The cakes are finally done, tea is getting ready to be served, just as Furtunato predicted ;) Wasn't he funny and wise??? Tee hee! I must confess though, in the manner in which I am channeling Furtunato through words (ahem), is the only way I made it through all my schooling. With a heavy dose of invention, and not enough bookdom I am sure 🙂
While that was going on….
My paint brush has been having some fun, with cakes and bows and…
Mini fairy-cakes too…
Tea and sweets are being served now, yes, this is true!
Pick your favorite treat, like cream puffs, or marbled tea cake…
Have some honey in your tea? asks Zippy, the kindest bee…
Take your time to make your choice.
New paintings to browse, as we choose our edibles…
This lass is on a large size canvas, measuring –
20" x 24" – 1.5" deep.
And, is officially looking for a home…
Tea And Sweets with Amélie
But wait, across the cobble stone street, at the French pâtisserie, it's time for delectable bites too, I see…
Marguerite is up to her magic again…
Ooo, chocolate croissants!!
And…
Lavender cake too!
Yumm!
I've gone to such a sweet world painting these, that I had to make some custard for strawberry tarts during my break…
The custard is cooling… the tart shell a-baking…
Whilst the little gal below, searches for a home as well.
At the Pâtisserie with Marguerite
Measures 16" x 20" and is 1.5" deep
Both can be found in my shop here….
So, that is what I have been up to, while Furtunato took over the bloglette.
I think he is much more like-able than me, so perhaps he should totally take over, and I can kick back and drink cold mint tea????
What do you think?
teeheeee!
He is so soft and kind, all around lovable.
Ooo, Mister Lovee is roaming around, must have him taste the custard now.
He will be so happy!!
Off I go…
See you sooooon!
Love, V
ps: "Through the Trees ~ Enchanted Evening" is now available as a print. In the shop is a print of that piece, and also a print of the gypsy wagon alone.
I always try to make prints of my work, after the original finds a home and voyages off.
Summer gypsy nights are upon us!!
How delicious!!
(It has been over 100'F for 3 days now)
pss: The Strawberry Tart is a hit. I used this recipe.
Changes I made were in the crust. I used all butter, no shortening, and I used 5 tablespoons of "ice" water, instead of 3 of just cold water. I did not chill my dough either, instead I baked it right away, with parchment paper inside and beans as weights.
After the tart shell cooled, I filled it with the custard, which I had made much earlier per recipe.
I was not super careful with my strawberry placement. I also tossed the berries in raspberry jam before putting them on the tart (to curb the tartness of the berries). I did however, place them one by one on the tart, so that I wouldn't end up pouring all the strawberry juice and jam, that was at the bottom of the bowl, onto the top. You don't want a runny gloppy mess 🙂
It is sinfully good. My first time ever making one of these, and the custard, beyond words decadent.
A great combination of fresh berries, crunchy cookie like crust, and rich custard…
I so recommend it!
pss: Birthday party (for a doll of course) at Papillon Bleu on the 21st!! We will be there!! What fun!
Wow, the lovely Marguerite and Amelie have already been spirited away! That must make you pleased as punch. Go have another piece of that absolutely stunningly tempting strawberry tart in celebration! Those gals are absolutely beautiful, and I know they will be well-loved by their new owners!
Aaahhh…lavender cake! How sweet! Enjoy your weekend, my friend! I hope it’s not so HOT!
How wonderful! Marguerite and Amelie look so much like I imagene my two daughters as young women: both have a dream of having a bakery and a cafe. It´s something about the feeling in the characters thats has a striking resemblance to my girls.
I do hope they will be out as prints! 🙂
Thank you for everything you share, Vanessa!
I have printed out the recipe, it looks amazing! and if I eat the whole tart, I hope I too can paint as beautifully as you….I would like to sleep in the gypsy wagon under night after night of full moon’s….Its a long weekend up here….have a springtime fun and thank you………….🖤Debi
I have the biggest smile on my face that Queenie’s had all week! The paintings are delightfully delicious and full of far away fanciful flavor, total yumminess and splendor for the eyes!
Hmmm I think today Queenie would like the macaroons and Honey Man will definitely take the creme brulee (one of his favs) and we both take honey in our tea :o) What fun!!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Always, Queenie
Oh Vanessa! What sweet sweet lovely girls! I am in love with them! These treats are making me so hungry. And your tart! I am DYYYYING for it. I really can’t bake like you, you’re the best baker in the woooorlllld. Of that I’m certain.
I also wanted to thank you, oops I mean Furtunato, for the advice in the last post. It was really well said and insightful, and I am grateful for it. In fact, it sounded just about right. Perhaps you should put Furtunato in business! The two of you could make a fur-tune!
I see one has to be super quick around here to get an original of your paintings! Ce’est la vie, I shall be impatiently awaiting the prints which I know are just as gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing the recipes you use, I shall be attempting the tart this weekend! I have already tried the blueberry pie recipe you shared earlier (including the crust, thanks so much) and it was to die for, yummmm. Have a great weekend!
Oooops, I meant C’est, not Ce’est
Has there been an announcement for when the 2012 Tea Party will be? Did I miss it? You ARE having a tea party this year, right?
The paintings are beautiful.
I have to try that tart it looks so yummy.
Your new Bakery Beauties are just fabulous, Dear Vanessa!! What a sweet little world you create with your playful mind’s eye 🙂
…and please give the Mysterious and Wise Furtunato a great big belly rub from me for his kind words on my matter!
Oh, my! Your paintings are deliciously gorgeous! You are so amazingly talented 🙂
Oh how BEAUTIFUL these gals are! And the sweet treats they tempt us with…oh my! They are both so fabulous – and what work you put into them! That strawberry tart looks delicious. I do love strawberries – in fact, I picked two of them from my yard yesterday. Can’t wait for more fresh berries! And we shall have tons of currants – I see scones in the future! xoxo
Your original paintings are sooo delectable!
Who ever purchased these two ‘goodies’ are sooo very lucky! I think they are two of your finest yet~ You are definitely making me want to cook some desserts with that photo of the strawberry custard tart…Yummm!
I am participating in Papillion Bleu’s birthday party too! Should be lots of fun!
Cheers to your gypsy summer nights…and I love the print of your gypsy wagon…so very charming!
Miss Teresa
Ooooo… that looks scrumptious! =D
I’ve decided two things in the wee hours of this morning… ^-^
One, my family is going to be out about the time of Mad Tea Partying, so they’re going to get to join in the fun (YAY!)
And two, when I have my very own pastry shop, your tasty prints will decorate my walls. <3
Love & hugs!
XOXO
Your paintings look awesomly sweet and your sweet treats are making me hungry. Everything looks wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Evviva notti zingari la tua estate … e mi piace la stampa del carro zingaro … quindi molto affascinante! Tue bellezze da forno nuovi sono semplicemente favoloso, Gentile Vanessa! Che mondo piccolo dolce si crea con la mente giocosa occhio 🙂
Oh la la la la lovleeeeeeeeeeeeist of fairy cake-bakers, Is the first piece a self portrait? She could be your faerie-cake-baker twin! I’m popping into your beautiful world this morning, before a week of closings and moving and boxes and unpacking…….I’m dreading the moving, I do so abhor moving, but the have a house of one’s own….much worth it, methinks! tee hee! Wishing you many forest dreams and fairy tale cupcakes!
Beautiful paintings Vanessa!
I think Marguerite must be my favourite, but they are all wonderful. That strawberry tart looks so yummy, I think I have to try to make it someday 🙂
　　Wow, the lovely Marguerite and Amelie have already been spirited away! That must make you pleased as punch. Go have another piece of that absolutely stunningly tempting strawberry tart in celebration! Those gals are absolutely beautiful, and I know they will be well-loved by their new owners!