When the dog bites, When the bee stings, Eat Irish Potatoes

“When the dog bites
When the bee stings
When I’m feeling sad
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel so bad”

Rodgers & Hammerstein The Sound of Music

 Thank you so much for all your emails and comments yesterday. They really, really meant a lot to me. I was scared to write yesterdays post, but I knew I needed to, and your words were of immeasurable comfort. You are some of my “favorite things.” 🙂

I felt rather shaky in resolve and courage last night, then the words from “My Favorite Things” popped into my head and how I smiled. 🙂 Julie Andrews is brilliant. Yes, I know it’s actually the writers who are brilliant, but since she is the one who played the roles in The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady (the play) and Mary Poppins, she gets all the credit. At least from me. 🙂 I need a face to go with brilliance. 🙂

As Mary Poppins she very sensibly makes taking nasty medicine a delight by adding a spoonful of sugar. As Maria Von Trapp she steps beyond her painful, lonely or scary circumstances by remembering to focus on the beautiful things in her life. As Eliza Dolittle she is happy with so little, all she wants is “a room somewhere, far away from cold night air, with one enormous chair.” I like her very much. 🙂

So today I’m taking my friend Trish’s wonderful advice and spending this weekend delighting in all that makes my New Life beautiful, safe and loving.

It’s storming something fierce outside, winds howling, raining pouring off the tree branches, so tonight I’m going to stay home, cozy and warm in my “one enormous chair” with dark hot chocolate, popcorn and good stories.

 For dinner I’m having my favorite Irish potatoes. A couple of years ago a dear Irish friend taught me how to make them, and oh, how I love them! Potatoes (I like Yukon Gold), green beans and garlic, all boiled up together until the beans are soft, then mashed with olive oil, salt and pepper. Unbelievably good. 🙂

Saturday I’m sleeping in – HOORAY! 🙂 Then puttering about sorting through the boxes and bins I hastily shoved in closets and under tables to make the place look livable. I’m going to listen to music that makes my heart happy, and throw open all blinds to let the outside in. Saturday night I get to go to my cousins house for a big ol’ family shindig. SO fun! 🙂 And Sunday? Well, we’ll just have to wait and see. 🙂

Now I will leave you with a few places that have brought beauty, peace and joy into my life. 🙂

Irish Potatoes
Ingredients:

3 Yukon Gold potatoes, cleaned and chopped into chunks
1 handful fresh green beans, chopped (I use a can of green beans when I’m in a rush or starving. So, pretty much always. :-))
6 cloves garlic, cut in quarters
Salt (if using canned beans, you won’t need to salt the water, just pour in everything from the can)
1/4 cup Olive Oil

Directions:

1. Combine first four ingredients in a pot, add water to cover, and boil 20 minutes or until vegetables are soft. 
2. Drain. 
3. Mash vegetables with olive oil and serve warm.