improvements

mother nature.  spring rains.  flowers, flowers, flowers.  these photos make me want to put on my rain boots and take a long walk down wet sidewalks to admire spring flowers.  southern california just doesn't get lush greens of springtime that look like this.  something tells me i'll be looking for flowering branches at the farmer's market this week...  sigh.

tea party

recently, i hosted a tea party for a couple of friends, which i had been wanting to do for a while.  i made three types of tea sandwiches: curried chicken salad, cucumber and cream cheese, and turkey.  for dessert, i made gingerbread tea cakes, lime shortbread cookies, and an almost-flourless chocolate cake with white chocolate cream.  it was all quite refined, if i do say so myself...except for that cake.  the cake was pure decadence.  i used this recipe.  i've made it before and it is seriously rich and delicious and i love it in a way that only a true chocolate lover can (obsessively).  it also happens to be delightfully boozy -- bourbon-soaked -- a quality that only intensifies after a day or two.  i highly recommend it.