Since time immemorial the ruling elite of this country have contemplated how best to fund the armies that protect the empire, maintain the roads and infrastructural needs of the country, and finance various public expenditures. Taxation has always been the answer but in different forms. Once upon a time, just about 400 years ago, it was the humble window that was taxed. Continue reading “The Window Tax of Yore”
Every first Sunday of the month we celebrate the birthday and anniversary of our church members and regular attendees, and baking a cake for this occasion is part of my ministry. On Saturday morning I was on Pinterest trying to find a no-bake cake recipe (the oven is broken), and found this Napoleon Cake. I made a few changes though; for the biscuit (or cookies) I wanted to use Graham Crackers but the American Food Shop in our neighbourhood didn’t have any. I then decided to go to Portobello Market to find Graham Crackers but for some reasons, all the shops I went to didn’t have it so I settled on using a similar biscuit called ‘Maria’ after I saw them at Garcia’s, a Spanish food shop on Portobello Road. In the Philippines this biscuit is called ‘Marie’ and I grew up eating them. Haven’t had them for ages actually, and seeing them again after so many years certainly brought back a lot of fun memories. 🙂 Continue reading “No Bake Napoleon Cake”
There are so many great places to take tea in London and it’s hard to choose a favourite. So last week I couldn’t decide where to go until I remember that a diplomat friend of mine told me to try Lancaster Hotel’s new playful twists on the traditional afternoon tea. And that’s where my friend Yasmin and I went to celebrate her birthday. Continue reading “ARTea for a Birthday”
Condoleeza Rice is unarguably one of the most influential women in the world today. She became the youngest and first female National Security Advisor, and the first black female Secretary of State. Her childhood and upbringing clearly set the scene in a way that will make anyone reading this book to conclude that her parents deserve the credit given to them by their daughter. She was born and grew up in segregated South in the 1950s with music-loving parents, both educators (her dad was also a Methodist preacher), who encouraged her from an early age to excel twice than her peers. Continue reading “Extraordinary, Ordinary People by Condoleezza Rice”
Prompted by a sweet looking fresh strawberries, raspberries and other fruits I picked up at the Farmer’s Market, I’ve been eating shortcakes with various fruits. Yesterday I made my favorite shortcake recipe (Nigella Lawson’s), and had two biscuits worth of mixed berries and whipped cream. I garnished with some fresh mint and that added a delightful touch. Today I had biscuits left, but no more fresh fruits so I took some frozen blueberries (I always keep a big bag in the freezer reserved for smoothies), thawed them and tossed them with a bit of sugar. What do you know?! Blueberry shortcake is pretty delicious as well. Continue reading “Not Tired of Eating a Fruit Shortcake”
This time last year we were billeted at Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel before we returned to London, and I meant to write a review of our visit but life gets in the way, and other plans happen. I finally got to finish the draft I wrote last year.
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. So when it comes to a hotel, the lobby needs to be the showpiece. As such, when I enter a hotel I always observe every detail in the foyer so I don’t entirely miss the impressive entrance hall they have so cleverly crafted. Continue reading “Nostalgia”
My background in the fashion industry made me appreciate fashion for what it is – subjective, fleeting and temporal. I have to admit, being a Christian has a lot to do with how I view fashion, and everything else for that matter. I don’t follow or keep up with the latest trend. I am more of a classic dresser and don’t dare try new vogue. I like softly draped dresses, frill skirts, silk tops — clean, feminine and uncomplicated clothing. I hardly buy clothes but I like to buy fabrics and take them to a dressmaker for made-to-measure clothes. Continue reading “Fashion & Aesthetic Revelry”
This should have been posted a couple of months back, around Christmas time, but life gets in the way and other plans happen. Over the years I try to make different gingerbread figures based on some iconic buildings in London like Big Ben, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, etc.
Continue reading “Gingerbread Tower Bridge”
It was a great blessing to have Mom with us for Christmas last year. She and I were able to go out for tea during her brief visit, and we had a wonderful tea-time in a marvellous setting. But before I’m quite there, allow me a little leeway to dwell upon Mom. At least I hope you will.
Continue reading “Afternoon Tea with Mom at St. Ermin's Hotel”