How To Make Laduree Macaroons ... A La Paris

864 Madison Avenue, New York CityFrench patisserie Laduree makes world famous macaroons in assorted flavors.  Travelers bring boxes of the gourmet cookies back from Paris, and here in New York City where a shop opened on Madison Avenue (at 7oth Street) last year, lines form daily, stretching all the way around the block, to buy the $3 macaroons, which are flown in from Paris each morning.  So what's all the fuss about?If you can't make...

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My Love Letter To Queen

Bohemian Rhapsody from A Night At The OperaI tried to think of a clever reason to feature the rock band Queen this morning, but there isn't one ... other than: I LOVE QUEEN and will never grow tired of listening to their albums.  Their songs never get old.Nothing beats the experience of listening to LIVE music, and Queen could mesmerize an arena.  It's an understatement to say that the band could really play and sing and entertain. Several...

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Ted Baker Opens A New Fifth Avenue Store

Kate and Pippa Middleton wearing Ted BakerThe gold print on a charcoal black invitation read: “Ted Baker, London ... His 5th Avenue Store is now open.” [at 48th Street.]  “Ted Baker requests your presence at his grand house on Fifth.  Enjoy ... afternoon tea ... and the chance to peruse Ted's fall collections."  Attached was a brass skull-type key with yellow ribbon to keep as a souvenir.  Clever marketing, no?I anticipated staying...

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Curiosity Rover on Mars ... Meanwhile Back On Earth

Top side image by the BBC (Equipped with cameras and tentacles to scoop up dirt to be analyzed.)Do you enjoy reading the news?  Many subjects attract my attention, some weighty and serious and others quite superficial and frivolous.  If you are either highbrow or lowbrow and have news, or an entertaining story to tell ... pleazzze come and sit by me.Today I saw two very compelling images in the media.  The first one -- of the Curiosity...

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The Santa Rosa: A Plum-Basil Cocktail

Photo: Jim P.Summer's long days and mild temperatures make it an excellent season for reading, relaxing and sipping an evening cocktail.  Today I'm featuring an icy, fruity drink, created by Jim P., who has more ripe plums than he knows what to do with.  Having an abundance of fruit is a very good thing.  It's the mother of invention.Here is the rough and easy recipe to make one serving of Jim's refreshing, plum-basil cocktail:1 big,...

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