I love family get-togethers for the holidays, where everyone has signed up to bring something for a buffet-style meal, naturally after the Easter egg hunt. But I realized after finding the ultimate dessert I plan to create for Sunday supper, that I could also make the same perfection for a bridal shower a few of us are hosting for someone special, middle of May:
I found a great airfare online early February and decided to book my flight – to leave a month later. I just couldn’t resist the price, and later when booking my hotels I found the same perfect deals. I was excited and couldn’t wait to pack and leave the US for a three-week journey to the UK mostly and a few days in Paris. I arrived on the 3rd to London and was cheaffeured to friend’s house in a town an hour and half away from the Heathrow. Although I was very tired from the eleven hour overly warmed aircraft for the comfort of only those that love a stuffy space to sleep, I looked forward to the conversation I had with my driver. Don’t get me wrong I am not a snob in any sense of the word, and a cheaffeured drive is a norm to get me to the said town, my friend would rather I leave unnamed. Friday was a rest day, because early morning on Saturday we would drive to Stratford-Upon-Avon our …
I laughed when I came up with today’s post title since I’m always accused of being too curious In my opinion, one is never too curious if they want to feel alive. Anyway, while doing research for my next novel, I came across a few perhaps trivial topics and figured I’d share it with all of you. Just in case you are stuck indoors due to the weather.
In keeping up with my gluten-free menu this year, I have made my selection for thanksgiving desserts from here. And frankly, the choices are a refreshing alternative to the usual pumpkin pie and such that’s been served in our household year in and year out. Here are my picks for Thanksgiving 2016:
After my Rome-Florence-Venice portion of the perfect travel I think I have organized for my group is a stop in Como, Italy. We arrived mid-day on Saturday last, and checked into our hotel – only for a few minutes to freshen up and change into our walking shoes. We had to take the funicular up to the highest point in Como to see the spectacular views for only 5.50euro roundtrip. This can’t be missed no matter how long the lines. Dinner followed after that, along with a bottle of wine and the perfect conversations before we turned in. The next day we would spend on the lake, with an all-day pass to visit some of the small towns or villages perched along the heavenly lake. Since we were pressed for time I selected three stops. Menaggio, Varrena and Bellagio. I fell in love with Menagio and considered for the three hours I was there to live in the quant town. Varrena was a stop for lunch and a stroll through the cobblestone village and then a 15 …
The first time I tasted lavender was near Aix Provence, France. There was a shortbread cookies infused with slivers of lavender. At first I didn’t really like it, but after a few days of eating a cookie or two a day with a great cup of coffee, I grew accustomed to the taste. The next experience with Lavender was – at Zero Zero Restaurant in San Francisco, where they have this amazing dessert bar that you can pick and make your own ice cream sundae and more. I chose the lavender ice cream special they were having that day. And since then, I indulge in what I considered to be something that is an acquired taste. Not everyone is fond of lavender in cooking. Anyway, here we are now and I have to say, I am yet again intrigued by this recipe, and will surely make it for the Sunday morning breakfast with the hubs – yes – in the middle of my renovation, I do plan to bake 🙂 – minus the white chocolate …
In light of my faithful or most loyal friend’s birthday today – he is 12 or 84 as in dog years :(. I’ll take 12 since I can’t bear the thought of life without him aging, in my opinion too fast. Anyway, as I swallow the boulder now lodged in my throat for the sentimental thoughts going through my head, I want to share with you two cake recipes I see myself baking, and taking to an old traditional tea party penciled in on my calendar sometime for late fall or a simple human birthday celebration.
This the season I crave more substance, not feeling salads or just boiled eggs, a slice of chicken. I need comfort food mostly saturday mornings, a piece of toast perfectly spread with Mascarpone and Cherry Jam, a slice of lemon cake from Starbucks paired with a warm cup of tea, while I type away my next novel. In light of my craving, I stumbled upon this cake, surely including many healthy ingredients, so I don’t feel so guilty devouring a slice and yes with my favorite English breakfast tea infused with a cinnamon stick.
I love Fall, it’s become my favorite season nearly seven years ago, followed by Spring, then Summer, and finally Winter. Fall in San Francisco, and the greater bay area is a beautiful time of year. The weather is really perfect, warm mostly, with hints of cold in the early morning and late evenings. The sunsets with fiery skies are the most memorable no matter what part of town you are. Even foggy days feel right in the fall. There is so much to do during this season, some of which (my favorites) I’ve included below, from a list detailing 35 things for Fall bucket list we should think about. I have included a map of Autumn Foliage for the U.S and it is true November is the month for California to see some of the Autumn foliage.
I think I took my annual trip to Europe too soon this year (in May), because I am having withdrawals right about now. Usually we go in October. Italy is always on the list. Tuscany a must. I pick a different place each year and we spend a few days taking it all in, and wishing we could simply buy a villa and remodel it “Under The Tuscan” style. The sad thing is I add to my misery by searching online for everything Tuscany, of course I’ve also subscribed to a few sites so you can imagine my inbox daily, reminding me that I am not there. So, Tuscan desserts will have to do from this site to get me by through the holidays, and into the next year, when I begin planning my annual trip – for sure October 2016. Until then I share with you these recipes:
rawsilkandsaffron.com 