St. Patrick's Day Food and Drinks (and More Drinks)

My family is "Irish."  The quotation marks are important.  I think we actually have some sort of Irish heritage, but I've never visited the country, I definitely don't have a cool accent and I have no knowledge of any relatives that are actually from Ireland.

Still, my last name is Flinn and for that reason, I like to eat my corned beef and cabbage on New Year's Day and St. Patrick's Day.  I also like green things and soda bread.

In the hopes that we share the same interest in Irish foods and green things, I've compiled this list of green drinks and of course threw in some corned beef and Irish soda bread for good measure.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Sweetened Mint Lime Rickey - Ok, this one isn't really green, but it's got mint and it's light and refreshing and pretty perfect for a springy, March day.

I like green drinks, but I don't like a bunch of food coloring.  This Kiwi Grapefruit Cooler is showing only it's natural colors.

Going Green Smoothie - there's nothing that will make you feel quite so healthy in the morning as a bright green smoothie.  (Pairs especially well with a yoga mat ;) )

In my opinion, Rosemary Gin & Tonic's are good anytime - you don't need a holiday for an excuse.

Kale Apple Smoothie.  Remember what I said about green smoothies and yoga mats.  Yep.  That again.

If you like spicy drinks, this Jalapeño Lime Spritzer is the one for you.

Ok, Honey Beer Bread is not really Irish (well, maybe it is - I don't know), but I couldn't have a whole post about St. Patrick's Day and not include beer.  Throw a Guinness in this super easy bread recipe for a festive side or snack.

And, if you've got a little more time and you do want something traditional, Irish Soda Bread is the baked good to go with.

Crockpot Corned Beef & Cabbage.  'Nuff said.

In Celebration of Pi Day

Tomorrow is Pi Day, guys!  Do you know what that means?  Well, really it means nothing, but we can celebrate it anyway and if celebrating a holiday means eating a bunch of pie, then I'm in.

My mom and sister planned our Pi Day celebration this year so we'll be having chicken pot pie, banana cream pie and whatever I decide to bring to the shindig.  I'm still waffling between pizza and poptarts (they're both pies too!).

Sometimes I think we just need an excuse to invite friends over, stuff our pieholes and have a good time.  So here's your excuse.  Actually here are 10 excuses:

12 Superbowl Snack Recipes

This year, I have no vested interest in the Superbowl, but I do really like the idea of relaxing for a few hours on a Sunday, watching commercials and eating snacks.  Really, how can you be opposed to any of that?

Since we haven't had TV for the past year (we still watch TV, don't worry), we haven't gotten to watch any football all season.  I almost forgot about the game entirely.  But then I saw the new Budweiser #BestBuds commercial and that got me excited!...And teary.

If you're not sure what to make this Sunday, I've got some suggestions for you!  These are the kind of suggestions that will make you happy even if your team is losing.

7 Christmas Cookie Recipes

When we were little and would go up to the farm every year for Christmas, everyone brought cookies.  There were way too many to ever fit in the fridges or even on the counter and tabletops, so they all stayed outside on the screened-in porch.

You had to go brave the cold in your socks to get one.  We were pretty brave though.  We would eat every single caramel cup before Christmas day.  

My parents, grandparents, great-grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins and sisters all knew that I was making frequent trips to that side of the house, but even still, I was pretty sneaky, so I don't think anyone really knows just how many I ate.

I still love Christmas cookies but now I don't have to sneak them.  Takes some of the fun out of it to be totally honest with you.  Maybe I'll recapture some of that childhood Christmas magic if I start stuffing cookies in my pockets this year!

1. Vanilla Bean Snickerdoodles

2. Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

3. Lemon Glazed Ginger Cookies

4. Pecan Fingers

5. Molasses Cookies

6. Frosted Sugar Cookies

7. Chocolate Chip Meringues

13 Holiday Sides, Appetizers, Desserts and Cocktails

I really don't like when people call Thanksgiving 'Turkey Day.'

Part of this is because I think we should just remember that we're supposed to be thankful tomorrow (and every day), but more importantly, it's really not about the turkey. 

It's about the pie.  And the sides.  And the cocktails.

If you're at a loss for what to bring to your in-laws' tomorrow...well, you're quite the procrastinator, but I applaud you for taking the 'it-will-all-work-out' mentality to heart!  Here are some last-minute sides, appetizer, cocktail and dessert ideas for you.*

And remember to have a happy Thanksgiving!

*Click on the pictures for the recipes.

1. Chestnut Mashed Potatoes

2. Sweet Potatoes au Gratin

3. Confetti Quinoa

4. Artichoke w/Lemon Rosemary Butter Sauce

5. Jalapeño Popper Dip

6. Baked Brie

7. Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

8. Apple Cider Moscow Mule

9. Cranberry Margaritas

10. Eggnog

11. Apple Butter Pumpkin Pie

*Or try Cream Cheese Pumpkin Pie or Sweet Potato Pie.

12. Cranberry Pecan Pie

13. Salted Caramel Apple Pie

*Or try Aunt Betsy's Apple Pie or Dutch Apple Pie.

You Only Need These 6 Pumpkin Recipes This Season

It's true.  You make these 6 recipes with that big, orange gourd and you'll be totally set.

Although I wouldn't blame you if you tapped into your inner mixologist and created a fall, pumpkin cocktail too.  But who would blame you for that?

1. Pumpkin Soup with Cranberry Apple Relish (to bring in all the fall flavors!).

2. Pumpkin Pie (it has to be included...it just has to).