In 2016, I continued to find joy in taking photos as part of my fascination with the beauty in nature, cooking, baking, travel and my beloved pets. Sadly, I did not make it to Europe in 2016 because of losing Kit. I hope to make up for this in 2017. Here are some of my favorite pictures from 2016. It's hard to choose one per month from my collection, especially considering the thousands of flower photos that I treasure. But, I think this … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2016
An Indulgence a Day Keeps the Blues Away – 2016 Beloved Dogs, Peaches, Cherries, Pancakes and Egg-Noggin It
Yesterday's Views - pick a or b Ok, one one hand, I'm no fountain of virtue in the food department. Rather, I have become a firm believer that one must indulge one's own very deepest desires in the joy department. Whoever decided that we must be subject to great and constant repression of our own true loves in deference exclusively to some dry, vacant degree of practical responsibility and mundanity for the duration of one's days on this … [Read more...]
Feeling Peckish? For Boxing Day Brunch – Baked Panettone French Toast with Fresh Cherries
Today is Boxing Day in the UK and Canada and some territories past and present. As far as I'm concerned, Boxing Day is just a very convenient excuse to continue the celebrations from over the last couple of days. If you can honestly say you didn't irretrievably fill yourself to the gills on Christmas Eve and Day with all the treats and meals you've happily consumed - not to mention what you've had to drink, you might have awakened this morning … [Read more...]
Day 25 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – The Rosemary and Pomegranate Christmas Cake
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL! That's all that needs be said this morning - here's our breakfast cake this year! The Rosemary and Pomegranate Christmas Cake 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour 3 tbsp coarse ground corn meal 2 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt zest of one large lemon 1 cup milk, heated to scalding with 1 large piece rosemary, cut in half, cooled 6 tbsp sour cream 2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp … [Read more...]
Day 24 – Red Fruits and Chocolate; Today’s Two for 1 – Hubert Keller’s Black Forest Cake and Frozen Buche de Noel
photo courtesy Epicurious photo courtesy Australian Gourmet Traveller I can't think of anything more demoralizing than a rainy Christmas Eve. It just seems so wrong, doesn't it? I'm sitting here and it's pitch black outside and I can hear it pouring outside. When I went out with the dog over an hour ago, at least it was mixed precipitation and I was heartened that we might have a little snow. As that's not to be had, the best thing to … [Read more...]
Day 23 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – Christmas in a Bottle – Cherries in Red Wine with Panettone and Gelato
Having trouble feeling the Christmas spirit? Go into your pantry, grab your bottle of Star Anise. Open the top, place your nose close to the opening and inhale deeply.......... Christmas in a bottle! Call me crazy, but I've been dreaming about Cherries over the last few weeks. I don't know exactly why but I'm sure it has to do with some coagulation of yearning for Summer fruits, my red obsession that occurs for only, and I do mean only 1 … [Read more...]
Day 22 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – In Lieu of Real Snow: The Tate’s Coconut Layer Cake, Almond and Toasted Coconut Version
the real deal - 2 layer version circa May 2016 Is it possible that it seems darker this morning than yesterday? I suppose that is technically not possible unless the sky is covered with clouds. Here, if you are feeling like me, is a way to put a little light in your life........ No snow in your forecast for Sunday? That's fine, you can make your own! Here is a cake, which together with Thomas Keller's Coconut Cake - … [Read more...]
Day 21 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – Following My Nose around New York – Chocolate-Orange Caramel Peanut Truffles
intoxicating Paperwhites - yes I need to see these little faces I love following my nose around New York. This will usually land me in any one of menageries of grand sensory appeal: bakeries, food stores, farmer's markets, specialty food stores, parks, alcoves, churchyards, anywhere something's blooming and, right about now, that would be into florist shops....... Well, we made it to Solstice Day. Honestly, it's no wonder that all over … [Read more...]
Day 20 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – It’s Frozen Season in Florence – Grapefruit and Ginger Sorbet
photo courtesy How Sweet It Is I'm well aware that my collection for this month, suitable for a small brown paper-covered memory book as intended, is highly dessert focused. There's no question that while I am very savory-interested, I am most drawn to the breakfast and dessert table. I'm forever playing around with savory recipes, too. But, I have some strong instinct for bakery and sweets surfing - and am forever obsessed with the fruit … [Read more...]
Day 19 – A Gift of 25 Recipes – The Key Lime Pie Gets Dressed for Christmas
tree is finally up at our house! Come, they told me, pa rum pum pum pum ......... Well, the Key Lime Pie Aficionado is home for Christmas and, while he was off visiting all his New York friends all weekend, I decided to make him a special treat for when he returned last night for his welcome-home roast chicken and roasted-garlic mashed potatoes dinner. I had some sugared cranberries left from my olive oil cake and my mind began to … [Read more...]