Today is St. Patrick’s Day around the world. I’m Scotch-Irish on my mother’s side.

Here’s the rundown from today’s tea break:

• The tea today is Barry’s Irish Breakfast from Cork, Ireland.
• The Claddagh teapot and mug are from Belleek in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland .
• The traditional Irish soda bread is made by me.
• The butter is Kerrygold from Dublin, Ireland.

I’ve never made soda bread before and I’m not sure what it’s SUPPOSED to look like, but I took care to not over-kneed it and my husbands gave it two thumbs up. So, I think I did good. Slathered with the Irish butter…anything could taste good.

I love the delicate handles of the Belleek teapot and mug and the dark, black tea blends perfectly with the butter and bread.

I couldn’t eat this every day, but for special occasions such as St. Patrick’s Day, I enjoy the edible tributes to my ancestors. Oh, and there WILL be Guinness tonight. Sláinte