Thursday, June 28, 2018

A bit of this..a bit of that.. end of June~






















My sweet friend Nancy sent me the first issue of Josée di Stasio's new magazine..it is all about Italy.
I love her..Jacques loves her..she is a QC treasure.

I leafed though it..and right away two things caught my eye..the home made ricotta..and her Lemon Cream  Ravioli dish:)

So I made the ricotta..no surprise..Jacques loves it..and honestly..on my no-knead bread w/ seeds that Terry kindly shared the recipe for..initially from Sally's Baking Addiction (I omitted the nuts and cranberries..I added sunflowers and cracked wheat)..topped w/ David L's cherry jam I made..it was delicious.

Jacques looked at the plate..and said..:"It's all home made..the bread..the ricotta..the jam"~
Home made ricotta is a cinch..recipes aabound all over the net.

It's no secret I love trying new things in the kitchen.

All this was so worth it!♥

The dinner was delicious..  Yes I bought the cheese Ravioli..but the rest home made..she said I could:)
Heavy cream..lemon..parm cheese..asparagus..green onions..pepper..oh so good.
I am not a creamy person..but..this worked for me.
I used my lemon verbena from the garden too:)

I love making small bouquets..
That rose..in the middle..I think it's Morden Blush.I can't find my records of my plantings here almost 18 yrs ago!

I have ripped out and moved things though and continue to do so..maybe I did throw the records away.
In a fit of cleaning up:(
See? Now I want them.

Ripped out my pink..bright pink beach roses..they seem to be magnets for the chafers..8 were pulled out..a lot easier planting than ripping out..the roots of these things..they travel..:(and start new bushes..invasive..

Got invited to the yacht club for  a few hrs on the weekend..cloudy day..but OMGEE I love the water!
It's a dream place for me.

Watched 3 of our Littles swim w/ friends..chatted w/ my daughter..what's not to love?

And I received a super excited call from Noah..he had just met Justin Trudeau at a local event and shook his hand..I have a pic..but a girl and her children are in it..so I am refraining..cute girl cute kids,but not mine.

I have gardened gardened and gardened and baked some and took pics some and painted some and made a new watercolor journal..

C'est ma vie.Ma p'tite vie.We're in for a super duper heat wave.

Bon weekend!





54 comments:

  1. I love your little bits of this and bits of that. That picture of the grasshopper is stunning!!

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    1. Thank you Chris..such a wee thing..like a nailbed..nature is amazing:)

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  2. 100 degrees her today. I cannot function in that kind of heat. Will have to play catch up on things inside. Or nap.

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    1. LOL..we are getting the 90's! So hot and humid coming up here ttoo..I will paint.Can't garden in 90's.I could faint.A fainter I am.Take care!

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  3. Your pictures are always so beautiful. The ravioli dish looks amazing!

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    1. Thanks so much! The ravioli was good:)She is a QC treasure that JdiStasio.And so charming.

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  4. You turn the simplest items into the prettiest vases! Always inspiring me. I have a small bouquet in a stonewall kitchen jam jar on my kitchen windowsill. The ravioli dish sounds sooo good. And home made ricotta. Impressed. And lucky Noah! I wish you could share the photo, can you crop it and only have him and Trudeau in the photo? Hope you survive your heat wave, we will have it here too.

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    1. I will ask my daughetr to send it to me..she said her friend would not mind..but I feel funny doing it..I am a private person..and hate seeing my photo someone took somewhere..unless it is GREAT lol.And well..that rarely happens;) If ever.I freeze when I know someone has a camera..I like being behind the lens:) remember Derek? LOL could not escape his lens:)Love those Stonewall jars and products!!I looked online for the ravioli dish..not there..I am a terrible typist..and I don't know what her rules are..Signed...Miss Scaredy Cat:)

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    2. Look what I found

      http://distasio.telequebec.tv/recette/573/fettucine-aux-asperges-sauce-a-la-creme-citronnee

      It's not how it looks in the magazine..because she has it on ravioli in the mag..but essentially this is it..and I halved the sauce..I would be happy to translate for you:)

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    3. Oh my gosh and online the credit is given to Maria Logga..I love her,have 2 of her books:)

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    4. Sorry I did not check back earlier I would love the translation. Sometimes google translate still leaves things a bit foggy for me. Sort of like some of Jerry's mother's recipes. She assumed one knew the basics. I need the step by step recipe. I'm with you I hate my photo being taken. I do remember Derek. His photos and his words were touching. Hope you are enjoying Canada Day!

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  5. I too love spending time in my kitchen cooking. I'm happy to make elaborate meals just for one...me! But my husband is very happy when I include him as well. :) I'm trying to find the time to make some yogurt. We eat a lot of plain Greek yogurt & it's been on my list of new things to try. It looks so easy & I'm hoping to get to it this weekend.

    I am slowly losing my roses to the rose rosette disease. I had a beautiful 50 foot long rose hedge that grew 8 feet tall & wash lush with gorgeous red, sweet smelling country roses. It's completely gone now after enjoying it for 25 yrs. I have some family heirloom roses that have been passed down in our family as well. I watch them carefully but there is no cure & my life is too full of family to baby my garden. So I'll have to enjoy the roses from everyone else's gardens.

    Such fun!...to garden, paint, take pics & create. All things on my list! For now I baby sit my 8 month old grandson every day so lots of singing, playing, hand feeding & rocking when he's here then lots of stretching, soaking & pampering a sore body when he's not!

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    1. Jenny I Googled the disease..and one of our evergreens had that Witches Broom Disease.A local very educated man..in his 80's often goes tree trimming still w/ his son in fis family business..he told me..they saved it..but it is interesting to see roses get it.How sad:(
      On the other hand..how wonderful to be caring for an 8 month old:)Takes a lot of energy but it's bein in a state of love all the time♥
      Just put me in the prsence of our grandchildren and I immediately feel better:)

      Lol when you include your husband:)
      I am grateful to have hobbies..I can't beieve I wondered how I would fill ALL my time once I stopped working.
      I am never ever ever bored.
      Ever:)
      Have a good weekend!

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  6. Love all yours posts Monique, ahh June there is really beauty, here is cold in this time with some rains, but we love rain, Eseranza said me today : anyway I love winter, and I said me too :)
    Of course we love summer too. But all seasons have beauty things!
    Love yours pictures and roses and I love cherries ! hugs !!

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    1. Merci beaucoup Gloria! Summer is amore abundant time for everything it seems here.In winter..we hide:) Hibernate is the word..hiding from the cold:)

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  7. Love these catching up posts that you do with a bit of this and a bit of that. Its such a busy time of year! Everything is so pretty and looks delicious! I am glad you took a few hours away to the Yacht Club. All work and no play is no fun at all! That cherry jam looks amazing. I adore Cherry Jam. I adore cherry anything really! Bon appetit and happy weekend! Its going to be another hot one here, but in a country where we get far too much rain, I am not complaining! xoxo

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    1. Here too scorchfest..this is when I think of people..older..in their homes w/ no air..there's a reason why there is no school in summer..my daughter teaches in a school w/ no air..
      We rarely put it on..and this is the first home we have had it in..but I have a feeling Sunday it may be on.
      I feel since IG nothing is super fresh..I repeat reapeat..oh well..:)

      We are not memeber at the YC..so it's a treat when I go:)
      Have a good weekend Marie:)

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  8. Ah Justin Trudeau. What a man of integrity. Lucky Noah. We have a heat wave too. Beautiful as always Monique.

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    1. I can't even..:( Politics..these days..how classy of you :):)
      Happy 4th!!

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  9. Love your little bits. What a lovely photo the grasshopper is. I hope your back is holding up, with all of that gardening. Taking a break at the yacht club sounds lovely. How special that your grandson, Noah met Justin Trudeau. The ravioli looks heavenly. Stay cool this weekend.

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    1. My back is not as strong as when I was 45-50..but what can I expect? I do nothing all winter then garden like a nuresery owner;) It is kind of like a piriformis ache and it is much better.I only talk about things that get better:)What's the point of the rest right?;)
      It's gorgeous out..tomorrow and Sunday..a bit too hot..but I don't garden in heat like this..I primp them..most people think gardeners just primp in straw hats w/ a watering can..like a commercial;)

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  10. Super post and love the Pellegrino cans, so pretty. Enjoyed the photos and the dinner sound so good and love lemon. Doesn't sound heavy ands good for summer. The dessert looks yummy too.

    Have a super weekend.

    Cindy

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    1. You too..and how nice of you to come and visit:)

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  11. I love seeing your petite vie through your lens :) The Pellegrino cans, the sailboat with the crossed masts on each end, the wee grasshopper with BIG eyes, a lovely rose, a delicious meal and homemade goodies, etc., :) How lucky Noah got to meet Justin! Something to be truly proud to say :) I'm so glad you found a link for the pasta dish! I searched through out your post to find it but saw the comment where you shared it. Will definitely try this and I do love the idea of the ravioli rather than fettucine. Putting it in my list of ideas for our gourmet in August :) The heat has begun here. 90 today, almost 100F tomorrow when Mack and Dane have their All-Star baseball games :( I bought little fans on adjustable neck cords for us to wear :) Will also bring lots of water and a big straw hat.

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    1. How cute w/ the fans and straw hat!
      It is a hot one today..but I did what I had to do early AM...painted in our cool coool cool basement..and then primped the gardens..Jacques mowed so apart from patches of clover(we cannot mw short..too prone to burning)..it looks good.My 3 big evergreens at the front have turned into a worry..hope they don't have to go..I do think we have witches broom again.:(
      Have fun..whodathoughtwewouldbesointosports..thosesports;)

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    2. I've never heard of witches broom...doesn't sound like a good thing :( Hope they will be okay! It will be fun watching the boys play tomorrow. Hope we have a breeze...fingers crossed.

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  12. I love how you get excited being challenged in the kitchen. I'm trying to get my mojo for that back. Perhaps when I get back to the lake tomorrow for a long stretch. The ravioli dish sounds outstanding, I'll look that up!

    We are incredibly hot and humid, in the nineties, and we will stay that way for a couple of days. I'm living vicariously through your garden. I planted so little because I needed to take it easy, and I wasn't sure where I would spend the most time. A dilemma I have to think about.

    Justin Trudeau is such a lovely man. Why, oh why, are we dealing with a leader such as ours? Our country has been in an upheaval for over 500 days.

    I'll end on that note. Have a lovely weekend, Monique!

    Jane

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    1. I appreciate your comment about JT.It saddens me that he gets his opponents too ..
      I just cannot get over politics right now.
      And I can't say anything.
      Thanks Jane..coming to see your new post.I want some interesting reading material:)

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  13. Hello, me again. Do you have a link for the lemon curd ravioli? Looks delicious!

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    1. I am always..Me Gain..or Me too..

      This is a variation but in French..
      If you need a translation..I will..
      Buy cheese filled ravioli.. heavy cream..yup:(..spring green onions..lemons..chicken broth..parm cheese..I think that's it;)

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  14. Your divine photos are like paintings to me - evocative !

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  15. Love the ’waters edge’ . . . toe dipping delight in this heat wave . . .
    And I loved your flowers, gardens, greens, fresh cherries . . .
    Reminds me of our drive early last evening . . .
    We were in the midst of a cherry orchard.
    Oh my . . . what beauty . . . the red cherries were dripping in great bounty from the trees.

    Thank you for visiting me and my gardens at the Irish Garden House.
    Happy warm sunny July days to you.

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    1. I was happy to find you on IG:)
      I can just imagine a cherry orchard..have never been in one..would love to see.

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  16. Dearest Monique,
    We once had the Morden blush rose, a perfect Heirloom rose and I love this off white color; goes with anything.
    The bread looks very yummy, one to try out soon as I do have a Dutch oven.
    Love cherry marmelade and if it is home made; even better.
    Glad you're enjoying your summer. We had yesterday a beautiful summer experience that started out perfect. By bus with 22 of us in 2 hours to the St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Savannah for a Priest ordination. Two priests in fact and very, very formal and heavenly with about 60 priests presence from all over the diocese and 2 bishops and a packed Cathedral. The organ music, brass instruments played and the singing was heavenly... So we went with our group to the Hilton for lunch, that was yummy and by surprise a tropical downpour with heavy thunder so we had the bus driver pick us up right in front and we all got on board safely and dry. Than the ride home in the heat of some 36ºC and the airconditioning on the bus had quit working... Oh, my we looked all like we'd blown the hell. What a relieve to come home to airconditioning!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Mariette it must have been out of this world.Savannah is gorgeous..and all the music and pomp and circumstance must have been moving..
      we are experiencing 100 F weather..and I water in the AM..too hot to garden.I must admit weeds don't seem to grow in this !Have a good week!

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  17. I can't believe it's already July!! I need to make ricotta cheese.

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    1. I know!!!! Time ..I fill up my vitamin containers once a week..they were empty AGAIN this AM ;)

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  18. Always a joy to visit here! I adore your bits and pieces of June. Happy July, sweet friend. Rabbit, Rabbit!

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  19. So inspiring! I know I'm repeating myself, but your pictures are really works of art. Happy July to you, my dear.
    Hugs

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  20. I love how we get to move through the seasons with you! I look forward to your July!! Heat wave was going to come here, but it is not so bad...

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  21. Oh, Noah is SO LUCKY! (Can you crop the other girls out?!) That's exciting. And I feel like I've entered a little bit of heaven with this post. Lovely in every way!

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    1. He was at the forefront:( He was excited enough to call me on the way home..:)You get to be ON the water every day at your cottage..it's so lovely isn't it?
      Have a nice afternoon Jeanie.I am playing w/ paints;)

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  22. Love every single picture.....
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. My mind was elsewhere...forgot to mention Noah and his excitement!
      Such a thrill for your young man...
      And that ravioli dish....oooh la la....delightful!
      Still sweating here...heard of all the heat deaths in Quebec 😞
      Stay cool!

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    2. I know..so sad.Honestly I can't complain one bit.I like this better than freezing I think:)

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  23. Another gorgeous post of amazing photos! I love your grasshopper shot - it's fantastic! It's so hot here - feels like August already. Happy summer Monique!

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  24. I am feeling hungry after this post. :) xo

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