My Personal St. Paddy’s Day

CELEBRATIONS | by KAT SPELLMAN

FOR ME, MY FAMILY AND MY BUSINESS, it’s all about St Patrick’s Day. Since I was a little girl and would accompany my Murphy mom and Spellman dad to the local St Patrick’s Day Parade and Irish Soda Bread Baking Contest, March 17 has been a day to look forward to all year.

As a college student I tested my first culinary wings by having friends over for corned beef and a home-cooked meal each year. The celebration was always topped by trying to pour a perfect “black and tan” (alas, my years of effort haven’t netted a beauty yet, and my recent search on Wikipedia showed it to be a decidedly non-authentic-Irish drink, after all) and play the best records, cassette tapes and CDs from favorite Irish talent.

Years passed and the 17th morphed into an annual pilgrimage by taxi to a local Irish bar for fresh pours and great live music and dancing.  And when, 15 years ago, I officially became my own boss, one of the first dates I marked off on my calendar was March 17: BUSY. No work, lots of play — all fun. Now? As a mom and wife I love celebrating the heritage I’m proud of, the art and music I adore, and the kind of homey food that brings everyone together as family.

Look back. What’s your culture, heritage or passion prescribe? Then go ahead and pick it — your own annual holiday. Put it on your Outlook now and don’t waver. Happy holidays!