Thursday, April 30, 2015

Beets~Bread and London Fog Cookies~







An all over the place post today;)
We love beets..when I received Chatelaine and saw this..I made it..I did roast my beets first..I don't like a raw slice of hard beet..and felt the cooking time eas not sufficient w/out pre-roasting.
I made that beet salad again..  Donna Hay:)
And I have to make some pickled beets ,as ours are long long gone..

We also enjoy good bread..



remember Ricardo's bread I have shared here a few times?
I added cut up dried figs and toasted walnuts.. So good..
this recipe is no fail.. and absolutely French Bakery style..
no KNEAD for fancy equipment except an oven and a heavy pot w/ cover..
I got ours through banking points..I am sure you can find much less expensive..in fact I have made breads in corningware w/ lids..but..maybe I have been lucky:)

So all alphabet boys are trying Football this year..this is Max..who puts his uniform on as soon as he gets home from school::))
He is the shark lover..




Notice anything?:)♥


He is serious about shark photography:)
One thing the boys love..when we are at a beach..is face/body painting..
I recently bought a face painting set..from Klutz..because I had booked out a fun book from my library..that had a cool shark design:)

well Max was smitten..and we did it Tuesday..and Wednesday:)

I still need practice:)
But to all my nana friends.. kids LOVE face painting..

Girls and boys..
Do it nanas:)

Here are the London Fog Cookies I spied at Café Sucré Farine~
Made for the Big Boys Birthday as they both raise chickens.




Super good little shortbreads..enhanced by Earl Grey Tea.
Chris and Scott visit England frequently and came up w/ a cookie called London Fog..I had bought the chicken/rooster cookie cutter to make the big boys some cookies for their birthdays..
not overly sweet..the tea adds a nice touch.
You can find their recipe here..
we all know by now I am a gleaner and learner not an inventor;)
I am a taste tester I guess;)
Around the house..the grass.. gardens.. porches..doors..cushions..are getting primped..

Our screened porch doors were looking forlorn w/ older wreaths..and new cushions..
so I foraged through things I have been keeping for years..and dolled them up..I only have to add sphagnum moss here and there..  hanging out of everywhere:)...demain..:)





Bon Weekend!

48 comments:

  1. Your can save me a seat on the beet bandwagon :) I love them in a forms. My mother always boiled but I like roasted too. I wish my J enjoyed them as much as I do! I will be checking out the pickled beet recipe right away after I type and the face painting book has already been reserved at our library - I know a shark lover or two myself :) I think you did a great job with the shark. I love it smiling or serious. So cute! I was wondering how Ricardo's bread would work with other ingredients added - so good to know! It is a keeper recipe. The rooster cookies are are wonderful! I've been meaning to try Earl Grey in baked treats as I've seen several recipes lately. Chris' shared recipe looks perfect for cut outs! I ♥ your wreath.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My mom boiled too:)You are a real artist so your face painting will be amazing..they love it..plus it's one on one devoted attention of concentrating on their lovely little perfect faces..:)
      Thanks Susan;)

      Delete
  2. Oh my, that bread looks amazing. Your photos are wonderful and I love your new Nana wreath. It's adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  3. aah!! Beautiful pictures Monique ...and love these boys!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Another beautiful post, Monique! Really love beets here! That is a cute football player! You did a super job with the face painting.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Monique, you've got to be the best grand mother in the world. Jacque must be a good eater because my husband wouldn't even try a bite of beet pizza. He is so picky. The cookies look good and I still plan on making Ricardo's bread. I love that you add things to it. I'm going to try that also.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is a good eater..definitely things he likes more and some things don't agree with him..but on the whole..yes good eater;)
      That bread..what more can I say:)?

      Delete
  6. Beetzzzzzzza please!
    That looks awesome!
    That boy is so cute....look at those freckles♥️
    Face painting? Ok, if you say so!
    Love pickled beets, my Mom always made them....yum!
    Is there nothing you can't do, Monique?
    Enjoy your weekend...
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You must get Chatelaine and Cdn Living?
      I think myChatelaine ran out..
      they send renewal forms 2 months after you have subscribed..:(
      SOOOO much I can't do..
      Hope both our weekends are lovely w/ blue skies and warmth..

      Delete
  7. I just yesterday brought up the last eight beets that we've had stored since October :-) I'm going to make Beetzza!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Save some for Donna Hays salad:) And roast your beets before putting on the Beetza..don't listen to the pros:)

      Delete
  8. Gosh all these recipes look amazing. The face painting is fantastic! Love your wreaths too - you are one talented lady! You must have the happiest grandchildren in the world!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They all have fun great parents..we really are just a small part of the big picture:) Lucky children:)So loved..

      Delete
  9. I love pickled beets and I hard boil eggs and and put them into the pickled eggs. Great color and they do taste so good. The bread looks wonderful. You know how I love roosters to these cookies are GREAT. You have been busy.

    Love love the wreath good job.
    Have a terrific weekend.
    Mary

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary..Ricardo makes his eggs that way too..we had themm her..they make any salad special!
      Kitsch from the 80's the wreath looks like..:)

      Delete
  10. Max looks great. He must be in heaven with his shark "tattoo". The bread is going to be made here. Jerry is not a big fig fan so maybe dried cranberries and walnuts? Those roosters are adorable. I love shortbread cookies. You are not only a great Nana but a sweet mother in law.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Terry dried cranberries..perfect.. I want to do black olives next time..perhaps the humidity factor will be too high..and I want to try w/ some rye flour as you did..just need some rye..

      Delete
    2. Olives would be good too. Would you still add nuts? Maybe olives and sun dried tomatoes? When you did add your figs and walnuts how much did you add? King Arthur has rye four and I got it in the local supermarket.

      Delete
  11. We both love beets in any way--especially pickled. We are surrounded by wonderful bakeries and I've never tried this bread. I have the proper pot and am putting it on my "to bake" list. As always, love seeing the adorable boys.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bonnie..2 minutes the night before is all the prep..easiest bread!
      I now mix it in an ordinary bowl.. fold it over on itself the next morning .. and let rise 45 minutes.. coat it 1w/ the whole wheat flour and then just plop it into the hot hot pot.
      Guaranteed success...every time.

      Delete
  12. Que de douceurs et belles choses ici !
    Entre cette belle tarte fine, ces biscuits à se damner et ce pain qui m'a l'air extra ! Je craque.
    Cette petite couronne est adorable Nana ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Un petit peu vieux jeu..des articles des années '80 je crois:)
      Bon weekend!

      Delete
  13. Oh my, sharks and boys, too cute! Now your rooster cookies look heavenly and must say, I love beets too! Great post, as always! Love your wreath, Nana!!

    Have a fun weekend!

    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Things I had in the craft room..for eons!
      You too..take care..

      Delete
  14. I MUST make that salad!!!
    Grrrr
    Love yr chickens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am making it again tomorrow:)

      Tonight..a sin..Dunn's Smoked meat on rye..Dills and home fries..baked;)

      Delete
  15. Love, love, love your beet recipes. that pizza looks wonderful as well as the salad. Thanks for the link. Your cookies are adorable! I know those boys LOVED them! Still in England, taking care of the whole "herd" this weekend while our daughter and her husband get away. I have a feeling we will sleep all the way back to NC on Monday - 8 hours! :) Love those grandkids but they do wear you out!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. But the best wear out.
      I had goalie pads on yesterday..a hockey stick..and an open net♥
      Oli put my goalie pads..so cute..

      You must be exhausted!

      Delete
  16. you are so much more than a taste tester :) your joy for creating comes through so much and it is inspiring.
    I love the speckes in the earl grey cookies, i had some as a gift one time at christmas, it makes a good cookie.
    and you did the face painting? it looks great and so much fun for your little football team :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No ..truly..a taste tester and that's ok..
      I love learning.. through you.. for journaling and life.. through others for different things:)
      They are gifts.

      Delete
  17. PS being..a camera tester would be fun too:)
    One of my son-in-laws..won a new terrific camera..for his integrity at work..
    the integrity part is spot on..in home life too..
    I am so excited to try his new camera;)

    ReplyDelete
  18. I've just come back from London and I brought back cookie cutters shaped like tea kettles in a number of sizes This London fog seems like the perfect recipe to give them a try! Thanks for sharing, Monique, and a happy weekend.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. London!
      Perfect cookies for your kettles..I hope you had a great time!

      Delete
  19. Monique, bonne weekend! So much to love here today. I know I say that everytime I visit, but it's true. There is truly beaucoup d'amour here. Loving the cookies, and the shark face and the beet tart. I adore beetroot, and pickled beets. I shall have to try that tart for sure. I am betting it is gorgeous. Love all that you share. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marie..a Princess for you born today:)Just heard..

      Delete
  20. How have I not been here in so long. I adore beets and need to see those receipes. I can eat them pickled or roasted. I love them in salads or on their own. Little Max is sweet and your face painting is very impressive. Enjoy your day.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I have definitely missed your blog whilst I have not been blogging! So many delicious and pretty things in one post - feeling very inspired.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh the shark 'tat' is awsome! So much fun.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your new Nana wreath is very lovely and unique. Very personal touch to your house.
    The bread looks very good!!! But my heart belongs to the cookies-)) So cute. I like how you bake the cookies all the time.
    So sweet!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Monique, your photos become just more and more beautiful...
    I love shortcake...any recipe...you can always win me over with a sablé!
    ronelle

    ReplyDelete
  25. Ta couronne te ressemble tellement ! Et ces sablés ... magnifiques ! Tu as toujours de si jolis emporte-pièces ... Quant à ta pizza à la betterave, c'est une jolie idée. Ici, au marché Forville, j'achète souvent des betteraves rôties au feu de bois. Elles sont délicieuses et je pourrais les utiliser comme toi. Ils font aussi de gros oignons rôtis pareil .... Je pourrais les mélanger avec les betteraves, d'ailleurs ... Allez, je continue ma promenade chez toi. j'ai déjà vu que tu avais semé les radis Vilmorin ... trop contente ! ;o)

    ReplyDelete