Author Archives: Scribe Doll
FEASTS & FANCIES: Back to Basic Tomato Sauce
When I am run down emotionally I find preparing food very healing. I choose the word preparing deliberately. Healthy and healing cooking involves preparation. Preparing the ingredients, the utensils, the table. Preparing the dish as a whole. Preparing yourself first … Continue reading
Sinatra and Bennett – soundtracks to a childhood
I was very sad to hear of Tony Bennett’s passing, a couple of weeks ago. The last of the great crooners, I thought. Crosby, Como, Bennett and, of course, Sinatra. I was in Venice when I heard an American tourist … Continue reading
Chocolates Notes is Temporarily Closed
It feels so strange not to have been able to drop into Chocolate Notes these past two weeks. Fiamma is on a mini concert tour, Jan has gone to visit his parents in Antwerp for a few days and Chrystelle, … Continue reading
On the 400th anniversary of William Byrd’s death, I am reposting this…
Tallis versus Byrd – when you lack the appropriate vocabulary
Originally posted on Scribe Doll:
“You can really tell if it’s Byrd or Tallis from the first few bars?” H. likes some Early and 16th Century music, but is more of a Romantic and 20th Century man. He likes passion…
FEASTS & FANCIES @ CHOCOLATE NOTES: Chocolat Cocktail à la Menthe
After a difficult week, the feeling of grey heaviness in my heart is immediately dispelled by the opening bars of George Gershwin’s overture to Oh, Kay! J. S. Bach reminds me that the world makes sense and Gershwin makes me … Continue reading
FEASTS & FANCIES @ CHOCOLATE NOTES: A Yoghurt Dip for Storytellers
A group of us meet at Chocolate Notes* every New Moon to tell a story. When the New Moon happens to be on a Sunday (when the CD shop cum café is closed), we meet on the evening before or … Continue reading
FEASTS & FANCIES @ CHOCOLATE NOTES: Cinnamon Cocoa
It’s always difficult to find a table on a Saturday evening, but this time Chocolate Notes is positively heaving, so much so that you can barely hear the aptly chosen New London Consort recording of Carmina Burana over the hubbub. … Continue reading
FEASTS & FANCIES: Aubergine & Fava Bean Bake
FEASTS & FANCIES: Of Chocolate and Chestnuts
My mother didn’t particularly care for food. She seldom expressed any joy towards it and made sure I was trained to show no more than polite enthusiasm when praising a dish. One of my early childhood memories is of being … Continue reading