Everyone in the house woke up excited to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. My husband, Gene, and I and our rescue puppy, Otis, got dressed in matching “Kiss Me I’m Irish” sweaters and shamrock headbands. After breakfast, we’d proudly march together in the town parade.

I gathered the ingredients to bake my famous Irish soda bread. “This year,” I decided, “why not? I’ll add an extra handful of sweet, plump raisins to the batter.” As the loaf baked, the scrumptious buttermilk aroma filled the kitchen.