Lots of Love, Lots of Macarons

It's hubby's birthday! After a happy April Birthday Bash celebration with our families and friends (more to come on that), we welcomed his birthday at home. The night owls that we are, while he was studying, I baked macarons a la pistache which greeted him by midnight. Here's to lots of love and lots of macarons!

"All men have a sweetness in their life. That is what helps them go on. It is towards that they turn when they feel too worn out."

Albert Camus

Oh, these sweet cloud-like confectionery! I think baking french macarons will be my new obsession! Macarons au chocolat was next on my list, but the Mister has already requested the next flavor to be coffee.

Gorgeous Gowns

"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast." - Alice Kingsley

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

I've been meaning to note this here. Alice in Wonderland was brilliantly done. I must admit, and this will come as no surprise to you that the costumes were my favorite part of the movie. I absolutely loved Alice's gowns. They were dramatic and gorgeous beyond belief.

Practice Hospitality

Sharing a few inspiring pages from Life: Beautiful. With the winter season behind us, we are now awakening from hibernation and opening our doors to spring!

Crepe Cake

Speaking of springtime and hospitality, our first knitting and crafting gathering of the season was hosted by Melissa. What to bring for brunch? I was set to make a cake and headed to the market for a few little ingredients. While I was waiting at the long check-out line, I picked-up the April edition of Martha Stewart Living magazine. In it I found the most enticing looking cake that I thought was absolutely perfect for a brunch menu. So back to the market aisle I went for some meyer lemons.

Meyer Lemon Crepe Cake

courtesy of Martha Stewart Living

Ingredients for Meyer Lemon Curd

Topped with Candied Meyer Lemons

It is true that this delightful cake was easy to make as the ingredients can be prepared the night before and assembled the morning after. However, a few forewarnings for those of you who may attempt to follow the magazine's recipe to a tee. In order to get the height of the picture from the magazine, it will require twice, maybe even three times the amount of crepe batter. The crepe batter is also paper thin so in addition, I made my own batch of crepe from my recipe and layered them in between to create a fuller look. Lastly, the whipped cream topping is not sweet at all; sweeten it for best results or use ready made whipped cream. This simple elegant treat is something I will definitely make again, if not for the lemon curd mousse alone.

Once in a Blue Moon

Once in a blue moon my man is inspired to create something completely unexpected in our kitchen. With his busy school schedule, I believe this may be the first time he prepared dinner in over a year! I savored every bite of it. Delicious.

Billy's Bon Weekend!

Jean's wonderful birthday surprise for her husband Billy was a weekend getaway to Michigan to watch the Muse concert. How lucky were we for this special visit!?

The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.

Elisabeth Foley

In celebration of Billy's birthday...

our French inspired weekend began with a French meal.

Served in true Parisienne time at 10 p.m.

Happiness is the only word to describe seeing Billy and Jean again.

By the strike of midnight, the gateau au chocolat was lit...

for a birthday wish!

We ate and talked until the wee hours of the morning;

where brunch followed at Zola Cafe & Bistro.

Then off to another surprise we go...

Pastry Chef Cecilia was more than happy to play along with the surprise!

Big lovers of the French macaron, we were going to learn how to make this most delicate and precious confectionery.

Understanding what lies behind this delicate cookie and learning the technique in baking it is essential. Pastry Chef Cecilia's teaching method equipped us with both.

After demonstrating with the sweet potato macaron...

we were ready to make our own.

pretty Jean

pretty in pink

Boxed and frozen for their trip back home.

almond and coffee

pistachio and raspberry

vanilla

Cecilia's macarons were absolutely delightful and delectable. After the pastry class, we bid her Merci and À bientôt!

Off the Muse concert they went.

They were home by midnight and we once again ate and talked until the wee hours of the morning.

This was one of those rare times we wished we didn't have to sleep at all. We were having so much fun and didn't want it to end so soon. A special time indeed, the kind that that you put away in your box of treasures.

Jean & Billy:

Thank you for making another special trip to see us.

Thank you for your friendship.

Thank you for the laugher.

Thank you for the sweets.

We'll always have Paris and macaron. Until next time...