Do not look if you are on a diet! LOL!

[london1967]

I've been doing quite a bit of baking/cooking in the last few weeks and it's been fun (everything was edible and was well received).

Two Saturdays ago I baked some little Chantilly cream pastries

Comments

[changeling72]

It all looks wonderful, Franco. Your guests are very lucky.

[london1967]

Thanks very much, Mark!

[bobalone]

Oh my goodness...you have really outdone yourself. I read about the luncheon for the papacy in a post Adrian made to Facebook, but it was wonderful to see photos of the food, not to mention facsimiles of the menus--all of which appear delightfully ornate. But my FAVOURITE photo is of the croquembouche which looks incredibly festive as well as tasty. Lucky Ricardo!! White chocolate and limoncello creme?! To die for. The pope should be so blessed. When you retire from your job and give up your secondary one as a photographer/stationer, you and Adrian should open a bake-shop/tea room. Please do it soon...before I expire!

[london1967]

Many thanks for all the compliments, Bob.
Well I don't think that the tea room will ever happen but we did toy with the idea for a while a few years back.
Anyway no need for a shop: next time you're in London I'll try and make the croquembouche for you!

[bobalone]

Oooh...lovely. That's a deal.

[london1967]

Excellent!

[tonethbone]

What amazing hosts and cooks you both are. Your friends are VERY lucky

[london1967]

Thanks very much! You are very kind.

[holy13nation]

Really like the blue. Mind if I ask what the name is. Blue is hard to get right. Great contrast with the tablecloth as well.
I'm storing up inspiration for when we finally get to Brighton for good. The place is entirely decorated but once I am in there are a number of projects to begin and changes to make.

[london1967]

I love that blue, although it turned out slightly different from what we envisaged.
It's Farrow & Ball's "Pitch Blue"
http://www.farrow-ball.com/pitch-blue/colours/farrow-ball/fcp-product/100220

[dan4behr]

I'll agree with the sentiments above - your friends are very lucky to have you two in their lives and you two are quite the generous talent!

BTW... I'd never heard of elderflower liqueur, but just this past Saturday, we went to a Downton-themed cocktail party in which one of the featured cocktails, I think it was called "Lady Sybil" had elderflower liqueur as one of the ingredients.

However, I tried several of the theme cocktails and I'm not quite totally sure the Lady Sybil was in fact the one with that liqueur! I was pretty looped by the time the evening ended!

[london1967]

Thank you very much Dan.

Oh yes, Adrian was telling me about your Downton Abbey cocktails last night!
I bet that you were a bit squiffy by end of the evening!!

[dan4behr]

I think by the end of the evening I was nearly blind!

[london1967]

LOL! LOL!