We do holidays a little differently at our house.
Christmas is still Christmas, of course, apart from the fact that I have resisted putting some of the decorations away just yet. And Easter and Halloween are still the same.
St. Patrick’s Day is different, though.
When our kids were still, well, kids, holidays had a pretty high level of importance. So when St. Patrick’s Day rolled around, they wanted it to be special, and we wanted to do something special with them.
Corned Beef and cabbage, or shepherd’s pie weren’t big hits. No matter that we told them it was traditional Irish faire. So we thought we’d take them out.
Pubs aren’t really for kids, and the handful of Irish places either aren’t all that special (no offense, Bennigan’s), or were packed with ridiculous waits.
Christmas is still Christmas, of course, apart from the fact that I have resisted putting some of the decorations away just yet. And Easter and Halloween are still the same.
St. Patrick’s Day is different, though.
When our kids were still, well, kids, holidays had a pretty high level of importance. So when St. Patrick’s Day rolled around, they wanted it to be special, and we wanted to do something special with them.
Corned Beef and cabbage, or shepherd’s pie weren’t big hits. No matter that we told them it was traditional Irish faire. So we thought we’d take them out.
Pubs aren’t really for kids, and the handful of Irish places either aren’t all that special (no offense, Bennigan’s), or were packed with ridiculous waits.
So I suggested one year that we go for traditional Mexican on St. Patrick’s Day. The kids thought it was funny, and we were instantly seated at one of our local favorites. Thus, a tradition was born.
Living in San Diego, we have the luxury of many authentic Mexican restaurants, and that may not be the case where you live (though I bet your kids would think it was funny to get a Cool Ranch taco for St. Patrick’s Day).
A couple months later, we were confronted with a similar dilemma when Cinco de Mayo rolled around. So we did the obvious. We went to Hooley’s Irish Pub and Grill.
Living in San Diego, we have the luxury of many authentic Mexican restaurants, and that may not be the case where you live (though I bet your kids would think it was funny to get a Cool Ranch taco for St. Patrick’s Day).
A couple months later, we were confronted with a similar dilemma when Cinco de Mayo rolled around. So we did the obvious. We went to Hooley’s Irish Pub and Grill.
Though the years have passed, this tradition continues. My daughter and I had homemade Italian sausage sandwiches for lunch, and we’ll be hitting one of our favorite taco shops for dinner!
This isn’t any kind of editorial against either holiday, and I hope those of Irish (or Mexican) heritage aren’t offended. Or Italian or American, since we tend to stop for a big Italian lunch on the way home from church on Thanksgiving.
Anyway, I did listen to some somewhat seasonal music while I wrote this. Here’s what shuffled out of my U2 playlist…
“I Will Follow”
“When Love Comes To Town”
“Two Hearts Beat As One”
“Magnificent”
“Gloria”
“Vertigo”
“Bullet The Blue Sky”
“Mysterious Ways”
“New Year’s Day”
“In God’s Country”
Hope you’ve had a great weekend, no matter how you celebrate!
Ken
This isn’t any kind of editorial against either holiday, and I hope those of Irish (or Mexican) heritage aren’t offended. Or Italian or American, since we tend to stop for a big Italian lunch on the way home from church on Thanksgiving.
Anyway, I did listen to some somewhat seasonal music while I wrote this. Here’s what shuffled out of my U2 playlist…
“I Will Follow”
“When Love Comes To Town”
“Two Hearts Beat As One”
“Magnificent”
“Gloria”
“Vertigo”
“Bullet The Blue Sky”
“Mysterious Ways”
“New Year’s Day”
“In God’s Country”
Hope you’ve had a great weekend, no matter how you celebrate!
Ken
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