Tuesday, December 15, 2015

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.









71 comments:

  1. I adore the Christmas photos... And the story of the 3 boys & the little lady ❤️ Love ❤️

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    1. Me too..I wish we had more..I have none of my mom or dad w/ me..nor my brothers..maybe on slides somewhere..?
      She is a cutie that Katie..and will go far:)

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  2. Oh, Christmas with Monique, her family and decorations and cookies. I have those little photo book albums too. Loved the pic with the girls - everyone matching. The eastern US and around your area are unseasonably warm, but I bet you'll get your white soon. Keep them coming. Love seeing Christmas at your house.

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    1. Jacques cracked up when he read my post..I am sure it has something to do w/ the bowtie and decades ago:)
      We have no clue at that age ..do we?
      Invincible we were.

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  3. Wow, you know how to "keep Christmas", the children, both past and present are so lucky lucky lucky!! They, as you, will never forget the magic! (though YOU make the magic year round!) The boys and the girl friend, the sleepover, cookie making, carols, magic!
    I'm with you about being disappointed in the weather...All this December rain would have been snow if it were cold enough...The lights are still pretty though...

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    1. I have been thinking of you and going back to your posts..since starting Shari's second online art class..her beautiful loose lines remind me of yours and Ronelles too..
      Hope all is well Rita..Happy..peaceful..holidays.

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  4. Oh, Monique, I love seeing these adorable family photos. You and your girls in Christmas plaid and Jacques so handsome in his bowtie. It's such fun to look back at these photos. I recently found one of me when in Tokyo in the 1980s. Ricki Jill had posted about Kentucky Fried Chicken in Tokyo for Christmas. I recalled a photo of me with the KFC Colonel in his Santa Hat in Tokyo that Christmas, so I found it to share with her. Too funny for words.

    Your beautiful felt ornaments are dear. I hope you will share more photos. Fun to see your boys decorating cookies and gingerbread houses. One of my best childhood memories - decorating Christmas cookies.

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    1. Ah Sarah..I had a trip down memory lane a few days this week too..

      that beautiful felt ornament is from Marie..The English Kitchen..we both have an affinity for felt :) Except hers is perfection..:)
      I honestly cannot believe Jacques let me pick his clothes out for him back then for Christmas;)
      I would love to see that shot of you:)

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  5. So much to see! A true feast for my eyes...
    The boys look wonderful, and so intent on their task...
    Love your ornaments...precious!
    You...your hubby and wee girls...love this!
    Wish Miss V could be the cute girl next door to your sweet littles♥️
    No snow here either...hope for some....but probably not...
    Miss V tomorrow....can't wait! What shall we do? Perhaps some pinecone crafts!
    Have a wonderful evening....
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Whatever you do will be special!The boys are great with Littlers than they are..she would be very happy..
      Oh I'd love her on this street too..
      Katie is so smitten w/ the boys and Caro..I am invisble to her..the little gingerbread house is Marie's fine craftmanship../needlework..The English Kitchen? And then we all had tea..:)
      Have a ball Linda.

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  6. Mon at first I thought you were Kathie Lee Gifford....you truly have had everything perfect! and still today...

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    1. OH Di you made me smile..don't you love J's bow tie..?
      He laughed when he saw this and said he loved the memories..
      I think I was playing house Di..like you...

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  7. Such beautiful memories of days gone by and present as well. You're having so much fun with those boys and creating wonderful memories for them!

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    1. Jacques says the memories will mostly be ours..as I tell him I hardly remember anything of being that age..good enough..
      Chris..like you..no one can make me laugh like they do..yours even have baking hats..:)

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  8. Toute cette ambiance de Noël dans cet article...
    Un beau sapin, un atelier de biscuits, et le plaisir de partager avec la famille ~
    Laissez les lumières de Noël animer votre vie et briser la grisaille.
    Bonne journée ~

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    1. "Laissez les lumières de Noël animer votre vie et briser la grisaille."

      Que j'aime tes mots Camille.

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  9. I knew that you would be well organized for the holiday, Monique, and it all looks so nice and cheerful and welcoming. I hope it snows soon!
    Amalia
    xo

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  10. Oh Monique, how beautiful you were and you are. Inside and out. I loved all these old photos. You are such a beautiful couple, and your little girls and the boys. So lovely. What beautiful memories you are building for those boys as well. I know they must adore you. How can they not?? We all do. You are such a dear, dear lady. I love LOVE Comte cheese! I especially love the oldest one even though it costs an arm and a leg. I might treat myself to some yet . . . Happy Holidays dear friend. I wish I could see your home, I am sure it is gorgeously decorated in and out. But most of all I am sure that it is filled with lots of love that you so kindly share with everyone around you and even us who only catch glimpses of it here and there. I thank you for that! Bisous! xoxo

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    1. Our home is like yours..w/ corners of memories and mini lights and baking:)
      Just like yours.
      What would I do without your nice words?:)
      As far as the boys go..all 4.. we adore them..we are so present..we are part of the furniture..Noah I think gets a bit excited..he lives 15 minutes awy..
      See how beautiful YOUR home looks on Our tree?:)
      Fairy fingers you have.

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  11. As always - you make everything so beautiful Monique. I always enjoy when you show photos of your littles and the photo of you, Jacques and your darling daughters - gorgeous!
    Wishing you a white Christmas:)

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    1. Sooo many years ago!We have quite a few more years on us now..:)
      How is your beautiful boy?

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    2. I have him about once a week. We went to the zoo in San Antonio on Friday. It was in the 80's and the bougainvillea is still blooming. No white Christmas here. he is the light of our lives, so much fun, he keeps me on my toes. I hope to take a little time off in the coming months to spend more time with him. Famous last words! Sometimes I feel like I'm on a run-away-train. Your cookies are so pretty. I'll have my little on Monday, so will bake cookies then.

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    3. I hope we get to see him:) Very hard to bake and take pics..I know..but I have not seen your blonde bébé..well in too long.
      He must have loved the zoo..Tiring right Nana?:)

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  12. Making cookies, with a christmas music, make decoration.... only nice memories when we are children or not ! Nice day. Christine

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  13. yes i agree about looking back on past years during christmas it feels like the best time to do it. I just love this post with pictures of your family and beautiful christmas delights, sounds like you are creating such beautiful memories for your grandsons and they will cherish these times for years to come. so wonderful and yes the weather is so strange this year, down here in north carolina we our having 65 to 70 degree days which is nice but i want it to feel a little more christmassy.
    Happy holidays to you monique

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    1. And to you Jenni..their moms are the ones that are creating the best memories..both girls..in their own individual ways are wonderful wonderful moms..I think the boys are so lucky:) Thank you ..I wish you a lovely 2016 also..I look forward to seeing your creations.

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  14. I love the flash back! What a sweet family photo ♥ and those girls, oh my how I remember matching dresses - Florence Eiseman dresses. Now I have to dig out my albums :)Now we have boys in khakis, jeans and tees. I think it has rained off and on for the past week here. Gloomy, gray, but so much green. Not a speck of snow in the forecast either. It will be a Green Christmas this year. Your home is so festive and I LOVE all your decor :) The little girl...stinkin' cute! The concert you have planned, love it, and the cheesy appy. Great idea! I need to make some for my boys this Sunday when they come to spend the day again. I can't believe Christmas is next week!!

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    1. OMG is it next week?:)
      You made it sound so soon:)
      One yr..M C and I each wore matching black tartan pinafores..OY.
      I needed fashion help I think..Poor J..
      Anyways he dresses himself now:)
      It's not really a concert;) It's one song:) And Max likes to Elvis it up..it will be fun.
      Yes get out those albums..I wanna see..more:)

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  15. Replies
    1. It really doesn't look like it..however driving will be safer for all the families that travel here:)
      Thanks..flashbacks are a bit surprising too;)

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  16. La spatule est trop mignonne et les anciennes photos vraiment adorables :)

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    1. Merci:)Les années passent..mais ne se ressemblent pas;)

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  17. What a beautiful family picture, Monique!

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    1. I was so young:)
      All of a sudden..I turned around..and here I was;)

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  18. You were and are a great beauty....inside and out!
    Bisous xoxo

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    1. Now..that's what friends are for..seeing ONLY what they want to seexx

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  19. Love seeing the family photos!! And, I have that very same pillow of the VW with the tree on my sofa!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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    1. It is such a cute out of the ordinary pillow:)
      I fancy it a lot..:)

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  20. Bonjour ma chère Nana,

    Ce fut très agréable d'admirer les photos de famille... Nous ressentons tous un peu de nostalgie et de bonheur mêlés en cette période de Noël lorsque les enfants sont devenus grands.
    En ce qui me concerne, il est difficile de réunir ensemble mes quatre enfants avec tous les petits-enfants... Il reste alors les albums et les souvenirs qui rappellent la féerie de Noël lorsqu'ils étaient encore petits et à la maison...

    Merci ma chère Nana pour la recette. Tes petits billets sont à chaque fois des trésors chers.

    Je te souhaite de joyeuses fêtes de Noël.

    Gros bisous ☃

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    1. Je viens tout juste de faire ma tournée chez toi:) Meilleurs voeux!
      Nos coeurs sont nos plus beaux albums.

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  21. I always love looking at your Christmas posts..you are so talented.
    The boys are adorable with the gingerbread houses.
    How beautiful you were and still are with your gorgeous family.
    Thank you so much for sharing all this beauty.

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  22. M, I really enjoyed this blog edition. Your pictures are great as ever ( the boys and the little girl (I love that sort of shot) and the way you reminisce. So fun!
    Merry Christmas.

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    1. There have been some lovely years along the way:)
      I think the very best..were when the girls were small.
      Thanks A..neat going through the pics..wish I had takem way more pics..certainly not my problem now;)

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  23. Got Gingerbread?
    No sables pls!!
    Yum yum

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  24. I am grateful for your company, too! I also think I had the same red plaid skirt and now I miss it! Looks like you are well on your way to a Merry Christmas!

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    1. You're right Abbe..that should have been a keeper..hmm..did I?

      I know the girls kilts were just given away a couple of yrs ago to Jana..and her girls:)A friend of my daughter's.
      This blooging hobby is a jewel of a little hobby.
      So many nice people.

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  25. Dear Monique, Wishing you all the timeless treasures of Christmas… The warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends!

    Hugs,

    Yelena

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  26. I know where you are coming from…snow, cold and Christmas go so well together. One thing I do know, inside your home looks and feels very Christmasy…just love your photos.

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    1. You are way better off in Fl this yr! At least blue skies..you would not believe how dreary December has been!

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  27. Lovely memories and that photo is gorgeous. Love the bowtie! Yes, I remember the polaroids...We have come a long way. Old and new ornaments are always a pleasure. I hope you get your white Christmas soon.

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  28. Absolutely love all your photos today, old and new. I have been keeping a Christmas book (now two) that I found many years ago. ( I thought ahead enough to buy several at the same time.) We all write in it each year, add a photo and our favorite Christmas card of the year. Not a Christmas goes by that we don't all look through those books....been keeping them for nearly 30 years.
    Did you paint that red VW with the tree? So adorable!
    Very hot down here, although I read we're going to have a brief cool front over the weekend. And believe it or not, I have seen it snow in S. Florida. Back in the 70's. flurries while I was driving the kids to school. Didn't last long. :)
    Wish my grands were going to be here this year!

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    1. Hi Barbara..no I didn't..paint the pillow..it was a gift..and it is from Society 6.
      Society 6 hase every pillow..in fact every everything..and the quality of the pillows is quite top notch..you get the envelope..and then get the pillow form.they are as cute as can be :)Highly recommend.

      I bet your books are beautiful..a few yrs ago I bought a Christmas book that records voices..It kind of got forsaken for some reason..but I do add pics after every Christmas..you have inspired me to take it out.I had forgotten..yet again..your books must be treasures.
      I bet they miss you..the grands..
      I am sure of it.

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  29. I love that sweet pillow.
    Your blog is so festive.
    Merry Christmas and Peace in the New Year.
    xo

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    1. You can get that pillow:)I find it suits you:)
      You too Debbie..
      I'll be back before Christmas though~;)

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    2. I'll be back before Christnas to visit you :-)

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  30. Love your Christmasy pictures, both old and new - and had to laugh when you described Katie ! Not a surprise to watch a wee little girl taking charge - Isadora does, just like her mother did. You do Christmas so well - warm and cozy and delicious. Minneapolis is bare of snow, but still green grass (it must be frozen by now) - I can't wait for a good snowstorm. Sending a jingle of bells and a wave......

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    1. It should be 54F Christmas eve..no snow for certain..love girls like that:)
      So cute..all frilly and right in there with the boys!

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  31. what beautiful post Monique. All beautiful. The tree, your grandsons, the cookies, all look aweaomw, A lot of love and Merry Christmas dear Monique!!!

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    1. Lucas will be taller than me soon..I guess he will call me little nana:)
      Thank you Gloria~

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  32. I get very nostalgic at Christmas, and I agree, it's the cold nights with the house lights glowing that really makes it feel like the season has arrived...here in California it's a challenge to get in the mood :)

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    1. I can imagine Sue..as w/ what little snow we have..a dusting last night..as if someone sprinkled icing sugar on a green cake..it has felt less like a festive season ..

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  33. Love your decorations, grandchildren, the old photos - so wonderful! The Christmas pillow and cookies are gorgeous - you are truly amazing! The polaroid photos bring back many memories too. I hope you get a blanket of white for Christmas! Looks like we will be warm with above average temperatures. I have a few batches of fudge and toffee to make and then I will be done. Merry Christmas!

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    1. You too..and I am looking forward to making pretty potatoes for the eve:)

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  34. What a sweet post. You should have gone to NYC-we could have all had tea.

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  35. Dis donc, je savais que j'étais en retard dans mes lectures mais là, c'est terrible !!! Bon, je les reprendrai l'an prochain, ces billets, c'est sûr. Mais c'est sympa quand même de replonger dans l'atmosphère de Noël après coup ... Il faut dire que chez toi aussi, "ambiance de Noël", ça veut dire quelque-chose ! :-)

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