~Memories~

It's been really cccold here..as in 0 F..yes..you read correctly..
so I stitched and finished Noah's blanket:)

All 4 boys are taken care of now:)
This latest one has an additional token of my love..the handmade button..Linda showed us her works of heart and they had the buttons..
I just had to copy and paste.♥
She is a wonderful wonderful girl that Linda..


Will wait before I start another for us..as sitting so long makes me feel off ..more than usual;)

I baked Marie's banana bread..she is focusing on small batch baking and cooking and I am loving it..

It's perfect for empty nesters..you can find her recipe here..


I have been taking trips down memory lane..in my craft room..one drawer is filled w/ carousels..that have slides..we never look at them..they are 45 yrs old..plus..I had read about an app..that didn't work for me..so I tried putting slides on my light source and taking pics with my phone..
well I am discarding the slides and just keeping faved pics:)
My girls have liked getting daily pics..they are all bad..lol..dak or light..many my head is cut off..
J was the photo taker..w/ a Minolta non DSLR..an we would just get slides done..

Mistake..IMHO.

I am putting some here..imagine these are the good ones..;)Honestly these pics should not be here:) LOL but ..

Mylène with all her newborn hair and Jacques with all his hair:)♥
Notice the orange and gold wallpaper..the dried floral arrangements I made..LOL..we had a carpet in the kitchen that almost matched..I was 21 guys..love the spice rack..and hanging lamp..eventually I had lamps I wove wool around:)

Building our home..in '76..

I loved this dress I embroidered for M:)..the hair again:)  she was maybe 3.

This little girl was the easiest baby ..woke up happy and smiling and fell asleep on demand..or not:)
Unlike her sister above who felt sleep time was a waste of time:) LOL still the same;)
Jacques made their jungle gym and swings..and every home we lived in..they had a big dollhouse out back♥
And played hours on end in them.

Priscillas everywhere in the next house lol and more gingham..and more hair. I adored..adored adored being a mom.

My decorating style..at 24..revolved around wallpaper everywhere..Holly Hobbie and curtains and frills everywhere..I was so excited to make everything;) Not well..at all... but I tried..Bouclair had a dollar stage and you could buy wide fabric for $1.00 a yard..sometimes my girls clothes matched our curtains.I stitched almost everything that hung on the walls..see Holly Hobbie? LOL..and the ceiling was yellow gingham.
I made a canopy over our bed..:)
I love how I served the cake IN the springform pan;)and how elegantly I set the table..Mylène's poor godmother is wearing a lampshade;)

I want to be that girl again. The best years of my life I think..Happy and carefree with two living dolls to play with..I remember that top..stretchy eyelet ended above my belly button..I was brave..and I made that peasant skirt.I was all about long and hippie after my hot pants stage in my late teens;)

Or this one:) I have no idea whose dog that is but clearly it made me happy.

All these pics are awful but they had not been seen in yrs..shortly after this phase of J and slides..I started clicking w/ an instamatic and we have albums full..of much better pics..but nothing like the moms of today can do..
or even the pics I took much later on of my Littles..
Mais c'est la vie..technology moved along..making these imperfect shots..simply fond memories..
Cherished memories.:)
And I am doing more of the same this week..
Raider of the lost Ark:)
I'll probably have enough pics for another post at one point:)

Since most of my pics are gone..I'm starting new memories to come and visit..
Take care~


I have a funny little footnote..this afternoon..Wednesday..Oli,10, came over..

I said we will see you  on the 21rst of February for a special event..not only his mom's bday but she will be in Nashville..Right away he said..10 days after Super Bowl.
RIGHT AWAY.
No counting..nothing..then he said do you know how many chicken wings are eaten on Super Bowl?
He knew..
I Googled when he left.
Fottball fan much?:)

~Moving right along~Things I made~

Starting off the the baking yr with BONNE MAMAN jam ..and Stems and Forks biscuits..:)not sure the recipe is online I found it in her stories on IG..if you don't know Betty go see..her photography is sublime..and she is such a creative person in all aspects.
Sheer sheer beauty.Hard worker..mother..daughter etc..she is the one that is photographing Just Crumbs new cookbook.
It will be a stellar collab.

Also I am always touting pretty molds and cookie cutters..
Nordic Ware is one of my fave lines..
I wanted to tell you that Wilton Cake Release..worked very well for this cake:)
Make sure you always wash your new pan carefully as per instructions.
Personally I have found that flouring makes a mess of things.
For this mold WCR worked best..every nook and cranny w/ a brush..
I will try other recipes as this was not the best although J liked it and ate it.I must say I have made this cake before..for the honeycomb cake itself and it was so good..I may have done something wrong..cornmeal not fine enough this time..

That guy makes a dessert last forever..just a bit every night weighs in the 150's fit as fit can be.. 1 hr treadmill every day for 20 yrs no fail plus a walk outside on top of maintaining everything here..snow..etc..78.
Please let me be like that at 78:)

I made lovely and delicious cream puffs w/ a chocolate craquelin topping and hazelnut whipped cream filling..pastry shop worthy~
You can find the recipe here at Cloudy Kitchen.
I made half and it made almost 30:)


I made this..King Arthur Flour recipe of the year..it was good but soo much bread compared to the topping..looked great..

I don't take dinner pics because it's pitch black when we eat here and we eat at 5.45..lol. EVERY NIGHT.

And I made this and we loved it..I have since bought Chipotle Chili Pepper Powder and will top w/ that next time..I halved..and it made 2 dinner sized ind portions.Seasons and Suppers this is not the first recipe of hers that I have made..and they have always been good!

The following is a public service announcement~

A footnote and warning re an antibiotic~
In Oct I developed a small infection..I didn't even know I had.
I was prescribed an antibiotic because I was going away..in case it reared it's ugly head.
It only became uncomfortable mid way and not so much that I felt I should take an antibiotic...while away.

I did take it on Dec 4th..for 7 days..and felt nauseous..after a few days..but thought so be it..it will go away..
Well it didn't..and I started having pains around my chest..
Dec 22nd I started itching..this is weeks after the cessation of the antibiotic..Christmas eve..out at our daughter's  I just felt worse and worse and itchier and itchier..
I cam home to a back full of hive like small pimples on my chest ,back and arms..
They eventually turned red with itching like poison ivy..and still so nauseous..
Up my neck..and head itch.
Had to see a DR between Xmas and NY..medicine..

still not gone Jan 6th..back to the Dr.on the 8th..
It is (still) and was an delayed allergic reaction to this particular antibiotic.
I had never heard of this..
As of Jan 15th more than 1 month after cessation..symptoms are still there..the rash is far less but all tiny red scabs..
The antibiotic is Clindamycin..and I will NEVER take it again

Just a word of warning..reactions can happen after ..and they last such a long time..flu like symptoms with a never ending itchy rash.
Quite poisonous.Apparently my stomach and skin are angry at me.

So get over it ok:)If you know me you know I don't use this platform for health issues..
but in Googling this antibiotic..I was surprised to see how bad it can be.
Don't want it happening to you.

I would rather share the pretty life~:)♥

Watched a cute Diane Keaton movie on Netflix..Hampstead..love her.

Fleabag just about wins everything everywhere..told ya:)

Started The Outsider on HBO..I love Jason Bateman's work and Ben Mendelsohn is one of my fave actors..win win.
A Steven King collab.
So far..GREAT.

Take care~


Footnote~

Please read this..

I follow Bryarton Farm on IG..  you simply have to Google to find her.
She is absolutely beautiful.
She was born w/ a cleft palate..
She recently posted on her stories.. how to apply make up for a cleft palate..
She also gave everyone a shout out about a despicable woman Wendy Williams..who publicly mocked J Phoenix because of his cleft palate.
I have never seen an uglier segment of a person.
This is what bullying is..
I can't stand to look ate her..
And I am so happy that Adam Bighill is talking about this.
Shame on her..makes me sad.

~Bonne Maman~♥

A new decade..a new year..
I hope it's good..and maybe even better for many.
Definitely not worse~♥

I want nothing but the best for all of you.

I am thinking of a few of you in particular..

I never make resolutions.
I just hope.

I never set goals..never have..at work people used to say to me..at what point do you set your goals?

I honestly never did.

I did get super excited when things went so well I couldn't believe it:)

But I was NEVER one for award ceremonies ..or parties..and I am not married to someone who applauds lol..so it was kind of always ..still to make my mom proud even though she wasn't here.

One day my aged aunt Elise wrote me a card and said:"I saw your photo in the paper..your mom would have been so proud".
That was it.
That made that year so worth it.1992.

I was on stage shaking inside  actually that year.. I hate being in front of a lot of people..and I really did think..Is this all there is?

Anyway..it's been ages..and I am so grateful to all the wonderful people I met..along the way..very very few were not that nice LOL and I passed them to others.;)

One of the first interviews for a listing I went to..I was 28 I think..the man was so mean..so mean..I said :"If you think you're going to make me cry..you're wrong."
Got in my car and bawled.

He is long gone he was 70 maybe back then or maybe he looked 70 to me and was 40 as I was..only 28:)
He called ME..why was he grilling me?

Mr.F.

I'll never forget his name.

Did that job for almost 30 yrs.. and I did love it.
Which brings me to some kind of wonderful.

And it really only hit me as being freaking wonderful when I actually noticed what the jar said ..and thought:"Oh my God ..is my mom seeing this?"
My mom the fabulous artist.
The fabulous person.

So here's the story..you may remember I designed a little watercolor for Bonne Maman after a lovely woman approached me through IG.

And asked if I would paint something..so I did.

Without the Bonne Maman written..just the little artwork.
She was so nice..she liked it♥
So I gave them the art..,that was my idea..they had fully wanted to remunerate me..but I had a job for 30 yrs..I just want to play now.. and so  they sent me sweet Bonne Maman offerings..
She approached me to try my hand at something else but for reasons that are personal..I had to say no.

When Bonne Maman has gatherings..sometimes I see the menu is in the middle of my art..so darn cute to me..
Then at Christmas..I sent my favorite person at Bonne Maman a card (she keeps them:) )

She asked if they could use the art..no lights.. for tags..  they are starting up an E~commerce site.. and would use them as such .I said of course.
And again I was offered remuneration and said no..

I said:" When there are cute things..maybe think of me :) And Jacques said..:"Oh tell her I love their caramel:):)"~

I did say that I had noticed that at all their parties..or some..guests received a jar of jam with their name on it.
Monograms were my fave things in the 70's!

I had a red V neck sweater w/ a white M to go with my kilt at Christmas..in the 70's;)

anything with words..names..initials..I am in;)

So..I mentioned if ever you are printing up jars w/ names again..I kind of would love that:)

I received cute things and jars of jam..as a thank you..and later as I put them away..
I noticed that one of the jars had my name.
And look what she had inscribed.
Well.
..
I just thought:"Oh my God mom I hope you  can see this".

I am a kid playing w/ paints..she went to L'Ecole Des Beaux Arts in Montreal.That was to be her future..

Then she met my jet setting dad..lol..and that was the end of that.
Anyway..

I am making this my first post of 2020.

That successful ,talented,lovely woman at Bonne Maman..lit up my life this past year.

And I am so grateful.

I am not eating that jam:)

I have loved BM since the first day I saw their jars.

I have been to France 4 times since 2009 and scope out the BM in the grocery stores:)

I love their products..even the empty jars..and I have a super sweet collection of things that will be in their E~COMMERCE site soon.

Oh..and we had snow;)

I think he needs a jar of Bonne Maman:)

It is still so hard to search past posts and find all my photos missing..back it up everyone ..back it up.

And I am disappointed that one cannot comment on blogs w/ mini Ipads..All Blogger related.

I can't on my own blog ..to reply..and I cannot on others to comment.
Is this getting towards the end of Blogger as we know it?
I've tried it all..different browser..clearing cookies and cache..the whole nine yards.
To no avail.
Anyone have solutions?
Thank you and I hope people light up your lives in some ways in 2020.

Some Christmas Ideas for Next Year~Updated Dec 30th~

There are some ideas I couldn't share before Christmas as they were gifts or to be eaten Chistmas Eve~
Here goes..
Things I loved making or baking~

The snowglobe cake was inspired by Aimee at Twigg Studios..if you are not familiar with her..you have to go meet her♥

I made the centerpiece using cookie cutters and stencils..( a kit) from Fancy Flours.

It's called The Winter Village set.

 Last year..on IG stories..Suzie at Just Crumbs showed us how  she was making these seasoning baubles..had to try this year.
We don't have a TJ..so I loved this idea

Last..but not least..after years of making Alicia Paulson's felt ornaments in sets of threes..I completed the last set.I did not make a set for myself this year..
I'm thrilled that the girls..even though our tastes are so different..like these♥
I boxed them up in boxes I favored..:)♥


Not everything I attempted turned out..
Trust me;)
I know..we don't usually trust people who say that.
You would have to see my face.;)

 I had to throw out..

My snowflake cake.

Every nook and cranny stuck stuck stuck ..even with careful prep.
What a hot mess..  lol hot mess..new lingo;)
I am going to try again;)
My sugar cookies/shortbreads..to paint by hand..
as you know the icing never set..
So those were two projects I had looked forward to..that did not pan out.
Peanuts in the big picture.
Peanuts:)

That's a wrap for 2019..Christmas edition;)

Enjoy the rest of the year.♥

Have you all watched Call The Midwife Christmas Edition?
Oh how I love that show.♥

A newfound love for paper chains♥

I had to come back to add a very special footnote with pics..
I follow Val  she charmed me from the get go with her kindness..intelligence and candor.
You may remember a while ago..I made a little lantern Christmas living room..
well look at hers.

She made it for her mom and dad for Christmas..♥
I would rather you read her post on it and all the special touches she added.
When I first saw it..before Chrsristmas:) I showed Jacques and he said Oh her place is so cute:) LOL men.. he didn't put 2plus 2 together and realize it was a lantern house.
But I concur..her place IS so cute.
Look at that furniture♥And do read about all her special touches.
She's a doll.
Bravo Val!

~Hark the herald angels sing~

On the 12th..I was opening a gift package..:)

Jacques and I don't exchange gifts..

So indulge me please:)

Touched to receive a watercolor of our she shed with little elves frolicking about:)
Mice decos..napkins ..tea towel..an angel to watch over us..and a baker's amazing spoon..all you cooks/bakers..need this:)
It keeps your bench clean..scrapes and measures..
The kicker every yr is seeing Susan's beautiful family on her yearly Christmas cards.
Merci Pea:)


Our Mouse fam is growing..and I love them all..

all the felt..all the time:)

Cozy..cuddly..unbreakable..and personality plus..

A little Texas mouse arrived too:)Merci Sarah:)

On the home front..

in other areas..
The tourtières are made..Jacques and I do these well together!
He LOVES these.

He learned by assisting Caroline and I for a few years:)

Those are my old hands.

They are older now and one more ring is on my hand:)

I tried painting cookies again..like I always do..and my icing didn't set..so let's revisit:)

I don't mind because my previous pics are lost in space right?

My magic bars turned out far better:) Quintessential Christmas fare..an Eagle Brand classic~

Our stockings are heavy..not ours lol they are empty..but the family's stockings are heavy and I always lay them on the floor..now they have a support..:)

The mannequin was found on Varage Sale for about $10.00 if I remember correctly..and I festived her up.

I have some Christmas things to share..little ideas but I am saving them until my daughters receive them..in case they pop by my blog..saving 2 small surprises.
You may want to make one or two:)

I have such a sweet little story for you..

Our postmistress was off for a while and a replacement came..someone I knew  through her older sister..and her dear family..
We talked of many things while I was posting Christmas..etc..

When I dropped off my cards..I smiled and said..I know..there's a few:)  She had to calculate postage for everywhere etc..

I told her I still believed in cards..
she confided in me that she did too..and that at her regular post office..the one where she is the full time postmistress..every yr..she sent a card to all her clients.
EVERY BOX.
Who else does that?

And guess what?
I received a card from her with very special words in it.
What a gift.
A little Christmas story♥

I wrote all of the above about 1 week ago or more preparing for a pre -Christmas post..this one..

But reading parts now just seems..off for some reason.

I know people who are suffering so much right now..it makes Christmas SO HARD.

I saw this on IG this week..

"All I want for Christmas is to have my husband back"

I followed this girl on her blog for a few yrs then found her on IG..

Puts so much into perspective..


Jacques and I were talking early one morning..

About Christmas and how things and times have changed..

Never would my mom have thought of a Christmas stocking holder..or matching gift values and more and more and more.

Granted at the end there was just me..I actually only remember being me ..only apart from a photo or two.

And I know she saved and saved so that I would have that one special gift and a stocking.

A gift she would never spend that much on herself..just for me.

But we were never over the top..

Jacques and I find everything over the top now.
IG actually turned me off these past weeks with swipe up buy this buy that.

If I could I would rewind time.
Far less material.
Far far far less.
More kindness..more words..more letters more thoughtful attentions..
Less buy buy buy.

Tell someone you appreciate them.Tell them why.
Show some compassion.
Thank people for what they do for you.
Be respectful.
Surprise someone with an attention.
Show appreciation.
Listen.
Try and make someone smile or laugh.
Speak from your heart if you can.
If you are a professional caregiver don't treat patients like a number.
be a CARE giver.
Put yourself in someone elses' shoes.
Know someone who has very little?Give there maybe.
If you're buying a gift because you have to..maybe you should reconsider:)
I know I stopped a few obligations in gift giving because they became a weight..not bought in joy.
Don't ask.."are we exchanging gifts this year"? If you are asking the question your answer is there.
Why must it be an exchange?
Give when the spirit hits you..skip a yr if no inspiration..no obligations:)
Stop the cards you don't feel like writing..write the cards that make you happy.I know that sounds selfish but giving is a bit selfish no?
We feel so good!


I just go on and on don't I?

Jacques' mentioned that before;)

All of the above written by me..who does shop too much for her family..who did make a stocking holder..who bakes and faffs.

I should practice what I preach right?
:)

The cards we get with family photos get nestled in the tree♥

Have yourself a sweet Christmas.♥
Very grateful for you all.
Thinking of everyone I know who needs a hug right now.