What's with the Colors?

So today my all knowing teenage daughter asked me why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day, we're not even Irish?? First I told her, well the Irish celebrate Cinco De Mayo and their not Mexican...teehee. We're "of Latina descent, BTW", and then I told her I think it's some sort of religious holiday, ya know SAINT Patrick. And all knowing teenage daugher said, "well then why does everyone just get really drunk?" She kinda threw me off. So I decided to research it...and get back with her.

In my findings I found that it started as more of a Catholic holiday (geez...I'm Catholic & didn't even know that)...anywho...Little Ole Patrick was not even Irish AT ALL..he was kidnapped by some Irish Raiders and was a slave. He escaped and went back to Britian and became a Priest. After that he went back to Ireland to save the Irish...and he used the Shamrock in his teaching, "Father, Son, Holy Spirit". That was a light bulb moment for sure!!! March 17th is the day St. Patrick died. St. Patrick's day is pretty much always celebrated on March 17th...unless it's like on Easter or Holy week...or something like that. Then they change the date. That's the short version of St. Patrick.

So now the drinking part...apparently the good ole Irish decided that St. Patricks day (which is always during the Lenton season), would be excluded from Lent festivities...It would be a "free day"...meaning you can drink alchohol. Yay to the Irish for that one!! Green Beers for everyone!!!

Oh yeah...ok so speaking of the colors, I told both of my kids to wear green so they don't get pinched. But if they wanted to be kissed then wear red. LOL!! Hormonal teenage son said, "Cool...did you wash my red shirt?" Uh, Hello Mister...YOU WILL NOT BE WEARING A RED SHIRT...YOU ARE ONLY 13!!!! That was just a figure of speech people...I was just telling him what the differant colors meant, I wasn't telling him to wear red!!! So green pretty much represents the Shamrock...but who came up with this whole red thing???

Here's a little tip for ya....use blue food coloring to make your beer green!! I learned that in my research too!!!