IRISH SODA BREAD

My artist friend, Liz Ryan bakes Irish Soda Bread every St. Paddy's Day season.  I know it is a finely tuned recipe that has progressed over the years and  has become the most delicious breakfast bread that I look forward to.  Liz also creates beautiful Irish landscape watercolors, inspired by her trips to that country and her love of Irish music and folktales.   Yesterday we got together at our favorite sushi place and got lost in talk about the long winter and new ideas.  I have always celebrated the holiday and took part in the music, food, partying and stories.  I always felt  I was a bit Irish on the day, until finding out just recently that I actually do  have an Irish ancestor.  His name was Gustavus Brooke, a Tragedian, born on April 25, 1818 in Dublin, Ireland.