Monday, July 27, 2009

Catch - Up

I haven't posted in ages, but I've just uploaded some pictures from the last month onto my computer and I figured it was a good time to do so!

First some cooking pictures...



This is Julia Child's Cheese Souffle recipe from Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I know it doesn't look like much, but it was really delicious! A perfect light meal for a Vegetarian Tuesday.

Next are some cream scones (recipe here)



These were amazing! According to Eddy, these scones were much more of a traditional English scone than most you find in America. They were moist and flaky - pretty much the same texture as a biscuit - and just barely sweet. I did just currants the first time (yummy) but then did another batch with craisins and orange zest (SUPER yummy). This is definitely a great recipe, one I'll be making over and over again.

Other updates:
My room is painted! It's a bright sherberty orange on three walls and a lovely turquoise on the fourth. The room is so cheerful that I absolutely love being in it. We've rearranged my furniture too so now the room seems to have way more space than before. I've even brought in a rocking chair and have a little reading nook.

Eddy and I are leaving for Bend on Friday (woohoo, 6 hour drive with no air-conditioner!) for his family reunion and then we're heading down to Northern California to do some spelunking at the Lava Beds National Monument. I've been looking forward to this since we came back from Crater Lake. Hopefully it won't be too hot!

It's way too hot for Poulsbo right now and I just don't feel like doing anything. Off to bed!

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Book Review - Four Queens

Four Queens: The Provencal Sisters Who Ruled Europe Four Queens: The Provencal Sisters Who Ruled Europe by Nancy Goldstone


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book! Goldstone's writing was so engaging - much different from most other historical texts that I've read - that I could hardly stop reading this book. It details the lives of four sisters from Provence who marry the kings of France, England, Germany and Sicily. The books begins with the history of the parents of the Provencal sisters and their future husbands and ends with their eventual deaths. Their stories encompass crusades, civil wars and other great political dramas. While the political intrigues are oftentimes convoluted, the author leads the reader clearly around the key issues and illuminates the characters of the lead players. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, and not just those interested Medieval history.


View all my reviews >>

Saturday, July 4, 2009