Bonjour from QC Canada.

 

The biggest storm ever recorded in decades in Qc..is coming..

I love winter but not disproportionately..

Oy..up to 15 inches.. More Friday and Sunday too.

This is what the world needs more of at this moment in time.

One of my Montreal people with a story to go with on IG..

I am always grateful for the light in our kitchen no matter what season.I surprise myself with my gratitude for  our home..and where it sits..

I don't redecorate..I just seem to be comfortable as is.

I had a nice digital loan re Elena Faita..Yes the highest honor..She has a cooking school and owns my favorite store in Little Italy.A dream..

Dante....Her son Stefano owns restos and is a very accomplished chef with a TV show to boot.A huge line of products to enjoy.

Proud of that family.

Did a bit of stitching but.. honestly..compared to kits I stitched up before..the quality is cheapette.

Not impressed but it kept me entertained.

Another chef I love here is Ricardo..His coquilles St-Jacques are on repeat here..I add Shrimp..and make that full recipe for 4.. for just J and I. For small ind. ones..This recipe for 4  is just right.

Rachel is you are reading this..I have not received your photo:(

I have even emailed you..Wonder what the glitch is..?

I have only about 5 of these large crewel works that I made in our home now.I gave the rest away.At one point I think I had counted over 50 works.

I am second guessing two of the people I gave one to..and one that I gave a few to..Should not have.Trust your instinct lol.

It's that wee voice that is stronger than all the rest.Shh...Listen..:)

I just love the ones I have left..not bragging just happy I made them..and have them still..

I'm not baking Valentine treats because I am in charge of desserts for an upcoming bday..The littlest..48 unimaginable.

So if I make anything that turns out Ill share in my next post.

Until then..

I received this kit of English cookie cutters years ago from Marie I still love them .She is so kind.

Happy Valentine's day..I'm just calling it heart day..It's a great excuse..and you don't need a boyfriend a partner a spouse  or a lover..Just LOVE everyone..  color..creed..etc...

Let's make the world great again.

Update:)

...Sweatah Weathah...continues

Definitely sweater..coat..mitts ..boots weather.

I confess I LOVE it.

I love having seasons:)

A season to receive seeds and plan ahead:)

My inspiration to get out there on my own..is to forge a path to the generator.

J makes beautiful winter paths around our home.. but to get from  the side (where the tanks and generator are)..to the front of the road.. where the propane company comes..they need a path.. it is easier for me to do it on snowshoes.. so I do that back and forth  twice,to make a good one..then from the back of our home  to the trails I love so much.. It is exhilarating.

We are in the country with century old trees..if the winds howl..or freezing rain hits us..or heavy heavy snow..we can lose power..

Thus the generator.It took us 20 yrs to get a whole house one.We always used one that J had to get out.. get everything hooked up..fill with gas..  I said..Oh let's just do it. A wonderful feeling of security for a septuagenarian and an octogenarian:)

My people continue to become short stories..Good practice for me..

Auguste was skiing to work in Montreal this week:)

A good time to make bake and freeze cheddar cheese coins..I have a few recipes I love ..my first foray must have been 40 yrs ago ..they had rice krispies in them:) I make some from past virtual friends that are now gone:(. And these from America's Test kitchen ..Google and ye shall find:)Many bloggers have added the recipe..

I am not sure what the copywright is so I leave you to find:)I hope you don't mind..

My fave pastry mat is the Oxo oh so flexible one..that is so easy to clean..love it..and these new little gadgets that come in a set of various sizes.. We mark our spacing.What a neat neat thing to have.

If you are a baker.. seeds..if you are a gardener.Paints and paper if you like to paint:)

A camera ..if you like to take pics;)

I am reeling in gloom sporadically in my mind with everything going on.

The fires..the crashes.. the economy.

I keep busy to focus on other things..even reading does not distract me enough.I have to be moving about. here..but keeping busy.

Pretty sure many of you.. Stay awake at times..With concerns...

Have a good weekend.

Footnote..In case some of you missed this.Our current Prime Minister's response to the POTUS of the USA.

This is for Anonymous and her confidence in her POTUS.

 

Art..iculations... and sweater weather.

Linda  

Posted her Valentine's tablescape..

I'm not a tablescaper..but she is and is stellar at it.She had this cute element on her table and pictured her from the back..Had to try.

If you remember she was instrumental at getting me back to blogging.Tirelessly she coached me:)

I'll never forget:)

I love to paint in winter..

The latter two are taken from a wonderful Instagrammer..Myriam..

You can find here here..

Montreal..is what Myriam specializes in..

I am not complaining about winter.I like this laid back time..

I can nest differently.

very cold but very beautiful here.

I would not trade..

Except perhaps my Provence and this would have had to be orchestrated over 45 yrs ago:)

For my husband? No contest..here and only here:)

Quiet..Winter is quiet...I love that.

 

Starting off the year with a challenge for me.I am not a joiner of sorts..but on IG Hello Lovely People suggested painting 100 small paintings.. 3x3..I am going to discipline myself  to do it.I hope its not like the treadmill that my husband has been constantly doing every single morning for 30 yrs weekends included.I fell off the wagon..

Very early on.

The cute Sun Sprouts kit one of my daughters gave me for Christmas works very well.In about 3 days you have a container.I like the sprouts on avocado toast...or a spoonful..on their own;)

If you don't like taking care of things like plants etc ..It is not for you.There is rinsing involved etc..Checking..I like taking care of things..

The world is facing so many unfortunate life changing events:(

The images coming out of the LA fires.. the wars..

So much criticism on all counts.

So many tears shed.

Today I made a huge batch of spaguetti sauce with meatballs..I watched the snow gently fall through the kitchen windows,realizing once more how grateful I am.

I love our home.I know I repeat myself but I do.

To see it go up in flames ..I cannot imagine.

All the memories.. the photos..the work that went into it.

Watching my littles grow here.. I cannot imagine.

My mother's things..

My own daughters things..The wedding dresses in the attic..the dollhouses..

My mom's paintings..

I cannot imagine..

All the while making my sauce..

Images flashing across our screens.. turmoil in politics..

and then this..

Our Canadian Water Bombers in LA.. helping our neighbours.

I am grateful for hobbies:)

Grateful for childhood friends who are thoughtful enough to send me 40 yr old photos of myself..40 yrs ago!! At least.See how fast time flies.That little one  will be 48 this Feb..My youngest..And was I ever this young?

I am so glad we did not have SM and phones etc..My attention was devoted to the girls.They were not on IG and TT..nor was I.

I think I lived in a much simpler time.

When you get to be 71.. you realize you are certainly not immortal.

Some worries set in.

And you hope so much for your littles now BIGS heading into their futures..

It doesn't take much to enjoy a little R and R

A fave spot with a very nice person.I am more a one on one now apart from family..not a party girl..not a group girl.

Too many people for 30 yrs..

I guess..who knows why we change?

I know a few reasons..I'm not being honest here lol..re why I prefer one on one now.

But the quality of one on one..

Is just precious.

Here's a bit of love in a cup for all.

One thing.. I hate.

.                   

                                                   Free photo stock..not mine.

 Well there are more than one..but honestly on TikTok.. seeing the young people..and their Xmas HAULS..is disturbing.

So many gifts.. so much $$$.The above so tame and lovely..the hauls.. what is it with this excessive overabundance of gifts? 

I love seeing the ones where they get a puppy.. where people don't have much and someone comes through for them..When someone is ill and gets better..when a sentimental gift is offered..everything within reason.

All the sweet charming moments ..not the overspoiling of our youth.I don't know if you have seen any..but wow..too much..Like thousands of $$$...

Christmas eve day gave us the perfect snowfall..glistening sparkly snow..

It meant doing a system restore for our Christmas family to arrive.

I kid you not he does it all:)

We had so much fun at my daughter's Xmas eve. A house full of people..

Delicious food.. sit down meal for 14.

Some homes have 14 matching chairs.. we don't..

so it's a bit of this and a bit of that.No one notices.

The tables are set with love and attention.

I look at all the Littles so big now..

In the blink of an eye..

Lucas Max Oli Noah

Adamo Giuliana William

The table will just get bigger and bigger..as we get smaller an smaller:)

Perfect Hallmark Christmas weather.

I love when that happens.

Funny thing..at my daughter's on the eve.. we were satiated.. lucky to have such great food before the meal and at the meal.. after the meal..some fun games were played.. late in the evening my daughter took out all her beautiful bite sized desserts and we did each take one but there were so many.

We were just too full.

And my dessert table?

As everyone was leaving after brunch..one of my daughters exclaimed..mom we forgot the desserts..:(

And so we had.

Can you imagine?

Next yr..I am making a bûche de Noël and putting it in the middle of the table.

How will we be able to forget then:)

And that's it.

Shortbread because how can we not.

And Dream bars...Because I remember my mom making those.

The weather has turned foggy and mild with some rain..it will be like this for a few days then a deep freeze again.

Happy New Year to you..

Health and happiness.

2025.

New hobby Sun Sprouts..

Our new welcome mat.

...3 days away...

 

I usually post ..too much right before Christmas and Springtime..

My two most  on hands seasons..

I did once again make one box for one couple..I hope they enjoy it..

I was looking forward to a Christmas coffee with my young friend..but her mom got covid..then she did:(

So that is def on hold..

However I was able to make a no contact visit..She lives at the end of a long long long country road..

Gates..and wreaths:)

Enchanting you see...:)

This year I changed the recipes up a bit.. vintage ones came back to play..

Brought back many memories..

Bits and Bites..Nuts and Bolts.. I can walk away from sweets but these garlicky salty Worcestershire ..y treats are like..crack to me as they say..;)

Our government has ordered the postal strikers back to work.. we will see if that happens as strikers are contesting..

Even if they do go back..the holiday backlog is enormous and things would never get to destination for weeks.All I had prepared is nestled away for next yr..which will be my last yr mailing things.

Only my niece will be mailed her cheque this yr. Even if she gets it later.. she can buy things on sale.

Bah humbug..CP was the Grinch that stole Christmas..for so many..Passports for trips..medications.. drivers licenses,,small enterprises banking on xmas sales.. gifts.. etc..cheques..

Look under our tree circa 1958?Look below..Same.

Baby Jesus is missing two arms..he is wax.

I could never part with this.

Details on a full size cross stitch stocking my first manager made for me.She is the reason I did not give up right away when I became a realtor all those years ago.I was so young ..28..both girls were now in school full time..

To say I faced adversity lol..is putting it mildly.

We stayed in touch even when she left.

Years later I was at her celebration of life after she had passed away.

It is proudly displayed every Christmas.

As I write this..Tuesday I mailed two things.. both arrived the next day.Go figure.

I was elated my niece got her gift.

I had a wonderful visit from my friend Nancy.. she was my neighbour and moved several years ago..

She came for a visit:)

A holiday gift.

My daughter has been a kindergarten teacher for 100 yrs..She started with older grades but her heart gravitated towards littles.Every yr  Xmastime.. they wear their pjs to class.. and have a sock exchange.I can never post her students but I can post their feet.

Every time I meet people that have children my daughter has taught..they tell me she's the best teacher.At the wreath making..one woman was there.. her son is marrying a girl he met in my daughter's class  so many years ago..this summer:)

So it's no easy feat as here in QC unless you have an exemption.. you must go to French school.. so the majority of these Littles are English..their first foray into school and French..is my daughter:)

Tucked in a box ready for Christmas

I made Sol's cheese crackers..I have 2 of her recipes one with cheddar one with parm..both very very good..Appéritif good.

We all have cheese coin recipes.. I have a little folder but ..I think I have 4 faves:)

And ..Tada..you have to try Marie's French Gingerbread cake recipe..

Hands down..by far.. top drawer...BEST

A childhood friend.. sent me photos of when we were about 30 maybe less..

Well ..I should have appreciated me more then lol:)

But it was a gift ..a Christmas gift to receive.

She always had a sweetness.

Have yourself..Happy Holidays..to my friends of all beliefs..

Health in the new year..and a cozy blanket to comfort you..in your heart and outside of it.

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année.

I'm sorry to say my blog will now have comment moderation in the New Year.

That way THE anonymous will no longer be able to be cruel towards ..my friends..or my baby Jesus.