Baking Day and Tea for Two

[caption id="attachment_988" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Ready, Set, Bake![/caption]

I'm in the mood for a little tea party - this time a Tea for Two.  Of course this means I need to whip up a little something  to serve my guest.  Come join me in my kitchen.

Ingredients are at hand, along with a few decorations to inspire me.  There are the two French chefs sitting in the window

and

eggs ,  rolling pin,

milk,

and  wisk  with a serving tool.

Now for the recipe

I think I'll try something new today.  This Apricot Swiss Roll looks yummy.  I found the recipe in a National Trust book called Tea- time-Recipes by Jane Pettigrew.

 So let's get started!

I mix the eggs with the sugar

Gently fold in the flour

Finally placing the sponge into the prepared pan

I probably should have mentioned the apricots earlier.  They were sliced and placed in a dish to marinate.  The recipe called for brandy, but I had cognac on hand and cognac works  just fine.

While the sponge bakes I prepared the dish towel by coating it with super fine sugar.  As soon as the sponge comes out of the oven it is rolled in this towel with the help of a rolling pin, and set aside to cool.

So while the sponge is cooling let's go out to the porch and set the table

On this early Spring day I think I'll serve at a table tucked in the corner so my guest can enjoy a little nature while she sips and chats with me.

You're looking at a big old Buckeye tree and wonderful little white flowers that pop up in the lawn every April.  But back to the kitchen for us.  The sponge is now cool and ready to assemble.  (It actually takes at least 30 minutes for the sponge to cool but we're dealing with the magic of blogging here).

I got a little carried away with whipping cream using more than twice as much as the  recipe called for, but what can I say?  I love whipped cream.  After spreading  the cream over the sponge I applied the apricots and untoasted almonds.

Then came the moment of truth.  Time to turn this concoction into a roll.  I take a deep breath and ROLL AWAY!

And "Ta Da"!  Here it is

Apricot Swiss Roll

Time to take it to the table

The table is set with my Laura Ashley Tea for Two china.  Now all I need is my guest.  I've invited my French friend Stephanie.  She is an excellent cook and baker so I wonder what she will think of my Apricot Swiss Roll.

And she's arrived with one of her children - little Arpad.

Arpad is neither interested in tea nor Swiss Almond Rolls.  He is interested in the great outdoors - so off he goes to play amidst the forsythia.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, I mean porch, it's time for Stephanie to taste my creation.  Will she approve?

YES!

Stephanie gave me her culinary stamp of approval and this coming from a French woman made me proud.  Of course she would have only a small piece of my Swiss Roll.  The French are very good at appreciating and enjoying their food, but in small portions.  Besides, Stephanie is an athlete, a runner.  She wouldn't dare overeat and get chubby!  Just look at all the medals she's won at various marathons in the United States and abroad.

Stephanie and I sipped, nibbled and chatted.

It was a delightful Tea for Two

and a successful Baking Day as well.

I hope you take the time for both now and then.

And just in case you'd like to make a Swiss Apricot Roll for yourself I'll share the recipe.

Why?

You know.

SHARING DOUBLES THE JOY

Swiss Apricot Roll

For the Sponge: 2 eggs, 3 oz. super fine sugar, 3 oz. self-rising flour, sifted

For the Filling: 14oz. apricots, drained and juice reserved  1 oz. untoasted flaked almonds

                                1-2 tablespoons brandy, 1oz. toasted flaked almonds, icing sugar

To make the sponge, preheat oven to 325F.  Grease and line 7 x 11 in tin.  Beat the eggs thoroughly.  Add the sugar and continue beating till frothy.  Fold in the flour and turn into the prepared tin.  Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until sponge springs up when lightly pressed.  Remove from oven and invert the tin on to a clean tea-cloth dusted with fine sugar.  Roll the sponge immediately round a wooden rolling pin and leave to cool.  Meanwhile slice the apricots and soak in brandy.  Just before serving, carefully unroll the sponge and spread with the whipped cream.  Arrange the apricots over the top and pour on the brandy.  Sprinkle with the untoasted almonds and carefully roll the sponge up again.  Place on a serving dish, pour a little of the reserved apricot juice over the sponge, sprinkle the top with toasted almonds and dust with icing sugar.  Serve immediately.

Hang on to your old books

I love books.  I have always loved books, and over the years I have collected quite a few - I mean hundreds and hundreds.  I have book cases in each room.  There's the living room collection,

the guest room shelves,

there's a wall of books in my writing room,

and book case in a spare bedroom,

some rooms have books running along the ceiling,

some rooms have collections on tables,

the music room has a shelf system to hold old books,

and certain pieces of furniture display favorites,

of course there's the library where we added two walls of bookcases floor to ceiling,

There are books on the porch,

and there are more -   many, many more .

Did I mention I love books?

Well, I thought I'd write about one of my favorite books today, so I strolled around the house scanning my collection, and I came upon this one by David Kibbes.

Metamorphosis, written in the 80's,  contained a style system whereby the reader was told what type of clothing would suit her based on body type.  Kibbes  grouped women into the following categories:  dramatic, natural, romantic, classic and gamine,  and though his particular fashion suggestions are now out of date, his system had a lot of originality and depth to it.

Being a spiritual person myself, what I found most fascinating about Kibbes' system was how he not only considered the shape and size of a woman's body, but also her spirit.  For example, I tested as  a classic type, but because I have many romantic notions in my personality David typed me as a  "Soft" Classic and made many suggestions on how to romanticize my classic look.  I found this to be very helpful and clever on his part.  Dramatics could be soft or theatrical. Naturals could be soft or flamboyant and so on.   We must make the final decisions about our appearance, but Kibbes gets us thinking in a fun way.

The blog, Brainy Beauty Talk, is creating posts these days updating some of Kibbes fashion  ideas and adding  new original  thoughts in  regard to his system.  You might enjoy checking it out.  There's also a sample mini quiz  on line (type in: David Kibbes Metamorphosis).  It's  the kind of quiz used in the book  which determines your yin/yang balance and image identity.       You may find the test and Kibbes whole concept fun.  I did, but,  if you get all fired up and  want to find a copy of the book for yourself

 GOOD LUCK!

And this is what I'm getting at.

Hold on to your old books.  I don't remember what I paid for Metamorphosis  some 30 years ago, but I doubt it was more than $20.  Well, Amazon now is selling a  hardcover used copy for $77.59 and if you want a new copy, you'll have to pay $176.70 for it.

WOWWY  ZOWWY!

So now you know why I titled this post as I did.

I think I'll leave you now and see what some of my other books are selling for these days...

Maybe I'll trade a few dozen in and take a trip to Bermuda.

Coffee Shops are for me

The other day I was introduced to yet another French coffee shop in my area and I must say the warm blueberry-filled crepes dusted with powder sugar were absolutely delicious, but my waiter did not look anything like the fellow pictured above and the coffee shop did not look like anything pictured below.









No, I guess one must go off to Europe, take a trip back in time... or find a book like this one, "The French Cafe" by Marie-France Boyer, a book that can take you away to  Romantic coffee houses.



Here in the States there are coffee houses to be had, but they look more like this.

[caption id="attachment_927" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Starbucks in Brentwood, California[/caption][caption id="attachment_928" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Another view[/caption]

And here's my favorite view because it contains a picture of my son Patrick working hard at his statistics .

[caption id="attachment_923" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I was impressed because this Starbucks had live orchids on some tables. Do you see one in the background?[/caption]

            But nice as it was, and I came here a number of times myself, there were no waiters in black tie nor any white tablecloths to be seen.  Sigh!

But Starbucks does have a good dark espresso roast so I'm happy there, and do you know -  if you buy their coffee in bags, you can bring your empty bag  back to the shop and turn it in  for a free cup of coffee? ( I learned that by reading the small print on the bag.)

But my favorite coffee shop in Hudson is Caribou Coffee.  This is because I like the cute little building that houses the shop.  There's a wall of windows to my left and I enjoy sitting here looking toward the fireplace.

[caption id="attachment_926" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Caribou Coffee[/caption]

It's usually quite crowded, but at this moment everyone hit the road and I have the place to myself.  Well, almost...

[caption id="attachment_933" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The nice fellow who works the counter[/caption]

I do have the company of the nice fellow who works the counter.  He's so sweet and friendly.  See?  He's waving to you.

Do you enjoy spending time in coffee houses as I do?  A coffee house is a great place to read a book, write a letter, meet a friend,  plug your laptop in and create posts for your blog  or reach out to the whole world via internet while sipping a cappuccino.

My "dead friend" Lord Byron said, "Only in letter writing do we have solitude and society simultaneously", but though he has a point there, coffee houses also grant  a certain amount of solitude while we're enjoying  people all around.

You can even make new friends while enjoying a coffee house.  I met a lovely man recently by the name of  David.  He is old enough to be my father, so don't worry.  There's no hanky- panky going on, just friendly conversation.  It's always so nice to meet interesting new people, don't you agree?  David worked in theatre and public relations, but  he also creates beautiful leather goods.  Every time we see each other at the coffee house I learn more and more interesting things about this accomplished man, and isn't that how friendship is?  Was I surprised when he gave me this lovely pencil case which he made with his very own two hands.  How sweet is that?  I would've never met David nor enjoyed owning such a great pencil case if it weren't for my love of coffee houses.

[caption id="attachment_938" align="aligncenter" width="300"] This luxurious "naked" finish leather is drum-dyed, not spray painted and is without the fillers, pigments and plastic coatings found on commercial-trade leathers. The result is a warm natural look and buttery-soft suppleness found only in superb "naked" leather[/caption]

And look how much I've learned about leather, and now you're learning about "naked" finish leather too, and all because I frequent coffee houses

So

Unless you're reading this in France you may not be able to find  coffee shops where waiters are wearing black tie and carrying  white towels, and you may not find coffee shops with white tablecloths, but nevertheless,  GO!...

Go to a coffee shop.

Read!

Write!

Meet People!

Coffee shops are great!

They're for me and maybe they're for you too.

Let me know what you think.

When Things Come Together

The other day I received an important  message.  Today that message is coming to you.  The message came at me from three separate sources:  from Mister Rogers of classic tv's Mister Roger's Neighborhood,  from Eloise, a fictitious little girl of the classic Eloise book series by Kay Thompson and from Amy Hollingsworth, a writer.  These three  individuals directed me to another book and the source of the message, to Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince.  I don't know about you, but when things come at me in two's or three's I pay attention.

It all started when I was reading The Simple Faith of Mister Rogers by Amy Hollingsworth

and a lovely book it is too,  filled with many warm and wonderful spiritual reflections. (I highly recommend this book to you.)  It seems The Little Prince was one of Mister Roger's favorites.  Amy, one of Fred's pen friends, said Fred spent most of his life quoting the following words from The Little Prince: 

"L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux"

Well, I always loved Mister Rogers and I've written to him myself.  I also love the French language, along with many other  French things - French food and the restaurants that serve it, the French countryside, and my lovely  French friends, Stephanie, Patrice and their sweet children - Llyona, Marc-Aurele and Arpad.  So, when the above French words popped out at me from the Mister Rogers' book, of course I took special notice of them.  In case you don't speak French here's what they mean:

"What is essential is invisible to the eye"

Have you ever given thought to this idea?  I have, especially in regard to  letter writing.  You see, I write to very many people whom I've never met 'in person', never even seen in a picture.  I get to know many of these people by way of  The Letter Exchange, (www.letter-exchange.com) an organization which puts letter writers together.  Though some folks I meet in this way will send pictures of themselves, most will not, but pictures or no pictures,  great friendships evolve as letters are shared.  You may think it strange that people could become great friends even though they have  absolutely no idea what each other  look like, but it is possible.  I have many of such friends. (Hello to Gwen, Patricia, Erika, and all the rest of you)  Why, I could be sitting next to one of these favorite people on a plane and never even know it!   But  I've often thought how wonderful this is, for  in letter writing people can get to know each other's spirit without  letting physical appearance get in the way.  Looks can be so deceiving you know!  And I do believe

"What is essential is invisible to the eye"

But besides the spirit of a person being invisible yet very important, there are many other invisible things we should not  neglect.  What do you think they are?  What is essential for you? It's good to take time out for serious reflection now and then, the kind of reflection letter writing provides, for only with thoughtful reflection will we ever come to know what is essential.

My "dead friend" Lord Byron, the poet,  put it very well when he used to say: 

             A life without reflection is a sad affair 

But you may be wondering where Eloise comes in to this story.  Well, I was having a movie night for the children in my church choir  and  I needed a good film so I did a search on Net Flix for something fun, but something that was also thoughtful.   I came upon a Disney remake of the classic Eloise at the Plaza.  Ah, the Plaza!  I love that hotel in New York City.

[caption id="attachment_873" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Plaza[/caption]

So that was enough for me and the film proved to be just delightful.  I suggest you check it out no matter how old you are.  Julie Andrews plays a darling nanny (nothing like Mary Poppins).

[caption id="attachment_876" align="aligncenter" width="300"] An older nanny, but very sweet[/caption]

    And Eloise is so cute, so devilish, but  so full of life and thoughtful too - I found her very inspiring.  We'd all have a lot more fun if we acted like Eloise now and then.

[caption id="attachment_878" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Eloise[/caption]

Disney was so true to the book too - a wonderful thing.  Here's an example.  Just take a look at the book and then a scene from the film.

                                                                                   

                                                                        

And the film had a little prince in it too -not Antoine's Little Prince but a prince just the same, a prince who was quite touched by the message in Saint Exupery's  book, a book which became  important to Eloise's story.  The prince was touched by the  message in The Little Prince as was I, as was Mister Rogers and  hopefully as  you are too... because it's so very true.

"L' essentiel est invisible pour les yeux"

WHAT IS ESSENTIAL IS INVISIBLE TO THE EYE

Let this be your thought for the day

(or at least one of them)

by way of Mister Rogers, Eloise,  Amy Hollingsworth

and

ME!

                              

I feel like going visiting today!

[caption id="attachment_774" align="aligncenter" width="300"] "Oh how this spring of love resembleth, The uncertain glory of an April day! Which now shows all the beauty of the sun And by and bye a cloud takes all away."
Shakespere[/caption]I feel like an outing on this first day of April.  How about you?  But not just any outing for me.  I think I'll go to England or Scotland... or maybe I'll go to both places.  After all, I have an hour or two free.

You see, I am very blessed to have a wonderful imagination.  I suspect we are all born with wonderful imaginations but some of us fail to exercise them, and as with so many things, we  "use it or lose it".  I use my imagination regularly.  Do you?  Oh, I hope so.  Imagination is a terrible thing to waste.

So today I decided to leave Hudson for a few hours and take a little trip.  I feel like spending some time with my lovely "dead friend" and nature artist Edith Holden.  What is a "dead friend" you ask ?  A "dead friend" is a person from the past who we get to know,  admire. and enjoy.   We meet these people by reading their biographies, autobiographies, and/or by studying and becoming  familiar with their work.  I bet you have a few "dead friends" of  your own, at least I hope you do.  "Dead friends" add so very much to life,  more than a great many living, breathing people we meet.

I met Edith years ago when I discovered her beautiful book, The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady.  This book was published in 1906 by her husband Ernest.  It was published after Edith's untimely death at age 49.   You see, Edith  drowned in the Thames while gathering buds from chestnut trees which she intended to paint.

Edith was born at Kings Norton, Worcester, in 1871 and was one of seven children of a Midlands paint manufacturer.  Her family lived in the small village of Olton Warwickshire and it was there that she wrote and illustrated her Nature Notes.

I think I'll join Edith on one of her trips to Scotland where she studied painting for a year.  Would you care to join me?  Ok, let's go!

[caption id="attachment_764" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Nothing like an old fashioned train ride through the English countryside toward Scotland. Our train is powered by steam and imagination.[/caption]And here we are (That was fast!) at the home of her art teacher and his family.  They invited Edith to stay with them since she was so very far from home.  Romantic and peaceful setting, isn't it?

[caption id="attachment_765" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Edith's home away from home one Summer[/caption]But let's pop into the art studio and catch a glimpse of Edith working with her classmates.  I personally love how people 'dressed up' back in the old days.  No blue jeans and  t shirts for them.

[caption id="attachment_769" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Practice makes not perfect, but improvement[/caption]Of course one can't get very good at drawing nature while sitting in a classroom so after a certain amount of instruction in basic  technique off to the outdoors we all go.  Put on your sweater for it's early April and the air is chilly.

[caption id="attachment_771" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Let's watch Edith paint a horse or two[/caption]Do you ever draw?  You should.  It's great fun and anyone can do it.  As I said, practice makes improvement.  I love to draw flowers creating original stationery for some of the letters I write.  Maybe you've received one such letter.   Flowers are easy to draw.  Try drawing this one:

[caption id="attachment_779" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Come on. You can do it! I'll take a break from writing this post and draw this pink flower myself. I'll create a floral notecard, then use this card for the letter I'll be writing tomorrow to a friend in the state of Washington[/caption]Ok.  Here's what I came up with.  I wonder what drawing you came up with.

[caption id="attachment_784" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Erika, this is for you[/caption]If you have not  made your drawing yet, it's ok.  You can finish reading my post and then get busy.  Art  play is really a lot of fun.  You'll see.  But if you think flowers are tricky I wouldn't suggest you try animals... not yet anyway.

Edith drew all sorts of animals and she was wonderful at the task.  She drew snakes, birds, butterflies, bees, mice, so many creatures -   even the occasional cow.

[caption id="attachment_786" align="aligncenter" width="300"] MOO![/caption]Between reading Edith's book and viewing a wonderful four-video series I own all about her life, I can experience a faux visit to Scotland and the English countryside any time I like, getting close up looks at its flora and fauna.

I can sit beside Edith using my imagination and watch her sketch picturesque vistas.  She's encouraged me to try my own hand at sketching.  Friends always encourage each other you know.

[caption id="attachment_788" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The making of landscapes[/caption]We then explore streams with all their exuberant life forms and I don't even have to get wet.

[caption id="attachment_790" align="aligncenter" width="300"] An April flood carries away the frog and his brood --- (just a bit of Folk-lore)[/caption]My time spent with Edith, looking at nature and looking at her drawings of nature, soothes my soul.

[caption id="attachment_792" align="aligncenter" width="300"] It may indeed be only phantasy that I essay to draw from all created things deep, heartfelt, inward joy that slowly clings
Coleridge[/caption][caption id="attachment_793" align="aligncenter" width="300"] I love the season well when forest glades are teeming with bright forms
Longfellow[/caption] I've read that spending time with things of beauty helps that beauty enter into us.  The beauty becomes us.  I can sometimes feel that happening.  Can't you?

[caption id="attachment_795" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Our expedition in search of wild flowers takes us across hill and dale.[/caption]To be off with Edith is a wonderful escape from one's daily routine.  And when we're tired from all our walking we can sit quietly together,  meditate, or share our favorite lines of poetry.

[caption id="attachment_798" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Can trouble live with April days, or sadness with the Summer moons?
Tennyson[/caption]Yes, spending time in England and Scotland with gentle "dead friends" like Edith Holden is a wonderful experience.

[caption id="attachment_803" align="aligncenter" width="300"] My "dead friend" Edith Holden[/caption] And  Edith's  spirit stays with me long after these imaginary visits.  As I walk  the garden paths in my own town, in my own time,  I can still feel her calming presence dignifying my every step.

So now I've introduced you to Edith, but  it's up to you to cultivate your own friendship with her.  Perhaps she'll inspire you to create your very own nature notes or you might get yourself some watercolor pencils and take up sketching, creating art for your home or floral note cards to send to your friends.

[caption id="attachment_802" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Edith loved to write letters as I do[/caption]Why here's an idea for you.  Take a walk outside and sit yourself down to sketch a flower, plant, or creature and then send your picture  to me with a note - or better yet, a letter.  I would love that!  Here's my address:

204 E. Streetsboro Street

Hudson, Ohio 44236

USA

I'll be watching my mail box, and of course if you write to me I'll write back to you.  So from me and Edith  too --- a fond farewell.  We'll leave you with the entry from Edith's nature notebook dated April 1, 1906.

STILL, WARM, CLOUDY DAY.  GATHERED SOME WILD DAFFODILS IN A FIELD.

Happy Art Play in Nature

Note:  Pictures used for this post are attributed to Central Independent Television's video entitled The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady starrring Pippa Guard as Edith