While we are still digging out from the last snow storm here in Denver, I feel like looking at some flowers. So, I’m returning, virtually for today, to the Pacific Northwest which is buzzing with color and warmth right now!
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!
Greek art in NYC
Interesting new exhibition, filled with gorgeous art gathered from museums around the world, to see, either in person or virtually.
Spring today, winter tomorrow.
All the doors and windows are open and the wind is whirling in the trees outside. It will be 80 in Denver today and we are forecast to have snow this weekend! This is springtime in the Rockies!
A little 17th-century poetry seems appropriate as I post more of my blossoms that may be about to bite it in the snow and cold:
To the Virgins, to make much of Time, Robert Herrick (1591–1674)
GATHER ye rosebuds while ye may,
Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to-day
To-morrow will be dying.
Boo-hoo. Please help me enjoy my flowers while we may!
Springtime in Denver!
My dwarf apple trees, which are not really dwarf by my standards, are ready to burst!
I also love an interesting tree shadow, with a blossom in the foreground!
How can you not love this time of year?!!
Kate Middleton in India: speaking of lovely!
Yes, she is a lovely woman. William ain’t so bad either. They are a cute couple for sure.
Their current tour of India must be spectacular and it certainly is fun to observe if from afar!
I adore this picture of Kate playing soccer in Mumbai:
MUMBAI, INDIA – APRIL 10: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge takes part in sporting activities with children children from Magic Bus, Childline and Doorstep, three non-governmental organizations, at Mumbai’s iconic recreation ground, the Oval Maidan, during the royal visit to India and Bhutan on April 10, 2016 in Mumbai, India. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Her clothes are to die for. I love this black and white Temperley London gown, which speaks to Indian design with its use of paisley and other geometric patterns. Kate is not only gorgeous, but her taste and style are impeccable!
Namaste!
Springtime in Seattle, part 2
The Pacific Northwest is just so gosh-darned beautiful in spring!
Dogwood blooms in a profusion of colors! Here is a rosy pink blossom I love.
Gaudy azaleas!
White dogwoods blossoms.
Roses blooming in April.
Pale pink rhododendron.
More white dogwoods.
Don’t even know the name of this flowering shrub. But, it’s pretty!
And, one of my favorite evergreen plants: acanthus. I’d only ever heard of this plant in art history classes: Corinthian column capitals are derived from this plant. I’d seen them in Southern California, but love them in Seattle. As here, next to magenta azalea. Wow!
That’s my quota of beauty for one day! I’ll be back soon with more spring blossoms from Seattle.
I hope your spring is beautiful, wherever you are!
Vancouver, B.C.. One of the prettiest North American cities.
Crossing the border from Washington state into British Columbia. Peerless skies, lovely weather!
Into Vancouver, a city on the move.
I love Vancouver, B.C. It looks like the city’s planner chose one architect to lay out the modern structures, because they all seem to match. Glass the color of a turquoise sea and steel beams.
You know you are in Canada because the bank is Royal!
What’s this I see? The Roman Coliseum?
More skyscrapers. Beautifully done.
Hot art, wet city.
“O Canada!” Your anthem and your premiere B.C. city are both very pretty!
Springtime in Seattle
Geez louise, no wonder I love this place so much! Horticultural paradise!
Unfortunately, my iPhone camera was set on some filtering setting when I shot the next few and I didn’t notice it until now. Oh well. They are still gorgeous!
My favorite flower in the world is a camellia, often blooming in Seattle in December and January, extending into spring.
I love the random patterns camellia blossoms make as they fall to the ground.
Ah, springtime! There is nothing like you!
Spring sunset, the view from my window
I love anything beautiful and especially when I don’t have to get off the couch to look at it! Not that I’m lazy or anything!!
Last night this was the view out my window about 7 pm. Pink, yellow, blue and black.
get back, lauretta! 
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