Sculptural Cakelettes

I adore baking. I love everything about it- the fancy implements, the fragrance, the taste, and most of all, sharing it with my guests. There's just nothing more welcoming than a freshly baked, homemade pastry (served preferably with a delicious cup of coffee or tea) to really seal the deal. 

I recently was gifted a fabulous non-stick NordicWare Neo-Gothic cakelette mold from a dear friend and I have been ever so enjoying creating scrumptious little treats for my visitors. A pastry mold of this variety works best with a dense cake recipe, so naturally I turned to my go-to baking diva, Ms. Martha Stewart. Sure, she's maniacal and highly detailed-oriented, but those are some of many reasons she's so damned good at what she does. I have made MANY of her recipes and they always get rave reviews. She knows her business and I trust her implicitly. 

The cake shown here is the Cream Cheese Lemon Pound Cake and it works like a dream in the molds. Finish the cakes with a Lemon Royal Icing and you're sure to get applause. Enjoy!

Get the RECIPE here

Feliz Navidad

WISHING ONE AND ALL A JOYOUS HOLIDAY SEASON AND SPECTACULAR NEW YEAR! 

Geseënde Kersfees en ‘n Voorspoedige Nuwe Jaar, I'd Miilad Said Oua Sana Saida, Felices Pasquas Y felices ano Nuevo, Shenoraavor Nor Dari yev Pari Gaghand, Eguberri on, Vesele Vanoce, Nedeleg laouen na bloavezh mat, Tchestita Koleda; Tchestito Rojdestvo Hristovo, Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan, Saint Dan Fai Lok, Nadelik looan na looan blethen noweth, Sretan Bozic i Nova Godina, Prejeme Vam Vesele Vanoce a stastny Novy Rok, Glædelig Jul, Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar, Quvianagli Anaiyyuniqpaliqsi suli Nakuuluni Ukiutqiutiqsi, Haid joule ja head uut aastat, Cristmas-e-shoma mobarak bashad, Maligayang Pasko, Manigong Bagong Taon, Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon, Hyvaa joulua, Joyeux Noël, Froehliche Weihnachten, Kala Christouyenna, Mele Kalikimaka, Mo'adim Lesimkha. Chena tova, Shub Naya Baras, Kellemes Karacsonyi unnepeket, Gledileg Jol, Selamat Hari Natal, Idah Saidan Wa Sanah Jadidah, Nollaig Shona Dhuit, Buone Feste Natalizie, Shinnen omedeto, kurisumasu omedeto, Sung Tan Chuk Ha, Prieci'gus Ziemsve'tkus un Laimi'gu Jauno Gadu, Linksmu Kaledu, Merry Keshmish, God Jul, En frehlicher Grischtdaag un en hallich Nei Yaahr, Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia, Feliz Natal, Craciun fericit, Pozdrevlyayu s prazdnikom Rozhdestva s Novim Godom, Hristos se rodi, Sretan Bozic or Vesele vianoce, La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou, Nollaig chridheil huibh, Sretam Bozic. Vesela Nova Godina, Vesele Vianoce. A stastlivy Novy Rok, Vesele Bozicne. Screcno Novo Leto, Feliz Navidad, God Jul and (Och) Ett Gott Nytt År,  Ia orana te Noera, Sawadee Pee Mai, Noeliniz Ve Yeni Yiliniz Kutlu Olsun, Z Rizdvom Khrystovym, huc Mung Giang Sinh, Nadolig Llawen, Cestitamo Bozic

The Island of Enchantment- for everyone

Did you know that San Juan, Puerto Rico is considered the Gay Capital of the Caribbean? Well, it is! Not only are there cute gay hotels, bars and events there's also the beaches. Come one, come all to our beautiful little island in the heart of the Caribbean. 

Paul´s place was perfecto

"Paul´s place was perfecto. Paul made efforts to make us feel at home. His apartment is expertly decorated. In addition to enjoying your stay, you will surely pick up a few ideas for interior decoration for your own home. The dogs were just as charming as Paul, and we missed them after we left. Clean! Clean! Clean! Great Puerto Rican coffee in the mornings. Well located, convenient, and secure. Parking with a locked gate. All in all, a great visit that I would definitely repeat upon my next trip to Puerto Rico, which is one of the prettiest islands I have ever seen: ¨La isla del encanto¨ is a just description! Thank you, Paul."

Paul is an excellent host with recommendations for everything you might want to do or see

"We had an absolutely marvelous time at Paul's Tropical Bed & Bruncheon. Most evenings we ended up having cocktails and appies with Paul instead of going out as he and his 2 adorable poochies were so charming! Paul baked us double lemon sea salt muffins as well as the most decadent brownies complete with lemon zest and bacon rendering. Super yummy! Our room was stylish and romantic with the mosquito netting above the bed.

Paul is very considerate and positive and truly enhances your Puerto Rico experience.

The apartment overall was very clean and well appointed. Paul is an excellent host with recommendations for everything you might want to do or see. It rained the first couple of days and as we were contemplating what to do a text came in on my cell from Paul with a list of 10 things to do in San Juan in the rain:) Paul also reminded us that only boring people get bored so of course we got out in the rain and ended up having a wonderful time. Paul is very considerate and positive and truly enhances your Puerto Rico experience. The restaurants he recommended were delicious and creative...just what we like. Without Paul and his Tropical Hideaway our Puerto Rico adventure would not have been as delightful or charming. Thank you Paul!!!"