by Helen Kain | Jun 7, 2015 | Antiques, Blue, Summer Tablescapes
Collecting antique tableware is a lot of fun, and my interests range from incredibly formal sets to more relaxed pieces. These Royal Worcester service plates from the 1920s bridge the two worlds. They are hand painted with enamel decorations of cornucopia...
by Helen Kain | May 10, 2015 | Antiques, Blue, Cobalt, Terracotta, White
Who buys an entire set of antique ironstone whilst on holiday in England? And then has to arrange to transport it back to North America? Which they do, by purchasing another suitcase and bringing it back on the plane with them. Crazy people, that’s...
by Helen Kain | Jan 18, 2015 | Blue, Mains, Seafood, Winter Recipes
Once in a while our local grocery store has “pasta clams”, the discovery of which immediately jettisons whatever has been planned for dinner. While I’m always happy to have linguine vongole, Clams with White Beans, Fennel and...
by Helen Kain | Jan 18, 2015 | Blue, Bread & Scones, Breakfast, Desserts, Fall Recipes, Winter Recipes
After a long walk with the dogs, we like nothing better than to curl up with a book, a cup of tea and a fire in the fireplace. Of course, one never wishes to have what the Irish peculiarly call a “dry cup of tea”, an expression I’ve never been able...
by Helen Kain | Nov 21, 2012 | Blue, By Colour, Desserts, Fall Tablescapes, Green, Mains, Recipes By Type, Soup
We have been in our Cape house for most of November, enjoying the brisk fall breezes and extended autumn of the maritime climate. We invited two couples round for dinner last week, and I debated for a while about an appropriate table setting. Back in...
by Helen Kain | Aug 15, 2012 | Blue, Mains, Recipes By Type, Seafood, Summer Recipes
Risotto is a traditional Italian dish made with starchy Arborio or Carnaroli rice, that give the dish a soft, creamy texture, a feature the uninitiated attribute to the addition of cream. Not so! It’s the process of adding hot stock to the butter, onion and rice...
