Leprechauns...in a Mexican restaurant

On March 17 the aroma of corned beef and cabbage bumped into us as we parked at the little "hometown" joint Mel has been patronizing since he was a teenager (as he tells it, he had a burger, fries and coke everyday while he was going to highschool, and now lo these many - many - MANY years later he STILL is going there for his lunch of burger, fries and coke). Only now it is owned by a nice Mexican gentleman. But I hasten to add, it is not a Mexican restaurant, not a chimichanga in sight. On this particular evening, St. Patrick's Day, a couple of Swiss accordian players were imported, by the Mexican owner, to entertain the mostly Portuguese crowd - with good 'ol Irish songs. Figure that one out....

Friend Judy....
and her husband, host Mel.
Now here's a true Leprechaun...we call him "Skip". His lovely Irish maiden has a great sense of fun...good thing...she's been married to him for about 55 years.

Joyce and Ken provided my ride from Sacramento airport - they were part of the surprise, too!
Mel's mom, Carmel - 84 years young and a real Portuguese doll! At barely 5 feet tall, she is a fun little firecracker and a sweet, gracious lady. She fixed sopas for us for dinner one night, so I can cross that one off the"try it - you'll like" list - it's wonderfully tender, flavorful Portuguese beef served with thick slices of hearty bread soaked in the beefy cooking juice. I 'bout foundered on that bread...