Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009, a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and the author of the Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life and the new release of Cooking for Simple Elegance. Other works by Angela include compilation books and devotionals from Guidepost, Group, and articles in magazines, ezines, and newspapers. She connects missions to her work with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries and the Jadyn Fred Foundation. Angela serves as an assisting minister for her congregation in Missoula, MT. She served as the American Christian Fiction Writer's past Publicity Officer. Angela Breidenbach on the web: http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com, http://www.GodUsesBrokenVessels.com, http://TheFaithGirls.com on Wednesdays each week.

Traditionally March is known for St. Patrick’s Day. What if we looked at a few other days in March and their significance? It’s not all about the leprechauns. Let’s explore a few of those days over gingerbread scones and Irish breakfast iced tea—perfect contemplation treats.

March is Women’s History Month. How much more perfect can that be for historical writers? What do women from the past have to teach us today? Take your mom, grandma, or elder relative to lunch and ask them to tell you about history they’ve lived through, like the famous wars, the Great Depression, and how life was different. Consider advice about how they survived the difficult economics of the past.

March 1st - Whuppity Scoorie in Lanark, Scotland, celebrates old traditions of frightening away the evil spirits through fun and games. Children race to pick up coins and battle one another with balls of paper or bonnets tied with string. Any old memories haunting you? Maybe it’s time to celebrate your own Whuppity Scoorie. God’s got a sense of humor. Ask Him to help you find the humor in those old hauntings.

March 2nd is Dr. Suess’s birthday. Fiction writers rejoice because he’s likely the reason you’ve loved words since childhood. Take a look at a few of his beloved books and remember why you love reading.

March 3rd is Alexander Graham Bell’s birthday. Appropriately of Irish heritage, Alexander experienced the world through sight, sound, and a desire to help others. How well do you communicate with those you love? Does your fascination of the world around you translate into making it a better place? (Visit http://to.pbs.org/aV1Xvk.)

March 8th is International Women’s Day and this year is the centennial! It was first started to celebrate the suffragette movement for women’s right to vote in 1911, now it encompasses women’s achievements in economy, politics, and society. What achievement would you tell your daughter about? (For more information, go to http://www.internationalwomensday.com/.)

March 13th we celebrate the day Uranus was discovered. Look up. Recognize the vast unknown and the spec you are in the face of it. Yet God knew you before you were even born and has a plan for your life. Have you asked Him about it lately?

March 19th heralds the return of the San Juan Capistrano swallows. They arrive every year on the same day. The swallows rebuild their mud nests to start new life. Have you felt like you need a new start on something you’ve let slide? (Read this: http://www.factmonster.com/spot/swallows1.html.)

March 20th is the first day of spring, which inspires us to celebrate hope and warm breezes. Spring cleaning gives a fresh start; windows fly open to air homes from the long winter. Do you feel like you need a fresh breath of air to clear out the staleness settled into old patterns?

And you thought March was all about St. Patty’s Day. I’m sure you’ll find many more special dates in March, but in the meantime remember to march forward steeped in history.

Gingerbread Scones & Irish Breakfast Iced Tea

2 cups flour
¼ cup cold butter
3 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1/3 cup molasses
½ cup milk
1 egg yolk
1 egg white
2 Tbsp. chopped candied ginger
¼ cup large granulated sugar for sprinkling on the scones before baking

Combine dry ingredients. Cut the butter in until the dry mix is crumbly (cold butter is important to keep scones fluffy). Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the milk, egg yolk, and molasses. With a whisk, stir from the center drawing in the dry ingredients slowly. Turn onto a floured board and knead a few times to pull in just a tad of the flour for shaping. Shape into a circle about 8 inches even. Cut into 8 wedges and put on a greased baking sheet. Beat the egg white and brush over scones then sprinkle with the sugar. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 12–15 minutes. Delicious warm or cold. If you can get clotted cream from a specialty shop, it’s the perfect topper instead of butter.

Irish Breakfast Iced Tea

Strong, dark Irish breakfast tea is an amazing cup of bliss hot. But with its rich flavor, this tea can really make a delicious iced beverage.

6 bags Irish breakfast tea
2 quarts boiling water
½ cup sugar
1/8 cup lemon juice
1 quart cold water
Ice

Steep the tea for several minutes. Pull teabags out and discard. Add sugar to dissolve. Add lemon. Add 1 more quart of cold water. Pour over ice. Serve with scones and savor.