Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Top O' The mornin' to ye!
Today we are supposed to celebrate Saint Patrick, the man largely responsible for spreading Christianity throughout Ireland, he succeeded where others had not, by incorporating celtic symbolism into Christian symbols, aka the Celtic Cross. Basically he was a cool lad, I believe that I shared more history last year, so feel free to look it up :)
Here are work we are celebrating green food day... technically it is St. Patrick's Day but we are holding what we call a "Green Graze" each department got together and put some food together that is either green or authentic Irish fare. My department chose to go authentic :) Its really cool, one gal made corned beef and cabbage and potatoes, and the receptionist and I each tried a different recipe for Traditional Irish Soda Bread. I made mine in my Dutch oven, which was origianllt called a "Bastible Pot" and is close to what was originally used. It is a very simple bread and would be served almost every day, and it turned out very well :) If your curious the recipe is:

Traditional Soda Bread
Ingredients
· 4 cups (16 oz) of all purpose flour
· 1 Teaspoon baking soda
· 1 Teaspoon salt
· 14 oz of buttermilk
Baking directions
1. Preheat the oven to 425 F. degrees. Lightly crease and flour a cake pan.
2. In a large bowl sieve and combine all the dry ingredients.
3. Add the buttermilk to form a sticky dough. Place on floured surface and lightly knead (too much allows the gas to escape)
4. Shape into a round flat shape in a round cake pan and cut a cross in the top of the dough.
5. Cover the pan with another pan and bake for 30 minutes (this simulates the bastible pot). Remove cover and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
6. The bottom of the bread will have a hollow sound when tapped so show it is done.Cover the bread in a tea towel and lightly sprinkle water on the cloth to keep the bread moist.

Despite my Protestant background I am wearing green, instead of orange, moslty because most folks wouldn't understand the history behind it. and I don't want to forget all the Catholicism has done for Christianity, because of its highly ritualistic background it was able to convert many paganistic areas of the world that were accostomed to the ceremony in worship.
So Three Cheers for St. Patrick!!
And I hope you are all wearing either orange or green to celebrate his spectacular life!
God Bless!