Layers.....

of cream, pastry, custard, cream, pastry, custard...and so on, and so on! Oh how I love Mille-Feuille ("thousand-leaf")! Have you ever had this amazing dessert? 

My family grew up on these treats from the Victoria Pastry Company in North Beach, San Francisco. They were infamous for their St. Honore cakes which had little rum and cream-filled puff pastries on top of the cake. But my all-time favorites were the Napoleons (mille-feuille). Check out their delicious offerings here. While in Florence on a trip before we had our two girls, my husband and I stumbled into a great little neighborhood restaurant and had their homemade Mille-Feuille. I'll never forget how amazing every bite was! OH what a treat. Please do try one in your lifetime if you have not yet tried one. It is THAT good. : )

Illustration Friday: Sweater

"Wait for me, I'll join you!"

Have a great Valentine's Day celebrating with the one's you love...

Illustration Friday :: Reverse

"Let's take back our reputations of "garbage-rummaging rodents"

to the intelligent mammals that we are known to be!," said Ricky Raccoon.

"Don't let him fool you, he's just using some reverse-psychology so that he can claim those trashcans for himself!," whispered Rocky to Rowena.

Aaah..I don't know where this one came from, so please bear with me. : )
Just wanted to give some shoutouts to a few wonderful people
out here in blogland:

1) Ces, is playing along in her own way to the recent Pay-it-Forward post by hosting a wonderful giveaway...visit her here!
2) Bradford Renner opened up a wonderful new Etsy shop - visit his blog and shop and you won't be disappointed!
3) Peter Breese - the uber-talented, is selling amazing Lithographs of his fine, fine work..visit here.
4) Amalia (oh my, I'm so belated) has a wonderful Etsy shop too - swing by and see her beautiful and rich work here.
5) Sophia - just wanted to say a big good luck to you as you embark on your ballet dreams! Visit Sophia here.
6) Jane - Jane is a lovely Pay-it-Forward blog friend and I believe she still has one opening if you'd like to participate..please visit Jane here.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday everyone - have a great week ahead!!
~ Shirley

Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy New Year of the Rabbit (4709)

I just couldn't let the start of the new year pass without an illustration to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit (my daughter and Father-in-law's year). Here's a quick scene of Miss Bunny giving out laysee (red envelopes) to the Lion dancer with firecrackers in the background. This year, my littlest one will be the tail of the Chinese school's Dragon during it's New Year's celebration. She's really looking forward to it, and so am I!

Love is in the air!

Wow, February, already? This month is especially special 'cause it's my mom's birthday month. Happy Birthday, Mom! I love you!
~
Love is all around over at my group blog: www.welovetoillustrate.com
swing on by and check out all of the sweet Valentine-inspired illustrations by Jennifer, Cally, Julissa, Nina, Bee and myself..the ladies created some really wonderful pieces!