Cakes and Tea – Kathleen’s Blog
April 2023 – Spring Tea Party
Santa Cruz, California Menu​Salmon Mousse in Toast Boxes Beet-Pickled Deviled Eggs Chutney Cheese Spread on Country Rye and Baguette Cucumber Sandwiches Scones with Organic
March 2023 – An Irish Green Spring
Nothing is so beautiful as spring– When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush; Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens and thrush
March 2023 – Team Savory
​Above: Peggy and Kristin, at one of the Hidden Valley String Orchestra receptions, Suzi and Kristin, at the first Biscuit-Off! Competition, mini pretzel bun
February 2023 – A Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony in Honolulu
​While the sensei serves Green New Year’s tea, five colors Mingle in the clouds.  ​  My husband Wayne gave me an unusual gift for
February 2023 – Love & Chocolate
Love & ChocolateChocolate. Love. Chocolate. Love. Chocolate. Love. Chocolate. Love. Chocolate. Christmas really does slide right into St. Valentine’s Day for me. The big
January 2023 – Warming Winter Soups
After the Blizzard The black tree’s thin limbs, Fragile as starving deer, Scrape the gray sky, As though begging gold From the cold silver
January 2023 – Scones 101
​Tips and Step-by-Step Photos of Basic American-Style Scones Scones are a much beloved and anticipated feature of British afternoon tea. The rise of the
December 2022 – Sugar and Spice: Ginger for Christmas
Wonderlight The December dawn is fog filled, And the birds are frosty shadows In the brittle shrubs. Suddenly a dove emerges from the mist.
December 2022 – Holiday Scotties to Keep & Share
​I do love the chilly part of the year, with the bundling up in cozy sweaters, hats, and tartan plaids. Warm beverages of every description
November 2022 – Viva La France, Part III: November in Normandy
Thanksgiving, Northern California ​ ​ ​The honey sun oozes over this November morning After a night too chill for an old dog. He sleeps
November 2022 – First Hints of Fall
                 A Napa Vineyard wearing fall colors ​As October
October 2022 – Viva La France, Part II: Beauty and Art Along the Seine
 A pair of white swans Glides past the willows touching The green River Seine.  We said a wistful farewell to beautiful Paris
October Blog – Pumpkin Time
​Sister fall lovers will understand: life can begin again after the purgatory of summer temperatures in far Northern California. The best choice is to hide
September 2022 – Viva la France, Part I: Paris, Palaces and Paintings
​ A mouse looks for crumbs Along the wooden floor of St. Pancras Station ​ We said goodbye to London and the exquisite Savoy
August 2022 – The Latest from London Part III Traditions and Treasures
Guests A tiny finch pecks at the feeder While a few lazy pigeons Waddle through summer dust, Bobbing for lost seeds. A squirrel, her
August 2022 – Closed for the Season
​The oven is off, the kitchen is closed, just for the summer. There is one wedding cake due in late August but otherwise, I’m out
July 2022 – The Latest from London, Part II: Royal Palaces
Asking Here herons stand silent Near the shimmering pool, And egrets glide on splendid wings, Coming to light where willows Kneel beside the kind
July 2022 – A New Tea Cookbook for the Bookshelf
In celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s historic Platinum Jubilee, I ordered myself a new-to-me tea cookbook. Drawn in by Fortnum & Mason’s signature blue cover, I
June 2022 – The Latest from London, Part I, Afternoon Tea
​Summer  In summer the sparrows never tire, And the oleanders keep their color, A deeper pink than the mind of man can imagine.
June 2022 – June Cake Round-Up
What could be more June than berries, weddings, and roses? In this month’s Cakes and Tea, we’ll revel in all the pretties and look at
May 2022 – Lemon Mousse Filling for Layer Cakes (or more adventures in gelatin)
“Light and fruity†was what the bride requested for her wedding cake. A country wedding in late April does suggest something fresh and joyous.
May 2022 – Is It Time to Travel?
Calling  In early May, the innocent evening sky Can turn dark and prophetic If you wander out at twilight Thinking of feeding the
Eggs and Herbs, Easter’s Best Friends
​​A Week After Easter A week after Easter, rosebuds crown every bush And pigeons grow plump in the yard. Dogs spy a squirrel high
April 2022 – Beatrix Potter: Author, Illustrator, British Countrywoman
I grew up with a set of tiny, green hard backed children’s books; I imagine most of you, dear readers, did too. Our friends
March 2022 – There’s Always More to Learn About Tea
In the March morning, A cup of green tea; new leaves Sway in the trade winds March has arrived with fresh green leaves, blossoms,
March 2022 – Daffodil Cake for Spring
People have definite opinions about angel food cake. Chiffon cakes seem to cause less polarization. Angel food has no fat or added baking powder or
February 2022 Blog – Almonds for Valentine’s Day
February is the shortest month of the year and one of the most interesting. In some places, notably California, it is in February that
February 2022 – Bran Muffins Revisited
Breakfast baked goods tend to have their moment in the spotlight then get replaced by the next popular thing. Bagels, doughnuts, croissants, cronuts, scones,
January 2022 – Coastal Crisps: Healthy Snacks for a Happy New Year
Christmas lights still gleam On the sea on New Year’s Day; An egret descends. Another new year and another new virus! “Good grief!” as Charley
January 2022 – Poached Pear Parfaits
In January, you may be in one of two possible states of mind: exhausted from the recent holidays and all their accompanying ado or at
