Friday, November 11, 2016

Maman's Soup~And Danny Tanner♥










There are only a few things I know how to make because of my mom..
Cottage Pie..Spaguetti sauce..Chinese chicken wings..and her chicken noodle soup.
Her Canard a l'Orange..(with my dad's ducks)(yuck).

I don't know why but I seem to have had  zero interest in cooking and baking when I was a teen..and as most of you know I lost her when I was 19..
but these were some of my favorites and I loved when she made them.
Cottage Pie..I always called Shepherd's pie.. until Marie set me straight;) :)
You know the 3 layer delight..beef..cream corn mixed w/the kernel corn and the best darn mashed potatoes you can make on top..

her spaguetti sauce I have improved upon because of one of my daughters..the addition of capers and black olives..delish.

Her Chinese chicken wings were stellar..bake your chicken wings till done..bring a jar of VH garlic sauce to a boil and add the baked wings till coated and glistening in this rich soyaee sauce..

Her chicken soup.

I LOVED it and my girls have liked it and all of the above..

She would take the carcass of the chicken..leaving some meat on..the chicken was baked..she would put it in a stock pot..cover with water..add  a stalk of celery..a whole carrot.. ..onion..garlic..salt pepper..parsley..a bay leaf..and let all that simmer for a few hours..discard everything except the broth..pass through a sieve..add cut up chicken..and EGG noodles..I sometimes add egg spaetzle..
then her secret ingredient..some Bovril ;)
Parsley on top.
Feel good comfort food..


Some things you never forget..like Vick's Vapo-Rub..:)
I recently bought some and to my horror it was lemon scented..oy..just leave well enough alone.
I had bought a generic one years ago..much better than lemon scent.

With soup or pasta dishes..Grissinis are a fun accompagnement..3 of the Littles ..loved them..

I had watched the GBBS..and they made some..I had not made any in a couple of years..I tried this recipe this time..I used garlic..rosemary.and more salted..3 kinds..so you sep.the dough in three..
don't listen to them though..I had to flour and reflour my surface..as this dough is sticky..

I started using the bread labels in 2013..time races by..you can too..thanks to this talented blogger.

Even if you don't bake your own bread..buy a loaf and bring it somewhere or have it on your table like this:)



There's not much I would not do for another moment with my mom.
Ma meilleure amie au monde..

It seems that to make up of this great loss in my life..He..sent me 2 little girls that grew up..and then the  4 Littles..
He knew what he was doing..
So funny..
Noah came over w/ his mom for a visit while his daddy was away..

have to tell you something..our floors are hardwood and warm colored and shiny:)

When the boys take off their shoes..and walk all over the place..little sweaty wet socks leave footprints everywhere..it's the stupid shine.I would get matte next time..anyway..I keep slippers for them..not when socks are dry:)
But wet..:"here darlin'"..

anyway..Noah was coming for a  visit and he told his mommy..:"Nana is a bit like Danny Tanner.."LOL.she cracked up and yes so did I:)
Any of you watch Full House?

Google him..
and you may see why;)

Honestly..I think I have become very laid back..just our floors..

My girls watched every episode and now all 4 littles have watched thanks to Netflix..


..Take care..
Signed..

 Danny Tanner..aka Nana..aka Monique.

If you want to know what I looked like when he came for his visit..look no further♥I know some of you don't notice sidebars..so I wanted you to see:)
At first the mouth was straight..and I said I thought nana always smiled at you..he said but you weren't smiling when I did your mouth..so he added the wings.


I love it.

72 comments:

  1. Well, that is the cutest thing he added the smile. So sweet. Breadsticks and chicken noodle soup and I am getting really hungry. Wonder if I can talk hubby into eating Chinese tonight to get some wings? He doesn't like Chinese food anymore. How are you liking you latest read?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love Chinese..♥
      When my dad sold a car he would order some..and I would be so excited.
      So the book..a friend..Connie..asked me if I had read it..and I hadn't..I asked her if it was good and I saw approval..she said though it's the Little Life that's not little.She said it was 702 pages..
      I am reading on my Android.So I read and I read..and I looked and I was at 7%..I read and I read and 12%.. so..it is a long book....I am at 58%..and when I read I read..it's a book I won't forget..
      There are 4 main characters ..and at the very beginning I wrote them down..and their occupation..I hate being lost reading abook..anyway..soon enough you know who is who.
      It is detailed..and right now I am hooked.
      Can't really explain it except to say it certainly isn't fluff.
      I think the best thing to do would be to go to Goodreads..(I love that place) and read the reviews.
      It is not for everyone.
      I for one..find it is a great book for many reasons.
      But some passgaes are very hard to read.
      Makes you see..how very different life is for everyone..and you just never know what someone has lived through.
      Tell me if you read it..

      Delete
    2. Well, I am glad to hear it. I know it is very popular. I am just finishing On The Move - A Life, an autobiography by Oliver Sacks. It is very good. They just don't make them like him anymore.

      Delete
    3. I will look into it..I am not into fluff:)

      Delete
  2. I adore this so much! And I love the memories. I was lucky to cook a lot with my mom but she died before I was really an adult (even though I was 25). There are so many times I would just love to be with her in the kitchen, laughing, cooking, tasting! She was always making things like fermented fruit called "Witches brew" and kahlua and her scalloped potato recipe is my must-have on holidays. She also made incredible thin skillet-fried potatoes that I have never been able to duplicate well enough to get the crispness. And of course, cookies! Oh, the memories you just brought back!

    I love the photo of the breadsticks. And it seems like a very good night for soup! I am right now reading a book by Louise Penny set in Quebec City and much of it relates to the history of Samuel Champlain. I am learning a lot and now I have to look further to make sure that only the mystery in the story is fiction. I love that series -- this is my sixth and it makes me want to visit QC all the more!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I enjoy Louise Penny's books:) I think I have 2 that I have not read.
      I think you would enjoy Québec city.
      It is old and charming..
      it's not Paris..but it's a lot closer..and your $ is so strong..compared to ours..
      25 is not old to lose a mom..my childhood friend still has hers!

      And she is my age..that's tough isn't it?
      I remember my friends parents....wow..the visits..the gifts..I think I was envious and sad that no one was that in my daughters lives..

      Did you read the book MOTHERLESS DAUGHTERS?
      I love that book..if you have not..maybe you could..it's old..

      also there was an article written by Anna Quindlen(love) that I have at home..so touching.
      It's somewhere..if I can find it I will scan it and email it to you.
      Oh I cried for years..at her birthday..my birthday..Christmas(in the bathroom)..so many occasions..I never watched a tender movie the same way afterwards..you go from 19 to 59..in some respects.
      I think ..you become and orphan.That's how great the love can be:)
      Lucky us..not everyone was or is so fortunate:)
      Thanks Jeanie..:)

      Delete
    2. Yes, I'm totally hooked on Louise Penny. This one, though, Bury Your Dead, I think is my favorite. Someday I will get to Quebec City. Rick wants to ride his bike there next year and I might meet him. We'll see!

      Yes, I did read Motherless Daughters -- it's a fabulous book. But I'm not familiar with Anna Quindlen's article. I love her too and if you find it I'd love to see it. Now and then I still have a tear but not the tears I did for the first -- oh, 20 years or so. It took a long while. When my dad died in 1993, I think it brought it all out again -- and maybe that was good. You DO become an orphan -- but we were lucky, too. If we didn't love them so much, and they us, it probably wouldn't hurt so deeply -- but we wouldn't have that wonderful love.

      Delete
    3. You are right ..the tears are not as deep..not for the first 20 years...how well said..I will look for the article and send:)

      Delete
  3. Oh your little special Noah cracks me up!
    What wonderful comfort food you love and cook that belonged to your dear mother. Sorry you lost her at such a young age. Nice and precious that you have daughters and Littles!
    Love this post, it's full of your wonderful personality!
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Bonjour chère Nana,

    J'aurais bien aimé pouvoir vous rencontrer lors de mon séjour aux Etats-Unis ! J'espère bien qu'un jour cet espoir se réalisera, en France peut-être ?
    Merci pour votre adorable message.

    J'adore le dessin de Noah ! Il exprime tant d'amour !
    Il est bon de profiter des petits enfants...

    Les recettes de nos mères ou grands-mères sont les meilleures !... souvent riches aussi !
    Pour ma part, j'utilise beaucoup celles de ma grand-mère qui m'a élevée. Elle me manque tant aujourd'hui et à travers toutes les recettes que j'emploie, elle vit encore pour moi.

    Gros bisous à vous et saluer pour moi Noah !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Semble que plusieurs d'entre nous s'ennuient d'une personne chère:)
      Qui sait ce que le futur nous réserve..:)

      Delete
  5. Monique, I am so sorry that you lost your mum at such a tender age. I know she is your special angel. Her soup is almost exactly like my mum's and how I make my own. Bovril is the key to give it that nice chicken goodness! Oh I love all of your posts. You make my heart smile. Your littles are so special. I have never made bread sticks. I should try. If I wasn't so hopeless at bread . . . sigh. Hope you are having a lovely weekend! Love and hugs. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know you feel for me Marie..I love how you love your mom and keep in touch..some rain falls on everyone maybe?
      Thinking of you..

      Delete
  6. You're right, we do remember everything our moms did. Vicks is still in my house, btw. :) My mother always put little dumplings in her chicken soup.
    I saw that grissini episode on GBBS...loved their ideas. Yours look delicious, Monique!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Even Jacques likes that show..so relaxing and distracting..no violence no intrigue..etc..you just watch and witness quite charming people..hosts as wellas guests..learn from them and smile with them..you can even get a tear or two..!They were good..gobbled up..but the inference that not much flour is needed on the bowl..wasn't true for me..I FLOURED..sticky little dough;)

      Delete
  7. Vicks smells like Mother love. Your post made me smile Monique. Needed it this morning. We were evacuated from our home because of forest fires on the mountain and are ensconced in the Lake Lure Inn for a day or two. Don't think our house is in danger though. Will try the grissini recipe and I too have those lovely labels.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh wow Penny..I had not heard..I hope all is ok..it must be worrisome..:(

      I remember you having the labels too..they dress up any loaf..etc..

      Again..hope you can get back into your lovely home soon!

      Delete
  8. My mother made the best soup with potato dumplings that I still make. Wonderful memories. I had to Google to see what Bovril was :) Sometimes I'll add Better Than Boullion soup base. Love the newspaper clippings and beautiful photo of your mother and sweet memories♥ Chicken Soup and Vicks, two things that made being sick feel better :) John's family always used Mentholatum and that's what we've used since we were married. The breadsticks look wonderful - thanks for the heads up on being sticky. I've yet to see GBBS! I hope I can find it here. Noah's comment on the smile - LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Danny Tanner :) Loved that show. We always watched it with our girls.

      Delete
    2. We did too..and your mins will see it too..all the boys have watched it all through Netflix.
      I think we are on the very same page re our moms Susan♥
      I remember Mentholatum:)And Iodine;)

      Delete
  9. Such a cute post Monique. Love the picture of you. I just got one of me from our little Emmy. You look much better, I was a little round blob with eyes and a smile. Made with lots of love though :) Haha, about Danny Tanner, been there, done that!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hahaha..not surprised:) I bet Emmy's photo is so cute Chris!She's so cute!

      Delete
  10. Grissini-that is impressive. I love Vicks vapor rub. Your chicken soup looks perfect. Bon matin.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I could use a bit of that chiken soup right now..first cold of the season. Lemon scented Vicks vapor rub? I like the original, makes one think of your childhood. I don't watch the show but I think I know where he is going on that. Love his drawing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL..tidy..and organized:)
      Oh ..take care!
      We get it from the Littles you know..:)

      Delete
    2. Yes I know. Retirement doesn't help either because you are exposed to less germs and I think your resistance goes down (that and you get the Help call when the Littles get sick)

      Delete
    3. So true..
      Never thought I would say this..I just love not working:)

      Delete
  12. Chicken soup sounds delish, and today would be a perfect day for it with cool, overcast day. Love, love, love the drawing. I hope you are keeping a folder / box of all these original treasures. I wish I had kept some of the drawings that children did for me through the years. Priceless!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do keep most..in my craft room..at the moment this one is in the kitchen taped to a mirror.
      Thank you Sarah!

      Delete
  13. Your chicken soup photo has me wanting to make some very soon. I think using the carcass from baked chicken really makes a difference in flavor. Makes it richer tasting somehow.

    I picked up some of that lemony vicks by mistake one time, and for me it did not have the same effect as good old plain greasy Vicks. They still make the regular good old Vicks. For a while they had a Vicks cream and it was good because it didn't leave grease stains on sheets and nightgowns, too bad they quit making it. Vicks helps my arthritic knees feel better on nights when they are really aching.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We thought the same thoughts about it..I found it didn't jump out at you..perhaps they should put a picture of a lemon on it..I guess the menthol in it helps your knees..I loved when my mom put it in a little humidifier thing♥Such love.
      I hope your knees don't bother you too much..we never think of these things when we are younger..:(

      Delete
    2. PS yes..roasting the carcass makes an even deeper flavor..I am usually too anxious:)

      Delete
  14. Your parents are Goreous! No wonder...
    I love Noah's portrait in yr sidebar under mine. He wins hands down.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love both Carol!!I believe both make me look better!
      My dad would be 105..I can't believe it...my mom would be 98..I cannot believe that either..

      Delete
  15. Funny that I don't remember my mom making ANY soup....my boys will probably only remember one soup I made since it was their favorite. From the Betty Crocker cookbook and called Hamburger Soup. I'm heading to the market this morning to get a chicken for our Sunday dinner and will make soup just like your moms with the carcass. Love the tribute with newspaper clippings and beautiful photo of your mom. Joe bought a beautiful baguette from our local bread baker yesterday, and asked me to wrap it nicely so he could bring it to a friend. I'll surprise him next time with the French wrapper :-) LOL to Noah's comment on the smile.

    Reply

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Debbie you just brought back a memory..I used to make hamburger soup for my girls too:)
      Thank you for your comment about my mom..

      those labels look so great on bread)
      Have a nice Sunday:)

      Delete
  16. Absolutely love the drawing…that certainly put a smile on my face. I'm glad he added the smile to yours. :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Happy Sunday Monique...
    I love the photos of your parents...they were gorgeous!
    My Mom made chicken and turkey soup the same way...💕
    Your floor story is the same as me!!!
    When we moved into this house...31 years ago...the ceramic foyer was new to me...my kids came in the laundry room side door, and I would have their slippers lined up to put on, before hitting the ceramic!! Footprints everywhere! This made me laugh so hard, as I did the same thing! I always send Vivian up for her slippers, as she has the sweaty socks now!!
    Your bread looks gorgeous as always...I could eat the whole bunch!
    Had a great day yesterday, celebrating the birthday...love family times!
    Enjoy your day..
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OH....I forgot....I add a beef cube to my chicken soup too!

      Delete
    2. Hahaha..I so get you:)
      So you are Danny Tanner too:)
      I am so glad you had a great celebration..lucky ducks we are with our kids.:)♥

      Delete
  18. Hello ~
    Such a moving article that you've written here.
    Like you I get my taste in cooking from my Mum.
    Despite the fact that I am vegan now and thus cannot eat all that she makes, I take care of the sweet memories I have from the past. Though I hope that she'll make her absolutely yummylicious rhubarb pie in vegan version soon!
    Have a wonderful week ~ 

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am always astounded at your mastering of the English AND French languages:)Truly Camille.
      Thank you.

      Delete
  19. I love it, too! My mom always cooked, but only basics for the family. When company came she pulled out the stops. How important to have such cherished memories, Monique! Now get that drawing to the framer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) It is pretty cute♥

      You'll get these again one day!

      Delete
  20. I love food memories and a great bowl of homemade chicken soup. My mom made it much the same way and sometimes made homemade noodles. Such a terrific bowl of soup! Have a beautiful day

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Home made noodles? She was stellar:) Tried to visit you yeterday and it kept leading to a page saying database error..coming by:)

      Delete
  21. Monique, Your mother's recipe sounds so good, loved reading about her. She was a beautiful woman! Thanks for sharing. I'm in love with the breadsticks and label. I think Heather Bullard has so much talent, her photographs are amazing. Noah is becoming such an artist, loved how he painted you smiling ♥
    Hugs, Jody

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. She does have so much talent..but so do you..:)
      Me too..my smile..:)
      Thanks Jody!

      Delete
  22. Lovely post! I had to chuckle...for me it is the dog's paw prints on the tile. There is no hope. I leave a towel outside the door and the mister is supposed to dry their feet before they come in...supposed to...oh well. Your bread sticks are so inviting...would love to have one with soup! My mom hasn't been able to cook for a long time. She has great with pies...someday I may get the knack, but I had better hurry.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have your mom but she is not well?:(
      Doggies..Littles..:)

      Delete
    2. Mom is 90 and has dementia. While she has the desire to do the things she used to do, she doesn't have the mental capacity. :( It is very frustrating for her.

      Delete
  23. How sweet this sunny morning to share in your reminiscing of your dear Mama, and her recipes---don't we remember many more of our women-relatives through their cooking than most anything else? Aren't some things in your family thought of as Aunt Cile's pork chops, and Maw's Fresh Apple Cake are in ours?

    And your memory of Vicks! That was a home-remedy staple. I was just thinking this morning as i yawned and stretched about the neighbor who appeared at church with great swaths of dark blue beneath his nose. He'd been unable to sleep, and so got up in the dark and grabbed the ink bottle by mistake. Too late he realized that he was applying thin liquid, not thick menthol-scented salve to help him breathe. Seems to me that the lemon would have been put to better use trying to improve the GOSHAWFUL taste of NyQuil.

    Lovely memories, and a delicious laugh at the episode.

    rachel

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You made me smile Rachel..as I recently bought a Neutrogena sunblock in stick form..like an anti -perspirant shape....you guessed it..under my arms:)
      I have not had Nyquil in years!:)

      Delete
  24. I am so sorry you lost your Mom at such a young age. I am sure there is an empty feeling there. It;s lovely you have some of her recipes to make and cherish. You will always have her memory. The breadsticks look wonderful and would accompany any meal, especial homemade chicken soup. I have never heard of Bovril. The drawing Noah created is cute and fun, especially the wings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. :) Better Than Bouillon can compare..I think you have that everywhere in the states..
      I always think you are a lucky girl to have your mom:)♥
      You deserve her:)♥

      Delete
  25. My hubby loves loves home-made chicken soup, I don't get it and don't make it. I watched my mom cook and bake many times when I was young and if only I could make pies like she did. I get you with the socks! We have tile flooring in the kitchen and sweaty footprints are a pain! Noah is definitely an artist in training, good job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So many things we wish we could eat again:)Oh to have just a day with them..no..I guess we wouldn't want to let them go a second time..

      Delete
    2. So many things we wish we could eat again:)Oh to have just a day with them..no..I guess we wouldn't want to let them go a second time..

      Delete
  26. Mama's soups are always the best!!!!
    Thank you for sharing and happy time
    Elisabeth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Elizabeth for your beautiful blog:)Just beautiful.

      Delete
  27. You were so young when your mother passed away...sigh....I am sorry...but you still connect with her, I know...and share the mom energy with your daughters...and when you are doing art things, which is most of the time, I think!
    I did notice that drawing of you & I think it's awesome. Full House, it was wholesome, about doing the right thing...and just plain adorable!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have been so encouraging to me..All my adult life I have been grateful for the mentors that have been in my path.either in mothering..my job..my first manager was a gem..in art..cooking etc.Gifts along the way..that helped.

      Delete
  28. Such a lovely post. Noah's portrait = a true gem. Love the photos, the one of your beautifully wrapped breadsticks is definitely "thick paper magazine" worthy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so sweet!
      Noah still loves to draw and color..makes me happy!

      Delete
  29. What the littles say just crack me up! I have started little journals with lots of pictures of us doing things together for each of them, and I add the funny things they say in there!
    I adore the labels. Going to have to follow up on that, and those grissinis look fabulous. We usually do fat breadsticks, but they would love these.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Happy Thanksgiving Jacqueline:)
      Great idea saving sayings:)

      Delete