Serendipitous Cookery

Once the homes of emperors, kings and nobles, some of the finest palaces in the world can be found in Europe. Scattered across the centuries, from medieval mansions to neoclassical halls, from baroque beauties to renaissance residences, these centres of pomp and ceremony still possess a splendour that echoes down the ages. Here, we’ve selected…

via The Fairytale Palaces in Europe that Will Transport You to Another World — The Column from Trafalgar

I have spent my spare time through the Fall and Winter watching how-to videos on YouTube, the majority of which have been on the topic of watercolor painting, drawing and a few on pastels.  I have these dreams of sitting under a tree somewhere in France, sketching the street scenes. I am by no means an accomplished artist, I readily admit. But, I am hoping that some of the artistic DNA from my ancestors would be coaxed into being. My father, who I barely knew, was an accomplished artist, mainly in pen and oils, as well as my older sibling. I do see some progress in my efforts, no matter how small. 😂

Here are some of the watercolor videos that I have been following:

Jay Lee Watercolor Painting

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHm9SiOLG8UoBT8STWY5mVA

Wei Taillandier

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDSRXWjk94cfXg-AuybfIOQ

Scarlett Damien

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7rvFvOrD_wywvPVftg-7Xw

The Mind of Watercolor

https://www.youtube.com/user/mindofwatercolor

My art supplies are probably not the best that one might procure, but they are what I have on hand at this time.  They are a collection of paints and pencils my children used through school and university years and I became the inheritor of their odd abundance.  Eventually I want to add better quality supplies to my collection.  And maybe even take a class or workshop somewhere near here. Here I made up a page of the colors I have.

I did find a set of Berol Prismacolor pencils from which I drew up a page of sample colors.

The watercolors were the sort one buys for school, nothing special. But I did buy a small travel set before going to Europe last August and I believe it is a good quality set, shown here:

Here are today’s five things to know about sticky buns: Sticky buns are also known as cinnamon rolls and monkey bread.  A sticky bun should always be made of yeast dough.  Ancient Egyptians were th…

Source: February 21st is National Sticky Buns Day!

Five food things to know about cherry pie: Cherries belong to the rose family. Cherry pie is the fifth most popular pie in the US. In the 19th century, fruit pies were a common breakfast food. Oliver Cromwell banned the eating of pie in 1644, considering pie consumption as a pagan form of pleasure. “Surprised Pies” […]

via February 20th is National Cherry Pie Day! — Foodimentary – National Food Holidays

Mr. Tex, waiting for his girlfriend (fellow Husky female) to come out to play.  He’s getting old and I realized yesterday, he’s quite deaf.  I walked up behind him to pet his head and he just about jumped out of his skin.  It doesn’t stop him from barking though, earning him the name, Mr. Barks A Lot, he’s known to flap his lips in the wind …. he knows solitude at this moment….

https://dailypost.wordpress.com/photo-challenges/solitude/

And here’s another spot for my bucket list!

Over Christmas holiday we had the pleasure to explore the Devon county of England. Southwest to London, it was a three-and-a-half-hour journey by car, where we stayed in a rural cabin in a small vi…

Source: 4 Days in Devon

I’m determined to put Sirmione on my bucket list!

The most resilient thing about Sirmione, Italy was one particular steadfast nonna.

Source: Resilience in Sirmione, Italy

This is a super easy, extremely tasty way to use up old (stale) bread. A classic French recip, “Pain Perdu” – French Toast, Eggy Bread – makes a perfect breakfast or brunch dish for the weekend or a snack at any time. Serve with home-made raspberry jam or fresh raspberries when in season. Ingredients for…

via Pain Perdu with Raspberry and Vanilla — The Good Life France

Nice is glamorous. Let’s be honest, it’s what you picture when you imagine Nice; sauntering along Promenade des Anglais, ogling yachts you (probably) can’t afford (yet), and enjoying a drink outside whilst soaking up the Mediterranean sun. With all that effort, everyone needs a break now and then, and a break is what these two…

via What to see in Nice — The Good Life France

First of all: I’m so sorry I’m just now posting photos of The Merc! To say things have been crazy, nutso, frenzied, hectic, and wacky over the past two weeks—and particularly the last five or six days—is an understatement, and I’m just now coming up for air. Some highlights: * I lost my voice. By…

via Opening Week by Ree — The Pioneer Woman