March is here, and so is St. Patrick’s Day when you wear green or get pinched! Whether celebrating amidst shamrocks, leprechauns (friendly, not scary), and everything Irish and green, or are looking for creative ways to spend your time this month, here’s a list of ideas.
SHAM-ROCK-IT-OUT!
- Search for that elusive 4-leaf clover and then pot some shamrocks and bring them indoors.
- Get some shamrock confetti and adhere it with a dab of eyelash glue for decorative eyes, paired with some green eyeshadow.
- Make shamrock cupcakes or cookies (use green M&M’s and green frosting).
- Plan a treasure hunt with a pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow, with prizes for all participants.
- Watch the sunrise and sunset and sing along with songbirds.
- Get your funny on. Nab inspiration from your fav comedians and compile a collection for when you need a laughter lift.
- Be a kid again and hang out with the kids. Wear a fun and funky outfit (like a onesie), head to the playground, break out the bubbles, and end the day with a bubble bath (rubber ducky included).
- Plant herbs (or shamrocks!) in Mason jars or empty cans and enjoy an indoor herb garden. Make the most of fresh herbs as edible garnishes for bites and beverages.
CREATIVELY CELEBRATE ST. PATTY’S!
Leprechaun Fruit Snack
Ingredients:
One green apple, one clementine, raisins, cashew or strawberries, toothpicks, and peanut butter
Instructions:
1) Cut a thick apple circle slice and stand it straight up. For a leprechaun hat, cut a piece of green apple into a small square or rectangle and secure above the circular face (apple round) with a toothpick.
2) Use dollops of peanut butter to adhere raisins for the eyes and nose, and add a cashew or strawberry piece for a smiling mouth.
3) Peel the clementine and layer the pieces like a scarf around the bottom of the apple face. Use toothpick pieces or peanut butter to secure.
Recipe adapted from: kitchenfunwithmy3sons.com/st-patricks-day-leprechaun-fruit-snack/
PATTY’S GREEN COOKIES(6 Dozen Cookies)
Ingredients:
2 cups softened butter, 1½ cups sugar, 2 cups brown sugar, 3 eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla or almond flavor extract, 3 cups green powder (matcha, moringa, and/or spirulina) or green food coloring, 3 cups flour, 1½ teaspoons salt, 1½ teaspoons baking soda, 4 cups mint chocolate chips (or white chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or M&M’s)
Instructions:
1) Mix sugars and butter in a large bowl and add in eggs and vanilla.
2) Stir in other ingredients till blended, and work in candies.
3) Spoon cookie dough onto greased baking tray.
4) Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350°.
Recipe adapted from: creationsbykara.com/green-mint-chocolate-chip-cookies-for-st-patricks-day/
GOOD LUCK IRISH RAINBOW RAINSTICK WANDS
Materials:
Craft paint in rainbow colors, fabric scraps, paper towel rolls, dried rice or lentils, scissors, glue, masking tape, glitter (optional), and cotton balls
Instructions:
- Cut a square of fabric and adhere it to one end of the paper towel roll with glue, and wrap a few times with tape to secure.
- Put 2 to 3 Tablespoons of rice or dried lentils into the tube and add another fabric square to the opposite end of the tube.
- Paint bright bands of rainbow colors around the cardboard tube.
- Let dry. Add glitter (optional) and a top coat or two of varnish.
- Add a layer of glue to the top and pile high with cotton balls to look like a cluster of clouds above the rainbow.
- To use, shake, shake, shake to search for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Craft adapted from:happy-mothering.com/whimsical-rainbow-shaker-wand-for-st-patricks-day/
Make the most of this beautiful season of new growth, whether you’re indoors or out. Hibernation and the bitter cold days spent cooped up inside trying to stay warm are coming to a close. Even if March’s weather enters in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb, as we welcome spring.
