2009 Reviewed - Everybody Loves Charlotte

At this hour one year ago, I was making my first Charlotte Royal. It was the most ambitious dessert, I've ever ventured on. But the risk taken paid back and it made quite an entrance at the New Year's Eve party (late entry - at this our I was supposed to be on my way to the party).



A while later, I also tried the Charlotte Russe for my mother's birthday.



Both recipe pages [1] [2] for those two desserts are my most visited posts. There seems to more people out there liking classical desserts :)

Well, this is it. I wish you a Happy New Year, stay healthy, indulge in love and enjoy everlasting groovieness :) 2010 will be fantastic - I know this, because we deserve only the best :)

2009 Reviewed - What made me leave my bed early

In 2009, I had to get up several time quite early. This all started on a cold Saturday night in Montreal in late 2007, when Mr. Mac introduced me after a movie in a book store to Nigella Lawson. I had never heard of her, but Mr. Mac's fascination was big enough that I got hooked and got one of her books for myself.

One of the recipes in the book I actually tried was Swedish Salmon. Toño loved it too and so it became quite a regular appetizer this year for when we had guests.

The problem is, that you need an intact salmon, which is difficult to get in Switzerland. So I had to get up early on Saturday or Wednesday morning, when there is a good fish merchant at the local farmer's market. Early I had to be that not another one got my preferred fish first.



Tonight at our New Year's Eve invitation we will serve it again. But I think we have to find something new for next year. It is not our intention to bore our guests. But what might it be? And will it make me leave the cosy bed early too?

2009 Reviewed - Über Cute

Shakira's She Wolf burned itself into my memory only because its video was recreated as He Wolf in the most über cute way :)

2009 Reviewed - Unbridled Passion

I admire people who prove us wrong, by showing that the impossible can not only be thought of but also built. For many years Zaha Hadid had been drafting only, but since 1993 her powerful designs are actually built.

This year, Taschen published Zaha Hadid. Complete Works 1979-2009, a 600 page 7 kg XL tome demonstrating the progress of Hadid's work. A book showing that we can act beyond our wildest dreams.

2009 Reviewed - The Transforming Power of Glee

We do not watch much TV, nevertheless we like TV series. I either get them on DVD or previewed and recommended by Château Mac. So, out of this collection, what was so outstanding on Toño's iMac* this year?

Well Toño & I had been on TV in 2009! But I reckon it would be a slightly bit impudent to vote for ourselves. And if I look at the rest, I have to declare without the slightest hesitation Glee the Best on TV 2009.



Ever since I sat endless hours through that cheesy Phantom of the Opera I simply loath musicals. Thus, if you told me that I would favour anything in which people break into song and dance constantly, I would have hit you right into your face. Now I can't do it any more. It's the power of Glee. It made me so much more peaceful.

*we haven't even got a telly

2009 Reviewed - Only a Brief Glimpse

Yes, there was Almodóvar's Los Abrazos Rotos, but despite of this fact, I have no idea what the best film was, all I remember of the film year 2009 was this far too brief moment of Chris Pine in those boxer briefs *swoons again*

2009 Reviewed - When Best Is Worst Too

As so many, at the end of the year, I like to pause for a moment and to look back on the year which just rushed passed me. Like today, when I was disposing old newspapers and magazines, and I had to realise with astonishment that the best magazine cover boy of 2009 was also the worst magazine cover boy of 2009.



I so prefer a fantastically beautiful Ben to the one with attitude.