fêtesuzette Favorites

I love this gadget; I usually use the slightly scooped end – it works like a spatula and a spoon.  It’s an actually useful stocking stuffer or (kitchen/bridal) shower gift embellishment.  And clean-up is easy in the dishwasher.

I actually got my Braun immersion blender at a garage sale some 15 years ago – so it doesn’t look as fancy as this one (and it only has one speed), but it has proved to be an absolute work horse that never quits.  It simplifies sauce- and soup-making so much that I never hesitate to add them to my menus. 

Williams Sonoma calls this a “Prep Tools Brownie Turner” but I call it simply a really useful tool.  I use it for serving casseroles, frosting cakes, and yes, portioning out brownies (and blondies).  And because it’s silicone, it goes right into the dishwasher for easy clean-up.

The cookbook that elevated my teatime efforts, and a treasured souvenir of a wonderful cookery session in London with the author.  Giuliana demonstrated making Devonshire scones, Scottish shortbread “petticoat-tails,” and spiral salmon tea sandwiches.  This was followed by a full afternoon tea (with etiquette tips) in her beautiful sitting room.  These recipes and more (Victoria Sandwich cake, anyone? Tips on brewing tea, more recipes, and table setting ideas) are part of her charming narration.  Her voice shines through.  Please access her cookbook on her website, https://afternoontealessons.com/home/.   

This was the first book I ever read to each of my little ones: it’s a simple concept for a baby book but pulls on all the research about what newborns can see.  Black on White (available here) is just a series of black iconic-baby silhouettes (think rattle, duck, baby bottle and the like) on white backgrounds – just what a less than 4-6 week old baby can see and process.  A companion book, White on Black (here), is also available. 

Both my kids loved this book as babies.  Every page features an “interactive” bug representing an alphabet letter; for instance, you can pat the powder puff bug (for P), or lift the lid on the witty-wacky waffle bug (for W).  Watching my kids watching the book was enchanting; I could see their eyes widen and brighten as they focused.  Alpha Bugs is available here.

Both my kids loved this book; I often had to read it multiple times in one night.  No wonder they both loved building forts with pillows and blankets.  This poem has been illustrated by many artists, but the version I liked (and read) was this one. (Available here.)

Donatalee is a young girl who travels to the seaside with her family. While there, she imagines her life as a mermaid under the sea.  It’s beautifully and imaginatively illustrated by Barbara Lambase.  My daughter loved this book for years.  It was her pick for the storybook reading at her Under the Sea party when she turned seven.  And it’s available here.

This is a favorite treasure from my own childhood.  I don’t know how many times I checked it out of my local library.  It’s the story of a girl who steps into her building elevator and rides to the top, and steps out into a Victorian home some 70 years earlier.  Eventually, with the help of two similarly-aged children she meets, problems are resolved and there’s a happily-ever-after.  Back then, I liked the story because the heroine and her friends were reasonably intelligent, kind, and courteous without being preachy.   And if I tell you more, I’ll have to caution you with a Spoiler Alert – so, I won’t, but I do recommend reading it.  I did recently discover that the author wrote a sequel some 20 years later, which I will now have to read.  Time at the Top is available here, or as a set with the sequel, All in Good Time.

This is another time-travel book, which I also checked out frequently from the library.  It surprised me because the main character was a young boy, also reasonably intelligent, and kind.  The story begins when Tom is sent off to stay with an elderly aunt; his first night in her flat, he hears the grandfather clock chime 13 times at midnight.  He then steps through her door into a Victorian garden 75 years ago (or so) and discovers another world – with a mystery to solve.  (Available here.)

Miss Flower and Miss Happiness are two Japanese dolls that become the prized possessions of a young girl, used to living in India but presently newly arrived in England to live with her aunt and uncle and their children.  Making a suitable home for the dolls becomes a parallel story for the heroine making a new life for herself in England.  It’s a charming story with a bit of magic (but not the wand-waving kind).  The detailed plans and directions for building and furnishing a Japanese dollhouse are included at the end of the book and remain on my bucket list to this day (some day!).  Miss Flower and Miss Happiness is available here.  There is a sequel to this book, entitled Little Plum, about a Japanese boy-doll that comes to live with the neighbor girl next door; it is equally enchanting. It is available here.

I first became acquainted with this author when my fifth-grade teacher read From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler to my class every afternoon after lunch recess.  It was the one book to which I listened; otherwise, I was always reading my own book under the desk when Mrs. Felix (who had an English accent) wasn’t looking.  Mixed-Up Files is a great book but I like The View from Saturday even better.  Once again, the main characters are intelligent, kind,  self-aware, and resourceful.  The plot revolves around an academic decathlon and the study sessions (including teatime) that lead the team through their successive challenges.  It’s a wonderful read about friendship, commitment, and success – and what happens after.   Available here.

A coming-of-age story about Elstrid, daughter of King Alfred the Great of Britain.  To avoid a forced marriage with the son of a Viking invader, Elstrid is sent on a pilgrimage to Holy Rome.  Along the way, she discovers her own courage, integrity, and heart’s desire.  The author did a wonderfully convincing job of describing the hardships such a journey would entail.  While Elstrid lived some 1,000 years ago, I would have liked to have been her friend growing up.  Available here.

When he was very young, my son loved all things Knights.  Then he grew up a little, and his interests wandered over to Magic Treehouse and Goosebumps books.  Then Santa gave him this book, and he was hooked again.  It’s part of a trilogy actually, but this book introduces the reader to two brothers – one, a knight, and the other, his back-up – a very special horse, and their childhood friend, who is betrothed to the knight-brother but actually in love with the back-up-brother.  The romance aspect of the book is minimal, but essential; most of the action revolves around their adventures on the Crusade and the choices they have to make about courage and honour.  All the books are very well written with historical details and realistic challenges that still apply.  The second and third books of the trilogy, Green Jasper and Blaze of Silver, are as engaging as the first.  Blood Red Horse is available here; the trilogy is available here.

Looming Inspiration is all about delicate bead work and nicely-sized pieces. I’ve gotten 4 bracelets from this designer and they are all charming. Well, of course, I’d say that, why else would I wear them? Anyway, this Etsy seller gets top and rave reviews, and I can see why.

This Etsy shop is for digitally enhanced photos that can be sent as cards or framed; the images are stunning, and the scripture that is often inscribed is profound. The artist-photgrapher is obviously well-traveled, but can also see beauty in the everyday – inspirational! And I’ve also used her cards for Thanksgiving invitations…

“Panta rhei” is a Greek expression, meaning “everything flows.” And that describes Chloe perfectly. When I began updating my blog to bring it into the 2020’s, I found Chloe to help me. How I found her is a very long story, but suffice it to say, I’d been through many “tutors” and tech support people who valiantly tried to help me but ultimately left me frustrated and without a working blog. Chloe fixed all that, and taught me how to navigate WordPress for myself – and in a minimum amount of time! She’s charming, intelligent, tenacious, and resourceful. And fun! If you need IT help in the blogging arena, then Chloe is an excellent resource. Contact her directly at PantaRheiVentures@gmail.com.