Halloween~

Photo courtesy of the web~

I wonder if when they will be 15 I will still be picking up furry friends for them.
They like them..they always bring a smile to their faces..:)
At Thanksgiving..3 of The Littles came over the day before for a visit..the day before we all went to Mylène's for TG dinner..when they walked in Max said it smells so good..I've been baking I said..it always smells good here nana:)
Anyways he asked what I had baked and I told him the Maple Cream Cheese Cake..and the Chocolate Pecan Tart..for our dinner the next day..he said:"But what did you bake for us kids?:)
His mom said..those are the desserts Max..
So the day of ..I made cupcakes out of a mix..I cannot tell you how utterly LOUSY I am w/ mixes..I had to hide the flaws w/ homemade icing and Halloween sprinkles..icing hides a multitude of flaws:)
Had to make sure Max was happy too;)
Hope all the little Goblins setting out for Halloween will have fun.
I know our family loves it..
I still remember Lucas..he was a LION as a wee baby..when he walked..he was a Monkey w/ a banana..
Some things you don't forget..Like Oli picking a Halloween outfit for a birthday present..Max always loving to play dress-up w/ Noah..and Noah being..

I love how some families create scenes outside for Halloween..the one above..that is just the driveway area..the front door..right side..all like a movie:)


I love how it's always Arlene's birthday!!!!

Everywhere I look..so many cute cute scenes..I am too shy to take pics:(

Halloween~

I remember being in a transaction for a home..and my kids were waiting for me..

Anyways I was home in time and my clients got the home they wanted..

I  also remember a less than stellar Halloween eve..when I went out w/ childhood girlfriends and came home at 2 AM:(
My husband was shocked to say the least..not impressed ..is a better term;)
In my defense..I was in my twenties..with 2 Littles....but not babies..  maybe they were 6 and 7 1/2..
...and 99% of those childhood friends were single..:)
And had to dress my Littles..and be a Happy Halloween mom~
I did it!

Hopefully no one here is perfect.

So funny how in today's day and age I don't think a husband would voice an opinion:)


I LOVE how I can laugh about it now...but back then..not so much~


This year Noah is into..Frankenshtein..yes he says Shtein:)

Frankenshtein and his bride;)Photo,courtesy of his mama:)
His mom..has always loved decorating pumpkins..
  not as much as  someone else's mom..♥
But she does love it..

October 27th~

No recipes..

Whodathought?

Today I was ..again bowled over..by infinite charm..in driving through my little town..

We had to go to our new Costco..for an eye exam for Jacques..
I went along and said I would wait in the book department..

we thought 20 minutes max..
it was 45..
I roamed the aisles..and met a fave person..my hairdresser♥

And another girl:)..I have "seen"  known for years..and lately it seems everywhere we are..we bump into each other.
We are never at a loss for words..she is bubbly and energetic and so well traveled ..and creative..and I feel as if we have really known each other for years:)
The 45 minutes flew by:)
I cannot imagine a better 45 minutes in Costco apart from when I used to go w/ my daughter and her 3 boys when she did not work outside her home..
Thank you J..for real conversation:)

We both appreciate every view..every glance ..here and there where we live.

When we came home..I thought:"Oh just go..go see"~

And I did..I got in my own car and spent a little while driving 5 minutes away..

And repeated in my head what I told Jacques the whole way out today.
We live in Paradise.


And then..I bumped into a dear dear girl..and met her dear dear friend..

and we chatted..she.. her friend and I..and we all agreed..this is paradise..

we all have different definitions  in life.. for value.. regarding paradise ..the beach can be  paradise for me..  a quiet  beach..  snow ..w/ it's sparkles and my snowshoes or x-counrty skis can be paradise.
May! With it's greens and ferns and sprouts..
A sleepover w/ my Littles..

a dinner with la familia..

but Autumn..

it's as if it's in neon lights..for all to see..

but usually you feel solitary ..as if the magnificent show was for you and you alone.
To be grateful.No matter what.


And all day in my head...
this song kept playing..but about people and autumn.

♥

Pouding Chômeur~

Pouding Chomeur~

Forgive the lack of accent circonflexe on my o..but my computer brings me to another page when I use the alt+code for the accent..
Oh well..

So pouding chomeur..translated..means an unemployed man's pudding~
Well it is warm and fuzzy and cozy and decadently delicious..
if you like cream and maple syrup.
Jacques' dad owned a grocery store..there were 5 kids in his family and busy times..his mom often made these and they are still one of his all time fave desserts.
He even makes them for himself and has several variations of recipes saved in a binder.
I make them too..
What I am offering today is one of one million recipes for this..but like Goldilocks..I have found the right one for us..I have a bit of one and another one and yet..another one.
This one..is perfection itself.

Mind you Jacques often makes the sauce w/ just water and brown sugar etc..

but this is my fave..so try my fave first if you want to love PC..

It could be served w/ linen:)On Linen..and china..

Like in that pretty resto I happened upon in Little Italy~



in one word..raffiné..

it's got the light cake..not heavy..some are like bricks I kid you not..and the sauce is like the best fudge..sucre a la crème ...softened and warmed and creamy...EVER.

La Recette~for my BEST.

For the batter..

1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsps melted butter
4 tsps of baking powder
3/4 cup of milk
I add a touch of maple extract .. Watkins

Pre-heat your oven to 350F

Mix the ingredients and spread in a greased baking dish..here I used a Rachel Ray fluted ceramic pie dish..and above small ind.ramekins.

The Sauce

1 cup whipping  cream
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
Bring to a boil in a saucepan..

Pour over cake batter.


Bake in the 350F oven for 35-45 mins until it is set.

Serve warm w/ ice cream.

You can also bake ahead and just warm in an oven..don't bake it again..just warm it.

It is loved by all.
♥
It's not a pudding..it's a cake w/ a fudge sauce.

You could also use this good alternative,that is from the first cookbook I started adding notes in:)Little flowers here and there..hearts..oh my..Dorothy and Toto.


La Recette~
Cake

2 cups flour
3/4 cups sugar
1 cup milk
4 tsps baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

Sauce

2 cups brown sugar
2 cups water
 1 tbsp flour
1 cup maple syrup


Bake in a pre-heated 375 F oven for 35-45 minutes..

And  don't forget to serve warm w/ a dollop of ice cream..and wait for the.."mmmmmmmm's".... "is this ever good"!



My brother had a birthday..68..he loved his card.

Shutterfly thank you for great cards and calendars.

Happy that made me..  he must have been 11 ..me ..4.

He looks invincible..I must admit I look  a bit bratty there..

..his Perry Como sweater was at home I guess..my mom loved him..I remember our console stereo playing his songs..and Nat.....Bing..
She always did my hair like that.. the front pulled back w/ a ribbon..then a tonypail:) Another ribbon  at the back I am sure.
God I loved her. Happy little girl she made me.

A few other things that make me happy..Max arriving at the door w/ a container of soup and tapenade from his mommy..Frédérick made the soup..she the tapenade..♥

Put all the gardens to bed..God bless Jacques I tell ya.
What a helper..
All the furniture..ornaments..stored..
Some roses still budding and blooming amidst this grey grey weather..and this little pansy popped up out of nowhere..where I had some growing 2 years ago.
You never know.
You never know what can happen.:)

awww..footnote..I said to Jacques I wish you had photos of your dad's grocery store..I looked..nothing ..but this came up and he said yes! That's it!
His sister owned it..and at one point the name changed..but this is it:)♥

And still there..!

It was called by his dad's first and last names..then ..as a dépanneur w/ just the last name..and now totally different..but Jacques assures me..that was it.. he lived there until he was 8..upstairs..

Talk about A Tree Grows in Brooklyn..not far off..at the beginnings..but in Montréal..in the 40's.

Chocolate Pecan Tart~

Now this my friends is not something for sugar haters..or just people like me who can pass by sweets any moment of any day..
like my maple cheesecake..both are for sweet lovers..although..I don't find this one..sickeningly sweet.I took my token taste tester bite.

I first made this 100 yrs ago..
and decided it was time to add it to our TG desserts..the pecans..the orange zest  in the crust..how lovely it is all baked up and ready for the pie carrier:)

I had found the recipe in a magazine.Canadian Living..I think..I only have the faded photocopy..and no name of magazine..I know it's page 23..and a Bridge Luncheon recipe starts on that page also..

La recette~

Pastry

2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp grated orange peel
1 cup unsalted butter
1/3 to 1/2 cup ice water

Filling

1/2 cup melted butter
3 eggs
1 cup corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1 tbsps flour
1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup chocolate chips
1 1/4 cup pecan halves or pieces

Garnish
1/3 cup choco chips
1 cup pecan halves.

For the pastry

In a large bowl combine flour salt and peel..Using a pastry blender cut in butter until coarse crumbs..

add enough water to gather dough into a ball..Divide dough in half..wrap and chill 1 hr..freeze half for another time..
Roll out pastry and line a 10 inch pie plate..(I used my mom's glass one.)Line pastry w/ foil.. add beans or marbles..:)  and blind bake 10 mins in a 425 F oven..this prevents shrinking..

Remove from oven..cool.. remove beans etc..


Filling

Beat together butter,eggs,corn syrup and vanilla Mix in flour sugar chocolate and pecans.
Fill cooled pie shell with filling and bake in a 425 F oven for 10 minutes..then 350F for ap 25 minutes or until filling is set and top firm.
Let cool on rack..
When pie is completely cool dip pecans in chocolate and adorn attractively:)

Keep and eye on the pie..remember not all ovens cook at the same speed..I had to leave mine in longer than 25 minutes..

It is a keeper recipe..proof..I have kept it these past 100 yrs;)


I mentioned TG day was probably the warmest and sunniest I can remember..but the next day turned to glum and drizzly..until the sun came out around 3.30..
I went for a short walk.
I marvel at this artistry..everywhere I look..:)
Up and down the street..through porches and entrances:)Of charming older waterfront homes..
I am not a stalker of newer McMansions..I prefer by far..charm.
Look at that porch w/ the hammocks:) Hello..can I rest here?
Show me picket fences..rail fences..stone fences..and ok some tasteful wrought iron fences..
Show me scattered wind blown leaves..and shiny wet old asphalt..
Brilliant crimson..and burnished gold..mums and dark trunks and pumpkins..
warm soups..cozy blankets..fires glowing..
and kids coming home from school to love~♥

Seems like yesterday..when Lucas was this toddler ..in our leaves here..
Seems like yesterday also..but the year was 2002..when we visited friends in October at their lakeside cottage.
2002 is also the view..going up the road I take to our daughter's home.. fall is absolutely spectacular isn't it?
I am so glad I kept these photos..it was my first REAL digital camera..Nikon 950..bought on Ebay..still works..still have it.
Photos do preserve memories.
A friend once told me he didn't take pictures because they never represented the true beauty of what he saw..perhaps they don't..but what a surge  of feelings they conjure~

Look how cute this video is..one of my daughters alerted me to it..it's a commercial for goodness sake but so well done~ I guess I picture one of my grandsons doing something so adorably romantic later in life~

Right here..

Maple Cheese Cake~

Oli's mommy took the above photo w/ Retrica on her phone.I love the apps for phones and Ipads and Androids etc..
My phone..is not  a smart phone..so it can't do this..in fact my phone does nothing..it's so old;)
but in an emergency..it does connect.

This is the first dessert I made for our Thanksgiving..celebrated yesterday ,Saturday ,at our daughter Mylène's home..I found the original recipe here..  at Lexibule's~

when I spotted it this summer..I thought it would be a fun addition to TG..those Feuilles d'Erable cookies are very popular here,even in my youth..they were popular..so many brands now..well..certainly more than one..

there's a nicely rich maple syrup sauce she added..from Ricardo..so I did too;)

La Recette..Courtesy of Lexibule~



For the crust

20 maple leaf cookies including the filling
2 tbsps melted butter..(you could add a bit)

For the filling

3 packages of cream cheese  250 grams each

2 eggs
2 tsps corn starch
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup sugar

For the maple syrup sauce

1/2 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup 35% cream
1 tsp cornstarch

Directions..In a food processor combine cookies and filling and pulse untild you get a graham cracker crust consistency..add melted butter..
pat into an 8 inch springform pan..and bake in a pre-heated 350 F oven for ap 10.mins.

Meanwhile combine all filling ings in your stand mixer until homogenous..

Add to cooled crust and bake at 350F mid shelf for ap 45 mins..turn off oven..
Crack open the oven and let cake cool in there  3-4 hrs to prevent cracking..

mine cracked after 1/2 an hour..but I just added some crushed crumbs on top..you could not tell..

I made mine the day before and refrigereated..until we went to see them..
Wait till a bit before serving..and while the cake is at room temp..add cookies on top to decorate..
I had spun some sugar the day before..badly..but still I had it all made..the next morning it had melted away to nothing..a spun sugar expert I am not.

For the sauce bring the ings to a boil and simmer 30 secs..

Let cool..

I added the sauce upon serving at the table..
Thumbs up from everyone this cake.
Delish..

It is sweet..I served slivers..as there were 2 other desserts..
If you are looking for a lo cal..low fat dessert for your TG..don't make this;)

PS..one box of cookies has ap 21 cookies..buy 2..because you may need extra crumbs and to add the whole cookies on top.




We had a wonderful turkey dinner with all the trimmings at Mylène and Alain's home..everyone came..
2 great apps..and a rich creamy delicious soup..
the boys regaled us with their fitness prowesses:)

How they could do push ups and sit ups and trampoline..was beyond me;)
They're adorable these boys..♥ look at the light in their sweet eyes:) Happy kids.
I hope they always love being with us until they are 80.

Today,earlier, we went for a walk in the woods,just Oli..his mommy..and their two dogs..it was overcast..but quiet and lovely.
nana loves those walks..I love walking to get to the paths..the pretty homes..their gardens..the tire swing..the eye for detail in front of certain homes..the fading fall gardens..
but mostly the walk in the woods w/ the leaves..and the silence..

yet..

I find you can hear fall.

I think my water days are over..

We have definitely had our last boating day..of the year..last Sat..not this past one..

We had a great picnic out on the water with warm soups in Thermos' ..I had a sweater and a down vest..thank goodness we went that weekend..because this past weekend  was positively chilly..way too cold for my liking..freezing hands trying to get some gardens done.

Albeit this week warmed up..making the south gardens....balmy....we were able to put some beds to sleep..

Incredible few last days..of blue skies..warmth in the aft..

Back to le bateau♥

I had brought the lentil soup..Frédérick had brought his amazing soup..a corn/potato/chipotle soup.I cannot wait to try and make it.

Caroline had made delicious blueberry crumb topped muffins..look how cute:)

She put little ships on top..

Back when my girls were little nothing like this existed..

Now food decorations are everywhere..

I was very taken w/ that tugboat lookalike this time..and the colorful sail on the first.

I am so grateful for those water moments♥

I found an easy to follow Youtube video to make pie carriers..a charming way to deliver or bring along a home made pie..I am hoping to bring a pie  to my daughter's for Thanksgiving ..along w/ a cake..it's this weekend our Canadian Thanksgiving,,
A pie carrier..I thought ..that would be nice..

You can see a huge variety here I lined mine..but did not triple line it..
I used one of my French laundry initials..that I love..I only have a few left..they are hard to find.


My next one will be a bit smaller..the instructions with this one suggested 80 cms x 40 cms..
I used leftover gingham from a project long ago..and the B from a huge tablecloth my grandmother embroidered...I imagine well over 125 years ago..as my mom would be in her 90's..my dad would be over 100 and it was his mom's handiwork..The rest of the table cloth forms V- shaped panels in  our bedroom..B is the first letter of my maiden name..C ,my married name..it just so happens we are having TG at my daughter's home  who married into a B:)

Next time I'll make sure I have ribbon and fabric I love..or a vintage tea towel..sometimes I get an idea and have to make it on the spot..so I use what I have..
And I might try a round one next time:)
My real-life pie carrier was kind enough to demonstrate how this works;)
No real pie was used..just the tin..and since it was empty..I decided to add a cardboard base..keeps everything steadier.
Lucky he had  blue jeans on and a blue  top:) How nice are bloggers husbands?Very accomodating!

Thought I would sneak in that recipe I love so much again..I know I have mentioned it before..but I made it twice lately~!
The recipe is here..
We use hot Italian Costco sausage for this dish~
It's very fall..and wonderful.
The trees on our property have not changed a lot yet..but they are coming..
on our borrowed landscape..some have changed..
The weather on the balmy days..made our gardens show signs of SPRING!
AS I cut the peonies..  red shoots were at the base of some..and out of all the garlic I planted..I planted a Spanish garlic Jacques liked from Little Italy..Spanish via Little Italy..so..
2 of those are sprouting..so STICK to local..none of my other locally grown garlic is sprouting..
you don't want your garlic growing now..nono..


A  thought for our friends in Cannes..♥ and surrounding areas..





Bon weekend~

Look how cute this gift idea is~

One of my daughter's mentioned a book that her co-worker brought in to work..
and I had read something about it somewhere else..
I happened to see it last week and browsed through it..
this recipe caught my eye..and then many others in the book..so it came home with us..
this soup is the first thing I made..
You offer it as a gift..on the front of the tag..it says what it is:)..on the back of the tag..the instructions simply say:

Add contents of jar to a large stockpot along w/ a 28ozs can of diced tomatoes and 3 cans of water.
Bring to a boil and simmer for 45 minues..plus or minus a few words..see last pic.
You could happily print it up on your computer..this is very tiny handwriting..it's a normal sized tag.



Guess what?
It's really good and well look how cute..

I recommend a 2 cup capacity jar..EXACTLY..as less.. and the mixture would not fit..more..the mixture would just move around..so measure first..2 cups.
I had everything on hand except beef bouillon..I used chicken.We use organic liquid chicken and beef broths when I don't have home made..and really I rarely have home made.
 But I  did have some chicken bouillon powder form....and now I have bought a few sachets of the beef one because I will offer this gift..whenever the opprtunity arises.

Great gift to bring a daughter..a friend..this makes a lot of soup.

I also recommend bringing along the needed can of San Marzano diced tomatoes..then the recipient will have everything on hand to even make it as soon as you get there:)

Mylène,Noah,Giuliana,Jacques and I all liked it a lot..Mylène did pick out her mushrooms;)
You can lighly bake slices of baguette brushed with olive oil ..sprinkle w/ salt and serve along..makes a great little dunk:)
We had a picnic on the boat..and Caroline had brought this bread..to dunk in Frédérick's most excellent southwestern corn/potato chowder..I hope to try and make that one and share with you also~.

Anyways this book is very dear and well done..and so far the recipes have been very good..
I am totally charmed by her.
Totally.
Smitten actually.
The book was originally published in French..the English version is available..
She was a French Canadian singer..and felt she wanted something different..food was important to her..she has suffered from anorexia....and overcame it.. you have all kinds of recipes in this book..her husband is the photographer and the pics are beautiful..Marilou is visual she says..and it shows.Everything is so pretty..you know lasagna? Instead of saying..put the sauce,put the noodles..she actually writes down the order w/ a sketch.Brilliant.As I am visual too:)
She is beautiful..and charming..and together in my opinion they are a sweet , extremely talented couple.
A link to her book..  it is available also at Amazon..etc.. my Costco had it..
She also has a beautiful bilingual blog.
Last night we had a very flavorful mediterranean chicken recipe and her couscous to accompany was great.I did add a handful of chopped fresh sage because for some reason that worked beautifully!

The night before I made her fig and prosciutto pizza w/ my dough..so good!

I tried her Parmesan Crisps..delish..and you could add rosemary..but I loved them as is..

They say if you glean one good keeper recipe from a book..it's worth it..so far it's really worth it.

La Recette~

The jar ingredients~

1/2 cup green lentils
1/2 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup red lentils
2 tbsp beef bouillon powder
1 tbsp dried parsley
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup dried wild mushrooms roughly chopped.

The fall cleanup begins..I am sure that means less posts..
It's arduous this month of October..like Spring.
I want a genie. In a bottle or not.
I did plant the garlic today and I am hoping every little clove goes forth:)

Can you believe a SQUIRREL had the audacity to dig a big clove up?
I opened the door and scared it.
And that's fine..and now I have a bright blue tarp over the raised bed.So pretty..:(
I hate squirrels.We have too many.
There is still sooo much pink going on..The Pink Diamonds..the dahlias..anemones..sedum..and not much in way of fall color yet..everyone is saying..it's so late..we are a society of malcontents;)
But in case you feel like feeling..content..and want to make a few gifts and a pot for yourselves this coming weekend..enjoy the above recipe..
I know..I bake cookies all the time..but one of my faves?That I don't bake?
Bonne Maman ♥




Bon weekend~