With the feast of St. George falling on Easter Wednesday this year, following a weekend filled with way too much cake, I decided to make a Veggie Platter for the feast of St. George instead of a dragon cake or our Saint George Cookies. Our veggie platter was inspired by a couple snake themed veggie trays I found through a google image search, with the addition of some lettuce wings at the suggestion of Charlotte’s oldest son. I thought it turned out great and my children love it! You can find the directions over at Catholic Cuisine.
We will devour the dragon with dinner this evening with dinner, after reading a couple new picture books about St. George that one of our boys discovered in his Easter Basket including: Saint George & the Dragon by Jim Forrest and The Saint Who Fought the Dragon: The Story of St. George (affiliate links).
I also printed out the following St. George’s Day poem to read aloud at dinnertime. It was written by one of my visitors here at Shower of Roses, Eliana Murphy. She said it is actually the the lyrics to a St. George’s musical medieval-style miracle play and granted me permission to post it here at Shower of Roses. Thank you for sharing it with all of us, Eliana!
The Ballad of St. George
by Eliana Murphy
Ye lords and ladies, listen well
And hear the tale we have to tell
How good St. George the dragon slew
And won a lady’s heart so true.
The sun was shining o’er the lea
As he came riding merrily
Adventure seeking, far or near
If death should come, he wouldst not fear.
Behold a maiden, pale and fair,
With hair of gold and beauty rare.
But in her eyes her tears do glow
As to St. George she tells her woe.
“Fair knight, this land is full of death,
Burned by a dragon’s fiery breath.
He now demands my life to kill
And of my flesh he’ll have his fill.”
“Fear not, fair maid. Now dry thy tears.
I’ll mend thy sorrow, calm thy fears.
Now though this dragon do his worst,
I’ll free thy land of his great curse.”
“Sir knight, thou speakest mighty well.
And if this dragon thou dost fell,
My father, king of all the land,
Wilt then reward thee with my hand.”
Who thunders now across his path?
The fearsome dragon, full of wrath.
With breath of fire and mighty wings
Cruel claws that grab, a tail that stings.
Come now, brave knight, the dragon kill,
And of God’s glory have thy fill.
And if thy soul be true and bold,
The maiden’s heart is thine to hold.
Be glad, ye people, now rejoice!
Come dance and sing with cheerful voice.
Acclaim the hero, this brave knight.
Who killed the dragon with great might.
“Fair knight, thou broke the dragon’s spell,
Our hearts give thanks to thee full well.
Now to my daughter pledge thy troth,
And may Our Great God bless thee both.
The people shouted and did sing
To see him honored by the king.
Then to the maiden he was wed,
And now for all a feast was spread.
Be glad, ye people, now rejoice!
Come dance and sing with cheerful voice.
For joined as one fore’er shall be
This holy knight and his lady.
Our song is o’er; our play is done,
But now thy story has begun.
Wilt thou be bold, thy dragons slay?
Or wilt thou turn and run away?
Ye gentle folk, we bid farewell.
Here ends the tale we had to tell,
How good St. George the dragon slew,
This is my favorite dragon yet! So creative, I just love it Jessica!
2014-04-23 23:33:10
Thank you, Kathy! It was a fun dragon to make! 🙂
2014-04-23 23:48:19
That is one awesome dragon!! You never cease to amaze me! Fun!
2014-04-24 00:35:56
Love this! So very creative. Question: Where do you get all of your great faith-based picture books? I'm struggling to find anything for my kids.
2014-04-24 03:04:16
I adore your dragon, Jessica. Great idea! Thank you Eliana for sharing your inspiring poem!! It is absolutely wonderful!! Blessings to you both~
2014-04-24 11:49:09
Such a cute dragon, and healthy too! That poem is great – I could see it as a children's book along with illustrations!
2014-04-24 12:32:47
Most of our faith-based picture books have been purchased from Amazon or Sacred Heart Books and Gifts. Sometimes (like right now during the annual 20% off Easter Sale!) I order from Adoremus Books, TAN, and other online book stores. My mother-in-law also sends faith-based books to our children as gifts and my own mom has handed some down to us as well. I've been working on categorizing our saint books by feast day and you can links to all of them here: https://showerofrosesblog.com/p/books-books-b…
2014-04-24 15:15:43
I was thinking the same thing, Erin! It would make a lovely children's book!!
2014-04-24 15:16:11
Thanks for sharing the dragon and poem. Both are great. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with all the dessert themes…those seem more fun to make, but at the same time I want our family to eat healthy.:) This is a great healthy option! God bless!
2014-04-24 18:06:38
Thanks to all for the lovely comments! I really like the idea of a children's book, and I have an artistic brother who could illustrate it. Things to ponder…
2014-04-25 12:49:11
That is the coolest veggie platter! What an awesome idea! You are so talented! Thanks fir the inspiration, God Bless!
2014-04-25 17:46:22
The dragon platter is so creative!
2014-04-28 01:56:55
That meal looks delicious and so healthy, I'm getting serious meal envy! That poem is great, I can't say I've been celebrating St George's Day much so far but this is helping me get into the spirit of it all!
2015-04-23 14:45:00