No matter where in the world you go, pastries are a universal treat. From Turkish baklava to Italian cannolis, French croissants to American cherry pie, these morsels of sweetness are a culinary tradition that knows no borders. Whether you're boarding an overseas flight or hanging around the neighborhood, we've hand-picked several pastry shops from the Oxford Companion to Sugar and Sweets to add to your personal itinerary.
The post Sweetness around the world appeared first on OUPblog.
More food and houses!
I just can't seem to resist a nice pastry. This is a little Svenhard's Berry Horn. They come individually wrapped in cello, in an assorted mix. Of course I picked the most colorful one to draw (there are also Cheese Horns, Raisin Snails, Cinnamon Rolls, and Breakfast Claws). I'm fascinated by the names of these things.
Berry Horn 8" x 8" (20.32 x 20.32 cm)
Polychromo colored pencils on Fabriano Artistico Hot Press paper
When I was a kid my parents loved to go to bakeries and coffee shops, to sit at the counter with a donut and cup of coffee and chit-chat with people (this is back in the olden days, pre-internet). So I spent a lot of time with donuts and pastries (and bad, weak coffee shop coffee, which I still abhor).
One time I ordered "a coconut donut", and the waitress brought a "Coke and a donut". Well, that became a 'thing', and I ordered that every time to see what I'd get, until I wore that joke out.
I did this drawing about 2 times larger than life. Prints and the original are in my
etsy shop.
I also just finished another house portrait commission. This one is black and white, which I love doing.
Most people do pen and ink for black and white work, but I love using my black pencils. Its a kind of softer look.
I'm using the same technique I always do, but I'm noticing it comes out looking a little different with this new paper (Fabriano Artistico Hot Press) than other work I've done with Stonehenge. Gradations are a little smoother, and less grainy. I'm liking it!
I've updated my
etsy shop listings for house portrait commissions, with the new samples, and a slight adjustment in prices. As always, if you have a custom size or shape that I don't have listed, or would like to add people, or do multiple buildings in one portrait, I'm happy to do that for you. Please email me or send me a 'convo' on etsy and we can talk about what you'd like.
I'm supposed to be increasing my activity level every day - so I went on an outing yesterday. My daughter drove us downtown Bellevue to a spiffy new theater to see a matinee of Star Trek.
(One advantage to living in the Seattle area is the preponderance of Chihuly glass sculptures scattered about the area -this one right outside the theater).
The theater was lovely- wide, reclining leather seats (that I still found uncomfortable to sit on. Dratted lingering surgery side-effects!), incredibly entertaining movie. Fun company.
To further the fun, we drove a few blocks to the old downtown to scope out a couple of treat shops -
The first stop was Fran's Chocolates - lots of homemade, dark
chocolatey goodness.
The Laundry Faerie gave me a box of them awhile back and I've been craving their sea salt caramels ever since.
We then walked another couple of blocks down to the cute little French
bakery - full of luscious pastries, chocolates and
gelato. So many choices!
Ack!
I came home with a small stash of deliciousness and promptly crashed. That was more than I apparently had the stamina for, but... did I mention sea salt caramels!? Worth it.
Love Chihuly glass! Am sure I would love sea salt caramels, too!
What a lovely day and what a beautifully illustrated post. I'm jealous and hungry - not of your surgery, but of the candy! Do you think they'll have taste-able Internet anytime soon? Maybe, you could just smash one of those caramels right onto the screen? :p
I'd underwrite THAT technology. Om nom nom.
I love that glass, so colourful! :D
those macaroons look great :) hope you recover from your day soon
What a lovely daughter to take you out on such a *sweet* day trip :)
What a fun way to spend time with your daughter! I like the idea of tastable internet as well. I think Willy Wonka was working on tastable tv. Maybe the internet guys should get together with him!
Hey, you MUST be feeling better! Hope the recovery continues and you are soon back to full strength - keep taking the sea salt caramels
xxx
I'm glad to hear you had a lovely day out and came home with well deserved goodies! Hope you feel better soon.x
Tara! Oh my word those treats make my mouth water! Sea salt carmels..sounds
like to die for!!! I tasted salted chocolate for the 1st time at Xmas!Can't find anywhere though!
Chihuly's art work has been showing up in several locations in Blogsville! I know that Seattle is his home..wonderful works of art!
You take care..sending more healing vibes your way..my daughter is healing too from colon surgery..hugs to you aNNa xo
Chocolate, caramels AND Chihuly???
So many good things! No wonder you crashed!
Happy weekend!