Flower School NY

La Peonie de Maman, art on Etsy, 9" x 11"

~

For ages I've been wanting to go to Flower School's open studio Saturdays...

I was booked in January and then ze Back kicked in. Last Saturday I went. It was held at floral shop, Opalia owned by Phoebe Crary in Brooklyn, 377 Atlantic avenue. The windows were full of wild dancing poppies - the stems are filled with sap so you can't cut them or they'll die instantly... Inside an endless array of flowers wait to be choosen for your bouquet. I usually paint just 1 or 2 flowers and my vases are tiny so I was stumped...
The other students have taken Flower School intro classes...
And are busy creating complex masterpieces...
The instructor was whipping out perfect bouquets in minutes. YIKES! This is daunting.
I ran out to eat something at nearby Bedouin Tent, 405 Atlantic Ave. This picture has me munching hummos and carrots as I post.
Back to face the flowers and finally choose a few ranunculas... And one tight pink peonie bud...

Mini display bouquets around the shop give me courage. Just ONE flower - my kind of bouquet! Yay.

Meanwhile 'Roses' finished TWO divine arrangements...

And the other student reached the heights of orchid perfection.

My handiwork looks raggedy. Hmmm... I did paint the peonie. I plan to attend another open studio Saturday at Flower School. I'll take some Dutch courage next time.

This Parisien Piggy says, "Don't eat to much chocolate this weekend!"

BONJOUR FLOWER SCHOOL!

et

Bon Week-End!

Del Posto

Printemps Daffodils, watercolor at Etsy, 9" x 11"

~

Printemps thumbnails...

~

I has a Spring lunch at Del Posto yesterday at 85 10th avenue...
They have one of the best prix fix lunches in town ($29! for 3 courses)
Bowers of orchids greet you in a gracious, airy space...

My first course was a mini jungle of roasted winter vegetables...

Whoops I forgot the amuse-bouche - little cups of soup and risi bisi/rice balls with gold dust sprinkled on them...

My niece had a lobster thing first...

My main was sea bass with droplets of Campari/blood red orange and sauted radiccio. Verdict = Out Of This World!

My niece's fiance had the Artic char with truffles and chestnuts. But we were not allowed bites. Suffice it say it was divine as well...

Well heck EVERYTHING was divine. The desserts were perfection - delicate and light.

The Butterscotch semi-fredo is reknown at Del Posto but the fiancee ordered it, so it was look but don't touch...ahem

Isn't this a great way to serve a pistachio chocolate cakelet with a slice already cut out? It was perfectly accompanied with a dollop of tart yogurt gelato.

And not to forget the tiny little caramels, popcicles and truffles post-dessert.

I was walking on air post-lunch at Del Posto...

But these 'green' cats and dogs in a vets window brought me down to earth quickly...

BONJOUR DEL POSTO!

Pierre Herme dans ma chambre...

Do you hang on to all your old Pierre Herme receipts?

Surement! How about the napkins?
Absolutement oui! Today I was inspired to have another go at the mountain of French pastry souvenirs dans ma chambre...

I decided to file them away each in their own lovely file... You know what they say...DO NOT START LOOKING AT stuff you're organizing or you're cooked!

But who can resist these vintage treasures of M.Herme?
Regarde - macaron maps! Do you have these?

Even a bookmark!

So thoughtful M. Herme - so your macarons are never far from our thoughts. Merci...

Did you collect the Pierre Herme minis a few years ago? These are quite rare and in demand. Should I stash them in a safe deposite box?

The best souvenir of all - the guide de Jour de Macaron 2010!

Et voila my newest PH acquisition!!! Found lurking in the Publicis Drugstore branch on 133 Avenue Champs-Elysees..

A huge wall map of all of Herme's goodies! Soup de nuts.

Of course the elegant sac must not be left behind. Wouldn't this make a perfect lamp..?

Pierre Herme Verrine, watercolor on Etsy, 9" x 11"

While you're going through your pastry souvenirs dans sa chambre do listen to this soothing song of
Kat Onoma - La Chambre

La Chambre

Dans ma chambre vous croqueriez une pomme petite vous tremperiez
Dans le thé des langues de chat
En silence
Et après le débat comme dit Casanova
Fronçant les sourcils vous diriez
C'est bizarre

Car vous n'auriez qu'un mot à dire
Dans la rue la journée
Pour vous servir d'acolyte j'aurais mon parapluie qui sait?

Dans ma chambre vous croqueriez une pomme petite vous tremperiez
Dans le thé des langues de chat
En silence
Et après le débat comme dit Casanova
Fronçant les sourcils vous diriez
Ç'a été?

Car vous n'auriez qu'un mot à dire
Dans la rue la journée
Si seulement il vous en disait