Sunday, December 5, 2010

Magical Christmas Lights

"K2T Wisata"

New York City is a beautiful place to visit year round, there is always something nice to see. A trip to New York City is a good thing anytime! But spending Christmas in New York City is something different; it is only then that you can see NYC in its fully splendor and get amused with the scene the city puts up on its own.
Ever watched Christmas movies taking place in New York City? Now it is your chance to be the main protagonist of your own story, as you make your very own version of Christmas in New York City. You can always enjoy tourism in New York but in the Christmas holidays the city transforms itself, with beautiful decorations, illuminations, entertainment and a very pure Christmas spirit –ok yes, accompanied by some strong consumerism- that will give you and your loved ones lots of joy.
This is the best time of the year to take a trip to New York City with your friends, family or partner. The city has activities and things to see and do suited for all people of all ages, you will undoubtedly love it. So are you thinking of your Christmas in New York City already? What are you waiting for? Tell your loved ones; pack your winter clothes, book your flight to New York and your hotel in New York, then you will be all ready to go! New York City is waiting for you!
Stay tuned for budget-friendly packages and special prices in flights to New York and hotels in New York. That is often the case if you book in advance, but last minute specials should also be around soon.
If you are looking for a good tour in New York City and you will be taking your trip to New York this month, you will probably enjoy our New York City Holiday Lights Tour. It is a fully narrated tour through New York, a seasonal offer taking place every early evening in December to let you see the very best of New York, with all the major sights illuminated at night for the Christmas season.
The New York City Holiday Lights Tour is much better than the regular hop on / hop off services offered for people doing tourism in New York City; we do not have any scheduled stops but an actual guided tour through New York City. Check availability, prices and BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS TOUR IN NEW YORK.
We know Christmas is spectacular in New York, but that it is also a very big city with the sights widespread and it can get too cold in the winter to spend too much time outside as you get from one place to another. This is why we have designed this two-hour panoramic tour that lets you see the best of New York City while comfortably seated in our coach bus.
The lights are especially glittering in Manhattan holiday season; our tour will take you through New York City as it comes alive at night.
As part of our tour, you will for example visit a seasonal highlight like the Rockefeller Center, with its very famous huge Christmas tree and the very busy ice skate rink. In the Fifth Avenue, we will give you a chance to enjoy the view of the especially decorated windows of the fanciest shops and famous department stores. We will of course not forget to take you to the world-famous animated windows of Lord and Taylor’s.
The New York City Holiday Lights Tour can be booked for any time in this month of December 2010, but not for the holidays – December 24th, 25th and 31st. With a total duration of two hours and thirty minutes (2:30hs), this tour can be scheduled for different times in the evening, as it needs to be dark outside for you to see the Christmas lights. There are three departure times: 6:00 pm, 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm.
Our New York City tour is offered in English. We meet in the 8th avenue of New York City and depart from there. You will receive additional details once you book. For an additional fee, we offer hotel pick-up and drop-off for some central hotels; contact us and ask if you are interested and bear in mind pick up times will be earlier than the scheduled departure.
All transportation fees, the narrated tour, a driver and a guide are included in the cost of the tour by New York. We operate with double decker buses and motor coaches. Some of them are open-top, others are partially covered and others are fully covered. The choice of the coach is made by us and subject to availability. All buses are wheelchair accessible.
Enjoy a special time in New York City this Christmas with its sights, its streets, its decorations, its amazing lights, its shops of all kinds, its cosmopolitan diversity, its holiday atmosphere and its delicious meals and drinks. We hope to meet you there this holiday season!

Homemade Flavored Hot Cocoa Mix

"K2T Wisata"
I may not like coffee or tea, but give me cup of hot chocolate on a cold day and I am very happy.
I will say that I am a bit picky on my hot chocolate. If I am going to drink a cup of hot chocolate I want it to be good. I like it rich and creamy.
I have never been much of a fan of the mixes like the famous swiss miss type ones. If I am going to use a mix for hot chocolate, I prefer one that is a little more gourmet. The flavored hot chocolates are some of my favorites.
Over the years I have tried making my own mixes, but have never gotten it quite how I wanted it. They were not rich and creamy enough. I was looking for something more like the more expensive mixes that I bought in the store and most homemade mixes are not like those.
But over time and with quite a bit of tweaking I found a homemade hot chocolate mix that is just what I wanted. It is rich and creamy and perfect.
What makes this homemade hot chocolate different? It contains not only cocoa, but chopped up chocolate chips. Yes, melted chocolate will always add a nice depth of flavor and creaminess to things.
Not only do the chips add creaminess, they allow you to change up the flavors. Think butterscotch hot chocolate or mint hot chocolate. YUM!!
This homemade mix would also make a wonderful holiday gift. Make up a few different flavors and place them in jars, and they would make a perfect gift for anyone.
I love the idea of making a gift basket or tray with these. Include a few jars of homemade hot cocoa mix, a couple of nice hot chocolate mugs, and maybe some spoons and napkins.
What person would not enjoy a gift like that for the holidays?

Homemade Flavored Hot Cocoa Mix

  • 1 1/2 cups  powdered milk
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup dutch processed cocoa ( or use hersheys special dark cocoa, I have also used 1/2 baking cocoa and 1/2 dutch processed, but it works best with at least 1/2 dutch processed cocoa because it gives it a richer taste.)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
Mix all ingredients together in a food processor and mix until chips are finely chopped. Depending on the size of your food processor you may have to do a few batches. (I think this also could be done in a couple of batches in a blender.)
To serve you can do this two ways:
4 to 5 tablespoons hot chocolate mix with 1 cup hot water
Or for a creamier hot chocolate: Mix 3 to 4 tablespoons hot chocolate mix with 1 cup of milk. (This is my favorite way to drink it)

For the variations:

Homemade Butterscotch Hot Cocoa: Substitute butterscotch chips for the chocolate chips.
Homemade Mint Hot Cocoa: Substitute Andes mints for the chocolate chips
Homemade Cinnamon Hot Cocoa: Substitute cinnamon chips for the chocolate chips.
Homemade Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa: Substitute special dark chips for the chocolate chips.

As you can see the flavors are endless.

Enjoy!
Lynn

Anse Chastanet

"K2T Wisata"
The resort is located on 600 lush tropical acres bordering one of the best beaches on the island of St. Lucia. Set on the hill, Anse Chastanet offers an iconic view over the clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Its architect is Nick Troubetzkoy who created a design in harmony with nature beauty of the island. The flowers and the bird’ songs are part of the hotel’s atmosphere.
Anse Chastanet consists of 49 cheerful whitewashed houses with large wooden balconies completely open to the breeze and the view. The furnishings are simple handmade by St. Lucians from indigenous materials. Chairs and beds are covered in Madras prints – traditional fabric of the island. There are no TVs, DVD players, phones or Internet connections.
Renowned PADI Five Star Dive Resort, Anse Chastanet is a unique dive spot. There are two crystal-clear bays that are part of a marine reserve protecting pristine coral reefs. It offers an amazing plenty of astonishing tropical marine life. Also there you’ll find a yoga hut, free snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, and Sunfish sailing. There are 12 miles of private mountain-bike trails, two excellent restaurants, and an art gallery. Official website: www.ansechastanet.com

The Bauer Hotel

"K2T Wisata"
Offers excellent access to world class shopping centres, the Bauer Hotel is located 150 m from St. Mark’s Square, Venice. Boasting a fantastic location the hotel is a contemporary styled establishment, featuring the true atmosphere of Venice. The design is a striking combination of the Art Deco style with classic 17th-century Baroque architecture. Features warm hospitality and an impeccable service, Bauer Hotel is an ideal retreat for both business and leisure travellers alike.
There are 91 luxurious rooms and 18 suites completely restored in modern classic style. The guestroom boasts modern conveniences cater for all types of accommodation requirements. Hotel‘s amenities include a 24- hour front desk, a gift shop and 24-hour room service.
A journey to Venice is not complete without visiting the celebrated on-site restaurants that serve great food.  The hotel’s gourmet restaurant, De Pisis, features the charming and intimate atmosphere of past times. Chef Giovanni Ciresa offers an delicious cuisine based on international cooking and the local Mediterranean traditions.

Show Me Japan Vol.1 Issue 3

"K2T Wisata"
Welcome to the third edition of Show Me Japan.
第三回 "Show Me Japan" へようこそ。
You can see previous editions here and here.
これまでの”Show Me Japan” エントリーはここ(第一回) とここ(第二回) にあります。
FAQ page in English and Japanese is here.
英語と日本語のFAQは<あここにありますので、初めて参加される方は目を通して頂けると幸いです。
Below is a random selection of photos from last week’s participants.
前回参加者中からランダムに選んだ写真を以下に紹介します。
The widget to enter your links is at the end of this post – below the photos.
"Show Me Japan"にエントリーする際のリンクを貼るウィジェットはこの記事の一番下にあります。


To visit Haikugirl's blog, click on the photo.



To visit Jonathan's blog, click on the photo.



To be magically transported to Loco's blog, click on the dashing young man in the photo above.



Click on the photo to be taken to Tokyololas blog.



The best outdoor holiday markets

"K2T Wisata"
The holidays are upon us and New York City is abuzz with hurried shoppers and jubilant tourists enjoying the winter decor. With the city’s holiday transformation also comes the temporary transformation of city squares and spaces into pop-up holiday marts.
These little boutiques are great for last-minute shoppers and those looking for unique gifts and trinkets to bring home to friends and family. If you happen to be dragged to one of these marts against your will, have no fear because there is usually an excess of hot chocolate, cider and gourmet treats to enjoy as you mill around.
Here’s the roundup of the best holiday marts in NYC:
Bryant Park holiday boutiques
Boutique shopping in Bryant Park
Bryant Park’s Holiday Shops
Sixth Ave. and 42nd St.
Through Jan. 2
Hours: Mon.– Fri. 11 a.m.– 8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.– 9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.– 6 p.m.
The shops surrounding the Citi Pond are surprisingly upscale for their temporary stature. A “boutique village” now appears where Bryant Park normally resides, complete with windows and an array of national brand names ready to serve holiday shoppers.
Among crafters and home decor you can also find stores like Sabon, Max Brenner and Kate Spade–all offering special gift packages for the season. In addition to these there are some unique shops like Dynomighty Design, featuring the slimmest, most indestructible wallet known to man (the “Mighty Wallet”) and jeweler Lucid with festive snowflake necklaces and rings for the ladies.
Union Square Holiday Market
Strumming at Union Square
Union Square Holiday Market
14th St. between Park Ave. and Broadway
Through Dec. 24
Hours: Daily 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Holiday Market at Union Square has a much more hometown feel than that of Bryant Park. The plywood-constructed booths are home to a variety of entrepreneurial ventures–jewelers, knitters, importers, artists and bakers. The ambiance is full of spirit, with apple doughnuts, hot cocoa and a guitar player or two all making their way around the garland-decorated square.
Not to be missed is the Alpaca Hat vendor, Back from Bali importers for children’s clothes and Copa Soaps. There are plenty of stocking stuffer options on the cheap, plus a free holiday gift-wrap booth courtesy of HSBC!
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Central Park South and Central Park West
Through Dec. 24
Hours: Daily 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Columbus Circle holiday marketplace is in its seventh year running and becoming a center for delectable food vendors. Though it is still home to many crafters and unique artisans, it offers some of the city’s best grub with Pies N’ Thighs, Fatty Crab and Crif Dogs now on the scene. If you still have room after that, you can indulge in a gingerbread house (or buy a kit to construct your own) and chow down on some French truffles found in nearby booths. New to the Columbus Circle Market this year is the Market Concierge, which will help lead you to the vendor or nearby shops you desire.
Grand Central Holiday Fair
42nd St. and Lexington Ave.
Through Dec. 24
Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
If the outdoor chill is a major deterrent to market shopping, then you can head indoors to Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall, which currently hosts 76 holiday vendors. The hall offers similar merchants to the other holiday markets, however it is geared towards a higher-end clientele. This can be seen in merchants like scarf designer Margo Petitti, and Aviva Stanoff’s detailed pillows and home décor.

2 fascinating (and fabulous) Florentine fashion museums

"K2T Wisata"
Laura Mongillo in Florence—
When people think of Italian fashion their mind usually goes straight to Milan and Rome. But it’s actually Florence that is the birthplace of many of Italy’s most famous designers and fashion houses such as Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, Emilio Pucci, Salvatore Ferragamo and the up and coming Patrizia Pepe.
With all these famous names and a rich history in fashion and luxury, the city takes extreme pride in their “Made in Florence” brands and jumps at the chance to display its history and future. For example, Florence is still extremely famous for its leather goods, especially bags and shoes and is the home of Polimoda, one of Italy’s most famous design schools.
So with this in mind, check out these fashion-minded museums that for a small entry fee will satisfy any curiosity you might have about Florentine and Italian fashion.
Ferragamo store, Florence
Fashion history at the Ferragamo store
Museo Salvatore Ferragamo
Piazza Santa Trinita’ 5
Hours: Wed-Mon 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Ticket: €5
Web site
The €5 entry fee is a measly price to pay for this state-of-the-art museum, covering the life, work and innovation of Salvatore Ferragamo. Whether that €5 ticket will then lead you to buy €800 shoes is a different question…
Even if you’re not obsessed with shoes and fashion, you’ll be drawn into this warm contemporary museum space, housed under the medieval Palazzo Spini Feroni (pictured below). High quality video pieces and iPad-like touch screens display a mix of articles, photos, quotes and sketches.
While Ferragamo is known for his famous shoe designs, the museum points out the innovation involved in his designs, displaying his various patents for shoe components such as the shank or his ingenious inventions such as the cork wedge. You’ll find various stories about his resourcefulness in using raffia, cork, and cellophane during World War II when leather was scarce, as well as his studies on the foot, weight and balance.
Palazzo Spini Feroni-Home of Ferragamo
The Palazzo Spini Feroni
The Ferragamo Museum also offers a small movie theater (at the moment showing an Italian film-style commercial for Ferragamo), a temporary exhibition space that usually features studies on the company, artisan crafts, or some of Ferragamo’s famous clients and multiple interactive video components explaining the company’s history and future. My favorite station included real reproductions of Ferragamo designs that you place onto the table’s screen and a description and history immediately pops up, in both English and Italian.
However the most interesting aspects relate to shoemaking itself, an art almost lost to modern technology. A video shows the process of making a red patent leather pump from start to finish, focusing on the handmade quality of the shoes, despite the use of some machinery.
Another room houses three wall-size screens, two of which show the shoemaking process. Another shows a pianist playing a piece that I found both mesmerizing and calming at the same time.
The Ferragamo museum isn’t huge, but it holds little secrets and surprises. I was captivated not only by the company’s history, but also by its high-tech displays. It’s cheapo price, which is donated to a scholarship for young designers, only makes it more irresistible.
Galleria del Costume
Palazzo Pitti
Ticket: €7 (includes admission to Boboli Gardens)
This royally fascinating museum is tucked away in the Pitti Palace, the Medici residence-turned-museum that is also home of the world famous Boboli Gardens. In fact, the €7 ticket allows entrance to not only the Boboli Gardens, but also to the Costume Gallery and the Silver and Porcelain museums. So when visiting Boboli, be sure to take an hour out of your garden time to stop into this jewel of a gallery.
The museum houses a collection of clothing from the 16th century onwards, with a slight emphasis on Italian pieces and designers. Special pieces include the funeral clothes of famous Medici ruler Cosimo I and other royals.
The combination of the splendid rooms of the palace with the decadent fragile clothing on display will transport you back in time and allow you to better appreciate the craftsmanship of each piece. Over 6,000 pieces of historic clothing and costumes are found in the archives and are switched out periodically to update the exhibits and protect the clothing from damage.
On its own, the admission price may not be worth it, but as a free addition to your Boboli ticket, its definitely worth a visit!

Homemade Peppermint Patties

"K2T Wisata"
These homemade peppermint patties have been a family favorite for years. This basic recipe came from a Taste of Home magazine from 1995. Yes, these are so good that I have made them almost every Christmas for fifteen years.
The original recipe for these had you making individual little patties and dipping each one. My sisters and I have found though that it is much easier to make these into bars.
If you like the mint patties that you find in the candy aisle, you will love these.

Homemade Peppermint Patties

  • 3-3/4 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 2 to 3 teaspoons peppermint extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 1/4 cup evaporated milk
  • 2 cups chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons shortening
  1. In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Add milk and mix well.
  2. Spread mixture onto a baking sheet that has been lined with parchment paper. ( I use my silpat mat)
  3. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until firm.
  4. Melt 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon of shortening in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Spread over chilled mint mixture and chill until chocolate is set.
  5. Flip bars over and carefully peel or parchment paper. Melt remaining chocolate and shortening and spread over the mint layer. Chill until set.
  6. After firm, bring to room temperature and then cut them. If the chocolate is solid these will be hard to cut. I bring them to room temperature to cut them, and then put them back in the refrigerator to store them.
Lynn

The photography’s world

"K2T Wisata"
Housed in an Art Nouveau-style industrial building from 1906, Fotografiska is one of the world’s largest meeting places for modern photography. Opened on May 2010 the new photography museum is located Stockholm and offers a fantastic view of the Old Town.
Ferdinand Boberg designed this imposing building at the 2,500 sq m gallery space. Fotografiska is a permanent showplace for world-class photography and will exhibit around 20 different photo exhibitions a year. (four major and some smaller). Over 200 photographs created by 50 world renowned photographers will display international and Swedish photography at its best. This is one of the most comprehensive exhibitions of photography in Europe.
It’s a fine example of private investment working alongside munincipal funding to further the options for visitors and locals. Dedicated to showing photography, Fotografiska also offers a fantastic restaurant, bar, a great shop boasts a wide variety of postcards, photo books and collector’s items. Opening hours: between 10am and 9pm, including Monday.

Enjoy Christmas in a Parisian Cabaret

"K2T Wisata"
Have you decided where you will be spending Christmas? Have you ever been to Paris before? Why not try some tourism in Paris for this holiday season? Known as the “city of lights” or the “city of love” Paris is a very magical and romantic destination. A trip to Paris for spending Christmas holidays in Paris can be a very special event for you and your loved ones.
Paris is a popular destination year round, and also in Christmas time. Still, since a lot of people choose to spend Christmas at home, Christmas in Paris is also a time to enjoy the best of tourism in Paris. After all, you will not have to stand the long queues, which will save lots of your time for really enjoying the sightseeing of the best touristic landmarks of Paris, taking tours through Paris and getting to know the city in-depth, with the added charm of the Christmas atmosphere.
Also at this time of the year, and knowing some people need an extra incentive to choose to spend Christmas away from home, hotels in Paris and flights to Paris offer special prices and budget-friendly packages. That is the case especially if you book in advance, but last minute specials should be around soon.
Christmas in Paris offers a combination of all you wish for: pleasant sightseeing, a romantic environment, cold but nice weather, specially incorporated Christmas lights all over the city, shopping and holiday markets. But that is not all Paris is about, it is also about the nightlife, the good clubs and, of course, the cabarets, which also take part in the Christmas atmosphere by offering some specials.
But what are the cabarets after all? Cabarets are a form of entertainment that mixes comedy with musical, dance and theater. This takes place, in general, in restaurants or nightclubs, with a person acting as the master of ceremonies. In some cases, this kind of entertainment is combined with that of Mediterranean style brothels, where women entertain the clients. The two most famous cabarets in Paris are the Moulin Rouge and the Lido. Let’s see what they have to offer for Christmas in Paris:
Lido de Paris: Christmas dinner and show
The legendary Lido de Paris is located in the well-known Avenue des Champs Élysées and famous for its “revues”. The “revue” is a popular theater entertainment that consists in multiple acts combining music, sketches and dance. Opened in 1946, the Lido adopted this genre, original from the 19th century American melodrama and popular entertainment. From then on, “the world’s most famous cabaret” –as described in the Lido’s official website- constantly plays different revues to entertain its crowded public.
Currently, those who take a trip to Paris can see the popular “Bonheur” revue on stage. The word “Bonheur” is French for happiness, as the story is about a woman’s quest for happiness. The 90 minutes long revue recounts the story of this woman in four parts or “tableaux”, together with very nice and elaborate costumes, fascinating detailed settings, magical lighting, captivating music, lots of special effects and special acts, which make for a night of pure happiness.
Designed by Pierre Rambert, Artistic Director of the Lido, this new revue establishes a good balance between the respect for the grand tradition of legendary Lido shows and a new, surprising, contemporary vision. Bonheur is led by the Lido Boy Dancers and the Bluebell Girls.
So if you are doing tourism in Paris this December and want to find a good place where to spend Christmas Eve, you may be interested in the Christmas dinner and show offered by the glamorous Le Lido de Paris, right on the beautiful Paris’s Champs Élysées.

Lido Paris Show

>> BOOK LIDO PARIS CHRISTMAS DINNER AND SHOW

For an unforgettable Christmas, we offer you this special package for a tour in Paris, in which you can pre-book a dinner at the Lido, which will be followed by the Bonheur show.
The way this works is: you book a 7pm gourmet meal, for which you can choose between two different menus that combine the best of the traditional French cuisine with an innovative flair. Prepared by the acclaimed chef Philippe Lacroix from the Lido, there is a standard four-course meal and a premium six-course meal, always accompanied with your choice of Champagne or wine.
The Standard Menu offered at the Lido de Paris includes a starting of a glass of champagne served with puff pastries. After that, you will also taste some finely sliced smoked Scottish salmon accompanied by toasted country bread. The following main course is an option of pan-seared sea-bass fillet, crushed potato with black truffle or a thick medallion of veal, chestnut tatin and wild mushrooms. For dessert you will be served a “Yule log”, which is a chocolate log also known as Bûche de Noël.
As for the drinks, you can choose between a half bottle of Champagne or a half bottle of wine. The wines can be white (2009 Chablis, Domaine de Chaude Ecuelle) or red (2006 Graves, Chateau Haut-Selve). Coffee and mineral water are also included.
As for the Lido de Paris’ Prestige Menu, it also starts with a glass of champagne served with puff pastries, which is followed by scrambled eggs with sea urchin corals. After the eggs, the next dish is the finely sliced smoked Scottish salmon accompanied by toasted country bread. The main dish is the option of pan-seared sea-bass fillet, crushed potato with black truffle or a thick medallion of veal, chestnut tatin and wild mushrooms. Dessert in this case is also the Yule log, but followed by special Lido de Paris petit fours.
Coffee and mineral water are also included, as well as the option between a half-bottle of Champagne or a half-bottle of wine for the drinks. In this case the white wine is a 2009 Menetou-Salon, Le Grand Cerf; and the red wine is a 2003 Haut-Medoc, Chateau Victoria.
After dinner, and once done with all the champagne, you can take your partner and dance to the orchestra, while enjoying a spectacular night in Paris. By 9pm lights will start to dim. Soon the curtains of the stage will rise and by 9.30pm the “Bonheur” show will start.
Our package for an unforgettable Christmas Eve out in Paris, at the glamorous Lido de Paris includes the entrance to the “Bonheur” show, the dinner of your choice and half bottle of champagne or wine. Transportation is not included, but we can help you find appropriate pick up and drop off services if you need them.
Bear in mind for this special night the dress code is formal. Also, you should let us know when booking if you have specific dietary restrictions or requirements. Try to book in advance, as Le Lido is an extremely popular venue and shows tend to sell out some weeks in advance, which is even more frequent for a Christmas Eve special like this one.

Blueberry French Toast

"K2T Wisata"
Today I am very excited to have my sister Evie guest posting. Evie is a great cook and she loves spending time in the kitchen. She does not have a blog, so I have convinced her to share several of her favorite recipes with my readers over the next few months. The recipe that she is sharing today is one that my sisters and mom have been making for years. It is very good and the perfect breakfast for the holidays.
During the busy holiday season, I love recipes I can make ahead.  This is a family favorite for breakfast or brunch and you can do all of the work the night before!  In recent years, my mom has started making this for Christmas morning.
I used farm fresh eggs, so the batch in the picture looks is a little more yellow than it does with store bought eggs.

Overnight Blueberry French Toast

French Toast:
  • 8 slices day old bread (French bread works best)
  • 4 oz. cream cheese (reduced fat works)
  • 1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 ½ c. milk
  • 1/4 c. pure maple syrup
  1. Cut bread into 1 in. cubes.
  2. Place ½ of bread in a greased 9×13 pan.
  3. Cut cream cheese into ½ in. cubes, place over bread.
  4. Top with blueberries, then remaining bread.
  5. In bowl, beat eggs. Stir in milk and syrup.
  6. Pour over bread.
  7. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  8. Remove from refrigerator 30 min. before baking.
  9. Cover with foil and bake @ 350 for 20 min.  Uncover and bake an additional 20-25 min, until golden brown and center is firm/set.
  10. 10.  Serve with blueberry sauce (or a can of blueberry pie filling)
For the Sauce:
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 2 TB corn starch
  • 1 c. water
  • 1 c. blueberries
  • 1 TB butter
  1. Combine sugar and corn starch, add water and stir until dissolved.
  2. Bring to a boil over medium heat.  Boil 3 min. stirring constantly.
  3. Add blueberries and reduce heat.
  4. Simmer 8-10 min, or until blueberries burst.
  5. Serve over French toast
  6. If you make the sauce the night before: cool, refrigerate and reheat in the morning.
Thank you for sharing your recipe Evie!
Lynn

Barcelo Market

"K2T Wisata"
The vision for the Barcelo Market and its environment is in fact the sum of various different innovations: an urban complex featuring elements of differing scale and function which are required to transform quite remarkably a densely inhabited and central zone of Madrid. The Temporary Market has been conceived as a recyclable complex which, despite its provisional nature, is able to prompt a new perception of its urban surroundings. Situated in Plaza del Arquitecto Ribera, on top of an underground car park, the idea of the project evokes traditional markets in public squares consisting in self-contained structures on a single level which can be used in a variety of different ways. Given the need of hosting the many stalls of the former market, the complex is made of six pentagonal constructions, of different heights and sizes, thus avoiding excessive volume with respect to the surrounding buildings.

The Waterhouse at South Bund,

"K2T Wisata"
Located next to The Cool Docks lifestyle destination, The Waterhouse at South Bund is a chic, contemporary hotel transformed from a historic waterfront property.  Operated by The New Majestic Group from Singapore, the hotel features work of some of the world’s top designers, a casual modern European restaurant that offers a brand new culinary concept in Shanghai, an inviting roof-top cocktail lounge, and spectacular panoramic views of the Pudong futuristic skyline and the Huangpu River.  

The Kanayama Community Center,

"K2T Wisata"
The Kanayama Community Center by Kengo Kuma and Associates Architects is a public space and museum which boasts a unique facade. Modeled after the stone wall that protected Kanayama Castle—a regional landmark and historic site—the community center is a truly dynamic structure in Oota City, Japan.
The large, open entrance helps to neutralize the imposing feeling projected by the detailed, monochrome walls. The geometric pattern on the walls is reminiscent of the Hojo Clan family crest. The clan owned the castle at the height of its prominence in the late 1500s. It is fitting then, that the museum at the Kanayama Community Center by Kengo Kuma Architects will house the Kanayama Castle ruins.