dressing for an evening of sentiment and tradition with a chance of defiance

For the first time in a few years, we're attending a St Patrick's Day event.

I'm told that some of my elderly Irish relatives refused to march on St Pat's until all Ireland was free. Other, more contemporary friends and colleagues, refuse to march until all Irish are welcome.

I've also heard that the Celts invented stubbornness. Could be.

My naive and sheltered generation celebrated St Pat's with acts of defiance - for the time, that is. The green streaks in our hair, the green freckles and shamrocks painted on our faces, and the very vivid green outfits down to the socks would probably not even be noticed on any Casual Friday, but we were daring the teachers to make remarks, itching to provoke dispute. One teacher of English was notorious for showing up in an orange tie. While he was grimacing at the high-spirited leprechauns-for-a-day, his windshield was being painted green in the teachers' parking lot. Ah, tradition.

Just about every little town out East has a St Paddy's Day parade, they are staggered, I mean the dates are staggered, so that all the pipe bands and fire departments can participate in as many parades as possible. The parade in a town not far from Flintstone Manor is small, neighborly, serious and charming, and that is why I committed an act of genteel violence a few years ago. A couple we knew slightly were standing next to us and apparently hadn't expected a parade when they came downtown and were annoyed. "Disgraceful," she said, "just look at them, reeling drunk like that so early in the morning."

"That's the Brownie troop," I replied.

"Well, you know what I mean."

I knew what she meant all right.  Somehow my coffee accidentally slipped from my clenched fist and spilled onto her shoes. Oops.

Well, really, who wears shoes with high heels and red soles at the beach?

Anyway, the impending event has engraved invitations, and "cocktail attire" is specified, so I'm guessing there won't be a reading of the Speech at the Grave of O'Donovan Rossa nor of the last words of Robert Emmet.

To this respectable gathering, therefore, I am wearing a lace dress. Green, of course. And green suede KS sandals (eBay), weather permitting, and some gold jewelry. Considering a torque - assuming it works with the neckline.

And my greeny-hazel eyes will be festooned with Armani's green-black mascara, which I like to think makes me look mysterious and soulful, at least in the mirror of my mind. This mascara was a limited edition product last spring, and when I saw how it looked on, I went back to the store and bought another 3 tubes. Given how rarely I go out in full warpaint, this may be a lifetime supply.

Decided that my emerald satin Invitation Clutch would be overkill,  playing with the idea of the tweed clutch with studs (above), and have also decided not to put green polish on my toes. The next step would be trying those green streaks and freckles again.


Oh, and when Himself opens his closet door to hunt up a tie, surprise! he'll find a cute navy number with green shamrocks sprinkled all over it. Which he will be wearing

Update: here's a shot of a torque that's very close to mine:

a seasonal recipe in honor of St.Pat.

4pm. quiet and dignified parade, as usual. Here is my soda bread. After it was in the oven, I read the fine print on the bottom of the baking soda box and learned that the sell-by date was, um, well, over. Then I looked in the oven. Guess what? It didn't seem to matter. The thing was rising like it hoped for heaven. Was delicious with whipped butter, too. Hope you enjoyed your day!

Oh, and instead of ending at East 86th Street as usual, today's parade ended at East 79th Street, only a few steps away from the private townhouse of our mayor...

foodbuzz led me to this seasonal recipe, which I hope to try sometime today. After the Parade. Love pipers, love pipe bands, can't miss them today. That's what the terrace is for! (and why, may I ask, is there no green in the JCrew catalog? real green, that is, not the strange brown-ie colors the military pixies prance around in).

Anyway, news from New York. You may have read that our Mayor, generally an intelligent and soft-spoken type, recently made a non-PC joke about St. Patrick's Day and its occasional aftermath. Umbrage was taken. You may also have read that New York City is feeling budget crunches, just like other municipalities, and one of the money-saving measures put into effect is the shortening of parade routes, thereby saving on police and sanitation costs. Guess whose house is at the new (shorter) end of the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Oh, guess who didn't know Karma is Gaelic for "we don't forget

." Maybe I'll make soda bread - quicker and quieter. This could be a long day. Expecting thirsty company. Let me know if you try this recipe. Me, I'm going to drink the drinkable ingredients and leave the rest in the fridge where they'll impress any stranger looking for potables.

Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes

Cupcake Ingredients:
1 cup Guiness
1 stick, plus 1 tbs unsalted butter
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
2 cups dark brown sugar
3/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 tbs vanilla extract
2 cups flour
2 1/2 tsp baking soda

Cupcake Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 350; line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Combine the Guiness and the butter, chopped into 1-inch chunks, in a large sauce pan, and heat to melt the butter.
3. Remove from heat, and whisk in the cocoa and sugar.
4. In a bowl, whisk the sour cream and the eggs and vanilla, then add to the beer mixture.
5. Sift together the flour and baking soda, and fold in the batter.
6. Pour into muffin molds and bake or 25 minutes, or until inserted cake tester comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes, remove from muffin tin, and cool completely on a rack.

Frosting Ingredients:
1 stick of unsalted butter, room temperature
3 cups confectioners' sugar
Bailey's Irish Cream AND
Jameson Irish Whiskey

Frosting Preparation:
1. Put the stick of room-temperature butter in a large mixing bowl and beat at medium-to-high speed for a few minutes.
2. Add a few short glugs of Bailey's and a dash of Jameson, and mix at low speed.
3. Gradually spoon confectioners' sugar into the bowl, mixing on low speed.
4. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes.

By the way, if you're interested, discussion of cashmere fuzz, its uses and international implications, in the March 7th post below. Couldn't figure out how to create a link.