Thursday, September 17, 2015

Almost Fall Sightings~ And a great weekend cake~















Well this one could take the cake~
It is the easiest chocolate cake I have made.
All done w/ a whisk in a medium size pot..stove..a few ings..the mold..s of your choice and you are done.
Jacques loves dark chocolate desserts..and coffee..this is an espresso chocolate Bundt cake but I made it in 2 pans..a German/Austrian pan..a Rehrücken I have had for over 1 year and was itching to try..and  my small mini Heritage type Bundt.
I divived the long loaf in 2 and sent half  across the street..
after you put the glaze on you can leave as is or decorate w/ whatever.
I chose fruit.I had figs and yellow raspberries and seedless concord blue grapes.
I loved the look when I was done and Jacques loved the taste.
BTW this cake..s..popped out perfectly of the coated metal loaf and the silicone intricate one.

I found the recipe here..it is from 2011~Took me this long to find it..
It is printed up for safekeeping~
I tried growing figs..even wintered the fig trees in the garage..after 3 years I gave up..same w/ Brugmansias..tempted..to try again..
I have given a bit of thought to next year's potager..and..

I have my wish list for next years' potager..

Curly Parsley                     ......... no more flat leaf..you should see my son-in-laws ♥
New Zealand Spinach             ... it reseeds..I have gathered some in case
Borage..                                .........I have gathered seeds as it reseeded here in minutes after it all fell 
French Radishes                   .........from France
Globe Zucchini
Cherry Tomatoes
Italian Tomatoes                ...........again ..you should see my son-in-laws
Beets                                  ...........to plant after my garlic harvest
Basil                                    ..........Plenty ..after Susan's recommendation
GARLIC                             ..........many varieties♥. It will be planted mid-Oct.

maybe a pumpkin patch at the back:)

Some things are still ripe for picking and making small indoor bouquets..
In fact I have Huldine blooms on branches in my 3 glass vases w/ the candles..
but here and there..things are glumming up..
take all my other clematis..they are all having bad hair days after a very floriferous summer.
You know what?
I got tired of looking at my group 3s turned to twine all winter..can't even get past the arbor..the white fences w/ all that brown..so the last 2 years..when I have put the beds to sleep..I have been ruthless w/ the group 3's and chopped them all down too..Not one has come back less vigorous.
So that's the deal here now..no pereferential treatment for group 3s..anymore.
I am getting too picky  for finicky in the garden.

Japanese Anemones..  hanging on..but the last pic of ..it..shows the end is near~ Dahlias..next year Dinner Plates or nothing..these are all the same!  Almost..so far..and not dinner plates..feverfew if you can believe ..and a hodge podge of late roses..
I will take whatever I can:)
Whenever I can..
Fleeting my blooms..they are fleeting.


Perfect weekend cake by the way:)Perfect.
Just sitting there waiting for you..or a friend to drop by..or family.It just sits pretty .
When I worked..
if a client offered me a cup of tea and added a nice treat..I knew instinctively..this client/woman..was special.That sounds a bit off but 100% of the time.. a treat was offered by the female part of the equation.
I was just hired or soon to be hired help to help find or market a home..there was no need to spoil me..but that made such a difference in getting to know the person♥
Nurturing,sharing,caring.


Bon Weekend~

72 comments:

  1. Nurturing....sharing....caring...
    Words to live by...
    Beautiful photographs...
    Delightful cut flowers....
    Delectable chocolate cake...
    I would gladly offer you a cuppa and a sweet treat...anytime...
    Bonne weekend my friend...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. I know you would!I would love Miss V to be there too:)
      Have a lovely one Linda!

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    2. Monique! I have been searching for a perfect chocolate bundt cake.... this is it! Wasn't sure how to comment on your blog... :)

      LT
      xo

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  2. Your garden seems to be still giving you quite a few bouquets. I am about ready to put mine to bed. I think I will try your tip about pruning the clematis. The cake is delicious. I have never heard of that cake mold but there is a lot I am learning about from you! I'll have to give that cake a try. It would be nice for the holidays too. Bon weekend!

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    1. I am ready to get some parts to bed too!
      I have to wait until J gets his trailer organized to haul..
      I would love to cover all the beds with huge tarps lol to keep our 18 zillion leaves out of them too..ahh the joys of spring and fall garden clean up..
      Baking is easier;)
      That cake..is a cinch..blackberries on top would be beautiful!

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    2. That would be a great idea to collect the leaves. Do you turn them into mulch? Don't mention blackberries after my disaster baking yesterday. I was so bummed I made another NY Times plum torte. Too bad Jacques can't eat plums, you would love the cake. The cake is so simple, maybe you could do another fruit. I did buy more blackberries and will try to make the cake again. If I don't succeed I'll let you know.

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    3. I have made it:) And my friend Linda made it for Rosh Hashana and she suggested it too..those stone fruit issues this summer:(
      No not into mulch.. we did..and I put them back on the beds one year..and it was just more of a mess..our trees are ancient..maybe yours too.. soo many leaves....sssssssoooo many. We blow..we rake..we mow..and begin again..
      Hate when something we bake does not work..such a waste of good produce..:(

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  3. Well, I went to the doctor today and I have lost eleven pounds with all the moving etc., but I just gained back a few of them looking at that cake. I can almost taste it. My sister is coming for the weekend so a cherry pie will add the last few pounds back. Such beautiful photos. Yes, the seasons are changing even here though it is still hot. Any day now though, it will start to cool off then a chill in the morning air. Can't wait to get to the new house to look around the flower beds. It has very little lawn and mostly flower beds. Can't wait to see what is there already and what I can add. Hope I can plant some tulips for the spring. The deer eat them here so I hope there aren't any at the city house. Good weekend to you.

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    1. Hope you sign today!

      I remember your sster and cherry pie:)I bet you will plant tulips.. wonder if there are some there already?
      Mine act like annuals these past few years..I think I am too swayed by the prettiest faces and should go with hardier:)
      The last stretch Donna.. keep your mojo up:)

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  4. The cake looks heavenly. You dress your food so perfectly and inviting! What a lovely garden. I could get lost in it. Your photos are like poetry.....Beautiful.

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    1. Hope things are safer ? I can't stop tthinking about having my whole family where there was such concern:(

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  5. Ohhhh . . . that cake. Looks devine. I am pinning! Love all of the photos of the garden and your potager. I need to plan better myself. I would like to plant some garlic this year also for next. We shall see. If the time gets away from me or not. It is time for putting in bulbs here. Bedding down the garden for winter. Tis the season! Love and hugs. A visit with you is like a hug, filled with love. xoxo

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    1. I have not bought bubs yet either..I am too late for online..and when I was at Costco where I usually buy them..the cream of the crop had been snapped up..maybe our new one will have some..

      You are far busier than I am..I can understand time slipping away..Fridays arrive so quickly now!And the calendar flips so quickly too..

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  6. Your fall garden is magnificent Monique. What a great assortment of colors. Your gateau looks like it should be in the window of a fancy French patesserie or on a magazine cover.I totally agree on the power of sharing food - it really truly can bring people together. I understand Jacques' love of dark chocolate and espresso. Those 2 flavors were destined to be together. I was wondering - since I don't own any Bundt pans, do you think I could make the cake in 2 loaf pans?

    Take care and I hope you both have a lovely weekend,
    Sam

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    1. Oh yes for sure two loaf pans..she makes it in a Bundt..I would definitely try the 2 loaves..
      I bet you could freeze one beautifully too!
      I know you know the value and pleasure of breaking bread :) Everywhere!:)

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  7. You do such a marvelous job with your flower photos, Monique.So professional. Always love them, any season.
    Even though I'm not a chocolate lover, that amazing cake looks delicious! Perfect to share with special guests. Agree completely about serving a small treat...just a homemade cookie is fine....to clients, friends, unexpected company. I always try to have something in the freezer or cookie jar.
    Have a marvelous weekend...it's rainy here, but we needed it.

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    1. Yes..just a cookie:) Absolutely..
      Rain is always welcome..and you can be a bit lazier I find;)
      Well that's my excuse...

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  8. Oh my goodness..those flowers look amazing..I love the one with the dahlias and the "fluffy ones"..
    your garden is a delight.
    And that gateau..I do believe also that it belongs in a patisserie.
    What a lovely way to start my weekend.
    Shel xx

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    1. When clematis finish blooming..all the blooms become fairy ornaments I find:)

      Each type has a different look..the one w/ the very visible ind.pods and feathers..is Recta Purpurea..she is dazzling:)
      Now they are all done tough..and you will be beginning your season:)
      x

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  9. It does look like the perfect weekend cake! Chocolate always satisfies those cravings for me :) Thank you for this recipe! And thanks for the tips about the clematis. I am weary of looking at the old sticks all winter too - great to know! Have a wonderful weekend :)

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    1. I hope I am not ruining future clematis growth;)
      Here in my Zone 5..I did the unthinkable and it worked.. yes..that look.. too unruly;)

      Thanks Tricia!

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  10. That cake looks scrumptious! And your flower photos are beautiful.

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  11. Jacques and I have the same taste in cakes and dark chocolate is my very favorite. Lemon too :) What a gorgeous cake! It looks like it's wearing a crown, so pretty. I lost Honorine several years ago and haven't found a replacement yet. The pink anemones reseed themselves and pop up here and there. Wish Honorine would have done that! I am SO exciting to try cutting down my Group 3 clematis to see what would happen! I'll try the one or two big ones on our new fence that we can see from the living room. I hate looking at the tangled mess all winter long. When do you cut them? After the first freeze so they don't put on any new growth? Inquiring minds :) I usually grow both kinds of parsley but this year, just flat leaf. I'll have lots to cut and freeze for the winter. Fun wish list! I love making them - every year I make notes and corrections. Dahlias still going strong here and are the highlight of the garden along with the snapdragons. The snaps love cooler weather. Mack is 6 today :-)

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    1. Where has time gone.. he is just a couple of weeks off Oli..I bet those two would have so much fun together.I must admit The Littles are such nice sociable boys..Happy birthday to your first one..Nana..♥ I found curls I had saved from Lulu..
      More charming every minute..he came for des leçons this week..and was in shorts and a T and I said oh you look so nice and summery Lulu..he said you too nana.OMG what will I do w/out that sweetness one day;)From all of them..
      Noah came for dinner last night..brought his roller blades to show me his expertise..Imagine..:)
      They are not show offs..it's for the joy of showing us..we could all learn from children every single day of our lives.
      Well I guess we do that too:) Our baking ..etc;)



      I will cut them in October.. last week of..freeze or no freeze..you could wait until November..
      You know I had a Jackmanii growing on the other part of our fence and it was always more on my neighbours side and in the hedge..I shovel pruned it all..about 3 weeks ago..in all this heat..and put it on the front fence..It is coming back..and I see where I took it off..a part remained because it is growing too.We baby them too much these group 3s..I sound like an expert..the experts must be cringing.Now I don't cut the group ones..but you knew that already;)
      Betty was cut back and Summer Snow last oct....and they were monsters again this year.

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    2. Thank you, Monique! I will definitely try cutting some of the "monsters" back this year. I need to move so many things! I only have one group one left - Blue Bird - and barely a bloom this year :(

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  12. I always so enjoy coming to your blog. It is so homey. Figs yumm. We were buying bags of them on a daily basis. There were large bins of them at all the markets. One morning I was at a shop as the woman was opening. I held her bags so she could get the key and she had figs. She told me to take some and then sent me home with a bag. I adore them.

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    1. I do too..what a nice story Esme..Jacques loves them also..I think they are highlights for us.

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  13. Your cake looks wickedly delicious, Monique. We love dark chocolate cake especially when topped with a dark chocolate ganache. The fruit on top is beautiful. Your flowers are still lovely. The record hot, dry summer we had was brutal on the garden. Have a nice weekend.

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    1. It's like that now.. we did get a resite this past wekend with rain..bt honestly Sept must e our warmest n record for a while..

      !

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  14. Gorgeous photos! That cake looks drool worthy.

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  15. Yammie Cake!!!...delicious...happy weekend love Ria x

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  16. oh wow dahlias are one of my favorites and yours are gorgeous and that chocolate cake looks moist and yummy

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    1. It is..I am not a cake..or chocolate lover ..but the one I bake for primarily..loves it:)
      So when he does..I know it is good..

      he baked our first chocolate cake ever 43 years ago..I could not even cook elbow macaroni;)

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  17. I love easy cake recipes :) And those flowers are gorgeous!

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    1. I only took up gardening..later in life:) And I never knew my way around the kitchen like you do at your age:) Not even close.

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  18. The chocoholics here would love that cake! The flowers are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!

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  19. Your pictures are stunning - such lovely flowers wow. That cake is to die for and I wish I was with you right now have a nice cup of coffee and a BIG piece of that cake.
    I have been on a carb diet so I haven't had anything like that beautiful cake in almost a year. But I did get rid of diabetes, so I don't feel so bad, but that cake on my........
    Enjoy your last weekend of summer.
    Mary

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    1. I bet you are still under the spell of your fabulous birthday week:)

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  20. How did fall roll around so fast? It seems we were all just reveling in the warmth of the early summer. Your cake sounds wonderful and your decorations are lovely!

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  21. Yr chocolate bund looks like a Buche de Noel!! Or am I dreaming.
    Fall has definitely arrived in Paris. No two ways about it. Enjoy the last of summer!

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    1. I will..I am.. love the heat on my face..you have had me thinking Christmas w/ your posts:)

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  22. It looks like you could have been taking photos in my backyard :-)

    I just broke down and added three of the dark pink mums to my garden. I don't like fall color mums until the pinks and pastels are done. My snaps and dahlias are blooming their pretty little heads off.

    Big fan of curly parsley here...I pick a bouquet each week at the CSA farm. Soon Joe will be planting his garlic like you.

    You've turned me onto borage. I'll be planting some next year.

    Beautiful cake! I'll remember the recipe should I need it.

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  23. The flowers are all so pretty. I cannot wait to plant some Dahlias.

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    1. Me too:) But the Dinner Plates..hope I find some next Spring..
      It's going to be all over here soon Esme..

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  24. Your photographs are just awesome! Oh my, your close ups of your flowers are breathtaking! I must say right now, what time can I drop in? I love a slice of that scrumptious looking chocolate cake and we could talk for hours, I know it!

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    1. Those close ups are from one of my very first digital cameras 15 years ago..Nikon CoolPix 950 or 4500..they were my firsts:)
      I took them out to clean etc..and played with them.They have this amazing little flower icon for close ups..and when the flower turns yellow..you are almost assured a good shot..Wondeful little things back then..no zoom at all really..just for portraits and flowers I find now..
      They were instrumental in my liking photography... funny little swivel..but I won't part with them:)
      Thanks Nancy..I do hope every day your life is getting easier and easier.:)

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  25. Replies
    1. The weather has been nothing short of photo friendly..except yesterday afternoon and night w/ rain..but we needed it:)
      Bon Dimanche Rita:)

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  26. Oh my, your flowers and photos are so lovely. My patio is bare and depressing. We are praying for rain this winter. Our state is so dry and up north the wildfires have burned over a thousand houses.

    Love the look of your cake. I already have too many pans and now you are giving me another reason to be on the lookout for another. :)

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    1. You don't need that pan Madonna..use whatever you have..2 loaf pans..a Bundt..this fills a Bundt..so improvise..



      I am sorry for your drought..the fires are frightening..:(

      :(
      We have had a very dry Sept..but nothing ..nothing in comparison..I won't even.



      You know..February and March..and ok mid-January..I am YEARNING for Spring..

      but right now..I am pretty much done here:)
      Ready to winterize..and plant garlic;)

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  27. Hello Dear Monique! I walk around our garden and my heart is malting of its beauty. So many late flowers and different colors. Fall is magical, so are your pictures and your cake! Have a lovely time of the year-)))

    Hugs,

    Yelena

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    1. Take care Yelena..here the end is near..our unseasonably warm Sept. has prolonged things..but..I know what will happen sooner than later..
      To every thing there is a season~

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  28. Oh, gorgeous flowers and cake. A beautiful combination, Monique.

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  29. Que maravilla, total y absolutamente delicioso.
    Besos

    lagalletarota.blogspot.com

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  30. That's fall how I realy love it. Yummmiiieee cakes and lovely flowers and fantastic pictures.
    Happy days
    Elisabeth

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    1. Such lovely photos at your blog Elisabeth..going to peruse today..

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  31. I'm having garden envy! We have been doing too much work inside our house - not enough time for the garden. Only the toughest survived this year. Rosemary, lavender, grape vines and olive trees. My fig tree did put on fruit, however, it didn't exactly thrive this year.
    Cheers,
    Ry

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    1. You can grow such beautiful things in your climate..I am ure everything is just perfectly lovely like everything you do.Everything.

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  32. I will miss my flowers, but they are nothing like yours. The one thing Denver doesn't have is water! So even though it does get green here, it is never like yours! Or I would be broke! From the water bill, that is! Garden envy here!

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    1. We have watering restrictions also..so I hear you..flowers need sun and rain.. Colorado is a beautiful state..I guess we can't have everything..

      You can buy a bunch and put on the tbale..while you cook:)

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  33. Your photos are all so lovely, but the first one... Wow! Now I want cake.
    Amalia
    xo

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  34. Bon, eh bien ce gâteau sera vite sur notre table ! encore une fois, tu lui as donné une noblesse certaine en le parant de ces jolis fruits ! Superbe ! Sinon, on va s'occuper de ton potager de l'an prochain ! J'ai quelques idées en tête ;o))
    Des bises en te souhaitant un très bon week-end !
    Hélène

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    1. J'aimerais tellement cuisiner avec toi..je serais sans aucun doute..très intimidée par contre..tu es cent galaxies au-devant de moi..:)

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