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I DO love St.Patrick's Day. I am of Irish descent, grew up on the South Shore of Boston and now reside in the very Irish Windsor Terrace neighborhood of Brooklyn. My favorite color is, has, and always will be green.

I DO NOT have too many good things to say about the month of March, except that it is almost outdoor flea market season again. Yay!

This coming weekend March 16th & 17th I am selling at the Brooklyn Flea
at Hanson Place. Because I will not be home to make a boiled dinner, my mom is coming to "man" the stove. I will not be opening my shop on weekends again until early April.

Perhaps because I'm missing out on cooking this year, I would like to share a few of my favorite St. Patrick's Day recipes. Rest assured, this is not becoming a cooking or lifestyle blog. Just this once….

A long, long time ago (before Brooklyn, kids or antiques) I lived and worked on the west coast as a chef. In Seattle, I was employed at a quirky private club called The Ruins. The owner, Joe McDonald, taught me a preparation for corned beef that I have used to this day. It is more of a method than a recipe. It is a nice upgrade to the traditional boiled meat- makes it both prettier and tastier.

You gently simmer the corned beef as you normally would and remove it from the cooking liquid when it is tender, but not falling apart. Let it rest for at least an hour then pat dry. Make a glaze conatining 6 oz whole grain mustard, 6 oz Red Currant Jelly and 6 oz Irish Whiskey. Just whisk them together until smooth, pour over the corned beef and bake at 350 degrees for about an hour-uncovering for the last 20 minutes or so.

Here's something to go with it. From the popular 1980s Silver Palate ladies:

Here are some nice things, from my inventory, to set your table.

I spent my day inside the store today- hunkered down, watching the late, late winter snow falling. I was sorting through some beautiful botanical charts that would be perfect for some early spring decorating. The shop will be open this weekend 11-6 both Saturday & Sunday.

I'm certainly ready to spring forward and put some fresh flowers around the house and some fresh botanicals up on the walls.

With no snowstorms or nor'easters in the forecast, it looks like the opening celebration is a go. Join us tomorrow evening Friday March 1st from 6-8 or stop by over the weekend to check out our merchandise. The shop will be open for browsing this weekend and the next from 11-6.

Stop by for delicious snacks, wine & cocktails provided by my
friends & fellow Windsor Terrace businesses: Juice Pedaler & Juice
Box.

I'm shuffling off to Buffalo tomorrow- on the trail of some exciting and rare items. I have never ventured quite so far west in New York State before, but I know that there are great things to be found in this formerly glorious rust belt city.

Following that,I'm hitting the road again and meeting up with family and friends in the beautiful Adirondacks for some winter sports in Lake Placid- another place that I have always wanted to visit. Below are some pretty New York State maps that I have in stock.

I did open at the store last weekend and it was absolutely great to see all of you who ventured out in the snow. I met lots of neighbors and it was a really fun time.

Needless to say, I will be away and will not be opening up the shop this week or weekend, but I will be available later next week.  My schedule over the next few weeks is as follows:

• Saturday & Sunday February 23rd & 24th: Brooklyn Flea at Hanson Place
• Friday March 1st: Open House/Cocktail Party!!! 6-8 pm
• Saturday & Sunday March 2nd & 3rd: Store Open 11-6
• Saturday & Sunday March 9th & 10th: Store Open 11-6

If you need me, or need a map, please call or e-mail to make an appointment to come by the store.

Unfortunately, I am postponing my opening cocktail party due to the incoming nor'easter Nemo. Instead, the party will be held on Friday March 1st from 6-8 pm.

I WILL be OPEN this Saturday & Sunday from 11-6, so come on by and check out the new space…. after the storm blows over.