Two iconic quotes for the day: "We have met the enemy and he is us." Cartoonist Walt Kelly circa 1970 "It's the Circle of Life" (using that infamous tune we all learned from the 1994 version of The Lion King) and gee whiz what are we doing? Does the circle move forward or just go around and around without seeing itself, self-correcting and moving forward? Today, I'm pondering the idea of calling for an all-out campaign for increased … [Read more...]
Archives for March 2015
Welcome Vernal Equinox! Today is A Day for Gushing: A Visual Preview
fair skies predicted: North Beach Orleans Ma as seen from Mill Pond "…..still, to be enthralled with the simplest gifts of nature, how grateful I am" All Hail! Spring is here - time to celebrate - and here on the east coast, wait for all the gorgeous fruits of the growing season. Yesterday, I got a little head start with some very nice strawberries and some peaches I had in the freezer: the strawberry and the peach - words of … [Read more...]
5-Minute-Prep Potatoes Au Gratin – For Those Weeks Adding Insult to Injury
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...]