Good morning darlings, sunny Sunday and a day of rest. Yesterday was enchanting, thoroughly splendid from the start to the finishing post.
What a day for the races, an F.F ( fabulous friend) invited us to join her in her box to see their horse run, what a treat!!! Glorious gals and plenty of Champagne made for a winning combination. Adding sunshine and backing winners made it perfect.
Don’t you just love her?
I bet the creature didn’t have a mare with ones hair as I did.
Later after slipping into something more comfortable it was on to a Greek feast. The table was groaning under the strain of all the incredible food( as were we) every dish was tastier than the last and the kindness, love and hospitality was overwhelming. A delicious evening.
As you know darlings one is a fan of R.L. Both R.Ls
Isn’t Ricky’s coat terrific?
One has always adored the Laurens, they seem to live a charmed life. Who couldn’t love a woman who wears a tie more than her husband?
Twins!
Not related, thank God.
” le smoking” looking hot!
Even the stylish get it wrong sometimes. Darling lose the sandals .
Now she opens her doors to her home in the Hamptons so we can take a glimpse into the Laurens’ private world and share some of her elegant recipes.
The lifestyle of the lucky loved up Laurens.
The perfect Summer read, if it doesn’t make one green with envy.
Brown paper sick bag supplied .
Nope.
Or take me to Chelsea.
You do however sing me love songs.
Maybe one should find a flower buying Russian? Apparently they are rife in Chelsea. But would they know all the words to G.M?
Every year one threatens to put it in the diary, every year one is surprised and caught out ( really?) having failed to make a date.
Wasn’t it delightful seeing our monarch having a day off ,kicking back in her hair net and spending time in the garden?
If one doesn’t have green fingers one can pay someone that does.
Joan Collins looking heady in pink.
Another looking shocking in pink.
Joan’s boyfriends, lovely day out for the pensioners.
A reminder of what’s to come.
It’s so blooming hot darlings this wilting wall flower would need countless refreshments en route. Do you think they’ll have sprinklers? One has always been partial to an old soak .
Daff lovers. Picking up tips, one thinks/hopes. Maybe an Oligarch or two.
Hat lovers.
One can’t resist. For next year darlings.
Will it/I need watering?
Hip hip hip hooray.
Good morning darlings, did you know Inverness was hotter than Ibiza yesterday? Golly, how are those pasty face Scots going to manage?
Having a pasty face oneself it is tricky getting enough joy and exposure out of the day without ending up in A.&E .
My sister on the other hand can bake for England without a bun in sight.
Brown as a berry in 10 minutes flat. Sickening.
If the sun so much as looks at me one withers. Far better suited to sitting under an umbrella/in an air conditioned bar with a tall drink.
Having a hat handy can save one from passing out and getting freckles/wrinkles. As you know darlings, any excuse for a hat.
The Panama.
Perfect.
A Summer essential, great legs help.
Celebrity favourite.
Mr.Connery looking dapper.
Ms.Spears looking crapper.
If the classic Panama could ever be improved, one would give it a larger brim. 7 inches of shade, wonderful for garden or beach and super for Henley.
Glorious sunshine my darlings, whilst others are jetting into Nice..
Luggage envy.
Spot the Italian husband with his casually draped jumper.
Another F.F will mostly be enjoy this
The closest poor Mrs.Lee is going to get is this;
As soon as the sun comes out my husband takes his top off.
Which results in this;
Soft tops are for girls with short hair or for Grace Kelly who never went anywhere without her headscarf. One would rather look like a Rod Stewart impersonator than someone about to collect her pension. Yes darlings, it is a fine line.
A short while later we had the place to ourselves.
Not a soul . Maybe the hair scared them off?
Fish and chips de rigueur . Naturellement .
Having always been a Magpie girl one took a leaf out of the dish that is James Martin’s book and sold our soul to Trenchers and had the haddock .
One must always listen to James. When it comes to food he knows what he’s talking about.
Good morning darlings, a bad start to the day at Chez Lee as we seem to have run out of tea. Haven’t been able to stomach coffee for 22 years which coincides nicely ( or not)with pregnancy. You’d have thought that one would’ve been able to get back on the java train by now but it appears that a cup of Joe could make one throw.
Tea has always been associated with England. When ever we are shocked or upset it is a crutch. Popping the kettle on for refreshment and comfort. Everything stops for tea, however not everyone stops ( stands) for the Queen.
” Off with their heads”
Rather rousing for a Tuesday.
As you know my darlings, one adores the Queen ( think of dear old Queenie the beach hut in her patriotic splendour) and tea ( how one longs for a tea room) and of course as much pomp and circumstance as one could shake a stick at . An F.F ( fabulous friend) brought this article in the press to ones attention.
The combination is here. God Save the Queen.
A v.patriotic lady indeed. Frightfully fond of Her Majesty and tea, hurrah!
However after this splendid woman made a point of playing the National Anthem at 3.00pm on the dot ( in HER tea room)and requesting all patrons to stand ( rightly so) 3 tartars refused. One was happy to hear that they were ejected .
Bravo!
” One is not amused”
Far more amusing from notonthehighstreet
One also likes gin.
Golly, one will start to look like fish and chips soon.
Dear old Queenie, doesn’t she deserve a new garland to dress her up for the jubilee ??
If you don’t have a Queenie don’t despair my darlings. It would be equally splendid on a dresser or shelf in the kitchen.
From Thornback and Peel
What are you doing for the Diamond Jubilee? How marvy that Elizabeth and I will be sharing the same weekend. My birthday weekend. One presumes there’ll be trifle??
Delia Smith
1 pint (570 ml) double cream
1 oz (25 g) caster sugar
1 level teaspoon cornflour
5 trifle sponge cakes
2 oz (50 g) flaked almonds, lightly toasted
some raspberry jam
2 fl oz (55 ml) sherry
8 oz (225 g) fresh or frozen raspberries
2 small bananas, peeled and sliced thinly
You will also need a large glass bowl.
Method
Break the sponge cakes in pieces and spread a little raspberry jam on each piece. Then put them into a large glass bowl and sprinkle the raspberries and sherry over them, giving everything a good stir to soak up the sherry. To make the custard, heat ½ pint (275 ml) of the double cream in a small saucepan. Blend the egg yolks, sugar and cornflour together thoroughly in a basin, and when the cream is hot, pour it over the egg mixture, stirring the whole time. Now return the custard to the saucepan and stir over a very low heat until thick, them remove it and allow to cool. Slice the bananas, sprinkle them in amongst the raspberries and pour the custard over the sponge cakes. Whip up the remaining ½ pint (275 ml) of cream and spread it over the top. Decorate with the flaked almonds. Cover and chill for 3 or 4 hours before serving.
Good morning darlings, dragging through ones airing cupboard is such a chore and 1 out of the 4 napkins has gone astray. Beach napkins with sweet little lobsters. Perfect for seafood suppers or picnics on the beach.
Maybe it’s time to invest in some more?
From Thornback and Peel.
They do smashing deck chairs but alas not for lobster lovers. Their jelly wallpaper is to die for!
Lobster is always such a treat. If a lobster cocktail or a risotto is on the menu then it will be ordered. Pronto.
As with Champagne it is offered at a special occasion however everyday is a good day for either. Non?
We have Champagne Tuesdays just for the hell of it.
Lobster roll at the coast ?
Ingredients
1 tablespoon butter, softened
4 hot dog buns split.
4 lettuce leaves
1 1/2 pounds cooked lobster meat
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 dash hot pepper sauce (e.g. Tabasco™)
2 green onions, chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste
1 pinch dried basil, parsley or tarragon
Directions
Lightly butter the insides of the buns or rolls and line with lettuce leaves. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, lime juice, hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper until well blended. Mix in the green onion and celery, then lightly mix in the lobster so it just gets coated without falling apart.
Stuff the lobster filling into the buns and sprinkle parsley, basil or tarragon lightly over the filling.
Simply add Capri pants and flip flops to think you’re in Maine.
OPI Eat Mainely Lobster nail polish. Perfect for toes too.
Lobster? Is it not glamorous ?
Gilded crustaceans for the bathroom.
Or the mantle.
From notonthehighstreet
At dinner parties we try not to be too poncy and serve up a roast or a lasagne, maybe a cottage pie.We want to be with our guests darlings and not in the kitchen .
Next on the hit list is this;
For sure!
Mac ‘n’ cheese with the volume turned up. Great reviews.
From The Neelys
4 tablespoons butter, plus 1 tablespoon for greasing dish
Kosher salt
1 pound penne pasta
2 small shallots, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons tomato paste
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup white wine
4 cups heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 bay leaf
2 cups shredded sharp white Cheddar
2 cups shredded Gruyere
2 (8-ounce) raw lobster tails, defrosted if frozen, meat removed from shell, chopped
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup freshly chopped parsley leaves
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and adjust racks to the middle. Grease a 13 by 9-inch baking dish with butter.
In a large pot of boiling salted water over medium heat, add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and reserve.
Add 4 tablespoons butter to a large pot over medium heat. Once the butter shimmers, add the shallots and garlic and saute until translucent. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the tomato paste and flour and stir to toast, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the white wine and reduce, by half, about 2 minutes. Slowly add the cream, whisking well to remove any lumps. Add the paprika, cayenne, and bay leaf. Bring the cream up to a simmer and turn the heat to low. Let reduce until the cream is thick and can coat a spoon, about 5 to 10 minutes. When thickened, remove the bay leaves.
Stir in the grated cheeses, a handful at a time, combining well after each addition. Add the chopped lobster meat to the sauce and stir well. Add the pasta and stir. Add to the greased baking dish and sprinkle with the panko crumbs and parsley. Bake for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle individual servings with parsley.
Sharp cheese is mature. Heavy cream is double. Must invest in some American measuring cups too. Maybe some coral/lobster red napkins.
This doesn’t look too difficult but napkin folding was never my forte .
Darlings do you long for something heavenly to watch on the box? How much tosh must we endure? As for the soaps , gloom gloom and more gloom.
One wants to be whisked away on a delightful journey to Paris or Rome or even the far East with glamour and humour to boot. A love story perhaps.
Correction, a love story ALWAYS.
Having stumbled upon a gem one feels it necessary to share.
Mrs. ‘arris goes to Paris. Delightful.
A must for any romantic girl especially if to be enjoyed alone.
” Mrs Harris is a salt-of-the-earth London charlady who cheerfully cleans the houses of the rich. One day, when tidying Lady Dant’s wardrobe, she comes across the most beautiful thing she has ever seen in her life – a Dior dress. In all the years of her drab and humble existence, she’s never seen anything as magical as the dress before her and she’s never wanted anything as much before. Determined to make her dream come true, Mrs Harris scrimps, saves and slaves away until one day, after three long, uncomplaining years, she finally has enough money to go to Paris.”
Dear Angela Lansbury and Omar Sherrif are too sweet for words.
A frock from the House of Dior. Well? Wouldn’t you?
Remember Gwyneth
Who doesn’t ?
Ghastly display .
Talking of ghastly display…
This sister looks more suited to Pantomime . Rouge be gone !
What go they say? Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery?
Whimsical fancies and fripperies galore.
Bright coloured bunting and delicious cocktails.
Cupcakes and recipes simple to follow.
My darlings, it's all a bit bonkers and delightful to have you pop by.
Take the weight of your Louboutins and pull up a chair.
Shove the cat off first, he is not a cushion.
