Navarin d'Agneau or French Lamb Casserole

It’s a freezing day in London, a perfect time to fix an easy and delicious French casserole, called Navarin d’Agneau.  I’ve adapted the recipe from several others, especially The Silver Palate Cookbook.  I added loads of carrots and other vegetables so it’s hearty and healthy.   I love the 1/2 Cup of Cognac and wine, which tenderize the chunks of lamb and add a rich flavor.  I posted it on our ParisPerfect blog at http://www.parisperfect.com/blog/.  Click here to download my recipe:   Recipe for French Lamb Casserole.

The Queen's Household Cavalry Taking a Cappuccino Break

I stopped at the Cornwall apartment this morning and saw something that made me smile; thought I’d share it with you.   The Queen’s Household Cavalry Regiment is based nearby in Hyde Park and naturally take the horses out daily, normally around Hyde Park and adjacent Kensington Gardens.  Some days, though, they choose to trot through Kensington Streets — what a wonderful sight accompanied to the sounds of clopping horses~! Close your eyes and you could be back in the days of the Empire.

The lovely Kynance Mews offers a delicious French pastry shop with Cafe’ au lait ‘to go’.  They stopped and sent two soldiers in to take their orders! It’s so London, an everyday contrast of the English Empire and today — on horseback, but ordering cappuccino’s to go.

Two solders waited at the other end of the Mews to keep a lookout.  As I took the picture an old soldier stopped and had a good long talk with them about the regiment.

Queen's Household Cavalry -- 2 Men Keeping a Lookout

I like to drive my daughter to school if I’ve got time in the mornings.  It’s a great time to talk about life, friends, school and more.  One of the benefits is that we drive through Kensington Gardens, where it divides with Hyde Park.  The other week, was lucky enough to see this sunrise as we drove past.

My daughter thought I was crazy, but I had my camera with me, pulled the car over and took these pictures.

the Serpentine in London at sunrise. Houses of Parliament in the distance.

It was such a beautiful sunrise, seeing the Houses of Parliament in the distance.  We were so lucky to have seen it!

The water had frozen in a wavy pattern overnight

To the right we could see the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain, marked by the beautiful bronze statue of a Flamingo.

The entrance to the Princess Diana Memorial on a winter morning...

The days are so short but it will make spring all the more special!