This Perfectly Imperfect Life

To all who are celebrating today, I hope you are having a lovely and safe holiday! This is my favorite Irish Blessing, which hangs in our hallway. I got a later start this morning than I planned on, thanks to waking up with a migraine, but dinner is finished and ready for 5pm with a few hours to spare. The corned beef brisket I buy doesn't have a spice packet, but that's alright because I use my own seasonings anyhow. I cover the brisket with water and add a few bay leaves, lots of fresh ground pepper, two dashes of mustard seeds, a dash of garlic powder, and a tablespoon of minced garlic. Once the pot comes up to a boil, I skim off the foam (and re-add some pepper if a lot came out with the foam), and then I simmer the corned beef for 3 hours, turning it over every so often if any of it is sticking out about the water line so it cooks evenly. Corned beef and cabbage, with potatoes and with or without onions and carrots, is traditionally served to celebrate Sain...

In my family, and here at The Portable Homestead, Saint Patrick's Day is not an excuse to get snockered.  It's a holiday. Like Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter. Always has been.  A celebration of my heritage and food, a celebration of my Nana, and a day to remember her, although not a day goes by that I don't.