Retail Roundup

Most readers may not have noticed, but we at Retail Roundup have been

extremely agitated and stressed lately. Our friends have stopped calling

after being treated to rants about work, politics and the endless rain.

(When will it end, by the way?) Our co-workers avoid us as if we’re an

unleashed, rabid, wild cat stalking through the Daily Pilot Plaza.

Thankfully, relief is in sight. St. Patrick’s Day is only a couple of

weeks off. We were happily reminded of that when we received a colorful

press release from TGI Friday’s announcing its Blarney Blaster.

This titillating concoction comes in both alcoholic and nonalcoholic

versions. The strong version contains Irish Whiskey, Bailey’s Irish

Cream, green Creme de Menthe, two scoops of vanilla ice cream and some

crushed ice.

Let us drink that in for a second.

The one suitable for the under-21 crowd contains vanilla syrup, milk,

honey, three scoops of vanilla ice cream, some peppermint extract and the

option of green food coloring.

“Sein Fein,” as we say in all our toasts.

And for the morning after

Come March 18, the recipes Quaker Oatmeal sent along could be handy.

The “Bake it Better with Oats” recipe contest winner, Priscilla Yee of

Concord, came up with a quick way to make cinnamon buns. And you know

they’ll stick with you.

The only problem? It involves an oven, which we like to keep clean by

not using.

Which leaves us back to the hair of the dog that bit us, we suspect.