The Sun in Splendour

Don’t be fooled by the title. 😉 The sun hardly comes out nor do we get much sunshine in London this time of the year. And even when it’s sunny and bright, it’s still freezing cold outside. Interestingly enough, around late autumn and early winter I always come across an article in the newspapers about people in the UK being encouraged to take vitamin D supplements; and that they claim that lack of sunshine and the gloomy weather is one of the main causes of depression for a lot of people in the country. Continue reading “The Sun in Splendour” →

by Elna Categories: Tea Rooms & Restaurants

An Exhibition of Fine Jewellery, Diamonds and Precious Coloured Gemstones

I attended an event last week and saw some of the most magnificent fine jewellery recently presented in London. These extraordinary jewels were created by a friend of mine, Ines Aitken. The exhibit was held at Simon Dickinson Gallery on Jermyn Street, the most fashionable street in London back in the 17th-18th century. To this very day Jermyn Street is lined with old shops that hold ‘royal warrant’, and still cater to the desires and whims of the royals and members of the court, and of course, the old rich (members of the British aristocracy), and the nouveau riche (like the Beckhams, Mittals, et al). Continue reading “An Exhibition of Fine Jewellery, Diamonds and Precious Coloured Gemstones” →

by Elna Categories: Fashion & Aesthetics

Banqueting House on Whitehall

Many years ago I started reading books about the iconic buildings in London not only because I love history, but I enjoy taking my visiting family and friends around town, and I wanted to be able to tell them about all these remarkable buildings that we pass by as we do the city tour. The Banqueting House on Whitehall is just one of those historic buildings in Westminster that was on my ‘must visit‘ list, and a couple of months ago I had the opportunity of finally visiting it for the first time. It is the only building remaining of The Palace of Whitehall that was destroyed by fire in 1698. Continue reading “Banqueting House on Whitehall” →

by Elna Categories: Museums & Galleries

Grateful for Many Things

This morning I woke up thinking about my family in the states, and reminiscing about the numerous trips we made to the US to join Jared’s family for thanksgiving celebration. A particular passage in the scripture came to mind as I was getting out of bed, 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”   Continue reading “Grateful for Many Things” →

by Elna Categories: Up Close & Personal

A Time of Grief and Joy

That’s the shadow of the tree next to my mother’s headstone. Took that picture on the fifth anniversary of her ‘homegoing’, and I thought I was fine when I visited her at the cemetery. But I blubbered all the way home. And I remember I took a walk in the woods (my brother and his family live in a neighbourhood with loads of beautiful old trees surrounding a golf course), to pull myself together before heading back for lunch with my family. That was five years ago.  Continue reading “A Time of Grief and Joy” →

by Elna Categories: Up Close & Personal1 Comment

Oreo Chocolate Cake

I woke up this morning asking myself, “What’s going on in the world? I mean, in the political arena alone it seems like the world is going crazy. 🙂 And from whatever angle you look at it, the fanatical hype of political extremism abounds. I don’t know about you but I am sick and tired of all the political chatter on social media so I’d rather talk about food right now — about cakes, soups, comfort food — anything but politics! Continue reading “Oreo Chocolate Cake” →

by Elna Categories: Baking & Cooking

Visit to Admiralty House: One of London's Historic Landmarks

It’s a shame that some of the most historic and architecturally significant buildings in London are closed to members of the public. One of them is Admiralty House, a building next to Horse Guards Parade on Whitehall. I have been curious about this building for many years. Every time I walk around Parliament Square and Whitehall I always think of three or four of my friends who could make an arrangement for me to visit this building. But I simply didn’t bother to ask anyone. Unexpectedly, last summer one of my friends phoned to ask if I was interested in visiting some of the government buildings that are closed to the general public. Of course, I answered ‘yes’ without any hesitation.   Continue reading “Visit to Admiralty House: One of London's Historic Landmarks” →

by Elna Categories: Museums & Galleries

Celebratory Meal at Cheneston's Restaurant

“I am going to treat you, Sister Elna. Where would you like to go?” asked my friend Adiben over the phone three weeks ago. She recently got a job promotion and wanted to invite me to dinner, and asked me to pick any restaurant in Kensington. I wasn’t sure it mattered too much, I told her. She knows I am not picky with food and I’d rather have her decide where she wanna eat. Continue reading “Celebratory Meal at Cheneston's Restaurant” →

by Elna Categories: Tea Rooms & Restaurants

Black Forest Cake

Black Forest Cake (aka Swiss Black Forest Gateau) is my number one favourite cake. And it’s on top of the most delicious cakes I have made from scratch, better than any bakery or patisserie made. I found a recipe from The Cake Bible by Rose Beranbaum, award-winning American baker and cookbook author, and her version of this classic German cake was inspired by Confiserie Tschirren in Berne, Switzerland. They brought the recipe from Germany after World War II, and it has since become the national cake of Switzerland. In Rose Beranbaum’s words, “the Swiss version is far lighter and more delicate than the original German one, which also includes buttercream.” Continue reading “Black Forest Cake” →

by Elna Categories: Baking & Cooking