Wow, Easter came, and went and I was a little surprised to see that not many people actually celebrated the religious side of it. No matter what store I visited, I heard, “But, MOOOOOOOOOM, I want the big Easter basket!“ and, “That candy is gross, I want the expensive kind.” It seems to me that these days, kids are only motivated to do things when rewarded and have come to know holidays as Days When I Get All Kinds of Free Stuff And it Doesn’t Matter if I Was Bad or Not. P-L-E-A-S-E! In my house growing up, we didn’t get squat unless we earned it. We played outside most days and drank...

Damn, she strikes again.  I tried not to do it.  I decided not to bake anything today, not to join in the drinking and debauchery in the local pubs.  Alas, I failed. I caved.  I baked some wonderously delicious Chocolate Guinness Stout cupcakes, filled with red raspberry and topped with vanilla buttercreme – green, of course. INGREDIENTS (recipe found on www.chow.com) 1 (12-ounce) bottle Guinness stout 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 3 large eggs 3/4 cup sour cream 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa 2 cups sugar 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 teaspoons...

(Kiss me, I’m Irish) It’s that time of year again, Lasses and Lads, St. Patrick’s Day.  Although that is “La Fheile Padraig” to those that actually know how to speak Gaelic (myself not included, thanks Dad).  Irish-American immigrants brought Saint Patrick’s Day to the United States. The first civic and public celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day in the 13 colonies took place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737. The first celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day in New York City was held at the Crown and Thistle Tavern in 1756. In 1780, General George Washington,...