Friday, August 4, 2017

Childhood~L'Enfance~



















There were parts of my childhood I loved..and some I didn't..maybe many of us feel this way..
I do remember being loved unconditionally by my mom and dad although my mom was the rock.
The family.
She held it together so beautifully and gracefully.
So that's a great memory.

A nice memory I have ..was a time in my life between 10-12 I think..
my BFF lol (we didn't say that back then..) was Gwen..
I mentioned her here on my blog..on a post..on a few posts actually..
she was Dutch..her yard bordered on ours..I think 3 yards did..we had small lots..compared to here..
we became friends at that fun age..still all innocent.
This was 50 yrs ago..
I did see her once..briefly..in '77 I think..and we lost touch.
She lived in the Netherlands.Email wasn't a thing etc..no FB..no IG..no US lol.

Anyway to make a long story short..(who am I kidding..short?)..
one day her husband Googled her name for some reason..and my blog post showed up..
she emailed..I emailed back..and forth..

and guess what?
They came to Canada for a visit and dropped by:)
Last week.
It was so nice to see her ..after all these years..
when we were children,her parents were also..so nice to me..
They would bring me back charms when they returned to Holland..
You can see the shoe in one photo and one of the two windmills in the other.
They gave me dropjes..:) And Gouda cheese sliced ever so thinly..oh I wanted to eat it all♥
Ollibollens..OMG..fried on their back balcony.And speculaas..I could eat all the tin windmills I wanted.
I loved everything about them..the family..

Gwen was so lucky..she had a sister:)
Not me:(
When they visited..they brought me dropjes and speculaas spice:)

But not only that..she brought photos I gave her in the 70's..

and she brought me memories..

How she remembered the FIESTA chip tin and how she begged her mom for some because I had some..
How she found me so lucky to have the Barbie Fashion Shop..and all my Barbies:)
How we had our message box out back and would leave secret messages to each other.Modern day Nancy Drews we were:)
She made me have tears:)
How she never remembered I was overweight.
Isn't that funny..she didn't ever even notice.
That's a BFF.

At what age do we start to notice differences and make fun of them?
Not all of us do..
But I had my share of those who did.
Notice.

She didn't!!

So anyway..all this to say..
it was so nice..she and her husband..so nice..Jacques and I loved our time w/ them here albeit short and rainy.
A gardener wants the sun to be shining so we can sit outside and see the blooms and the girls:)
We sat inside:)
They biked over..how neat is that..not from next door either..my friend and her dear husband are tall and fit:) Parents and grandparents like we are.
I am happy to report that every day..since they have been here after that day I think..the weather has been fantastic.


I made cookies the next day:)

I was going to leave the recipe..but although they tasted like speculaas..they were not..too thick ..too chewey..we still ate them..:)
It was found on the net..I'll test again.

The tin was a Varage Sale find:)♥It has a bell♥That was me ..and Gwen's mom handing me cookies:)

So feast or famine here rain wise..famine right now..for our area..anyway..

the Japanese Anemones are blooming..the dahlias..are starting their show in that front bed where my Tuscan hedge is;)

If you plant a Paul Farges clematis  get ready for a spectac show..but almost prohibits entering the archway;)


The Wave petunias..are ohmygosh florabundance!

Every couple of years I seem to have to tackle  removing some of the overgrowth on our many pathways..what a %^$#@^&*( job.

Done..that area is done.

I am addicted to crochet and dishcloths..liking to make sets..of course..

Our darling Lucas turns 12..we took him for his traditional lunch and shop day.
I am sitting with a very fine young gentleman now.
He makes my heart beat...burst..they all do..but when you have a grandson that now opens doors for you..still kisses you..even takes your hand in public..well  ..and he is almost as tall as me...it's a different beat..a teen age beat I guess!

Love those chocolate bars I first saw on Bridgets beautiful blog Bake at 350..I bought some when we went to the USA.
Perfect to add to cards.


That photograph book was mine grade 6..I know because it is written inside..I have 2 pics of Gwen in it:)


 Hello Gwen!.... And  hello Guido!

She was so cute..now she is beautiful..long curly hair..so tall..and slim..and nice.
I wish I still had all that stuff that was in my room..that bénitier..the little angel on the wall held holy water..a first communion gift I guess..pink wings w/ gold accents..the two bambis from when I was born on top I still have..it was a vase..and is:) I am sure that is my girl w/ the parasol in the middle china..and the flowers on her skirt were raised..where the heck is she?..that dresser had 2 sliding glass panels.I put my precious things in there..  my Comtesse de Ségur books and Nancy Drews..an eclectic mix;)
a long drawer..my Prismacolors and paper and pencils were in there..notes and finds etc.. 2 doors at the bottom..my clothes.
I want all that stuff back,
I want to look and touch and hold everything.
If even for a moment.

Have a beautiful weekend..week..etc..hard to post every week..
have to cut down..gardens..chickens..painting..stitching..birthdays...
so many birthdays!














53 comments:

  1. My weekend has started beautifully, reading your post. I smiled as I read it. I wondered what those flowers were and they are gorgeous. The tin is wonderful and I love it. Would definitely give it a spot on the counter. At the city house, I TRY not to have too much stuff out on the shelves, but not very good at keeping it cleared off. What a neat friend reunion. I bet you were so happy to see her again. And I thought you were one of those people that could eat and eat and be thin as a rail. The littles are growing too fast. Hope mine will still come to visit when they fly the nest. Have a good weekend Monique.

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    1. You're so nice Donna..yes when I saw that cookie tin..in a photo..the bell did it..the seller is very nice..$2.00
      It's a great place to pick up things I won't worry about when I go because it's not a million dollars LOL.
      I can't accumulate cuties..the space..and my age..:(
      It's different when you are younger..but some things just say..oh what the heck .. even though you are older..adopt me..;)

      OMG I hope mine still visit me too..I'll have my earrings on..Lucas noticed I had dangles on:) He usually sees me in the garden.
      He's so lovely:)
      A good weekend to you too!!

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  2. Oh, Monique! And Gwen! ♥

    "I want all that stuff back,
    I want to look and touch and hold everything.
    If even for a moment."

    Yes. That is my memoir for me.

    'So glad you had this sweet visit.

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    1. I KNOW!! How neat was that?
      It was comfy:)I was not uncomfortable..they are open and friendly and not fancypants.:)
      In fact they are the opposite..and do great work that I am not writing about because I talk too much when I want to say too many nice things.:)

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  3. Such a sweet post Monique! How wonderful that you could reconnect and that they could visit! I love your reminiscing. Takes me back in time too!

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    1. It felt good:)A little ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.. sounds like a song;)Have a great day!

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  4. How wonderful that you got to meet an old friend! I love all your photos. As usual, such a treat every time I visit.

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    1. Out of the blue and the blog..you just nevr know what's in store..I prefer the GOOD:)LOL

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  5. this is really lovely to hear! <3

    xoxo, rae
    http://www.raellarina.net

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  6. What a beautiful post Monique. I loved it from beginning to end. I am so pleased you are back in touch with your old friend. Love the old black and white photo of her from back then and your comments on it. Oh how I would love to be able to see some of my old stuff again and touch it as well, especially my paper dolls. I only had one Barbie and a baby doll, but I had tons of paper dolls and I adored them! Your crocheting looks like it is going great! I love your colour choices! Your flowers are also very beautiful, and that cookie tin. So sweet! Old photographs, also lovely to have. Everything is stored online now . . . not sure what a legacy that will be for those who come after. I think real and tangible are much better perhaps to leave for a legacy. I have a great speculaas recipe that I use. Always crisp and really tasty. Have a great weekend. Hope it is dry for you! The days are already getting noticeably shorter here and the mornings cooler! xoxo

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    1. I remember your recipe..I'll search Marie..I think you posted it:) I just grabbed one!

      One thing my girls do..and I do..and not regularly enough in my case..is have Shutterfly books printed..love them..cannot say enough good about them..both girls have many many many..my poor little photograph book is missing so many pics it's almost all balack photo corners..I guess through the years I took some out and never put them back..this one of Gwen I glued in a new journal ..it will be mostly Polaroids.

      I loved my paper dolls too..and Colorforms..
      It really was a neat experience seeing her again..

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  7. So beautiful... isn't it almost magical how your blog reconnected you with a long lost best friend? I love that! Amazing. Such a treasure! Your photos, as always, are candy to my eyes. That charm bracelet is exquisite. Perfect for you. LOVE your dishcloths! Knew you would get "hooked". ;) Summer is so FULL... bountiful! Embrace it while we can! blessings ~ tanna

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    1. Oh I am hooked..and now see some order in my work:) You were instrumental Tanna:)
      Thanks again..

      yes my blog was key..grateful for that ..blogging is good for us I think:)

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  8. I love your beautiful stories Monique. What an amazing opportunity to reconnect with an old friend. Love all your gorgeous photos too! Happy weekend.

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    1. Thank you Tricia....I told Jacques yesterday..it's my online journal..just the good stuff:)

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  9. I had to Google dropje and ollibollen :) What sweet memories of a childhood friend and her mother. I am so happy you were able to see Gwen again and reminisce. Love the photo of your bedroom ♥ Too bad about the rain but rain has certainly been big part of our summer this year. It's hard to believe Lucas is 12 already! He sounds like such a wonderful young man. Your anemones and dahlias are beautiful. I've cut a couple of dahlia bouquest already and need to cut more today. One of my favorites for late summer bouquets. Your crochet is getting better and better! Glad you are hooked! There are so many cute little things to make with crochet. My mother made granny square vests for my sister's children in the 70s ♥

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    1. Oh the granny square vests:) I will explore..but right now I am just happy with these..I agree..and I never say this..and I say it humbly..but my dishcloths are getting better.I cringe at the first oes LOL..I marvel and the radishes and peas you sent me..Maybe one day:)
      We had much needed rain..happy for that..Bon samedi ma p'tite amie:)

      He is turning out to have bothe C and F's charm..I think the girls will be calling:( I'll be watching lol.

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  10. How great you got to meet an old friend....love your posts.

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  11. Fullof wonderful images and wonderful memories!!
    Mille merci Monique ❤️❤️❤️

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    1. Toi aussi ! Toujours de belles découvertes chez toi.

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  12. Monique, it looks like your post touched many hearts. How lucky you connected with your wonderful BFF and got to spend time with her and her husband. Thank you for sharing your memories.

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  13. Dearest Nana, you can't imagine how deeply your post touched me!
    As a matter of fact once I also had a BFF. Her name was Gigi and we have studied together untill the moment we enter college.
    Then Gigi went to Lisbon while I went on in Oporto.
    Latter I heard of her. She had married a Brasilian doctor and that's all. Do she lives in Brasil?
    I don't know.
    I tryed to meet her on Facebook but no sucess.
    I would love to meet Gigi again after all these years. Now I have got grown up children, a family and so much has changed.I would love to share all this with Gigi.


    You were really lucky!
    Enjoy your friend, enjoy your tender memories.

    Enjoy as well that charming grandson of yours.
    Life can be really nice.
    Enjoy, enjoy my dear.
    Lots of hugs
    Nina

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    1. Nina..have you tried just Google? Her name?

      Too bad re FB but I am not known on FB either.
      Life can certainly have beautiful moments Nina..and I know you create many of them:)
      Bon Dimanche.
      I hope you see Gigi again!!

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  14. Oh, this photo touches me in ways so deep, so finely attuned, I am finding my eyes filled with sweet salty tears, so happy for your reconnection to Gwen, the memories you shared together from then and the ones you will have from your visit together. A childhood friendship that lasts through time, even if it drifts apart but comes back together is so very precious. This is a person who knew your family-- how many people do you know now who knew your family? Who remember your mother and father? I know there are precious few of those who remember mine.

    I love each and every photo of course, but I think that my favorite one might be the last, the one of Gwen. It's perfect. And so is this post.

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    1. Thank you for reading it..as I have been really touched by many of your posts Jeannie!
      I know that was amazing being w/ someone that remembers my family♥
      Have a beautiful day.I am going to email you later:)

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  15. How special. Sweet memories and an old friend. You are getting quite good at crocheting. I have three childhood friends on Facebook.

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    1. At simple granny squares only ☺️And don't look too closely!Thanks Linda!

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  16. It's so bittersweet to reminisce. Hard for me sometimes. How special though to regain these memories after all the years!

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  17. I am deeply moved by your story. Childhood memories are so intense and sweet at this age. But to share them with your best friend from your old neighborhood, that is out of this world special! I hope a connection like this will happen to me...I am on the verge of making it happen...
    A lovely summer for you chez toi!

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    1. OH make it happen!
      They are intense ..they shape us..our souls..and certain memories last forever.
      It was brief..but lovely.

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  18. Des fois, ça fait du bien de se replonger dans son passé. Des fois aussi, ça serre un peu trop le coeur ... Je ne sais pas si j'aime trop revenir très en arrière, à cause de cette sensation de jeunesse perdue,j'imagine ... Mais bon, ces retrouvailles ont dû être vraiment chouettes !
    Bisous
    Hélène

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    1. Hélène..je suis d'accord avec toi..et..attends..63 ans..on s'en ressent beaucoup je trouve..cette perte de jeunesse.J'aurais aimé savoir il y a 15 ans ce que je sais aujourd'hui..comme tout le monde..chose première..j'aurais moins stressé pour mes clients au travail;)
      Bisous toi aussi!

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  19. what loely Monique and what nice memories, love yours pictures and special this little house, I collect little house :)

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    1. Oh I would love to see your colllection..I saw a dear one on Instagram..called a candle house:)

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  20. Dearest Monique,
    What a pleasant surprise visit for you both!
    Last year September I too did see my best friend back after 50 years... Can you imagine?!
    Happy times and it did build us the way we are now, the way we think and react.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. What a coincidence Mariette!
      Lovely isn't it?
      Bonne soirée:)

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  21. Lovely post, Monique, and beautiful photos. Kisses, my friend.

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  22. I am way behind on reading your blogs M. Travels, uke, work( a little has to be done over the summer), photography and reading. But I am so glad to have found this posting. So joyous and filled with things that made me recall my childhood stuff and BFF. I love that you had a secret message box. So fun. Here's a funny one for you. I remember writing down somewhere when I turned 10 that I was 1 decade old. It seemed important to remember to remind myself at 20 to say I was 2 decades old. I can't say that I considered it important at 20 or at any additional decade since! Funny, the things we think important when we are 10.

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    1. LOL! I don't even want to talk in decades;)
      Glad this summer has been so adventure/fun..memory packed for you!

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  23. Monique, what a great surprise from your childhood best girlfriend! It must have been so wonderful to remember such precious memories with her. Thanks so much for sharing ♥Hugs, Jody

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  24. Are you kidding me? Look at those gorgeous dishcloths...and the colours! Beeeutiful!
    Loved your story...it was like glimpsing into a diary...such precious memories...lovely friend.
    That Dahlia is spectacular...looks like one of your paintings...💕
    I too have a silver charm bracelet from my youth....with charms from everywhere!
    Recently had it all polished up...wore it to my nieces wedding in July..
    My friend, from when I was 15 onward, is coming to the cottage on Friday with her hubby!
    We will have such fun!
    Lovely endearing post Monique...you always make me remember....
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Oh what fun you are going to have Linda.. that cottage sure is a memory maker..:)
      My neighbor's family has a cottage on Lake Memphremagog..her dad built it..they have brought their kids and they hope their kids eventually bring their kids..
      I think I could have suited cottage life LOL..
      those cloths are gifts..Thanks again..ever so much!!

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  25. Such a lovely post Monique - sounds like a very special friend! xoxo

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    1. :) I am emailing you this aft..drove past your home..snapped a pic..:) For you♥

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  26. Oh my, what a delightful read this was! So wonderful to have found one another again, after so long a time apart. I have felt that same you describe, when you see a photo of what were once very precious things to you. I wanted them back too.
    Such a lovely, lovely story!!!
    xo Kris

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    1. Thanks so much Kris..I know..that sad feeling of wanting things back..;(
      What's up w/ that? Surely not everyone feels so yearningly ..not even a word I bet:)

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  27. I was thinking as I started reading how you LOVE so many things! Bon anniversaire! to your folks! You did the painting of the English home et le café? LOVE!
    The blog post about caring for an ailing hen was very interesting...Good for you, helping one of yours!

    ลา ลีกา สเปน

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  28. Thank you:) Yes..I dabble in painting:)I TRY..and TRY:)

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