Motivational Monday - "St. Patrick's Day Fun"

Physics teaches that rainbows are created when the sunlight reflects off of raindrops, breaking up the light into different wavelengths of color. This atmospheric phenomenon is most likely to occur immediately after a rain shower, when the sun is shining again, but condensation still lingers in the air.

The rare and lovely appearance of rainbows makes them incredibly magical for children and adults alike. Perhaps this magic first inspired the notion of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

Dating back to Old Europe, the legend of the pot of gold is claimed enthusiastically by the Irish. They'll tell you that fairies put the gold there and then the leprechauns guard it. This folklore has become part of the symbolism of St. Patrick's Day, a holiday that celebrates everything Irish, including the hope and luck it takes to find that elusive pot of gold.

The leprechaun is Ireland's national fairy. He stands less than 3 feet tall, dressed all in green, with a pointy, feathered cap atop his head and two gold coins clutched in his hands. In the first hand, he grasps a magic coin that always returns to the purse once it's spent; in the other, he holds a dummy coin, which turns to rock or ashes as soon as it's spent.

Cobblers by profession, the leprechauns are legendary hard-workers, known for their solitary and surly qualities. These made the leprechauns the ideal candidate for their best-known role: guarding the fairy treasure.

Everyone knows the myth of the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. In order to keep their golden treasure safe, leprechauns are said to spend their days scurrying from one end of the rainbow to the next, constantly moving their pot of gold to avoid capture.

Legend tells that if you are lucky enough to find a leprechaun, you must be careful not to let the little green guy out of your sight until he tells you where the pot of gold is. You had better be on your toes, though, because leprechauns are known to be cunning and quick - in the blink of an eye, the gold guard will dash out of sight, taking your hopes for good fortune with him.

So what does all this have to do with St. Patrick's Day? Truthfully, probably not much. Except that St. Patty's has become a celebration of everything Irish - and nothing is more Irish than the Emerald Island's national fairy.

St. Patrick’s Day Dessert

1 package (3 ounces/85 g) lime gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons melted butter/margarine
1 package (8 ounces/227 g) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 can (8 ounces/227 g) crushed pineapple, drained
1 container (12 ounces/340 g) frozen whipped topping, thawed, divided
1 kiwifruit

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water; chill until syrupy.

2. Mix the crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and butter or margarine together. Press the mixture onto the bottom of a 9″ x 13″ (23 cm x 33 cm) baking pan. Bake at 350° F (175° C) for 8–10 minutes, then cool.

3. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until smooth. Blend the gelatin and pineapple into the mixture. Put 1/2 cup of the whipped topping in the refrigerator to use as a garnish later. Fold the remaining whipped topping into the mixture.

4. Spoon the mixture over the crust. Chill at least 2 hours.

5. Just before serving, peel and slice the kiwifruit. Top each serving with a dollop of whipped topping and a slice of kiwifruit.

Here are a couple of fun activity pages to do on St. Patrick's Day.

May the LUCK 'O the Irish visits you this week - with a Pot 'O Gold and Lots 'O LOVE.

Don't for get to wear green!! St. Patrick's Day is this Wednesday, March 17th!!

St. Patrick's Day Seminary Devotional link is here. You can also make your own shamrock pin shown on this post. Also here is the blog post from last year's St. Patty's Day - enjoy!