I can't tell you how many fun opportunities I have to use my ever-growing collection of copper au gratin pans. They are certainly well worth the investment for me. Today, it's my 8" round pan to the rescue……... Today is Thursday and it already feels like the week has been way too long. And, to add insult to injury (that part we'll just skip, ok?), it is going to SNOW tomorrow - on the first day of Spring, no less! That just takes the cake, … [Read more...]
Erin Go Bragh! Perfect with Your Stew Tonight – Caraway, Blarney Castle, Apricot and Herb Scones
Wearin' O' the Green! I was so excited to find my first Ranunculus this morning! My dear Mother was in love with "the Irish". I can't say what particular traits she had in her mind, but she always spoke of her love of the people of Irish descent. I think it may have been their effervescence - what she perceived to be their perennially jolly attitude. One thing about my Mom - she saw the good in everyone. When I first introduced her to … [Read more...]
Rosamunde Pilcher Captures Spring’s Arrival; Suzanne Goin and the Creme Fraiche Cake with Pears and Orange/Ginger Streusel
photo courtesy theguardian.com Today, it is exactly one week until the "first day of Spring". I find this to be a dubious designation, even though I understand that it is so from the perspective of the equinox. But, we all know that the season of Spring has a mind of her own, and really arrives when it she is good and darned ready - and never on any such day as formally expected or called for. And so, we wait with watchful eye and hopeful … [Read more...]
Lavender’s Blue, Dilly Dilly; Would Chanel Have Been “Suitable” for Tea at Downton?
channeling Coco's famous pearls………. Yes, Downton Abbey is one way I survive the Winter. I look forward to escaping to their time and their way of life. Seasonal intrigue at Downton? We devotees are well ensconced in the obvious and subtle intrigue and goings on at and around Downton. Earlier this week, I found myself speculating about just how far the social mores had progressed in early 20th century England…. Hmmm…... On … [Read more...]
Uncanny; Inside the Heart of an Artisan – The Pistachio-Meyer Lemon Scone with Blueberries
the look on his face says it all…..photo courtesy Guy Wolff I love the look on Guy Wolff's face in this picture. To me, it says happy inspiration in it's purest form. But, what exactly is at the core of a true artisan? Is it vision, is it instinct? Is it the person who works tirelessly and consistently, at ungodly hours, all the while being flooded with ideas? Is their energy different than others? Their outlook? Pierre Hermé is an … [Read more...]
Snow Falling on Madeleines
It's a beautiful and peaceful snowy morning here today. The forecast says it will snow all day. And so, it is the perfect setting to finally get to a project I set in my mind two weeks ago. But first………. Unfurling - March 2014 Santa Barbara un·furl ˌənˈfərl/Submit verb gerund or present participle: unfurling make or become spread out from a rolled or folded state, especially in order to be open to the wind. (courtesy … [Read more...]
Tea Time and The Dowager Countess Earl Grey Scone
The Dowager Countess Earl Grey Scone (I'm waiting for my Lime-Scented Madeleine batter to chill, an inspiration from across the pond but in the era, and so, I got into more trouble today.) The fire is blazing, we're gathered in the drawing room, Barrow or Molesley is serving tea. I prefer to think that Isis is still with us. Or maybe Violet and Isobel are having a little gossipy chat in the garden, sharing little bits about their loves, … [Read more...]
Perfectly Sunny in Here; Bleak House and the Meyer Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Hazelnuts
perfectly Sunny in here! Charles Dickens image courtesy specialcollections.vassar.edu image courtesy C. Dickens Could it be true that we appreciate specific things most fully when they are up against their extreme polar opposites? Like this: vs this: After college, from 1977-1988 I had a corporate life. I had two best friends there. We were an unmatched trio, yet we would often howl with laughter. One of them … [Read more...]
Wishing You a Common Sense, Age of Reason-Guilt-free and Happy Day
image courtesy bookrags image courtesy ushistory.org Two things are on my mind right now: the folks at HHS, FDA, EPA and USDA, and those particularly who publish the guidelines for eating in the US might want to take a stroll over to the Library of Congress and take out a couple of books written by one of their predecessors. I'm sort of curious again about that wonderful American thinker, Thomas Paine. Just a month ago, I referenced … [Read more...]
Super-Sconic Transport; Sunshine in Skin – Blood Orange, Hazelnut and Toasted Coconut Scones
sunshine in skin We are definitely between seasons now aren't we? You can feel it outside and in. The sun is warmer but the air is cold, it keeps snowing and yet, you know, in your heart, we are not too far away. The birds are busy and the buds in my windows are reaching out for the longer moments of daylight. I'm desperate these days, but you know that. I need to be super-sonically transported into consistent 60F weather, day in and … [Read more...]
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