Freshly Glazed Danish

Freshly Glazed Danish, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Danish treats are fun to make. The dough takes time to prepare, then rest between turns and shaping the individual Danish takes practice. The shapes, fillings and glazes are what differentiates the types there are to choose from. Here are but a few.

In my opinion, hot out of the oven is the best way to enjoy them. Yummy.

Eye Of The Moon

Eye Of The Moon, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Eye of The Moon

Oh radiant shining gleam
Magnificent alabastar light
You honor us all
By your presence

I yearn to embrace drink
Your beauty with my eyes
To learn of such secrets
You have seen through ages

Your face partially hidden
Reveals the Eye of The Moon
Impartially dazzling me
To reach and touch splendor

My heart pulled senses reel
Your haunting rhapsody
Drives me into the night
To stare at your golden hue

Written by: Theresa H. Hall

Copyright ©2008

My Pastillage`

My Pastillage`, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Made from a few ingredients which harden but is still extremely fragile, pastillage` is used to create a centerpiece or a holder for desserts. I am quite pleased with this piece.

I use this photo as my Avatar. The fruit is colored marzipan. My grapefruit is rather large though. Artistic License! February 2005.

Praline Japonaise Gateaux

Praline Japonaise Gateaux, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

2 9″ japonaise or dacquoise round disks, fully baked
1 9″ 1/2 ” slice of genoise cake
1/2 butter cream recipe
3 T praline paste, to taste
2 cups rum syrup
3 c toasted sliced almonds
pink fondant for decor finish

Assembly:
1) Anchor nut meringue to the plate. Spritz with rum syrup.
2) Spread praline butter cream over the bottom layer.
3) Spritz both sides of the slice of genoise cake and place on filling.
4) Add another layer of praline butter cream.
5) Cover with top layer of nut meringue.
6) Ice entire cake with butter cream.
7) Pat toasted sliced almonds against sides and top of cake. Pipe pink fondant on top and center of cake. Classic finish.

Yields 20 slices. Serve fresh.

The Real Me

Photo 43, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

I like this type of photo art as it portrays an Andy Warhol theme, very much like the Campbell’s Soup Can Art. It really is a bit fascinating to be able to manipulate the colors and phased-out and softened features.

The real me is a contradiction of a mirage of talents, which if whisked together would become a muddied mess. However, brief glimpses of the real me are better seen in their complex stages; of writer, vocalist, poet, painter, artist, broadcaster, critic, French pastry graduate, musician, friend, wife, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, lover, flirt and sometimes recluse.

The perception of me is different, depending on who is doing the looking and then the most obvious one is from my point of view. The contradiction comes into play because I have an ever-changing nature and my moods are considerable. Being a woman is difficult yet delicious indeed.

Just ask my husband as he claims to understand me but I have always kept him on his toes. He says I am predictable but he never knows exactly what I will do next. I mean it stands to reason that I would perform the normal daily routines according to plan but when it comes to my way of thinking I can really confuse him.

So, I decided to come clean and put a face to the writer. I never know what I look like from time to time. Whenever I pass a mirror and happen to glance at my reflection I sometimes am a little astonished by how different I appear. My mind takes me on everyday journeys and then the realities of the world crash in on my otherwise sensitive and creative soul. I am saddened by how angry the world has become and think to hide myself away.

I used to look in the mirror all of the time, but no more. Being married will do that to you. You no longer want to make sure the allure is written on your face and being more circumspect, it doesn’t seem to matter because one shouldn’t draw too much attention to oneself.

So there you have it. Tomorrow I will be different but hopefully in another creative mood. Cheers!

Ganache Japonaise Gateaux

Ganache Japonaise Gateaux, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Two Japonaise meringue disks are slow baked and completely dried. Dark chocolate ganache is piped with a large star tip and sandwiched in between. 10X sugar is sifted over the top. It’s so rich, the crunch of the disk and the smoothness of the ganache is a great combination.

Sunflowers or Unfinished Business

Spring and Sunflowers, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Is it just me, or are there more of you out there, who begin things but end up never getting around to finishing them? “Why do I do this?” I ask myself. When I began this painting, I was having difficulty figuring out how to make the front side of the flower have it’s petals coming out toward the viewer. I decided to think about it and as you can plainly see, I never completed the work.

It’s not just this either. I have unfinished ideas, thoughts, song lyrics, poems, stories and inventions laid about … all of them patiently waiting for the artist to pick them up and put on the finishing touches.

I paint, sculpt, and write creatively in my head. Then I make notes, write out good intentions, place various stickies possessing these ideas and phone numbers with names, in safe spots, until I can record them on my phone, or in the still unused address book.

Justifiably, I find I can blame the Internet, and E-mail for this part, at least. They have the address book section and if you ever go into the add contact space, you will see there is enough storage for an individuals life story, let alone their email, home, business addresses. Plus there are spaces to enter all of the various phone numbers too!

The pages upon pages of printed materials from the Internet, which I never quite find the time to organize completely, hide in their own stacks hoping to be read at least once more. They very well could be cosigned to the trash bin, but only after a prolonged stay in a drawer, pile, cardboard box or one of my brief cases.

Simple enough. There is a need for an organizer. When I worked in an office, everything was, for the most part, in its place, neatly organized. Perhaps I should wave a flag, with the hopes of being rescued and that some kind person straightens out the endless papers, receipts, records and creative projects which need finishing. Or better yet, maybe, just maybe I will work on this painting again. I’ll think about it.

Home … Part One

Brioche Parisienne Loaf, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

“When are you going to sing to us again Mummy?” The young voices demanded. The children all giggled and brushed up against my long skirts. Daphne with her cascading golden ringlets, and bright smiling eyes, danced about. Her cheeks were chubby and she had small rosy lips, which were pouting. Peter, who was already tall, at the age of ten, grinned and holding his sister’s hand, agreed by chanting, “Sing to us Mother, sing.”

“All right children,” I told them. “Just let me take the bread out of the oven.” As I moved across the brick floor to take the potholders for protection, against the oven’s heat, I understand that as soon as I sang there would be pleas for my delicious bread and jam. Bread removed and set up high to cool before slicing, I could see their lips gliding over the tops of their lips with hungry anticipation.

I sat them down before me and I picked up my old and well-used guitar. I had already tuned it prior to their coming into the kitchen so I commenced strumming out their favorite song. Their rapt attention was apparent by the hushed movements they made while settling down.

I closed my eyes and in my low voice I sang out the words that they loved so well.

My Bonnie lies over the ocean … My Bonnie lies over the sea … My Bonnie lies over the ocean … Oh, bring back my Bonnie to me.

They clapped their hands and then asked for some bread.