0 Bed Side Story

I wish this was my bedroom... I really wish I was in Bali with Julia... Riding a bicycle... Enroute to a date with Javier Bardem - miam, miamBut watching EAT PRAY LOVE in bed is not a bad alternative... And I can paint onsite here in bed as well! Jane in New Zealand of Sparrow Chatter kindly sent me her amazing picture of tarts of local cafe La Cloche... It's on my desktop where I can gaze at it endlessly... Next project is to paint these lovely tartes - wish me luck. If I want a taste of Paris (my laptop is on the floor by my bed) I can visit with Inez de la Fressange Her video jaunts around Paris are good for your accent and a delightful vicarious...

0 LEMON & PASSIONFRUIT ENTREMET - THE DARING BAKERS

It makes me really angry to NEVER be able to finish my challenges before the deadline. I always promise myself to start early, yet I am by no means able to commit to it. So, this is the reason why I consistently embark on my baking adventure at the very last minute and put myself under a lot of stress. I've come to the conclusion that it is the way I function. Unfortunately, stress will everlastingly be a part of my personality...The January 2011 Daring Bakers’ challenge was hosted by Astheroshe of the blog "Accro". She chose to challenge everyone to make a "Biscuit Joconde Imprime" to wrap around an "Entremets" dessert. This cold ornate dessert...

0 Tarte Attack!

Round #1 - the tarte wins. Lecon learned. Do not speak ill of local tartes if you value your health. So how did a tarte put me in the back of this vehicle yesterday? Granted I am now permanently in love with FDNY EMTs! New York's finest are the greatest and the cutest! Firstly I haven't been to the pool for months. Secondly I sit A LOT, but I get up frequently. Evidently not frequently enough. Lastly my two encounters with drawing New York tartes onsite on Sunday and Monday did me in. I was so focused, so nervous, so fraught I sat drawing for 2+ hours straight and forgot to get up at all = not good for sciatica. Tense as a cat grappling with...

0 Do The French Do It Better

More snow today. No NYC yellow cabs to brighten the view. I was thinking how the French own the tarte - this Pain Quotidien tarte is lacking je ne sait quoi when Next to the French version of a framboise tarte. A NY tarte from Financier Pastries - looks pretty Frenchie...Parisian Secco's tartelettes. The French love their REDS. Count the RED in this picture. So why not a touch of RED on these chocolat minis? Dalloyau does lovely RED tartes. Gerard Mulot Berry sketch #1 Gerard Mulot Berry Sketch #2A no-name Parisien corner patisserie makes them every day of the week. They get lots of practice. THANKS for all your kind comments and support...

0 Pastry Sketch Crawl Chez Moi

More tarte adventures today - the pastry sketch crawl continues... It's a SNOW day in New York, so I thought I'd paint pastry at chez moi... Last Sunday the plan was to paint onsite at Cafe Petrossian on 7th Avenue But they were just closing so I bought the berry tarte above... You can find candy caviar at Petrossian... As well as the REAL thing... You know you're in the 'Frenchie' area when you look across the street and spot La Parisienne Diner... Then again you know you're in New York City when you get nearly run over by giant hounds... On Monday I met a friend at another Pain Quotidien... I thought perhaps having company onhand whilst painting...