It's really not beginning..

...to feel like Christmas outside..unlesss it's night..and I am in a car..and outdoor decorations are lit....and the radio is on with all Christmas songs..

It's Grey and Dull and Gloomy here...not indoors ..and not family wise..but definitely landscape wise..
I am not used to this..mais pas du tout.
Everyone loves it..except me..it seems.
I need to see white..well..I would like to see white..none in view  mild until Dec29th at least..

I think I have finished baking ..except for Christmas Eve and Christmas brunch..
but as far as sweets are..I think I am.
Our home is adorned..with decor from far and near..old and new..
all treasures for certain.

I LOVE getting Christmas cards and sending some..or little things that make me think of someone.
I don't think I will ever stop.
When I worked..I sent out at least 100 cards..but it felt like an obligation..the token calendar etc..a few felt special though so I knew when I stopped working I would continue to do so.
It makes Christmas special.
Thank you.

We had 3 of the boys for a sleepover Saturday  night..dinner and breakfast..Susan had posted about her 2 adorable grandsons decorating the Nordic Ware gingerbread house cakes..I knew it was a brilliant idea..
Sunday morning proved to be an opportune time..
I will do again next year..
the 3 boys..have a new friend since this summer..Katie.. Katie's mom..I knew her as a child..and all these years later..Caroline is friends with her..and they moved on the same little private lane..
Katie's mom.. has said: "Three Men and a Little Lady".
I jumped on the chance to take her pic by Caro's tree..
She is  just a bit older than Oli..and is very comfy w/ all 3 boys.
It's adorable..
And she takes CHARGE.
Grey sweater..pink sparkly tutu dress w/ rose corsage..grey leotards and white shoes..hair recently braided in Turks and Caicos..
I mean c'mon:)
And outside playing in dirt w/ 3 boys in boots and coats.
I wonder what the future holds?:)
I asked the boys what their favorite Christmas song was was..
"Have a Holly Jolly Christmas"...Lucas and Max said..I said well let's sing it..we only knew the first two bars:(
I printed up the lyrics and we watched Michael Bublé sing it..and they started practicing..I am telling you..we had a ball..and they got into it..so hopefully Christmas eve they will surprise everyone w/ a show..
That's what we did as kids..we put on shows..wearing our auntie and uncles coats that were placed on beds..
I still remember the fur smell of my aunties coats:)
I looked though old pics..whatever we have..
This would be about 35 yrs ago..I liked that we matched ..LOL..visibly..I cannot believe he went for it..love his bowtie and my monogram sweater with ruffled high neck and my mom's pearls.the girls in their kilts and white leos and red shiny shoes..because I wanted red shiny shoes when I was  a Little..

And this one of our Mylène who is now 40..she was 2..
See that Santa? He was scary looking but he had been my parents'..hard plastic face..not sure when he was eventually disposed of but M doesn't look too scared:)

Caroline just about 2 also..
on Santa..

I'm telling you..I could have eaten them up.
These were taken w/ a Polaroid..that's what I used to shoot with..ohlala.:(

Remember those little flip albums?

Now we have beautiful BOOKS~
And our daughters have many with their families..memories to last forever.

I find Christmas is a time to linger on the memories of past Christmases..
I actually enjoy feeling a little sad..nostalgic..once in a while..about the past..
all the while hoping for bright futures.


 Ok back to Christmas food:)


I like appetizers..and these caught my eye..
I am glad they did because they are really good..I love a little crisp with wine..
I made minis and reg stars and they tastee good in both sizes;)

La Recette  
Courtesy of La Fourmiele

180 grams of flour
 a large pinch of salt
a turn of your pepper mill
100 grams of cold butter..cut up..
 1egg
25 grams of tarragon mustard..such as Maille..or just add tarragon to a fine Dijon..or another type which is what I did.

90 grams of grated Comté cheese.I used  a swiss gruyère.

In your stand mixer blend flour and salt and pepper add the cold butter that you have cut into small pieces(or grated)..mix on medium speed until you get a "sablé" textutre.. add the mustard and egg and blend ..add the cheese and mix until homogenous..I still had cheese strands:) Perfect.
Pre heat your oven 180C
Roll out pastry on a floured surface..cut into shapes,place on parchment lined baking sheet and bake ap 15 minutes.
You want golden and baked through..Really good..keeper.

Enjoy enjoy enjoy.
PS You have no idea how I am grateful for your company.