Irish Soda Bread

Today's Joy: Family Traditions.
I missed posting this on March 17th but it's too good to forego altogether so today, Reader, I'm gonna share with you why my family loves St. Patrick's Day.

Most of my family is Irish and we look forward to St. Patrick's Day all year long. My mother spends the whole day cooking an Irish repast of corned beef, cabbage & potatoes, while the family gathers (with much anticipation) to eat it. Now, I LOVE corned beef & cabbage. I've tried it at numerous restaurants & friends' homes. But the old adage rings true--nobody makes it like Mom. This year she made 5 corned beef briskets, 10 lbs. of potatoes and 3 heads of cabbage. A respectable feast, but by no means the largest she's ever made.



Usually, Mom also makes 2 loaves of her famed Irish Soda Bread. We wait all year to bite into a sugar-glazed slice of that warm, currant-filled goodness. But due to a scheduling snafu, this year, for the first time, I was entrusted to bake the pair of golden loaves.
I took this responsibility very seriously. I measured the ingredients, mixed the dough and handled it exactly as Mom had directed. (Except I did add a tad more buttermilk because my dough was a skosh dry.) Long story short--my loaves passed inspection (see photo above) and were devoured with great enthusiasm. They were so good, in fact, that Mom decreed the task of making soda bread each year would now pass to me!



So, here for your enjoyment, Reader, is that treasured Irish Soda Bread recipe. If you'd also like to know the secret to Mom's outstanding corned beef & cabbage, drop me a line.

Irish Soda Bread
3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
3 tbl. sugar (for dough)
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup currants (or raisins)
1 1/3 cups buttermilk

For Glaze:
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup hot water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Stir in raisins.
Add buttermilk until blended. Dough will be very sticky.
Turn onto lightly-floured board and knead 10 times.
Shape into 8 inch round loaf and place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Make an "X" in the top of the loaf.
Bake for 45 minutes.
Glaze with sugar & water solution and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve warm with sweet cream butter.

There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. - Anais Nin

Today's Joy: Green Things Popping Up!
Here they are, Reader. The first plants to emerge in the yard this spring! My aunt's lovely crocuses are taking advantage of the sunshine and popping up despite a roller coaster of temperatures that have us foregoing jackets in the morning and donning Carhart overalls by dark.
I can't help but marvel at the hardy little things. I admire their tenacity. And their faith that despite appearances, it will soon be warm! Hope there's a delightful little surprise growing outside your door this morning, Reader. If there is, send me some photos!

Today's Joy: Not Giving Up.
Reader, some days it would be easier to throw in the towel. And some sheets. And a bunch of socks. But then I think, "Who needs more laundry to do?" So I keep going. ;-)

Today's Joy: Cheering Up A Friend.
Ever notice, Reader, how saying a few kind words at the right moment can make all the difference in someone else's life? Love that!

Today's Joy: Being Back on Track.

Hello, dear Reader. Are you still speaking to me? I've been gone for almost 2 weeks. It's inexcusable and I apologize. I have missed writing to you! Unfortunately, I've been hip-deep in getting my fledgling photography business off the ground. Have had hardly a moment to myself and no time at all to write something quippy or thought-provoking. Trust me! I have thought of you with mounting guilt each day. But what, after all, are challenges if they don't involve falling on your face and getting back up?

I set myself this goal of chronicling daily joy and, though I haven't expressed it here recently, there's been much intense creative joy over the last 2 weeks.

This past weekend, I took the photo prints & eco-friendly notecards I've been making to the IL Orchid Society Show at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Here is a photo of my booth. While the weather and the demographic didn't necessarily work in my favor, I still had a wonderful time and learned a lot!

And I'm finally ready to unveil my little endeavor for your perusal: Fresh Lens Photography. Enjoy! Also, here are some of the breathtaking Orchids at the show: