Monday, June 2, 2014

Garden Talk ~ A Movie~and 2 lovely recipes~





























We had a touch of gloom Saturday..
In between primping..and sun

Sunrain I call it~

To me.. after our winters..well I can tell you this is nothing but a miracle.
Everything goes away..

and every Spring..it comes back with such vigor!

I love how the forget me nots have totally adopted the front of the curved   peony /rose area.

And I love how the Alium announce the peonies..:)

The Japanese lilacs are about to pop..and the apple trees are losing their blush..

Our white lilacs are sparkling in the gloom..the ants are busy..:)

I love how  Jack In The Pulpits grow so well along Astilbe and Japanese Anemones..

Having herbs outside our door..

Bleeding Hearts♥

The way the Goddess Of Oy relishes the shade..


It just feels quite heavenly to be amongst flowers.
It's still all sparkling new..
But it happens at the speed of lightning here you see..
So you stop..and take it all in..
All the time..
from every angle ..every window..

In the Kitchen..  Marie has been at the forefront with 2 new desserts..For Jacques..

Those   Apple  Crumble Tray Bake  bars ..are FANTASTIC..

And her Donut Muffins?

Oli's little beautiful lips were sugar coated..

The boys loved them too.

I have to add we saw a most charming movie..



It amazes us that the reviews are not so great~
It is utterly charming..endearing..beautiful.!♥
You can see the trailer here..
Just looking at the trailer agian I get tears.

Jacques did a little research afterwards and it seems to have been filmed in St-Rémy- de -Provence.
A little place we would love to go to next time if ever in Provence.





46 comments:

  1. What lovely flowers you have in your garden! The sweet treats look delicious!

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  2. Your gardens are magnificent! I'm off to check out the movie.

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  3. Good morning dear Monique, I am sorry that I missed so many beautiful post of yours, but our kitchen renovation is just taking all my time. I see you have many gorges flowers in bloom in your garden, we have the same here-) Love this time of year, the colors and aroma are irresistible-) I hope to start cook soon again and share many new recipes from my kitchen!

    Have a very happy day my dear friend, and thank you for all your comments!

    Hugs,

    Yelena

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  4. Your garden looks so beautiful and full of wonder. No matter what, I always find myself with paint and soil on my fingers!! Bliss...
    Thanks for making me dream of a "real" garden once again! As for now, my little secret garden is giving me such joy.
    xoxo

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    Replies
    1. You were born to have paint and soil:)
      You are gifted...and every post shows your love of beauty.:)

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  5. Your garden is so packed with wonderful colors. I can see why spring is such a happy time.... The donut muffins look wonderful...I am going to have to give those a try. I have been super, super good about anything sweet...I do believe that I deserve a treat this week!

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    Replies
    1. See I would pick a plate of grilled veggies..or roasted..or guacamole and tostitos instead of sweets..but Jacques loves them..takes him a good week to eat a recipe..he is so not a "glouton"..as slim as slim can be..
      I have a BITE..to make sure I can talk about the recipes with knowledge:)
      Honestly Jacques needs to send Marie a personal thank you note for all the things he loves that she showed us how to do:)
      I do believe you deserve a treat too!

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    2. That's a coincidence...I usually give the sweets to the neighbors and try to eat one. I have been known to lose count.... :-)

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  6. Visiting you lifts my spirits! YOur images and recipes and words are like a balm to my soul!!! Bless you!

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  7. I am amazed at how wonderful your garden looks after a harsh winter. It's obvious why spring is so important to you. My husband loves donuts, so I'll definitely check out those pretty muffins. St. Remy-de-Provence is one of the most beautiful places in the world and it's our favorite village in Provence. I MUST see this movie, regardless of the reviews.
    Sam

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    Replies
    1. I told Jacques you love St R D P:)
      I thought of you straight away!
      I remember all your gorgeous posts..It's one of the reasons we added it to the little Provence list should we return:)

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  8. That is such a nice thing to say..especially with how very gifted you are at everything!
    Thank you for these nice words Yvonne.

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  9. Like your garden.....lovely week...love from me...Ria....x !

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  10. I love Jean Reno's acting and that looks like a good movie. My blood sugar is high, so I am going to have to cut out sugar. Don't know how, but I have to. I could live on baked goods and have a sweet tooth so it's going to be just about impossible.

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    1. Have you had the kidlets Donna?
      I checked your blog this AM:)
      I too love his acting..especially in poignant movies though!

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  11. Hélas la floraison est si éphémère, une période dont il faut profiter à chaque instant.
    Nous profitons de nos pivoines, si grosses, belles et aromatiques mais si éphémères lorsque la pluie vient se nicher entre leurs pétales...
    J'en ai fais un beau bouquet !

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    Replies
    1. Tu as tellement raison..mon mari ne cesse de dire..:"dommage ce ne soit pas plus longtemps..cette floraison."...TOUTES LES FLEURS! Hihihi..
      Ton bouquet devait sentir le bonheur!

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  12. I see your spring has quickly caught up to mine. Lovely flowers and pictures M.

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    1. Finally A..

      Like you..one of the pleasures of flowers for me is how they can be terribly photogenic..without acting it:)

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  13. Wish that I can be in your garden. Everything looks so pretty in green... It is so grey and sad at our side of the world :(

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  14. Your garden looks wonderful! I love the clematis, do you know the name of that one? Those deserts look yummy. It is too hot to bake today but I must try them.

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    1. Hi Terry..Alpina Willy..Funny little name for something so delicate and sweet..floriferous floriferous..early..now:)
      I only trim this one when needed..
      I think Willa would have been cuter.
      Easy to grow.Climbs high along a trellis here at least 10 ft..Jackmanii will take over to the left of her after..
      Just to give you an idea of blooming time here.

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  15. How lovely.. As we are going deeper into winter, your garden is full of spring! Enjoy xoxo

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  16. How beautiful and lush everything looks right now! Similar views here - the peonies about to burst open. What a sweet pink clematis. Pink Bird :-) I see now it's Willy. Very cute. It is the best time of year! I don't believe I've ever seen the movie offered here - I will look at the trailer.

    Luscious looking tray bake and the muffin donuts look delicious! They both sound like they'd be perfect for breakfast or brunch.

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    Replies
    1. VERY much PINK BIRD..I hope I find BB one yr again..enjoy!
      The muffin donuts for sure..the jam filling is a lovely little surprise..:)

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  17. Your garden looks wonderful, what a glorious time of the year. I agree it does feel heavenly to be amongst flowers. Both desserts look wonderful.

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  18. Monique, I see your garden fairies have been busy at work, bringing your garden to life; I think they're due for a raise. Wow!
    Btw, I really like your larger images.

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  19. Ah, Nana - you have saved my day! Your garden is simply bliss, and those crumble bars and little muffins ( I'm going to use my smallest ice cream scoop for these) lightened my heart. I may even get into the kitchen tonight, after a frustrating day "in the world". Thank you!

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    1. Isn't it lovely to be able to get away into our own little world after the real world Katrina?
      I know your garden must be singing for you.

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  20. I love your garden Monique is absolutely beautiful!

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  21. Its all so pretty, with the little benches and statues love, love and those light purple flowers with the white/yellow center are so lovely and of course bleeding hearts are such a fave too.
    I've been seeing more and more about donut muffins they look so good and I definitely want to look for that movie, anything that takes place in provence has to be worth watching :)

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    1. That's Willy :-)
      It' s all so temporary that the older I get the more I have to see it a few times every day.
      I think I would love to all my life have a garden no matter how small.
      Even just containers.

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  22. Oh, all your pictures make the long winter seem totally worthwhile Monique. Things look so vibrant and beautiful at your house, wow!

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  23. J'adore ton post! magnifique tour de jardin, tu n'oublies jamais les pâtisseries et les viennoiseries...c'est un bonheur !
    Bonne fin de semaine à toi.

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  24. My gardens ..thank you for your nice comments:)

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  25. Your garden is splendid. I wish I could sit there and relax...

    Fantastic muffins and bars.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  26. Your earth must be black gold where you are Mon! Everything is lush and gorgeous! My peonies are blooming now...the few of them that I have. They have never really multiplied...:(. Not a great garden year for me this year. My containers are doing very well though...
    I will enjoy yours from afar.

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  27. Oh My Goodness what a BEAUTIFUL garden!! and of course totally beautiful photography:))
    Mary

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  28. Monique, thanks so much for the nod re the recipes. I am so happy Jacques and the boys liked them! They are winners, I agree. YOUR GARDEN IS BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL! Sorry to shout, but I just had to! Such a fabulous paradise. I love it when you share photos of your beautiful garden and home. That movie sounds wonderful! I would love to see it. I searched on Amazon, but did not find. Blah . . . poor me. lol Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! Thunderstorms here! xxoo

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    1. It's a great sunshine weekend..Max is 7 so that is great for his party and parents:)
      We've had rain and chills..This seems to be a Max weekend..Like him:)
      I am always grateful for the physicality and spirituality of the gardens:) Always.
      When I start out on the big days I think this is so much for us..but then when we are done..Jacques is my personal lawn mower:) it's so enriching and fulfilling.. I must say even as I go along..it's fulfilling..the thoughts that seep in and out of my mind etc..

      THANK YOU..shouting over the miles:)

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  29. Your gardens are lovely and must be very fragrant. I'm always amazed at how nature comes back with such a flourish after such hard, cold winters that we experience in the north.

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  30. You always inspire me, Monique! Have a great weekend!

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  31. That movie looks like what I'd love to see!! Even if I can't understand a lot ...I'd still go. Looks precious.

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  32. That movie looks like what I'd love to see!! Even if I can't understand a lot ...I'd still go. Looks precious.

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