Romy Schneider: Greatest actress of all time

Romy Schneider was only introduced to me within the last couple of years by my Austrian friend. Romy is not as well known in America but she is unforgettable in Europe. She was known as the "German Shirley Temple" in her early age. Romy Schneider was an Austrian-born actress who starred in German, French and American films from 1950's through the early 1980's (making over fifty films). 

Although she played the Empress of Austria in Sissi, her life was far from a fairy-tale. Her father left Romy's mother (actress, Magda Schneider) when she and her brother were young. Magda's new husband (Romy's stepfather) embezzled her acting money. On romance...her heart was broken several times (first by Alain Delon who left her for another woman and then the suicide of her first husband). The worst was when she lost her son when he was only fourteen in a tragic accident. 

Romy Schneider was voted "Greatest actress of all time" by the readers of French newspaper "Le Parisien" and voted the premiere star of the 20th century in 2006. 

Romy didn't want to play princess roles or be known as a movie star. She said this about her role as a princess..."Sissi sticks to me just like oatmeal." She refused to make a fourth Sissi movie. She wanted to be taken seriously as an actress. She moved to France and escaped her stepfather and was also challenged more as an actress.

She was stunning and a true talent. She died of natural causes when she was only forty-three. Her friends and family have complete conviction that she died of a broken heart. 

 1. "The moment I put on that first Chanel suit I knew I'd never wear anything else. Fashion is unimportant - elegance is all important."

2. "If you get a great opportunity you have to grab it and don't let go, then extend it with a lot of effort...talent is nothing more than love for the cause."

3. "To get everything, one has to give everything. Which is quite a discovery for me. I know I am not easy to live with. I am hot tempered. I ask too much of friends. One should ask the maximum of oneself. But not of others."

4. "Work, work and more work is my only true life. Life must go on. My work gives me strength."

5. "The most important thing about me is that I am an actress. It would be a lie to say that acting was just my job or something I did for fun. It is my life. I have my home, my husband, my son. I have to be a little schizophrenic to cope with it all. But I am basically an actress who has a family; not a wife and mother who also acts. I prefer to work in films but if I was unable to then I would work on the stage. I couldn't just stop and not be an actress any more."

*This post is dedicated to my Austrian friend, Margot. Alles Gute zum Geburtstag und danke for introducing me to Romy Schneider. xx

Anne Burrell: Valentine's Day recipe and upcoming premier

“Reprinted from Own Your Kitchen. Copyright (c) 2013 by Anne Burrell. Photographs copyright (c) 2013 by Quentin Bacon. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of Random House LLC.”

I've been a fan of Anne Burrell ever sense I watched her as Mario Batali's sous chef cracking eggs one-handed at lightening speed on Iron Chef. I can relate to her love of Italian food (especially pasta)! I love her simple approach to pure and rustic food. 

Just in time for Valentine's Day! Enjoy this Cappuccino Panna Cotta recipe, courtesy of Anne Burrell on behalf of Food Network’s series, Worst Cooks in America.

Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay are back to transform kitchen disasters into skilled cooks in the fifth season of Worst Cooks in America.  Premiering on Monday, February 17^th at 9pm ET/PT, the seven-episode season pits formerly undefeated series champ Anne against last season’s winner Bobby, each leading a team of disastrous cooks in an intense culinary boot camp designed to turn them into confident kitchen heroes.

Happy Valentine's Day! Happy Cooking! Happy Premier for two of my favorite chefs, Anne and Bobby! xx 

cappuccino panna cotta with chocolate sauce

Serves 4

Time: About 30 minutes active and at least 2 hours to chill

Mise en Place

For the panna cotta

4 sheets of gelatin

3 cups heavy cream

3⁄4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons instant espresso powder

1⁄2 vanilla bean

1⁄2 cup chocolate-covered espresso beans, for garnish

For the chocolate sauce

4 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

1⁄4 cup heavy cream

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

For the panna cotta:

1 In a small bowl of cool water, submerge the gelatin sheets to soften. They will go from stiff to soft, kind of like the texture of a giant contact lens. Feel one—it’s SO cool!

2 In a small saucepan, combine the cream, sugar, and espresso powder. Split the vanilla bean lengthwise down one side, open it up, and scrape out the seeds with a paring knife. Add the seeds and the hull to the pan. Whisk to combine everything.

3 Bring the cream mixture to a boil and then immediately turn off the heat. Remove the softened gelatin sheets from the water and squeeze out the excess water. Add the gelatin sheets to the pan and whisk to combine.

4 Immediately ladle the cream mixture into four 6-ounce ramekins and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours or overnight.

For the chocolate sauce:

1 Fill a small saucepan with 1 inch of water and bring it to a boil (BTB).

2 In a medium heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate chips, heavy cream, butter, and corn syrup. Place the bowl on top of the pan of water (this is a double-boiler setup). Reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir until the chocolate has melted and all the ingredients are combined. Remove and use immediately or store in a warm place until ready to use.

To unmold the panna cotta:

1 Fill a small saucepan with 1 inch of water and bring to a boil, then turn off the heat. Run a paring knife around the outside edge of the panna cotta to loosen it. Set each ramekin in the saucepan for 10 seconds. Place a small serving plate on top of each ramekin and flip it over to unmold the panna cotta. If it doesn’t release, put the ramekin in the water for a few seconds more and try again.

2 To serve, ladle a couple tablespoons of the chocolate sauce around the panna cotta and sprinkle with a few chocolate-covered espresso beans.

Note: If you can’t find gelatin sheets, you can substitute powdered gelatin, but first you need to “bloom” it in water—which just means dissolving it in a little bit of water until it looks sort of like jelly. It takes only a few minutes. Then you need to dissolve it with your hot liquid—it’s easy, but sheets are a lot more fun. To use powdered gelatin in this recipe, first bloom one 1⁄4- ounce envelope in 2 tablespoons water, then add it to the mix, and you’re back to business as usual.

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BEET RAVIOLI FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

For Valentine's Day dinner, we almost always eat pasta. Usually, we make our Italian favorite, spaghetti and clams. This year we're experimenting with beet ravioli. It's a Valentine's color, delicious and the ultimate interactive fun to have with your kids. Food tastes better when you've made it together. 

Pasta is a food that makes everybody happy. It's perfect for kids because kids love to make a mess and they can get really creative in the kitchen. 

For Valentine's Day Beet Ravioli:

basic pasta dough:

3 eggs
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup semolina flour
1 1/2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1-2 tablespoons water, if needed

2-3 small beets

for the filling:

11 oz of goat cheese

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan

1 T chopped chives

1 egg

salt and pepper to taste

Directions: Roast beets at 400 for about an hour. Let them cool then quarter the beets and place in a food processor.  Add the eggs and flours.  Pulse until a ball of dough forms.  Add a little more flour, a tablespoon at a time, until a dough forms that is not dry, but still a little bit sticky. Take the dough out, knead a little on the counter and place on a sheet of floured plastic wrap and wrap. Let rest on the counter for at least 20 minutes.  Cut the dough in quarters and roll out for ravioli. Follow pasta machine instructions for rolling out the dough. We started on a number one and gradually went to a number five which was perfect for our ravioli. 

Flour the ravioli mold. Lay a sheet of pasta over the mold and scoop a small spoonful in each little groove. Cover the ravioli with the remaining overlapping sheet. Run a little rolling pin over the top and gently press down. This allows for the ravioli to come out clean. Repeat with the other three quarters. 

Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook half the raviolis (we froze the other half) and cook for about four minutes. Scoop raviolis out of the boiling water and place into a pan of butter and olive oil. Toss gently and serve with a Parmesan (you can also top with hazelnuts, pinenuts, chives, raisins...)  

   We also made some fettuccine (same recipe without the beets).

This Valentine's Day, stay home and make pasta. 

Also see this pasta inspired post:

Our Daily Pasta

Love, Love Me Do (deux)

Valentine’s Day will be here soon! Have you shopped for your loved ones yet? Here are a few ideas and inspirational poems that I think would add extra happiness to your Valentine's Day. 

The Eskimo has fifty-two names for snow because it is important to them; there ought to be as many for love. ~Margaret Atwood

Valentine's for Her: 

Golden sparkler heart wand I plan to add mine to a chocolate cake...and maybe let my kids have some fun outside. 

PARIS : An Inspiring Tour of the City's Creative Heart  Take a dip into the most romantic city in the world.

Valentine Heart bra and panty set Inspired by Josephine Baker who worked her magic on Parisian high society.

Alice + Olivia Heart d'Orsay flats comfortable and sweet.

Bando hearts You can never have too many sparkly hearts!

The friend who holds your hand and says the wrong thing is made of dearer stuff than the one who stays away.
~Barbara Kingsolver

Valentine's for friends:

LOVE necklace "L" is for the way you look at me...
Heart Pasta I can't wait to see my children's faces when I serve them heart pasta for Valentine's Day. 
Send your love with these beautiful assorted Valentine's Day cards

Heart apron Lucille Ball would approve.

Raspberry Basil Lemoncello Cocktail Three of my favorite bar ingredients: raspberries, lemoncello and rose sparkling wine...the perfect Valentine's Day cocktail to share with your best friend.

Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.
~Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

Valentine's for Children:

Rock Monkey...that funky monkey might become my son's favorite animal to sleep with!
Thames & Kosmos Perfume Science Kit I would have loved it if someone gave this to me when I was a teenager. This is my kind of science.
Apple Cake: A Recipe for Love A beautiful children's Valentine story about the world that can be hidden in the simpliest of things. Also, it has a recipe for apple cake.
Heart Pajamas A little baby would be wrapped in your love.
Girls' Striped heart sweater Perfect for Valentine's Day and also very French!

Westley: "I told you I would always come for you. Why didn't you wait for me?"
Buttercup: "Well...you were dead."
Westley: "Death cannot stop true love. All it can do is delay it for a while."
~William Goldman, The Princess Bride

Valentine's for Him:

Leather card wallet rustic...just like him!

Manicure set with everything your man needs.

Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die stunning photographs for your adventurous cyclist.

Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties fascinating facts about the Beatles’ music, their lives and the sixties.

More love inspired posts:

Love, Love Me Do 

And Then He Kissed Me

 

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Mastering the Art of French Eating: love, food and France

You know those books that grab hold of you from the moment you start reading the first few pages? Mastering the Art of French Eating is one of those treasures.

Ann Mah’s book will make you hungry for a crusty baguette and thirsty for a good rosé. Her book is about love, food and France. The life-lessons she learns in France truly give her food for thought and make memories you can taste.

Mah’s diplomat husband was assigned to Paris for a three-year posting. They were living the “American in Paris” dream together until her husband was transferred to Iraq for a year.

Mah’s situation was similar to Julia Child’s…both diplomatic spouses spending their days in Paris learning about French cooking. She even bought a house on the same rue de l’Universite that Julia lived on.

At first, the Skype chats she schedules with her husband are all she’s looking forward to until she gets a part-time job working at the American library and starts exploring France.

Reading her book, we can travel with Ann as she meets fellow food enthusiasts...a farmer’s wife who offered to give Ann the details and secrets of her cultured butter, a fellow food writer that she invites over for dinner to make soup dumplings and a wine adviser who leads Ann through her wine cave in Pommard. 

Using Thomas Jefferson and Julia Child as tour guides she journeys through France, searching for the country’s most famous provincial and iconic dishes. Traveling to Alsace for choucroute, Brittany for butter and crepes, Lyon to experience a Salade Lyonnaise, Languedoc to taste cassoulet and Provence for soup au pistou. As she travels, Mah includes recipes for these regional recipes from her journeys.

Ann writes, “There is no croissant as crisp and flaky or as sweetly buttery as the one you eat, still warm from the oven, on your first morning in Paris after a long absence.”

Ann Mah is easy for me to relate to…she’s shy, has had a love for France since she was a child, is a tea drinker and loves Julia Child. I want to be her friend and make a pumpkin pie with her…a fellow Francophile.

Reading Mastering the Art of French Eating will make you want to be in Paris…preferably with your husband because as she writes,“If you want to go fast, eat alone. If you want to go far, eat together.” And “Somehow everything tastes better eaten with your favorite dining companion.”

Merci Ann! I so look forward to reading your next book. 

Other books you might enjoy that take you on a journey through France: Eight Days in Provence, Paris to the Moon, Almost French, Chasing Matisse, A Year in the Merde, and My Life in France.

Other French inspired posts you might enjoy:

JE VOIS LA VIE EN ROSE: I SEE LIFE IN ROSY HUES

FAREWELL, MY QUEEN (LES ADIEUX A LA REINE)

HAPPY 100 JULIA CHILD: OUR LADY OF BUTTER

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Five things you might not know about dance

Dancers have a wonderful reputation of being overachievers, super hard-workers and multitaskers who can focus on many things at once. This is why they make the best employees! I think of ballerinas as super heros. There's a deep history to making these super hero dancers... 

Here are five things you might not know about dance.                

1. Ballet originated in Italy. We can thank Catherine de Medici who was a huge patron of the arts and brought ballet to France when she married King Henry II in the sixteenth century. The Ballet Comique de la Reine was the first ballet performance and Catherine was the instigator bringing over Italian masters to choreograph the dance. The court was so impressed with the ballet that they tried to copy similar dances then eventually replaced Italian ballet masters with French, and that’s why the language of ballet became French.

2. Before a dancers goes on stage, they say "merde" to their fellow dancers backstage as a way of wishing each other good luck. It seems quite funny if you speak French. Back in the Catherine de Medici days, people would take their horse and carriage to the performances...merde would pile up! Backstage helpers would let the dancers know there was merde...which later meant a simple "good luck " (just a more fun way of saying it remembering dance history). 

3. For the first one hundred years of ballet, only the men danced. King Louis XIV loved to dance and star in Versailles court performances.

4. One tutu can cost up to $2000 and require up to 60-90 hours of labor and several months. It's a labor of love! You can see how much love goes into making a tutu here. 

5. Most ballerinas wear out two or three pairs of pointe shoes per week. Dancers may carry a wide variety of supplies to break in their pointe shoes: tape, toe pads, scissors, sewing kits, mallet, cheese grater (to rough up the soles of the shoe), pliers, lighters (to singe the ends of the ribbons). Ballerinas use rosin on their pointe shoes to keep from slipping. Rosin is made from pine tree sap. 

I believe with all my heart what Martha Graham said was true..."Dance is the hidden language of the soul." 

 MERDE!!

New Year Traditions from around the world

Welcome the New Year with traditions from around the world. This New Year, my neighbor's might find me circling my house with my suitcase. Happy New Year! xx

Cuba: circle your house with a suitcase at midnight to bring travel opportunities for the year.

Brazil: wear white to ward off evil spirits and jump seven ocean waves for each day of the week.

Chili: drop a gold ring in your champagne glass for a prosperous year. Also, eat a spoonful of lentils at midnight.

France: enjoy a family dinner with foie gras and champagne and a galette des rois.

Italy: wear red underwear for good luck and enjoy a special family meal.

Austria: eat suckling pig, marzipan and maybe enjoy a Strauss concert.

Scotland: people sing the Scottish song, 'Auld Lang Syne' at midnight. It's played around the world, but it started here with Robert Burns.

England: The first footing...the first person to enter a house on January 1st should be a male with dark hair bringing coal, bread or salt.

Spain: eat twelve grapes...one with each ring of the bell when the clock strikes midnight.

Ireland: a single woman might put mistletoe under her pillow before she goes to sleep on New Year's Eve to dream of her future love.

Philippines: wear polka dots and eat oranges to ensure a prosperous year.

Columbia: sweep your house to get rid of the bad energy.

Denmark: stand on top of a chair and leap off at midnight.

Russia: write down a wish on a piece of paper, burn the paper and put the ashes in flute and drink your wish.

America: eat black eyed peas for good luck and ham and cabbage for prosperity.

Wishing you the happiest 2014!

Skaal! Prost! Na Zdorovje! Saude! Salud! A Votre Sante, Slainte! Cin Cin! Mabuhay! Cheers!

Happy Birthday Little Sister!!

Happy Birthday Paige!!

ma petite soeur, music maker in the city of Angels, expert taxi hailer

My sister is full of energy. I don't think she sleeps! She stayed over for Christmas and would have been game for staying up until the kids came downstairs in the early morning if I would have been up for it. 

Paige said to me yesterday, "I am liking my thirties more and more!" Amen sista! I'm five-and-a-half-years older than my sister so those words are music to my ears...she's growing up! I think one of Paige's charming qualities is that she will forever be a kid at heart (she's a lot like our Dad). 

When I think of Paige, I'm reminded of the Cheers show...everybody knows her name and they're always glad she came!

Many happy returns little sister! I'm glad you came for Christmas. I love you! xx

Read more about my beautiful sister here. 

Celebrating the Holidays at Walt Disney World

Anytime is a magical time to visit Walt Disney World, but from early November through a little after the New Year, is the most magical time of all. 

Cinderella's castle is breathtaking when it transforms into a wintry ice castle at night. Each Christmas tree you see is more beautiful than the one before. Our favorite Christmas experience was the time spent at Epcot. It was so much fun to learn about Christmas traditions from each country that we strolled through.

Disney World has such a dreamy effect on people...it truly is one of the happiest places for the whole family. One of the most memorable times was riding the carousel with my children (here). Visiting during the holidays was extra special...the enchanting fireworks, parades, candle-lit ceremonies and every detail of the festive decorations is dressed to the nines. 

Walt Disney World is HUGE! Of course, we didn't do it all but we came away with some magical memories. This time of year is a wonderful time to visit. Have you been before? If so, what's on your "tops" list? Here's our family TOP FIVE of activities, rides and restaurants that we enjoyed. 

Activities:
Bibbity Bobbity Boutique (Downtown Disney & Magic Kingdom) If you have a little girl who loves princesses, this is a dream come true. A Fairy Godmother-in-training will magically transform your daughter into the princess of her choice. 
Meeting Santa at his Chalet (Downtown Disney) Santa seemed so at home in Disney World...I think he vacations here. 
Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (Magic Kingdom) Fireworks, Mickey AND Santa!!
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth (Epcot) "Let there be Peace on Earth" finale narrated by Walter Cronkite gave me goosebumps...beautiful! You can get a fantastic view from anywhere that you stand. 
Jedi Training Academy (Disney's Hollywood Studios) A 20 minute training where junior jedi knights learn to use the force.

Rides:
Soarin' (Epcot) Soarin' through California was just how I imagine hang-gliding would be. We loved this ride so much we rode it twice. The bonus was, while you wait in line there are interactive games to play on huge digital projection screens.
It's a Small World (Magic Kingdom) The singing children from around the globe made me smile when I was a child and it was my daughter's favorite ride. This classic 60's ride was made in support of UNICEF and has remained popular. 
The Seas with Nemo & Friends (Epcot) We loved riding a "clamobile” searching for Nemo through the vivid coral reefs. 
Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom) This was my son's favorite ride. A rocket that launches you deep into the pitch black depths of outer space. 
Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom) Riding a doom buggy was exciting, especially when we caught a glimpse of ghosts hitching a ride. This supernatural journey was through an 18th century estate full of 999 ghosts. 

Restaurants:
Akershus (Epcot) My little girl was beyond excited when Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Aurora and Ariel visited our dining table. Ariel asked her to lead the Princess Procession...I thought she might faint! The Norwegian dinner was delicious. We enjoyed Norwegian smoked salmon and Scandinavian meatballs (kjottkaker) almost as much as the Princesses.
Coral Reef (Epcot) The panoramic windows gave us an incredible view of sharks, turtles and fish. It was like eating in the ocean. 
Biergarten (Epcot) My husband's favorite meal of the trip was here! The food was fabulous and so was the entertainment. My son was asked to light the Christmas tree after they danced to several oompah songs...Silent Night and the history behind it. 
Cinderella's Royal Table (Magic Kingdom) The stained-glass windows that overlook Fantasyland give a spectacular view (make your reservations early). 
Earl of Sandwich (Downtown Disney) The best sandwiches and a nice lunch break that's easy and relaxed.

Dancing to the oompah beat of a the German band at the Biergarten. Our favorite meal of the trip.

My daughter getting a princess hair-style. She chose the "Holiday Minnie." 

One of the most memorable times was riding the carousel with my children (here).

How cool are these jelly fish? A view from our "clamobile" searching for Nemo.

Joyeux Noel from France in Epcot!

After waiting a loooong time, someone was truly excited to finally be next for the Peter Pan ride. 

The Disney app was very helpful and we were very grateful we made dinner reservations early. Wishing you lots of Disney magic! xx 

I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained. ~Walt Disney

TRÈS ASHLEY GIFT GUIDE 2013

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Our tree is up, decorations are out and we've had three glorious snow days off from work/school (have I mentioned I'm a teacher)!? My two young children have loved being home to decorate, bake and play. I've enjoyed the time to catch up and SHOP! Wishing you extra snow days to get your list completed before Christmas! 

Gifts for the Kids

Pirate Ship Rattles: Maileg toys are some of my favorites for my children. They can have endless hours of imaginative play.I can see both, my son and daughter playing together with this mermaid and pirate crew. $88.

Polaroid Instant Camera: Think instagram for kids. $69.99

The Happy Trunk: A monthly subscription to Happy Trunk will give a child a themed (science and art) activity box. Great for rainy days and snow days. starts at $58.95

Pogo Stick: Go old school with a Flybar. $41.97

Fanny at Chez Panisse: A Child's Restaurant Adventures with 46 Recipes: Open up the magical world of cooking to children with this charming book that shares how easy it is to make good food with basic ingredients. $17.09

Star Wars Folded Flyers: My son loves Star Wars AND paper airplanes. You can make 30 paper starfighters. $16.97

Discovery Space Center: This rocket will launch them into the galaxy of fun! $129.99

Gifts for Everyone

Travel America Calendar: Rifle Paper Co. makes the most charming stationary AND calendars. This one covers America. $26.

The Bakus Trivet: This would be a trivet of memories...holding up to 36 cork memories. $48.

Rust Designs Personalized Dinnerware: This is the perfect present! How special to eat off a personalized plate! The Birch designs are my favorite. starting at $55.

Photo Puzzle: Hours of fun for everyone! $24.99  

Panettone: It's an Italian Christmas tradition and it's a delicious crowd pleaser. $39.95

Cocktail glasses: This is the best time of year to say "cheers!" starting at $59.95

Gifts for Mom, Sister, Best Friend...

Ugg slippers: the only thing she'll want to wear on her feet. $90.

Magic Carpet Yoga Mat: aesthetically enhance her yoga practice with a hand-painted yoga mat. $98.

Flannel Pajamas: My husband joked that he's going to get me a pajama gram this year. It's actually a brilliant idea. I like these from Garnet Hill. $58.

Embroidered iphone case: Because you call her all the time! $38.

Gifts for Dad, Brother, Best Friend...

Scratch Map: Most people enjoy looking at maps. This one celebrates where you've been and inspires you to scratch off more places. $29.95

Gramophone Music Station: An old-fashioned docking station that just might make him want to play Fats Waller.

Biere Glasses: To help him better enjoy his favorite beer. These gold-plated dishwasher safe tumblers are perfect for game day. starts at $12. 

Cornhole Bag Toss Game: My brother had one of these when we went to visit him and the whole family loved playing.

I hope this helps you to finish your list. It was fun to create and find presents for every person and budget. Check gift guides from 2012, 2011 and 2010 if you need more inspiration. Happy Shopping!!

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