‘St. Patrick’s Day’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Make: St. Patrick’s Day Cupcakes {Lucky Charms}

March 15, 2014 · Narrative

A fun DIY cupcake celebrating St. Patrick’s Day and Lucky Charms cereal. Perfection.

Growing up, Lucky Charms was one of my favorite cereals. It still is, actually, and although I don’t eat it nearly as often as I used to, I have been known to sneak a marshmallow or three from the kids’ bowls when I’m pouring it.

Old habits die hard.

When I saw that Lucky Charms had a special all green, more marshmallows in every spoon edition, well, I got just a little excited.

As I’m sure you understand.

And, hey, Happy 50th Birthday to Lucky Charms!

But this time, the excitement involved a little out of the box thinking.

Or, more to the point, out of the bowl thinking.

As in, how else can we enjoy this magically delicious cereal besides just straight up with milk?

Well, I’m glad you asked!

How about as a fun cupcake topper?

I know! Perfect, right?

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Recipe: Mint M&M Brownies {St. Patrick’s Day}

March 12, 2014 · Holidays and More, Narrative

Easy to make mint brownies with the perfect splash of green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Over nine years in and I might have finally gotten the hang of this blogging thing. You know, sharing something for the upcoming holiday before the actual holiday.

Kidding.

But not.

Because here we are. Before St. Patrick’s Day. With the perfect recipe for the holiday. And plenty of time still for you to make it and enjoy it.

Timing. It’s a beautiful thing.

When it comes to food, Nick speaks brownies. All kinds. Simple and classic. Fudgy to the nth degree. Laden with mix-ins. Boxed or homemade. He really doesn’t care.

He likes them all.

So, of course, when I saw this fun twist on a traditional brownie, I knew it was going to make its way to our kitchen sooner or later.

And even better that it includes M&Ms.

Something both kids love.

And green. Because, well, that’s just fun.

In a processed-but-all-things-in-moderation kind of way.

Now in the interest of full disclosure, we didn’t make these for St. Patrick’s Day. Rather, they were included on the Christmas platters that we delivered to friends and family.

Something slightly different to break up the cookie, cookie, cookie, repeat kind of platter.

And now, with St. Patrick’s Day fast approaching, it seems kind of perfect for … now.

This recipe is crazy simple. And I know this, even though I didn’t make it.

Because I was at work and the kids were at home with one of their favorite babysitters. An inexperienced cook and two eager-to-cook kids making a new recipe.

And I didn’t get one single phone call.

No questions.

That’s how I know it was easy.

Over the course of a week during the Christmas holidays, we made seven kinds of fudge, dog treats, six kinds of cookies, and this brownie recipe.

And this was the babysitter’s favorite out of everything.

And Nick, well, he hasn’t met a brownie he doesn’t like.

And Madeline, well, I’m not sure she’s met a dessert she doesn’t like.

Pretty and different, fudgy with a strong hint of mint, simple to make, and using mostly pantry ingredients.

Make them. Whether for St. Patrick’s Day, your holiday cookie platter, or to satisfy your own resident brownie lover.

Hungry for more ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
These cereal necklaces were a fun quick craft with the kids.
These Triple Layer Fudgy Mint Oreo Brownies are another delicious way to enjoy the holiday – we totally need to make them again.
This is my go-to recipe for Corned Beef and Cabbage.
And, although I can’t have it this year, I love this Colcannon. I mean, really, you can’t go wrong with melted pools of butter and crispy bacon.
Our favorite brown bread recipe from a local Irish pub can be found here.
And you can find tons more St. Patrick’s day crafts, recipes, and party ideas on my Pinterest board.

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Craft Time: Cereal Necklaces

April 25, 2013 · Narrative

In over eight years of blogging, I have never professed to sharing things in a timely manner. Exhibit A: we made this craft with the kids for St. Patrick’s Day. Considering I have restaurant reviews I still need to do from last year, something from last month doesn’t seem quite so tardy now, does it?

While this is perfect for you to bookmark for NEXT St. Patrick’s Day, I’m sharing it now because I think it’s a flexible enough project that you can adapt it for many other holidays or events.

Make yours in blue and pink, skip the coin, and use for a gender reveal baby shower.

Make a red and blue colored one for Fourth of July (look, now I’m early!).

Make them for a kids’ field day or Olympic Day.

A fun treat to make for birthday parties.

Valentine’s Day.

Or honestly, just because.

So I’m not really late.

I’m timely.

It’s all in your perspective.

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Wordless Wednesday

March 17, 2010 · Narrative

I have a very small sweet tooth. Ever so slight. The problem is that when Easter rolls around, and with it, the abundance of candy available, my slight sweet tooth goes into overdrive. It just happens that a few of the things that I like are available now. Cadbury Creme Eggs. They totally do me in. Jelly beans. Love them. And the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in the shape of eggs. All this from someone who doesn’t really have a sweet tooth.

I’ll never forget the day I signed up with a personal trainer to get me in shape for my wedding. A local drugstore had all their candy marked down to 90% off. I had bought ~~way too much~~ a bagful of Cadbury Creme Eggs for 5 cents each. Just too hard to resist. As I sat at my desk, talking with the trainer, I tried to push the bag further underneath my desk so he wouldn’t see it. As soon as he left, I threw them away.

Even though we’re adults and with our own kids, my mom still makes Easter baskets for us. I love that. Sometimes it’s nice to feel like a kid again and forget all those weighty responsibilities we deal with day to day. This year I told her “no candy. Please.” I just don’t want to be tempted. I have so far managed to avoid the Easter candy that I’ve seen while out and about, but I knew if she bought it, I’d give in. And I didn’t want to.

Then recently, I read that 10 jelly beans is only two Weight Watchers points. I’m not on Weight Watchers completely (more on that next week), but to me that meant that maybe I could relent. Just a little. I e-mailed my Mom. “Jelly beans are ok. But nothing else.” She responded with “Oh good, because otherwise you’d be breaking a ten year tradition.” Nothing like a little good Catholic guilt to get me back on the wagon. See, every year I buy the bags of jelly beans. I eat the red, purple, pink and white and then pass it along to my mom, who eats her two favorite colors, and then my dad gets the last two colors, which happen to be his favorites. It works out quite well actually. We’ve been doing it for as long as I can remember. Apparently ten years now. And to think I almost stopped! So, for now, our glass cookie jar is filled with jelly beans. I’m rationing. Ten a day. …