It’s about damn time, USA.
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Every breath is a second chance: consider the humble dandelion.
Just look at the mature dandelion’s delicate beauty.
And think about the intrepid’s weed’s sweet association with childhood wonder.
Remember when you thought a dandelion was a flower just as wonderful as any other? Did you ever pluck a bunch of them as a gift for your mother or teacher? I did.
You had to be taught it was a weed.
The glorious season of dandelions is well upon us.
Enjoy dandelion season! Enjoy summer!
Only in Italy: how to prop a door open
With a work of art, of course!
Sophia Loren and spaghetti
“Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti” said Miss Sophia Loren
A delightful lunch consisting of “toast” and sparkling mineral water.
Only “toast” in Italy means a lovely little pannini made with white sandwich bread, a thin slice of cheese, and a thin slice of ham, all toasted. OMG, toast should always be this good!
One bite and you can tell this lunch is going to be heavenly.
In cantina at Palazzo Madama in Torino.
The most beautiful room ever!
I’ve been fortunate to be in some great spaces throughout my lifetime. But, without question, this is the prettiest room I’ve ever been in!
This is a ballroom in the Royal Palace of Venaria, outside Turin, Italy. The Palace was used originally as a hunting lodge for the royals of the House of Savoy. Over the centuries, the palace has had many uses, even being used as barracks during the nineteenth century and then abandoned. In 2007 the Venaria was restored and is now one of the main attractions of Turin.
Through the French doors and windows that run along the two main sides of the room, you can view the formal gardens that were planted during the restoration project in 2007. The gardens are still young, but one can see how lovely it will be when the plantings are mature.
The Venaria is a gorgeous place to visit. Amazing to think that a decade ago it was still abandoned!
More Turin shots
Art work under restoration. These scenes always fascinate me:
A nice royal throne below:
Happy May Day!
OMG, has the British monarchy ever looked better?
Little Prince George, you are the absolute royal bomb!
H0nestly, could he be any cuter?!!
The monarchy is in good hands, so it would seem!
I made a Victoria sandwich!
And I forgot to photograph all of the steps. Oh well, this isn’t a cooking so I suppose it’s okay. I bet you can follow along anyway.
So, you know what these are:
And you know what this is. And you know where it is too, I bet.
And this is how it looked 30 minutes later. My Victoria sponge turned out well. It is called that, so they say, bc Queen Victoria liked it. I daresay she never baked one herself! It isn’t hard, so she could have, but she had all those servants to do it for her.
After the cake cools, you slice it in two horizontally and spread it with strawberry jam.
On top of the jam you spread (or pipe–ha ha, as if–I spread it) whipped sweetened cream. Then you put the top half of cake back on top, sprinkle it with powdered sugar and fresh cut strawberries if you’ve got them, and voila, Victoria sandwich. Perfect for tea time, according to all the Brits I know.
Mine tasted good but it would not win any awards for its appearance. I am only a home cook!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/mary_berrys_perfect_34317
Cheers for British baking! Cheerio!
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