day...

Aidan had a family project last week to make a leprechaun trap for school today. This picture is missing the Lego steps leading to the top of the box where the coins are. The leprechaun left some foot prints on the top but did not get caught!

Emily had to make one too for our house - notice the Kleenex 'bed' for him to rest on after he was caught? Well, he is just too cleaver and did not get caught but he did use the bathroom and forgot to flush! Green water in that bowl when we got home from picking up the kids =)

Corned beef is in the crock pot with the onion and carrots. I'll grab some of the liquid (trying some Guinness in there with a little water this time) and add that to the pot for cooking off the potato and cabbage later. I think it is time to make some Irish Soda Bread with the kids....and then some green rice krispie treats. What else is there to do on such a rainy day?


Irish Soda Bread - recipe from Rita Bixby. a.k.a - Margarita Rita! When I lived in Colchester,VT - I remember she had me and Michelle come over one day and we all made one of these and she sent us home with them and the recipe card that I pulled to make it. Great memories! I really miss our walks each evening (yes, she will be 80 this year but I only have half her energy!) and then certain nights we'd stop back to her house after our 7PM walk for margarita's and home made guacamole or salsa made by her hubby Jim for snacking and chatting.  No worries - Michelle and I both walked back to our houses - mine was three houses down and hers was a little further around the corner. Onto the recipe.

Set oven to 375 degrees
2 1/4 cups flour
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup oleo
1/2 cup raisins
2 tsp caraway seeds
1 cup butter milk (or Tbsp vinegar or lemon juice and milk to measure 1 cup)
1 Tablespoon oleo or butter for top.

Grease 8 inch round cake pan.

Mix dry ingredients. Mix well. Add oleo and cut in with a pastry blender. Stir in raisins and caraway seeds. Add milk and blend well. On floured surface knead dough 6 times. Press dough in pan. With a sharp knife point cut an X 1/4 inch deep on the top of the loaf. Brush with the oleo. Bake until done - 25-35 minutes. Remove immediately from pan and cool on a wire rack.