Thursday, June 15, 2017

Rhubarb ,peonies,rhodies ,garlic..etc.. and after Susan~
























Back home..the peonies were starting to pop..the rhodies..all things pink and blue..the rose chafers!!!!!!!!!!!!:(:(

I wanted to share this good little cake recipe too since our rhubarb is in full swing..

It may be foolproof..after I delicately put it in the oven..I turned around and the melted butter and milk were still on the counter..EEEK..I pulled the cake out..poured it out..added the 2 ingredients..put it back in the pan and oven..and delish.:)
You can find the recipe here.
Time to cut and chop and freeze the garlic scapes..fellow garlic growers♥

I never thought I would have  footballs in my gardens;)♥
Toi non plus Susan?

After leaving the book signing..I knew we would be in Sandwich MA..  and had Googled what to do..

I had read about the Boardwalk..non commercial..a long tightrope walk:) ap 1350 ft in length..  over the marshes and heady sea roses..planks w/ names everywhere commemorating ..anniversaries..moments..comings and goings..births and passings..siblings and grandparents..music..musicians..artists..stores..dates..etc..
Oh I was not disappointed..but we went in June on   a chilly day..hardly anyone was there..I have read and heard that children jump off the boardwalk in joy..right into the marshes..♥

You can see to the right and left..and it's as picturesque as can be.
I loved it and so did Jacques..

if you have a chance..go see..in early June parking was everywhere:)

I brought home 3 rocks from there..that large one and two smaller ones..they are by my tiny tinypond..:)

Not sure if I will leave them..the colors are so pretty when wet..or  adorn one;)

We got lost lol..awww too bad..just by the Sagamore Bridge where a great Christmas Tree Shop resides..at The Cape..you will find numerous CTS..and they are fun..not Christmas at all in June..look..
one of those rolling pins came home with me..all these cooking ..baking things will be passed down to the true baker in the family..who knows who?
Or maybe a huge garage sale?(Hope not..)

They have everything for Lobsters.. Cape Cod memorabilia..kitschy decor things..candles..food..drink..
beach things,sunscreens..the store is HUGE..you will find modest ones and others like this one.
I really enjoy a visit white there.

Back to where we  were staying it was nice to have this view..





The next day..we were in Martha's Vineyard:)

Have a great weekend..~



I hope to practice some calligraphy..in Venice my daughter and son-in -law found this gorgeous set for me.♥
Bortoletti


PS  I still can't make a granny square.
I can't and it's beyond me why.
SOB.

60 comments:

  1. What amazing and beautiful are always yours pictures, the recipes and the others, really love all !
    xoxox

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    1. :) You are always so nice Gloria! Happy Summer to you!..

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  2. Your photo's are simply stunning. Your vacation looks and sounds wonderful, so glad that you had a great time and that it was not to crowded.

    Have a great rest of the week and happy weekend.
    Hugs,
    Mary

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    1. I am happy we had a nice 3 days too:) Thanks Mary..Hope you are enjoying your soon to be summer gardens..lol it's always summer where you are:)

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  3. Your pictures say it all. What beauty. I loved that shop. I would have been hard pressed not to do some serious shopping. I have a rock just like that from Martha's Vineyard. I came home with a suitcase full of rocks in fact. Great minds think alike. I have done the same thing with a cake. Good thing it turned out. Love the peony. Mine came and went way too fast. Have a good one.

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    1. Rocks and shells..:) Whe you used to drive to Fl..you should have seen the treasures:) Shells and shark's teeth..Honestly I wish I had picked up those paper Lobster placemats..pack of 50 for..maybe $5.00..great great prices!!Fun store:)

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    2. Love this blog so much...I live in Ct and there is a CTS ... would you like me to buy some of those paper Lobster placemats and I cam mail them to you...found this delightful blog on the Susan Branch tweet she posted after the book signing... I also love Susan Branch!!!... where did you stay in Sandwich?...

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    3. Lori..you are soooo sweet!! I appreciate your dear offer..but I have to say no because shipping..is soo $$ and it weighs ..well like a brick..but I love your offer!! We stayed in West Yarmouth..not in Sandwich..we drove..I love Susan..and one thing..quality, I omitted in my description of her was how WARM she is..genuinely warm..I did say funny too:) she really made me laugh and tear up..thanks for your note! Loved it..just read it to Jacques:)

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  4. Isn't it nice to be on the cape before the crowds. It is so much more relaxing. The CTS looks like it was fun, fun, fun. I had to laugh when you said you forgot to put some of the ingredients in, I have done the same. At least you discovered it in time. Katherine was asking me today where I learned all my cookie and cupcake recipes. I said from reading recipes on my iPad, and from you. She has declared I make the best cupcakes and cookies. What Grammy could ask for more?

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    1. ♥WEll you just made my AM for sure..it's funny how often you cross my mind w/ calendulas blooming and hellebores gettig bigger and lanatnas..coming along! I cannot wait to see the lanatanas..

      I remember ..when you mentioned your missing ings:)what a save!
      I was happy..
      I am making the desserts for Sat(early FD at my daughters ' becausethere are 4 football games for the boys Sun..) anyway..when we were babysittting Noah a while ago I perused a Nigella Lawson book I gave her..I loved the color..I wrote down a recipe for a cake and bought everything..by chance I Googled it yesterday only to read reviewssuch as :"Nigella's recipes never work"..Worse cake ever..LOL..
      So I am goig to try ..today..one..most of the comments say..stick to Mary Berry's recipes they always work:)
      You are an amazing grammy:)

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    2. I sent you lantana seed or do you mean nicotina seed? Glad your hellebores are doing well and calendula are blooming too. Mine are too. I sowed a bunch of cosmos seed but I have all sorts of seedlings growing from last year's flowers. We are doing Father's Day here today too. I'm made the sally's baking addiction lemon and blueberry cake. I'm about to make the icing. Have fun today celebrating and wish Jacques a Happy Father's Day along with all the other dads in your life.

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  5. Beautiful. I love travelling. But then I love that moment when I open the door and I am home.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. I love what you just said:"I love that moment whe I open the door and I a home".
      You nailed it:).

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  6. Yes, time to cut and chop and freeze the garlic scapes..fellow garlic growers♥ Joe is so proud of his very tall garlic plants. That's all he grows, and had no interest in the garden until he discovered growing garlic. Love the peony, rhubarb, everything from the CTS. We're picking strawberries on Father's Day :-)
    Have a great weekend.

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    1. I don't think ours are ready?
      I wonder..must look into it..I love picking aything..and Joe is right..there is such a joy in garlic growing..

      for Jacques to say:"Do you want me to cut your garlic curls..I think they are ready!":)
      Have fun!

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  7. Love to see all your beautiful creations! Food. Plants and flowers. Painting. Photos. Just delicious all the way around!! I have had to bring a cake back out and add ingredients found on the counter more than once... usually the whipped egg whites! Ha! blessings ~ tanna
    ps stay after it... you will get crochet. ;)

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    1. I will..I will I will:)
      Thanks for the positivity.It's raining today..so maybe instead of squeezing it in here and there..;)
      Have a great FD weekend!

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  8. Beautiful shots of Cape Cod. Love your rhubarb cake. I just made one last week and absolutely loved it. Enjoy the weekend at home Monique. Traveling always gives me a new perspective on home.

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    1. So true.. I am starting to think rhubarb recipes are endless..lol..

      :)
      Good..I love baking!
      Have a great weekend.

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  9. I would love to go to Cape Cod someday. It looks beautiful. The rhubarb cake looks yummy!

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    1. Penny you would love it..and in June..it's not frenetic..and the people sooo nice!

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  10. Cape Cod...sob
    Looks glorious...so many memories...
    What fun!
    Love that you left out the butter and milk and then threw it in and still = Success!
    Mais bien sur.

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    1. How lucky..and yes the Cape..and Maine..I would love to go one fall to see the ocean in a colder climate in the fall.
      I never thought the cake would work;)

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  11. What a lovely place to visit. I've never been to Cape Cod but now I want to go, so much beauty! And speaking of beautiful, oh my goodness, your peonie picture is just gorgeous!

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    1. Go..Chris..go w/ Scott..and go..

      maybe off season..so you can take in the majestic beauty of it all w/out a screen of people..you find great places to stay..I can tell you what I love seeing..

      GO:)

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  12. ~Beautiful memories Mon...pictures!☀️ Remember your 25th anniversary!
    I hope our 45th will be happier then our 35th....the only happy memories were your picture's!
    Have a good weekend!

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    1. I do emember our 25th..you halped make it special..the picnic we had on Herring Cove Beach was yours..

      I still have one of the gingham knives..I remember fallig in love w/ St-André cheese because of you..

      I also remember a friend saying 25 yrs was no big deal..lol..not you..

      I do remember your 35t:( Lots of good..Adam doing everything..the party at your home etc..but I know what you mean.
      Like you ..I love Maine and the Cape..

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  13. I would love to visit The Cape one day! It must be lovely in early June when it isn't crowded. Love all the photos and the wonderful architecture of that roof reminds me of something in Europe. I had to laugh about leaving the butter and milk out - Been There - Done That :) Glad it still tasted great. You know me and rhubarb so this will be a Must Try ♥ My rhubarb is still doing great in spite of the heat we've had recently. I just picking it often helps :) Thank you for telling me about the garlic scapes. We have Les Boys coming today to sleep overnight so maybe they will help Nana. And Yes to the football. Sometimes in spring I find balls in the garden around the pool left since the summer before :) Wish I could walk over and show you how to make a granny square! My peonies are fading fast :( Rose chafers already? Darn buggers! Have a great weekend, Monique ♥

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    1. We dind balls here and there too:) I find some garden tools also;(
      I am bad for that..

      Yes frikken chafers.I squish the guts out of them but a minute later they are back:(
      I am going to apply myself for the 100th time(I am not kidding..maybe more..) and try..different sites have different numbers of chains..oy..

      I should stick to one..

      I started putting it on slow mo last night and nearly fell asleep..
      I'll get it..I hope I will get it..all this for dishcloths.. I am not even dreaming market veggies like you make..

      have fun w/ the sleepover..Susan ..yesterday was the day we took Max for his lunch and bday..10..he is too grown up..:( it all flew by..CHERISH CHERISH the Littles..they are young men before you know it.
      Happy weekend to you and the Littles..

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  14. Thank you for sharing your trip. I felt as though I could step right into each one and really relax. Lovely area that I hope to visit someday. I can't forget your peonies! Beautiful.

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  15. This is all so beautiful i hope you had such a wonderful trip, I've always wanted to visit Martha's Vineyard and I love seeing it through your eyes and I also can't wait to see what you do with that wonderful calligraphy set, what a special gift and peonies I love seeing everyone posting their pics of them whether they grow them or get them at trader joes, just such a pretty flower

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    1. Like huge roses:) The trip and what we saw would please you I just know it Jenni..it had been so long since we had taken the drive there..
      it's a very special place .Have a nice weekend..I think you would love painting peopnies.

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  16. More beauty! I'm so happy you two escaped to the Cape, just sorry the weather wasn't the best. I know you still had a fabulous time. Glad you took home the rolling pin. I have several ceramic pins, both vintage and new. If nothing else, they look pretty standing in a crock. My MacKenzie-Childs pin can be filled with ice cold water for rolling special pastries. I will order on of the woody pins soon. ;-) The pen set from Italy is exquisite!

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    1. Well sunshine makes everything prettier let's face it..a day of rain here and there for our gardens is just great ..but on a seaside getaway..for a short visit..well sun makes things sparkle.
      That must be fantastic t have the ice in the pin..:) And so cute of course:)
      Isn't the calligraphy set lovely? I've kept it out;)

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  17. Fantastic post, full of lovely photos. Sometimes, we have to endure the weather not being perfect. The pen set is wonderful. Those woody pins are the cutest. I am not a fan of rhubarb, maybe with some strawberries. Love that font you are using. Who doesn't love peonies and roses? A great gateway. Happy summer.

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    1. Driving to the book signing..it didn't bother me one bit re the weather:( You are so right!

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  18. You DID get to the Vineyard! I'm so glad and can't wait to hear more!

    The Cape looks wonderful. I'm afraid I would have gone kitchsy with those lobster plates. They're terrific. Just fun. And that beach and bank and boardwalk -- Oh, my kind of thing. It looks like a fabulous time and I'm excited that there is more to come! (Even if the weather didn't totally rock!)

    Love your special gift and can't wait to see your calligraphy -- and more from your travels!

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    1. It's all my kind of thing too..I just feel good there..the sea has a lot to do wth it.I love looking at water and being near it..oh just everything..I read your posts from there..maybe it makes us feel 17:)I guess next Thursday I will post it..something out of the ordinary happened..well..for us:)

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  19. How totally beautiful are your photos of Cape Cod! Your happiness shows! My favorites are the 1st 2 Cape Cod photos. Reminded me of visiting Truro & Cape Cod National Seashore years ago.
    I wish we were neighbors. We could practice calligraphy together...I have a hard time motivating on my own. It's not something that comes instantly for me...

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    1. I did have a friend a great number of years ago now it seems..I thought her how to folk art paint which was the rage..you traced a pattern then painted by follwoing pattern colors etc..we usedto paint for hours ..just quietly and I loved it..never did that with anyone since and when I think of the good memories with her those were them.
      So Yes I would love a neighbour that enjoyed what I enjoy:) Don't know anyone..Nancy moved and that was that.
      I think that's a grand freiend..someone you don't have to chat chatchat with:)
      I would be staring at you paint:)FOR SURE.

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  20. What a wonderful and beautiful trip! The Cape looks beautiful and so does your foolproof cake! So cool it still turned out - I am not that lucky :) haha. Have a wonderful, beautiful day! Wish we had peonies here - one of my favorite flowers ever.

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    1. I hear TRade Joe's has them..run:) THanks Tricia..your trip was one in a million!

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  21. I do so love your garden! We always collect rocks, shells, etc. on our travels. It sometimes makes for heavy suitcases. Cape Cod looks pretty - I've never been. Happy Father's Day to Jacques!

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  22. And their roles as grandads:♥!
    I know you see and find beauty everywhere you go..you create it too..and then bring some home~

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  23. Beautiful Cape pictures - you're making me homesick! And that little rhubarb cake is charming, in spite of your hastily added ingredients:) I agree, having been in one of the Christmas Tree shops , wonderful! I bought a very simple white floor lamp that lasted 18 years before it expired loudly on the floor, after someone back into it.
    Isn't June beautiful? Much warmer in Minnesota, so enjoyed my week on the seashore in NH - brisk and full of little ones....

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    1. It's flying by:) I know I have 18 yr old CTS lamps here too!:)Happy summer to you!

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  24. Your garden is always so pretty. I love peonies and rhodies. This is the best time of the year for flowers. Enjoy your calligraphy set and Happy Father's Day to Jacques.

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  25. Your photos are simply awesome! I'm guessing where they were taken at.

    Never been to the Cape but we loved Martha's Vineyard. All of the ship captain's homes, the seafood, the ocean...I'd love to go again but hubby wants to visit many places, so no repeats! I'll get my way! :-D

    Lovely post as always.

    Jane x

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    1. Hi Jane..I bet it will be a while before we return:( It's one of my fave get aways♥

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  26. Gosh...so many beautiful photos...by the time I comment, I have to scroll back to remember each one!!
    Your trip looks fabulous...love the beaches...but, you already knew that!
    Your Peonies are perfection...and standing tall and proud.
    That cake looks divine...gosh, wish I could bake like that!
    Kinda gloomy around here...very little rain...gardens are shrivelling already...but, tomorrow is SUMMER!!!
    Enjoy your day Monique...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ps...I need to see a pic of your crochet!!! SOOOO glad you finally got it!💕

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    1. I will send you one..now:)

      Yours..the granny square one is still in my basket:) My role model..my tension is off..I followed Jayda In Stitches..a Fl friend recommended her 2 yrs ago..she adds a stitch between each shell on the side.do you? Mine seems looser..anyway..NO COMPARISON..hopefully I will get better..fingers not cooperating..lol

      You CAN bake:)

      Thunderstorms today..

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    2. I do no chain in between clusters...only on the corners...yours look fantastic!!
      Some do, and some don't...I guess your own choice...depends on your tension as well...
      My campfire cardigan is in granny square, and it calls for a chain in between clusters...it is taking 4ever!
      Try doing one with just half double crochet...it gives a great look!!

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    3. I think that's what I just started..lol..will go see:) It may be just a single crochet?

      Thanks for all your inspiration!

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  27. Your cake looks gorgeous Monique. We have given up on our rhubarb. 7 years in a row, its not been good. Not sure what we are doing wrong. Love your photos of the Cape. On my bucket list. Your peonies are beautiful. I want peonies. I keep telling Todd, but then we forget. I wonder why ants love them so much?? What a beautiful calligraphy set! I know you will put it to good use! Keep on keeping on with the crochet. It will all fall into place and you will wonder why you ever had a problem! xoxo

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    1. You are right! But I still have problems w/ patterns other than grannies;)

      Rhubarb loves sun..and water..full sun mostly..but I know what you ean..I have a neighbour..it is actually invasive there! Imagine!

      Peonies..well now that they are gone I wonder why I devoted a whole bed to them:(

      LOL never happy.
      I would go back to the Cape tomorrow..I need to learn how to drive past my nose..no sense of direction and no experience w/ city traffic:(

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  28. Les pivoines sont parmi les fleurs que je préfère. Et la rhubarbe , j'adore aussi ! Alors ton gâteau, j'en croquerais bien un morceau maintenant ... Quant à ce magasin, je crois que je l'aurais littéralement dévalisé !
    Re bises

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    1. J'ai tant de regrets! J'avais de la place pourtant pour rapporter quelques kitschy souvenirs:(
      Next time..no regrets!:)

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  29. This is truly an OMG!! event, a Wondrous Serendipity!!!!! I think you and she are kindred. Did you know that you spread the same kind of joy and beauty in the world, except in your own beautiful way?? A true pilgrimage this was, maybe you had some kind of psychic pull to go there when you did?!
    Yes, I'm with you, like simplicity when I travel, some of the best thing/times are free...

    ดูหนังออนไลน์

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