Happy St. Patrick's Day!

St. Patrick's Day is officially tomorrow, but the big New York City parade was this morning.  It's usually on March 17th, unless it falls on a Sunday, then it is scheduled the Saturday before.  Anyway, I'm a big fan of St. Patty's Day!  I'm actually a portion Irish, although, you would never tell.  My mother is Filipino and my father is mostly Italian, so those genes totally dominated over any Irish traits.  It's okay though because I live out my Irish-ness.  I love Guinness and I enjoy drunk a little bit of whiskey every once in a while. 

I was able to drag out a friend of mine to see the parade.  It's always fallen during the work week, so I've had to miss it - and last year, when it did fall on a Saturday, I went to visit my husband upstate instead.  This year, I made sure I went!  At the start of the parade, they had a whole contingent of military members.  I was very excited to see people in uniform.  We were also able to see lots of NYPD and FDNY march.

My friend and I stayed at 59th and Fifth Avenue.  The Plaza is caddy cornered to our location and you'll actually see the building in all of my pictures.  It was a very cold morning and it actually began to snow as we were watching the parade.  We couldn't even last very long and left after we saw the big group of FDNY.
 

 

 The start of the parade!

 Soldiers take the lead!

The Army band.

 The horses wore knitted bonnets!

 The FDNY pipe band.

  

NYPD group!

 

More FDNY!

My awesome friend, Carmen and I shivering, but enjoying the parade!

Here's an Irish blessing from me to you:

May love and laughter light your days, 
and warm your heart and home. 
May good and faithful friends be yours, 
wherever you may roam. 
May peace and plenty bless your world 
with joy that long endures. 
May all life's passing seasons 
bring the best to you and yours!