The Duchess's Desk

A marquetry tea chest containing two tea canisters made by William Potter of Cornhill in 1786. A mother of pearl disc inscribed, 'Made by W Potter London 1786' is set into the inside of the lid of each canister. The set is said to have been modelled after Carlton House. The tea chest was offered in a raffle open to fifty subscribers at two guineas each and was won by the maker. Source: Museum of London

While I was sitting outside on my porch waiting for my Instacart delivery, I noticed a little chipmunk peeking out from a hole in the wall. As soon as I stepped off the porch to help the delivery person with the groceries, the chipmunk quickly scurried back into its hiding spot. Lately, with the changing weather, I've been feeling a bit under the weather myself. Unfortunately, taking time off work isn’t an option since I’ve already used up all my sick time. You’re only allotted 52 hours, and I used mine up in just about three years. 🙄 Chipmunks are naturally curious creatures. Their incessant noseyness is often what leads them to appear in the most unexpected places. Whether it's peeking out from a tree stump or watching from the corner of a fence, they’re always on the lookout for something interesting.  Their tiny noses twitch constantly as they sniff out new scents, often finding their way into yards, gardens, or even holes in the walls. I’ve seen them gather nu...

A doily (or doilie) is an ornamental mat, originally the name of a fabric made by Doiley, a 17th-century London draper. They are crocheted and sometimes knitted out of cotton or linen thread, also being cut out of paper.  When setting the table for afternoon tea, doilies are traditionally used to line plates, enabling you to present food in the most attractive way. They may also be placed under your tea cups and crockery. “One cannot arrange a successful afternoon tea without placing the offerings on a doily.” Aunt Jane

London’s Pearly Kings and Queens are a flamboyant celebration of cockney culture that epitomise British quirkiness. Marked every year in September at a Harvest Festival in Guildhall Yard, London. The organisation began in 1875 when Henry Croft, a 13-year-old orphan working as a market sweeper, decided to raise money to help those left in the orphanage. Croft created the first ‘pearly suit’ – a creation so spectacular it spawned generations of followers (and the cover of a White Stripes album). When Croft died in 1930, 400 pearly-suited followers attended his funeral. Today Pearly Societies continue to raise money for charity. Read more at www.pearlysociety.co.uk

A favourite of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince William by Carolyn Robb, former Royal Chef. SERVES 16-20 For the cake 340g (12oz) butter 240g (8oz) golden syrup 60g (2oz) unsweetened cocoa powder 120g (4oz) dark chocolate, chopped 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 60g (2oz) pistachios 100g (3½ oz) soft, plump dried figs, sliced or chopped 450g (1lb) digestive biscuits, crushed TO DECORATE 300g (11oz) dark chocolate, chopped 50g (2oz) white chocolate, chopped selection of small chocolate sticks and dark and white Maltesers or Whoppers You will need one 20cm (8in) round or square cake tin about 7cm (2¾ in) deep (or use a flan ring) 1. Melt the butter with the golden syrup in a heavy-based pan. Do not let it boil. 2. Remove from the heat and add the cocoa powder, dark chocolate and vanilla extract. 3. Stir until you have a very smooth, glossy mixture. 4. Add the pistachios, figs and crushed biscuits to the chocolate mixture and stir well. 5. Line the base and sides of the cake tin with baking parch...

  There have been so many times when I've just wanted to vanish, to get on a bus and see where it takes me. You see it happen and read about it in books and movies now and then. The reasons for the characters’ escapes are usually tied to some kind of trouble, but for me, it’s simpler—I'm just tired. I’m tired of feeling stuck. I’m tired of someone else holding the pen and dictating my life, claiming they know what’s best. I’m tired of feeling small, and I’m especially tired of being invisible and forgettable. In fact, I’ve had people confirm the forgettable part. In my perfect world, it's quiet year-round, and everyone knows each other’s name. Everyone takes care of each other, and no one is left behind. Being left behind is one of my biggest fears. My legacy is nothing. I know that after I'm gone, I’ll be forgotten, just like we all will be. I’m so lonely. I'm so lonely.. 

  There have been so many times when I've just wanted to vanish, to get on a bus and see where it takes me. You see it happen and read about it in books and movies now and then. The reasons for the characters’ escapes are usually tied to some kind of trouble, but for me, it’s simpler—I'm just tired. I’m tired of feeling stuck. I’m tired of someone else holding the pen and dictating my life, claiming they know what’s best. I’m tired of feeling small, and I’m especially tired of being invisible and forgettable. In fact, I’ve had people confirm the forgettable part. In my perfect world, it's quiet year-round, and everyone knows each other’s name. Everyone takes care of each other, and no one is left behind. Being left behind is one of my biggest fears. My legacy is nothing. I know that after I'm gone, I’ll be forgotten, just like we all will be. I’m so lonely. I'm so lonely.. 

For many commuters, certain landmarks become a source of daily fascination, offering a comforting glimpse into history with each passing glance. One such gem in Rochester, New York, is the enigmatic and beautiful Heart House.  Situated along a bus route that many locals take, this historic home catches the eye of those who travel past it every day. Although it shows signs of wear and tear, it still maintains a certain allure, drawing attention from curious onlookers. The Heart House was built between 1924 and 1930 by Emil F. Nolte, a skilled mason who poured his craftsmanship into every detail of the structure.  The house stands as a testament to the artistry of early 20th-century American masonry, featuring intricate stonework and a unique design that sets it apart from other homes in the area. Nolte’s commitment to quality is evident in the design of the home, and it’s no surprise that the Heart House continues to captivate the hearts of those who pass by. Today,...

A lady approached me while I was waiting to be let in around 8:15 a.m. She was there to return something. Then, she tried to tell me it was 9 p.m.  I was completely thrown off and responded, "Lady, it's 8:30 a.m., and I need coffee just to process this level of confusion!" I honestly would have been fast asleep if it were actually 9 p.m.! I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Maybe she was just really tired or had lost track of time, but it definitely caught me off guard.  I’m used to the usual early morning mix-ups, but that one was a bit much. The whole thing made me laugh, though—nothing like starting the day with a little comedy. Hopefully, I can shake off that confusion and get my caffeine fix soon!

A red post box and the red telephone box, British cultural icons. Photograph taken at St Katherines Docks, London. The first post boxes were erected in 1840, when Rowland Hill suggested the idea of roadside letter boxes for Britain. Letter boxes of this kind were already being used in countries such as France, Belgium and Germany. The first red phone boxes were installed in 1921. These were the ‘K1’ design boxes but two years later a competition was held to design a new box. Subsequent designs resulted in the 'K6' the most popular type of phone box seen in the UK. With calls from phone boxes down 90% in the past 10 years, many have been decommissioned and transformed into a variety of uses including libraries, museums, bakeries, mini art galleries and even housing defibrillators. The K2 was Designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, based on Sir John Soane’s mausoleum. Giles’ grandfather George designed the Albert Memorial & his father is responsible, through Watts & Co, for ...

I'm utterly exhausted as I've been awake since 7 a.m. yesterday morning. Today, I work from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and I have a feeling it's going to be a very long day. It's definitely going to be a coffee day for me, just to stay awake and get through it. On top of that, I'm feeling frustrated because my rent money hasn't been pulled from my bank account yet, and I still need to buy some groceries for my room. The food downstairs tends to go pretty fast between Mom and Pete, and I usually only eat one meal a day. I know it's not the healthiest, but I'm trying to make the food last longer than a week, so it’s a balancing act. I’m hoping things will work out soon, and that I'll get my rent money sorted so I can take care of the groceries I need. Hopefully, I can get some rest later when the day finally winds down.

  Can you spot the difference? There is regional debate when it comes to the assembling of scones, Devonshire style is clotted cream first, then strawberry jam (left) Cornish style is strawberry jam first, then clotted cream (right). A Cream Tea consists of tea served with scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam. Afternoon tea consists of tea served with three courses, eaten in the order of sandwiches, scones (served with clotted cream and strawberry jam) and cakes/petit fours (also known as the sweet course). Small savoury items may be added to the sandwich course. A Royal tea is afternoon tea served with champagne. It is thought highly hospitable to provide at least two types of tea to guests.  Clotted Cream Clotted cream is rich and sweet in taste, thick and spreadable like butter. Clotted cream recipe https://cookthismeal.com/recipe/18894-chef-johns-clotted-cream Eating Scones At the the table, scones should be gently broken apart, not cut, this is done to acknowledge the...

  Here is some guidance on preparing and serving tea for a special Afternoon tea. A generous host will supply a range of at least two tea blends, with fruit/herbal varieties, also extending the choice for coffee drinkers. At hotels or restaurants tea blends may reach into the hundreds with very rare selections. Here are some common choices: * Assam - a strong full-bodied black tea from India, which has a distinctive, 'malty' flavour. Steep for 3-4mins, serve with/without milk. * Darjeeling - an aromatic and astringent black tea from India, with a hint of almonds and wildflowers. Steep for 3-4mins, the delicate flavours make it preferable to drink without milk * Earl Grey - a blend of black teas scented with oil of bergamot named after Charles, 2nd Earl Grey, who was Prime Minister from 1830 to 1834. Steep for 3-4mins, serve with/without milk. * Lapsang Souchong - a Chinese tea fired over smoking pine needles, which produces a striking smoky odour and flavour. Steep for 4-5...