St. Patrick's Day Celebration 2016

I have been writing about our St. Patrick Day celebrations every year since starting this blog.  With our Irish name, it is one of the holidays we celebrate with a special family meal.  This year was no exception.  Although part of our family was not able to come, our favorite Leprechaun hunter came.  He was in costume no less.  This year he was bound and determined to catch that elusive Leprechaun.

Ewan (an appropriate name for a Leprechaun hunter) has been preparing all year.  He had his dad make a special outfit out of an old pair of drapes.  It is green and blends with the colors in the woods.  He thought if he looked like a Leprechaun, then his odds improved to see one.  Last summer he even had papa dig holes to trap one.  Even before eating our dinner, we had to check the holes and search the house the Leprechaun used last year.

As he approached the first hole, he disappointedly saw nothing.  Then up ahead, he saw some green coins.  He ran to the next hole and there were the coins, but the smart little Leprechaun had built a ladder out of sticks to escape.

It's hard to out smart a Leprechaun.  Ewan's dog Piper took off so we thought he had the scent.  As we followed the dog, more and more coins and shiny objects were dropped in the woods.  The Leprechaun must had been in a big hurry and had dropped half of his treasure running away.

The trail of coins and dropped treasures led back to the house Ewan discovered last St. Patrick's Day.  As he ran for the house he found more signs of the occupant.  There was some lawn furniture with a hat hanging from a little walking stick.  It was sitting right outside the door. 

Carefully Ewan opened the door.  He discovered a little bed and baskets of treasures.  There were some openings at the back of the house to allow for a quick escape, if necessary.  Today, he definitely needed an escape plan. 

A messy unmade bed is proof positive.

At this point, Ewan decided to take the bed and baskets of treasures.  His mom asked if he wanted to leave some stuff for the Leprechaun.  He said "Leprechauns steal from people, and I want him to know what it feels like".  Mr. Leprechaun (we don't know his name) will be sad, but I imagine he will rebuild.  He has a pretty good gig in our woods and lives most of the year without interference.

Now it was time to eat.  We had the usual feast with corned beef, ribs, red potatoes, carrots, cabbage, green jello and deserts thanks to our guests.  It was another memorable day.  I don't know how many more years we will be doing the Leprechaun hunt, but we will enjoy it as long as it lasts.

Other St. Patrick's Day blogs:
http://www.thecabincountess.com/2013/03/st-patricks-day-tradition.html
http://www.thecabincountess.com/2014/03/happy-st-patricks-day.html
http://www.thecabincountess.com/2015/03/st-pattys-day-celebration-catching.html