0 MAPLE MOUSSE & MAHLAB TARTLETS - DARING BAKERS

In our frenetic world we tend to take things for granted and forget to be thankful for what we have no matter how little or big. We are so trapped in our routine, stressful daily life and modern style of living-induced problems that we have lost the true meaning of life. Our materialistic ways makes us assume that everything is due to us and that it is normal to be able to acquire anything we desire without thinking of the consequences. We never take the time to realize how lucky we are to have the opportunity to live on this wonderful planet and to profit from all the riches it has to offer... Our relationship with nature has waned so much that...

0 Going To The Royal Wedding?

Going to the Royal Wedding tomorrow? Tomorrow this time I'll be off to family 'royal wedding' in Austin TX of all places! I'm always on the lookout for wedding dresses - this shop, Le Spose di Gio, is in Bologna... More elegante gowns from Le Spose... I've always wanted to attend this event in Paris but somehow... Is this what the Venetian bride wears...during Carnevale? Certamente she will have white lace umbrellas from Burano no? Her bouquet should be from Aquarelle in Paris... Is this not the perfect flower girl/baby dress from Gucci? And the perfect 'Auntie' dress if you have no hips. I'm wearing a 'sustainable' dress from H&M...

0 WORDLESS WEDNESDAY - IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT SANDWICH

"There is more to sandwiches than two slices of bread."Please head over to The Rambling Epicure site if you want to read my latest article on sandwiches and discover my recipe for my "Cheddar, Bacon & Egg Scone Sandwich"....

0 Death At La Fenice

BEAR insisted we take a tour of Venice's opera house, Teatro La Feniche... Since he was on page 1 of Donna Leon's 1st of the Commisario Brunetti series, Death at La Feniche.(NO spoilers included.) Conveniently the same opera in the book, Verdi's Traviata sung by Donna Leon's tempermental diva (and possible murder suspect) Donna Flavia, was featured on the walls... La Feniche is appropriately named after the phoenix (a reference to the mythological creature reborn from its ashes after it's destroyed). The opera house has risen from ashes many times since 1789. As recently as 1996, recorded in detail by John Berendt in The City of Falling Angels....

0 Fr. Girl's Rouge et Noir Cuisine

I mentioned to FRENCH GIRL. That there seemed to be a distinct rouge et noir/red and black theme in her cuisine/kitchen.She responded,"Absolutement PAS!" Still, I bought the little red and black Ladybug kitchen timer from PYLONES and added it to the shelf with the other red and black items. Red and green mug sitting on the black cooker. A hanging red & black light fixture. Red curtains hang in the kitchen window. Plus a red with black striped dish towel. Hmm... What do you think? Am I crazy seeing lots of red and black here? I felt compelled to add a red kitchen mitt from Boutique Maille. It's no surprise a French girl would decorate her...