George Henry Hall decided to become an artist at the age of 16, and eight years later, proceeds from the sales of his paintings enabled him to go on the first of many trips to Europe. While he loved the…
A Peach, Seville – A Poem
The Baker’s Cart – A Poem
This painting was unusual for its time for several reasons. The painter, Jean Michelin, was most certainly not commissioned to paint this, as he would have been were the family wealthy, nor were there any guarantees he could sell a…
Distelfink – A Poem
The translation for “distelfink” is literally thistle finch. This stylized bird of Pennysylvania folk art is a symbol of good luck and happiness. The Public Domain Review has a good article here about Fraktur folk art and the distelfink’s role…
Pear Tart
This puff pastry pear tart is a gloriously simple dessert. You probably have the ingredients in your pantry right now. I’ve never been a huge baker, and prefer fruit-based desserts over super-sweet options, so this pear tart is pear-fect. And…
15 Minute Meal Ideas for One, With Shortcuts!
Whether you live alone, or you don’t, there will be times when you absolutely cannot be bothered cooking. Fine, get the takeaway. Eat cereal. Or… … with a tiny amount of forward planning, you can have a nice meal in…
Vegetable & Couscous Salad with Yoghurt Mint Dressing
It’s the yoghurt mint dressing that makes this roast vegetable and couscous salad a thing of beauty. With softened roasted sweet potato or pumpkin, a crunchy green, and a creamy dressing, you have yourself a salad for all seasons. One…
National Ravioli Day – March 20 – a Meditation
Here’s a little love for the little parcels that make us happy. Ravioli are like the Sound of Music’s brown paper packages all tied up with string – some of our favourite things. And if you like my little food…
Salad With Warm Bacon Dressing and Nuts
Not that fresh greens need elevation, and not that olive oil and lemon juice can’t achieve that too. But salad with warm bacon dressing and nuts has that extra depth of flavour. And the warm dressing elevates the taste of…
Thai Green Curry
I began this website to collect together all my favourite recipes for my daughter, even if those recipes aren’t mine! RecipeTin Eats has the best recipe I’ve found for making Thai green curry, using a quality store-bought curry paste. An…
Master of the House – A Poem
Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables” was published in 1862. The Siege of Paris occurred from 1870 – 1871. This painting is dated 1875. Les Misérables the musical premiered in 1980 in Paris. I had a little fun trying put them all…
Watermelon 1597 – A Poem
The original phrases in the poem here date back to 1597 and John Gerard’s The Herball or, Generall historie of plantes. The Herball was revised in a later publication of 1633 which is my main source document. You can see…
In Service to Chocolate – A Poem
French King Louis Philippe I (1773–1850) commissioned this ornate service for his Queen Marie-Amélie (1782–1866). It was manufactured in 1836, six years after the Second French (July) Revolution (when Charles X was ousted, and Louis Philippe was proclaimed king). And…
