Kiss Me, I'm Irish! Czech Me Out!

I think that it's safe to say that I have absolutely zero Irish blood in me. Despite a few rounds of dyeing my hair red-ish, having a keen appreciation for beer, and enjoying flicks such as Disney's Luck of the Irish, I am totally one of those 'wear green once a year for Saint Patty's Day' folk.

Actually, no. I was never really into the whole hype. Going to Penn State kind of made me immune/adverse to hype of any sort, so I tended to avoid scenes were there were more people than usual acting stupid. (Just read my blog post from last year!) 

What changed this year? Being in a new place? Having a new appreciate for days to let loose? Who knows. I don't even like the color green. But Ian and I decided that this year, we were going all. out.

Which started with an light Irish brunch of Ham and cheese paninis with fried potatoes and Guinness.

Followed by forking over a ghastly cover at three in the afternoon to watch Irish dancers at a local pub and drinking an overpriced pint.

And having our photo taken by a patron who had been there much longer than we had.

With a little extra jig in our step, it was back home for Ian's Irish creation #2: Dublin Coddle.

And more Guinness. Obviously.

What is Dublin Coddle, you ask? Close your eyes with me and imagine the heartiest, most delicious, flavorful stew exploding in your mouth and there you have it. It's simply potatoes, carrots, parsnips, bacon, and Italian sausage boiled in beef stock until it makes an amazing stew-like substance. (Descriptive enough for you? They should pay me to write this stuff.)

For the evening, it was off to the Clarendon Ballroom to meet some friends in our very dressy green T-shirts. You might say we were a bit underdressed. But hey...at least I had beads. From Georgia the landlady.

And if you're wondering about the title....I was original and said "Kiss me, I'm Irish" to Ian on the way home that night. To which he replied a much more funny and creative (and more accurate) saying: "Czech me out!" Because I'm Czech. Get it?! That's why I married him, folks.