I can still remember the first time I saw a Leprechaun.

I didn't believe they existed, and certainly didn't think I would find their existence to be true. Finding the end of a rainbow was impossible, although I hadn't actually tried, a good solid education in science told me the truth on the matter. I could imagine finding the end of a rainbow- climbing hills covered with slick boulders during a drizzling rain, low clouds covering the area with a thick fog, all the while keeping my eye on the rainbow and searching for the precise location of its ending. But then, science tells me the sun would be shining or the rainbow wouldn't even exist.

On the day I saw the Leprechaun there were no doubts of science telling me the existence of what I was seeing was my imagination.

I searched with my eyes reading the terrain for clues and looking in the most unlikely places, because in the stories Leprechauns were quick and masters of making themselves invisible.

I looked on the ground but there were no tracks, behind the grass- but no Leprechauns. Finally, behind the sagebrush up close to the pronghorn sat a Leprechaun on the dry prairie ground.

Dry prairie ground? Sagebrush? Pronghorn?

You were probably imagining emerald hills with lush grass rippling from the slight breeze blowing off of the ocean, bringing dreams and music with poetic lyrics.

But it was on the prairie lands, a surprise location, where I spotted those mythical creatures.

So, be looking for those Leprechauns everywhere you go. They might just show up in one of the most unlikely locations.

A man who can't laugh at himself should be given a mirror! ~Irish Saying

Raise your glass for this one!

May we always have a clean shirt, a clean conscience, and a bob in the pocket!

~Irish Toast

Irish reading

In celebration of the green month, I have been reading Nora Roberts. Her Born In trilogy takes readers on a romantic tour of western Ireland, with stops in Dublin and a few other locations in Europe. Through her writing I can hear her characters speaking the Irish brogue and wish I was sitting with them in their local pub eating stew, drinking a cold beer, and listening to the local music.

Born In Fire takes the reader on a journey through the life of Maggie Concannon, an artist on the brink of discovery. Coming from a family with dark secrets and little love, except overflowing from her father and sister, Maggie is scared to step into life and take a chance on love and her own talents.

What an excellent way to begin the month- dreaming of lush green hills, rocky shorelines and love just around the bend.

A month for being Irish

May leprechauns

strew happiness

Wherever you walk

each day

And Irish angels

smile on you

All along the way

~Irish Blessing

I love the blessings and the wisdom o' the Irish, they have a way with words. Since it's a fine time to be celebratin' the Irish, my blog will follow recipes, sayin's, and good books about the Irish. Grab a cup o' tea or a tall Guinness and enjoy as the March days roll by.

Pizza Dough

My kids love to eat- just not veggies. Honestly, I can't blame them, but we all need more veggies in our diets. I found hiding veggies in pizza not only snuck them into their diet- providing a wonderful and natural vitamins and minerals, but also helped them learn to eat their greens- ummm... me too. Here is an excellent pizza dough recipe- one you can learn by heart and make very quickly. The best part is there are no preservatives! Top with pizza sauce, cheese, meat, and any assortment of veggies you like!

Pizza Dough

1 cup warm milk (or water)
1 1/2 tsp yeast
1 TBL sugar
1 TBL olive oil
3 cups of flour

Warm milk (or water) and pour over the yeast. Allow the mixture to sit for 3 minutes. Add the sugar and oil. Slowly add the flour. Allow the dough to rise for approximately 30 minutes. Roll dough out onto desired baking pan and top with ingredients. Bake until pizza is golden in a 375 degree oven. Makes one crust.