The Vintage Chateau

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Pasadena or Paris?

Pasadena or Paris?

I've just returned from a short trip to Pasadena, California one of my very favorite cities. While strolling through Old Town I couldn't help but notice the similarities between the two cities...

I first noticed several "French" shops-

and more than one boulangerie where I started my morning with a croissant au chocolat.

The weather is pleasant and every street has sidewalk cafes with diners enjoying a meal al fresco.

There are eye catching window displays with the latest in fashion and home decor.

One shop had it own European village and country barnyard!

While it's not the Louvre, Pasadena is home to the

Norton Simon Art Museum featuring an extensive collection of renowned artists such as Monet, Van Gogh, Pissaro, Rembrandt, Degas (you get the idea!)

The Norton Simon sculpture garden.

Plus, there's some fun and funky street art!

There are charming alleyways, antique stores, and boutiques to explore.

Limoge "Lady and the Unicorn "plates patterned after the tapestries in the Cluny Museum in Paris.

And did I mention the architecture?

I could go on and on.

I realize there is really no substitute for Paris, but if you can't get to France, a weekend in Pasadena is a charming alternative!

I like to join

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Tuesday Treasure @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Be Inspired @ Common Ground

Open House @ No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch

Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Sunday, December 14, 2014

Last week I took these cookies to my neighbor's Cookie Exchange and I wanted to share the recipe. These cookies are a family favorite, with the recipe coming from an old Better Homes and Gardens magazine that featured my father-in-law's cousin, Winnifred Jardine. Winnifred was an amazing cook who had a regular cooking column in the newspaper. I've taken her original recipe and "kicked it up a notch" by dipping it in white chocolate. Either plain or dipped they are the perfect Christmas cookie, soft, chewy and full of holiday spices!

The ingredients - flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, butter, sugar, an egg and molasses.

The process is like any regular drop cookie - cream butter with the sugar, add the egg and molasses and beat well. Add the flour, baking soda, salt and spices. Mix until well combined.

Roll dough into balls and dip or roll in sugar. I like to use sanding sugar, the crystals are a bit bigger.

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.

Let cookies cool completely, then melt a bag of white chocolate chips acccording to package.

Dip each cookie into the white chocolate and place on a

sil-pat or wax paper to dry.

These package up beautifully for gift giving-

if they last that long!

Big Soft Ginger Cookies

2 1/4 cups flour
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup butter at room temp
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
2 Tbsp sugar

Combine flour, ginger, soda, cinnamon. cloves salt; set aside.
In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and molasses. Slowly add flour mixture and combine thoroughly.
Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls and roll in additional sugar. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes until light brown and puffed. (Do not over bake!)
Cool completely on rack. If desired, dip into melted white chocolate and cool until set.
Makes 2 dozen large cookies.

I like to join these parties
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper