Thursday, September 26, 2013

This week~












..5 years ago..  this week..we were in Italy..and I loved it.I am so glad I got to see it..The benches in the photo were built by the son of the original   owners of the villa we stayed at..their spots to gaze onto  Assisi.
I loved walking in their olive grove..sitting on those benches..having a glass of wine at the front where the sun set.
We stayed in the smallest annex of it.. yet it was LARGE ..spacious..spotless..Beautiful bedroom w/iron bed and huge windows..combined living room/ dining room..kitchen with gas range.. spotless.. updated with charm bathroom..
This villa is divided into 3 I think..a dream would be to go back w/ the WHOLE family when the children are much older.
Nowhere else did we go..  the whole month in France and Italy..that upon entering..there was a home  made cake..jam.. wine..olive oil..all beautifully presented on the table for us.
I don't like glitz.I love home..
This felt cozy. ..and honest.

Magical.
I have to say..it's the countryside that appeals to both Jacques and I most..it's our comfort zone.. and yes..Venice ..:) Seemed like country to us..compared to Rome..  etc..

And really? Here..at home.. fits me best.

This week..now in real life ..

There was an apple pie  on the go..found here. where a beautiful little princess resides..different than my others..this pie is...I enjoyed making it and tasting it~with sour cream..crumb tops are enjoyed here so I knew this version would be pleasing~
It is there that I have purchased my patterns for my Christmas ornaments~  The tea cup..the gingerbread girl..skate..  etc.. I think I have 2 sets...of patterns.. a new set should be coming out soon..I have started set #2 to give out this year~

And "gnocchi maison"..thus the memories of Italy:)

I never watch TV in the day..from 8 till 10 PM.. I do..but I am not interested in the day..I like to stand up not sit down..
In that time slot..I have favorite shows and my tastes are eclectic to say the least:)

A lot of Netflix...PBS...  Showtime..My fave French shows..

I WILL be tuning into this  ..  tonight..Thursday..because I am a  HUGE  fan..read his books saw him fall in love w/ his wife  on TV ..

and fell in love w/ At This Moment:)  Okay..I still love it..and I am..on the very brink of 60.
He's a great treasure for all of us~ and yes so is she.

anyways..or way.. I happened to catch a show America's Test Kitchen..And she was making Gnocchi..I had tried 20 some odd yrs ago,and now see what I had done wrong..as this time..it worked and is delicious.I wish I had seen so many episodes of this show and would love to watch as often as I can..

You can watch the segment on line..the measurements are just right..no fail..don't overwork.I think I only have a 14 day trial membership..so you can try also:)

The video is here..
I have bought Gnocchi vacu packed in Little Italy..  there is no comparison..the other is chewy and a bit rubbery...this  is so tender..You need to have the little pouch on the flip side..the sauce finds it's way in.
I served it with the brown butter sauce..sage..shallots..
It is great with a pasta sauce etc...even in escargots dishes..
I even enjoyed rolling the little morsels on the tines of the fork..one by one..
It's not something you do in 20 minutes..  ..But it goes well and smoothly.
Will make again!

Here the leaves are changing as I breathe..puts us in the mood for  a nice soup again.. :)this one..

We ate all the trimmings..:) the day I made it..so this is my usual topping when no shrimps are involved:)
Go see Chris' for the original version.
Love the coconut milk addition..my carrot ginger soup has it too:)
If you don't want the toppings.. you can use Spring onions as above..or add some ghoulish embellishments ..



I still remember some photos my daughter and I  took one day when  Oli was a bit younger..they were on this computer and as I transferred many to an external hard drive..I kept a few on the computer:) He loved blowing the milkpods into the air..
I'll have to see if it's lost it's charm on a 4 yr old~




Autumn carries more gold in it's pocket than all the other seasons~



Footnote..
I watched the 2 first episodes..of the new MJF show..and I say Kudos to all..real life is not..all about perfect people functioning in perfect ways..
But about brave ..courageous people..functioning in challenging ways..
All we see when all is good..is beautiful..
With time..or even without things can change in a heartbeat..
Bravo.
Hope the show becomes a hit..
























Have a lovely Weekend~

48 comments:

  1. Fabulous pictures and landscapes. That apple pie looks extremely tempting and the gnocchi are so prettily shaped.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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    1. Merçi Rosa.. tes vues imprenables me font rêver de voyages je crois.

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  2. Thanks for the mini vacation. The food and the photos are spectacular. After seeing your gnocchi and proud italian cook (dot) com made some this week I am trying to get brave enough to try them.

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    1. Do try Madonna..It feels good to make..and eat..not difficult..just a few steps.. I think you would enjoy it..You like a challenge and learning..too.. like me.

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  3. The place in Italy looks beautiful and must have been magical to stay there. I love the apple pie with the letters what a sweet detail.
    The gnocchi looks so good, I have always wanted to try making some.
    Hope you have a lovely weekend too.

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    1. It was our one trip:) I am so glad we went when we did:)
      You would love sketching and journaling there Jenni..
      Actually anywhere has it's charms right?:)

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  4. Beautiful vistas of Italy...I'd love to stay in a villa like that in Italy...a wonderful dream for me!
    Your gnocchi and apple pie look very yummy but the pic that stole my heart if of "you?" and Oli!
    It is beautiful
    Have a good weekend and take care.
    Shel

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    1. It is Oli and I.. Needless to say I am often on bended knees w/them:)♥
      He's a tender boy..I love that out of their mouths without coaxing they say..Love you Nana..and Oli ..:"nanan..:)

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  5. I love the light! This makes me want to watch "Enchanted April" again.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  6. what beautiful pictures Monique all look beautiful, ahh I love autumn , now we are going to spring but my favorite season is Fall:)

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  7. Beautiful Mon...everything including toi...♥Di

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  8. De superbes photos... L'Italie regorge de beautés ~
    Cela me rend aussi nostalgique de ce merveilleux pays.

    Et plus bas de douces photos de l'Automne, pur et coloré.
    Tant de légumes genialissimes!

    Bonne soirée

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  9. I agree, Italy is gorgeous, I spend 4 month there, but long time ago-) I like to come back one day! Autumn is here too, warm and beautiful-)

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  10. It has always been a dream of mine to visit Italy.. Thank you for the virtual tour.. The photo of you and Oli touched my heart.. Beautiful, just beautiful!
    fondly,
    Penny

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    1. I hope you go..I dropped by your blog yesterday your creations are so cute!

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  11. c'est un superbe post,tes photos sont superbes, j'adore le texte!
    Bonne journée!
    Cath.

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    1. A vous aussi:) Un gros merci pour vos gentils mots:)

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  12. There is so much to love here this morning Monique. I am late visiting this week. Sorry for that! I spent a couple of weeks on holiday in an old stone house in the south of France one year and I often return there in my mind. It was so lovely. I can well imagine how your mind returns to your holiday in Italy and the wonderful feelings you get when you think of it. It's like a mini holiday in the mind. I am thinking your 4 year old Oli will be just as mesmerized by the seed pods. My 58 year old mind still is and may it ever be so! Love all that you share. I think I will make some gnocchi today. It seems like a fun thing to do . . . Thanks for the inspiration.
    love you much. ALWAYS! xxoo

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    1. I hope you do make some:)

      It's wonderful to remember a place with warm feelings:)
      I still remember photos you shared of the South Of France!:)

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  13. Now that work is winding down, I look forward to a month in a new place. When I was younger, I spent all my free time in the country at my old house... now I want to be out of the country!. What a blast to stay in a house and really get to know the people and the area. Gnocchi are a great way to conjure a beautiful Italian memory.

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    1. The city has fantastic charms..I am just not street smart..and am a bit..like the book QUIET now:)

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  14. I feel as if I've been on a mini vacation with you Monique. You certainly know how to enjoy the beauty wherever you are.I can understand why making gnocchi would bring back lovely memories of Italy. How fun that you might go with your entire family when the little ones are older.

    Have a happy weekend.
    Sam

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    1. Oh Sam..it would be a dream..it's not in the plans..:) I would have to get a phone call saying guess what? You've just won a trip for 12 to Italy:)Airfare included..:) And accomodations..and a Gondola ride:)
      I loved all your travel pics too:)

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  15. Looks absolutely devine!
    Very indian summer there..

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    1. Tis..very much so..you nailed it..warm this aft..just great!

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  16. Well, you won't hear me call out: "Waiter, there's a spider in my soup!" It looks and sounds absolutely wonderful. Carrots and Coconut go so well together.
    And btw, I hope to be one of the 'children' included on your next trip to Italy.
    Buen fín de semana, querida!

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    1. Buen fin de semana............preciosa hermana..y usted:)

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  17. Beautiful post...just beautiful...your pie is lovely...the gnocchi came out perfectly! Better than mine ever have! You got the rolling on the fork down girl!
    The picture of you and Oli just beautiful...warms my heart.
    L xo

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    1. You're just biased:)

      Yippee for moi..x

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    2. Well just a little! XO lol....
      Really they look amazing! And i so agree about the MJF show...

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  18. I was just planning today to make some gnocchi soon. You are right, nothing like homemade. Love your ramblings.

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  19. Late arriving to this lovely post. I'm serving apple pie too, but I'm embarrassed to tell you it is from Trader Joe's. I know you would never do that! Just too much going on in my life at the moment, and we had to go see Trader Joe's which just opened last weekend. ;-)
    Love seeing your images! Is that you with Oli? Gorgeous! Love the thought ~ "Autumn carries more gold in its pockets than all the other seasons."

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    1. If we had a TJ..''I bet I would go often..will go see your pie..we went once mayny yrs ago en route to the Cape..we detoured..loved it..so many different little things..Loved the bags too!

      It is me with Oli:) Thank you Sarah..

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  20. Your post is full of delights, Monique. Agree about Italy...I have been with my daughter and a few years ago took my granddaughter. Charming to see it again through young eyes. Your gnocchi look delicious, I've never made it.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. I am sure it was memorable.. 3 generations:) 3 bellas:)

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  21. That is one breath taking view. I wish I have a chance to visit Italy this time of the year, sounds perfect. And my kids love to blow those fluffy stuffs they found on the side walk when we go for a walk too. I love that picture of yours capturing the beautiful Autumn leaves. :) Thanks for sharing.

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  22. You always have great pictures to share with us. Italy, I'm dreaming now. It's on a trip list :)

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  23. What a lovely post on thoughts of times past and what a wonderful dish of gnocchi you must have enjoyed. Love the photo of you and Oli, it just speaks of a wonderful fall day.

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  24. I love how you shared your love of Italy. We want to visit one day. I love seeing the countryside photos.Gnocchi sounds delicious. It would be grand to learn how to make such wonderful pastas. Thanks for your lovely visit. xo Linda P.S. I agree with you. It would be nice if doctors coordinated with each to lean more about their patients.

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  25. I'm just catching up a bit now after being with 'the herd" in London for 2 weeks. I LOVE your gnocchi, can't WAIT to make them, I'm thinking of so many fun things to do with them. Pinned! And I"m so happy you like the soup, thanks so much for the link!

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    1. It's my pleasure!
      I am glad I found your blog:) Would not have seen those cute kids..and all the great shots and recipes:)

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  26. It's so difficult to think it has been 5 years! I am so happy you brought so many wonderful memories back, both in your heart and through your camera. What fun it would be for you all to go visit again when the boys are older ~ I'm holding on to that thought for you!
    Oh sweet little one blowing milkweed ~ how adorable you both are. A keepsake photo, for sure.
    I've made that apple pie, it's very good and a bit different than most ~ your's looks so pretty! And your gnocchi too, you are so right... no comparison to the packaged kind.

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  27. Yes, I know what you mean about simple home life...Those images of Italy make me think (longingly) of Southern France...But I've never been to Italy. Thanks for the link to the MJF show. I too love & admire him & since I have no TV I can watch the show at the site you gave. The photo of your daughter & grandson is just pure poetry...and the gourds, oh my! That is one Perfect Pie!

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