Martha.

 

If you haven't watched the Netflix documentary..Martha..I highly recommend it.

Many of you know I lost my mom at 19.I was in Uni.

I had not had time to learn much re everything I now love..

She was instrumental in  developing so many little passions in me..Cooking..Baking..Gardening..Decorating..Entertaining( yes I used to lol)..Holidays..

My mom kept an impeccable home.. there really was in my memory  only three at home..my mom my dad and I..My oldest brother had moved out when I was 7 I think..the other I was 10.And they were never home.

My parents were not rich..but she made food I loved..all humble typical dishes.. She could cook anything.

She was trained as an artist though..and seemed to give all that up after having children,especially after losing a five yr old little girl..

Imagine how I would have loved to learn from her.

Later.. she was a speedwriting teacher/ accomplished translator.

C'est la vie.

My spaguetti sauce is based on hers..my cottage pies.. mashed potatoes.. She did make roasts and steaks..I really don't.. She cooked wild duck my dad hunted..

We had a small small pantry.. 

My life is different.

Her husband ,my dad was often sick.

Anyway she was every Christmas every birthday every NY ..every single day to me.

Then gone..

So I have Martha to thank for so many things.. 

Getting back to the documentary..she is authentic in it..and I loved that.Interesting.. funny..also sentimental in some of her looks..she looks away..

 

That dessert above..is a staple in many French Canadian families..called Pouding Chômeur..as many recipes of this as there are FR Cdn families I bet.

Jacques would tape her shows for me.. I could not watch because I worked once both our daughters were in school..I have kept the VCRs.He would note all the episodes ..print and I would tape to the VHS tape:) I love seeing these.

And if a friend called me Martha.I was overjoyed.

Always loved..all of this.

Being a mom and a nana first and foremost..but all the rest? Love doing it.

A watercolor I made I actually like:)

 

Sketching Retreat announced some lovely tutorials.I signed up and there are many from so many talented artists..A lot graphic arts.. perspectives etc..Out of my league.But I have purchased a few of Shari's tutorials and when I discovered she was also amidst the talented teachers..I was so happy.

She posted this one and I followed her attentively..This is the outcome.

I see all the errors of my ways but all in all I am pleased.J really likes it too:)

Even if you get a few tips with these well worth it.

Our weather has been stellar:)

In the spirit of Halloween...

It's all quite gruesome in some places...

I stayed local and skipped Mc Mansions..I follow an Instagrammer..the brownstones in NYC..it must cost a zillion to decorate like that.

The Wizard of Oz..  The wicked witch..I was so frightened by her:)

I still don't like them..especially real life ones:)

Time change this weekend..I think I like it..I'll have to settle in and see:)

Take care.

Arlene's birthday is on Halloween:) Have a great one..

The most beautiful fall..ever.

The most beautiful fall..ever..

A great day.Oli was able to play a game after 1 month in a cast.They won.Yes that's Little Oli number 9.Who towers over us.

I have  soft spot for him.. I have a soft spot for the other 3 also.I am full of soft spots.They are the spots that fill my heart.

You know the thing about sports that I love is the camaraderie.Some students have been on the bench for 4 years.Never played.The parents and the grandfather come to every game.It's the friendships:)In one case..

I have a new found respect for dahlia growers in my zone or colder.

Yikes those little tubers I planted went forth and triplified +++++I dug them up..huge clumps..I'm not dividing..  I cut off all these scraggly roots..Brushed them off ..I had tagged them before..They dried in the sun yesterday today also they will.Then I will store in wood shavings indoors and keep my fingers crossed.Tightly.

Have a lovely week.

 For Van Gogh lovers..a must see..

Rachel shared this on her blog..

Starry Starry Night

Half time ;)

P not sure anyone will see my posts now..MailChimp sent me a notice saying they will not unless I purchase credits..Lol That I exceed 2000 subscribers.

Ummm..No.

C'est tellement beau..

 

Not peak yet..But oh so pretty.

Saturday found areas without power and windy..(the cause) but sunny with gorgeous white puffy clouds..I went out looking for beauty.I don't have far to go..

I met a past client with his dog:) Years ago..years..he was nice enough to let me take pics of him.He was nice that many yrs ago..still nice.

People are always surprised when I say..from the back:) I love them:)

My husband said something so wise..he often does..he rarely comments on things but when I mentioned again I love taking photos from the back he said it's because nothing is forced..(fake) So true.

One of our daughters hosted Thanksgiving.. on her own..her husband is a hunter and he usually is away this weekend..it was delicious..the whole family..I adore when we are all together.

I come home late..WIRED and I don't sleep a wink lol..

We eat early..by 5.30-45.And we don't eat a lot..nor after that until the next AM..At family gatherings..I star when I get there..5..and stop eating at 11..No wonder I don't sleep;)

Wired.. We are quiet..these evenings are full of conversation and laughter.The big boys still come..I just love that.LOVE that.

So I brought desserts.. my cupcakes were not great.my icing broke..:(

My cookies were just ok..I tried a new recipe..but these were a hit.Pecan Pie bars.

I was glad to be able to pick a bouquet for her.

Gosh those dahlias..I remember when zinnias thrilled me:)  I still like them ..but..:)

Enjoying Disclaimer on Apple TV

No frost yet..  so dahlias will remain..underground.

Have a great week:)

...Lucky to be cozy.

  

I have been going overboard in the gardens..my immediate neighbours to the left and right have gardeners now to put the beds  to sleep (and RIGHTLY SO)..But I confess to not loving it as much as I used to..If I could annihilate the invasives..I might be more encouraged..But everything I chop.. Beside..Invasives that only get worse...I have very few left to put to sleep.One I have actually abandoned and I let it look after itself..Far right way back..;)

In between I do gentler hobbies;) Painting and baking..

Butternut sqash soups..Jacques make my favorite BS risotto...

I made a salted caramel sauce..(next time) To flavor my buttercream for the cupcakes Sunday..

I fell IN LOVE with this Van Gogh palette..ever since we went to St-Rémy I love him even more..

The above is a Chris Petri you tube tutorial.Google him and You tube and you are set!!

I watched this on my own.. and enjoyed it.

Charming.IMHO.

I'm all about scents and colors and comfort food..and football once fall hits QC..

I need comfort..:)

As I type I am so very concerned re Fl..and Milton.The worse is hitting where we used to stay.Seeing people evacuate..seeing the mess Helene left and now they start over..

I have neighbours who own there..

It's tragic.

:(:(:(