Great Fosters Afternoon Tea

Sometimes when I have recurring prayer requests on matters that haven’t been answered, the counsel  I receive is to leave the things that I can not control in God’s hands; wait for His perfect timing, perfect way, perfect will. Certain difficulties need to happen for the benefit of what God is trying to do in…

Secret Travel Tip at Kensington Palace

The Orangery was originally built for Queen Anne in 1704 at the Kensington Palace grounds to house orange and lemon trees which would otherwise not grow in the cold London weather. The elegant architecture and beautiful garden setting more private than the palace itself evolved into her fashionable court entertainment venue. Since its early years…

Cream or Jam First For Your Scones? – Claridge’s

Founded in 1812, the legendary five-star hotel, Claridge’s in the posh Mayfair district of London has had long established affiliations with royalty and is said to have been instrumental as well (besides the Duchess of Bedfordshire, Anna Russell of Woburn Abbey) for popularizing the British tradition of Afternoon Tea. Their afternoon tea in Thierry Despont’s grand…

French Cooking and Farmhouse Living at Le Gargantua with Marlene Deparis

9 Things I Appreciate About Le Gargantua’s cooking course: Hands-on learning, with sufficient explanations Taught by a French-born authentic cook but conducted in English Cooking Course Fee  includes Stay-in at French Farmhouse in the Southwest France   countryside (no need to worry about additional accommodations, meals, and trip to Casteljaloux/ no hidden costs) Family atmosphere…

24 Hours In Bordeaux (In Between Cooking Courses)

The major reason for my France trip was the Manger (Cooking) Workshop with Mimi Thorisson in Medoc.  To maximize my trek to the other side of the globe, I looked for other activities to do in the vicinity and found the cooking course with Marlene Deparis of Le Gargantua.  Meanwhile, there was one day in…

Bordeaux Region: Real en Medoc Stay and Saint Julien Dinner

Many years ago, I visited Le Cordon Bleu (Pasadena) inquiring about taking up a course to upgrade my kitchen work skills. But because the course required several months of staying in California while my kids were still in grade school in Manila, the choice was easy: drop the idea and find other ways.  I then…

Casa Daza Dad’s Recipe for Enjoying His Young Adult Kids

(Extension of Fathers’ Inspirational stories for Fathers‘ Month of June) Cool dad, Sandy Daza, has four young adult kids.  Franco (28 years old), Ali (24), Turo (23), Danielle (20) inherited their beautiful mother, Tessa’s, and dad’s good looks and talents. Franco just graduate from college. Turo is a VJ in MYX at ABS-CBN. Both men…

Woburn Abbey: Afternoon Tea Tradition Birthplace

As my deer, errr, as my dear friend, Monique and I entered the grounds of the Woburn Abbey, I couldn’t help but break out into whisper-singing this song: As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship Thee Monique spontaneously…

Woburn Abbey: Where Afternoon Tea Ritual Started

As my deer, errr, as my dear friend, Monique and I entered the grounds of the Woburn Abbey, I couldn’t help but break out into whisper-singing this song: As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee You alone are my heart’s desire and I long to worship Thee Monique spontaneously…