Happy St. Patty's From the McOstals!

Top o' the evenin' to ya! We haven't posted in quite some time. We McOstals kind of hunker down for the winter and don't really reemerge until sometime when they start serving Guinness at the local pubs!

The boys had a hearty Irish dinner made by yours truly! I am not the greatest cook, but I think I make a pretty mean Corned Beef and cabbage! The boys thought so too because between Finn and Charlie I think they ate about a pound of it!! Literally! Finn was yelling "Oggie!!" (Which in Finn language means food) And Joe and I indulged in a little too much corned beef and fresh horseradish ourselves. Not to mention the copious amounts of cabbage... he'll be sleeping on the couch tonight!!

But the highlight of the long, much-celebrated St.Patrick's day season was Suds and Spuds at the Gallaghers. I deviated from the traditional white potato for a sweet potato dish. My ancestors wouldn't approve, but I was out for blood... McConnell blood that is! I decided I needed to beat my parents' friend Sue at her own game! She was new to Suds and Spuds last year and swept the competition with her sweet potato pie, so I decided that all bets were off with the traditional dish and I kicked her little Irish butt fair and square. So what if she's legally a senior citizen and the mother of a nun... right? God will look the other way this once. I mean I figure at least I got St. Patrick on my side. That's gotta count for something! All in all, we had a great time. Some of the highlights were Jodi's delicious potato soup named "Idaho dat made this soup;" Kelli's chocolate covered potato chips sprinkled with coffee named "Cafe O'Lay;" and of course my dish "Hooked on Craic." Suz and Dan have started quite a tradition with Suds and Spuds and it just gets more fun every year... minus the stomach ache I had because I O.D.ed on carbs and cheese!!! Oh, and I forgot to mention in my acceptance speech (via live satellite from the AC Expressway), "I'd like to thank the academy and Mom, Judy G and Kelli for helping me with my dish. It took us 4 hours and a few trial runs, but it turned out great!"

Another fine St. Patty's Day is over. Now bring on the spring!!!

Slainte!