Happy St. Patty's Day 2013

Feeling super lucky and grateful for so many reasons this year... May the luck of the Irish be with you EVERYDAY!

Happy St. Patty's Day 2013

Love, The Finnegans

Thank you, A, for the sweet garden stone. <3

St. Patty's Themed Play Date

Just a few fun photos taken from the St. Patty's Day themed play date at our house this past week with our HMN group moms and kids. In the spirit of St. Patty's we planted some lucky shamrocks! What a nice time with everyone! 

Recipe Requests: I always love a reason to bake, so I picked these two recipes to accompany our theme.

Irish Soda Bread Muffins:
1 1/2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
3/4 cup white whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups raisins (I opted out)
2 teaspoons caraway seeds, (adds a nice taste)
1 large egg
1 cup buttermilk
                           1/3 cup vegetable oil
                           sparkling sugar for topping (optional, I did ones with 
                           and without)

1. Preheat oven 400 degrees & I used mini muffin liner paper.
2. Whisk together flours, baking soda, salt, sugar, raisins and 
   caraway seeds.
3. In separate bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk & vegetable 
   oil.
4. Quickly combine all wet & dry ingredients.Spoon into baking 
   paper cups and top with sparkling sugar, if desired. I baked 
   my minis for 15 minutes. Serve plain or with preserves.

Sweet Pistachio Bread:
1 package yellow cake mix
1 package instant pistachio pudding mix
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease and flour 9 
   inch tube pan.
2. Blend all wet and dry ingredients in large bowl and 
   beat for 2 minutes at medium speed.
3. Pour into pan and bake for 50-55 minutes. Cool, 
   turn onto wire rack and cool completely.