Friday, February 3, 2017

The dark side~






Just practicing..but I have wanted to try those dark and moody photos..I tried this week..was home alone one afternoon..I need a better spot and more black..we have a bright home even under cloudy circumstances..of this though I am not complaining at all.Light..I need light.

I also need a hand model..hands model..Jacques is game for like 3 minutes..not enough time for me to do anything..holding up blackboards..moving chairs lol.
I also love those photos at a table..with pretty hands holding cups:)
That's a whole different story.
I just love learning things..

So this was our cream of broccoli/potato soup that I like..
On a Saturday..the 28th of January..

La Recette~

A pat of butter ..a generous one in your soup pot..melt..add 1 large chopped onion.. 2 garlic cloves(home grown;)).. also chopped...let soften..add one head of broccoli..mine was average..not a huge tree or anything...all cut up..2 large baking potatoes..peeled and chopped..salt and pepper this..add one large container of Chicken stock..or your home made one..I add my home grown chopped garlic scapes..and a few rinds of parmigiana .Save those hard rinds..it flavors soups  beautifully..
Bring to a boil.. then lower heat to simmer and cover..ap 20 minutes..until fork tender.
Take out your motorized plunger and off the stove(remove the rinds and discard) add about 1/2 cup of milk and 1/4 cup of cream..pulverize..add more liquid if you need to..this consistency works for us..TASTE..adjust salt and pepper..a bland soup will never taste like anything..
Top with more garlic scapes..or croutons..or a spiral of sour cream..I like to add a touch of grated parmigiana.

I also wanted to make a small Chocolate marbled cake..I love that pan Jonathan brought me back from Paris many many years ago..it also has a lid to make a pain de mie.
This is a fantastic loaf pan..you can tell E. Dehillerin is a cut above the rest..like Sennelier.:):)♥

This loaf is called

German Marmorkuchen..

Click on the link and you will find it.
My notes..I made half..it worked beautifully.

And be aware that you mix in the chocolate mix into the remaining batter before spooning into the vanilla base.This step seems to have been omitted..or maybe I am wrong..but that's what I did.
I also added 1 tbsp full fat sour cream.
I baked it at 350..for ap 30 mins then tented it for an an additional 20 I would say..
Do check..I don't use a knitting needle..for doneness I use a long wood skewer.

Kaffee and Kuchen~

And now..let there be light~

Do you remember Rod McKuen?
I loved him when I was in college and did a paper on him..my professor wrote that I had picked a very ..well I forget the exact term he used ..but maudlin?  Or..not deep? Not a serious writer I guess he meant..my professor ws a published writer..hmm..that might have had something to do with it..I think he loved his wriring best.
I beg to differ..when I was 17..he was deep to me..
And he still is..I have kept his books.
I had his LP's but when we moved 16 years ago..Igotridofthem.:(
You can read Caught In The Quiet here..one of my favorites..the whole book..







And fireworks that fizzle in July should not be held accountable in August~

Caught In the Quiet~ Rod McKuen.

Bon Weekend~

PS..I follow this girl and her family..her blog..if you feel inclined check out her latest post.
Everything..I love everything about her and her family..and her photos~


56 comments:

  1. I had a big laugh this morning Monique. First, the dark side. That is an oxymoron where you are concerned. Then, the picture of Jacques helping you take pictures. What a sweetheart. Is that why they are always so pretty? Rod M and Jonathan Livingston Seagull. I had to try to see what you wrote (new glasses not here yet) and laughed at that too. You are something.

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    1. I loved him:)
      So much..I know why..and Jacques knows this..my first I guess real boyfriend..had the books and used to read them to me..
      how could I not love them?I was 17.
      I am so glad I gave you a laugh..my kids and Littles do that..nothing funnier..no comedy act..not funny people..just them..

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    2. PS Donna..I can get very dark and moody.

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    3. Yes, your beautiful first photo is an example of that;)

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  2. I have saved some moody photos to try to learn. Yours look great. Love the sound of the soup with both potatoes and broccoli.

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    1. I just love learning..even if we become Jack of all trades and master of none..it keeps us interested and motivated..I like that in life.Thanks Penny!

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  3. Gosh beautiful post!
    Love your moody pics and those bright ones too.
    I 'jumped' across to the blog. Good for my soul honestly. Thank you for sharing.
    Enjoy your weekend.

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    1. How adorable is Nella? All the 3 kids and the mom and dada..and there are more people in their lives..she starts with the birth of Nella..their middle child born with Down's Syndrome.
      What a darling firecracker! Smart..funny..loving..beautiful..and and they all are!
      And wow..what a sense of style.
      I am not surprised at all you loved your visit there.

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  4. One of these years I'm going to learn not to start a comment and then click on one the links :) Comment, POOF, gone - LOL. I love those dark, enchanting photos too and yours are beautiful. I especially love what's in them! The soup and marble bread both look wonderful. I had clicked on the link to the bread - I think I would love it. The ingredients list on the site says "backing powder" :) Love your little chef to the right of my comment box too ♥ I'm so ready for those pansies I see in your sidebar also. 6 more weeks until spring - YAY!

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    1. Fast approaching..I don't want to rush winter though:)

      Still need time..to be ready for manual labor..big difference ..shovel and spatula:)
      Thanks for the encouragement..I may try again..but I think you need a permanenet set up..I could use your hands..now wouldn't that be fun.

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    2. So true about the difference in labor! You wouldn't these boney hands, and one wrist still looks a little 'wonky' :)

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    3. I hope you're 100% by then..and you will be..:) We have our garlic and clematis and etc to take care of:)
      Susan..I showed Max Pinterest yesterday..he now has a board..Odell Beckham Junior.. he kills me.

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    4. Cute! Pinterest makes things so easy now to have a scrapbook. This reminds me a little of my girls in high school...they had photos of Pete Samprass and Andre Agassi all over the inside of their closet doors. When they had hair :-) Lauren's are still there!

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    5. How cute..I can't remember what mine had!Wish I did!
      I'll ask them:)

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  5. It's always fun to learn new things and to experiment in the unknown. You are a wonderful life long learner Monique!

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    1. You are so nice Chris:)
      There must be a reason to my madness;) You are the same ..always learning new things..inventing..always spot on.

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  6. Those photos conjure up a late winter afternoon mood ~ my favorite!

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    1. I would like to parctice more..I bet I will..and will not compare myself to others LOL:)

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  7. Always wonderful Monique ! Bright o dark, love all !

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  8. Dear Nana, your dark pictures are as beautiful as the clear ones. The dark ones have a certain mystery that gives them great beauty.
    I loved your broccoli cream as wellas the marble cake.
    By chance, I've just baked a lemon cake that, at the moment, fills the house with a sweet perfume.
    It is a way to mitigate the outside bad weather .
    Wish you a pleasant weekend.
    xoxo
    Nina

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    1. Hi Nina..

      how nice to get your note..your home must smell delicious..I am just about to take a short walk to get our mail at the end of our street and it is bitter cold..brr..

      enjoy your weekend!

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  9. Have a Nice weekend ...love Ria x

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  10. I'm always happier with darkness -- love the jewel colors. You've done well on the dark side -- but then you are an artist, m'dear!

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    1. A wannabe..just a wannabe..but thanks Deana..you have been so quiet..

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  11. Love your photos Monique. A great time to enjoy hearty warm soup too. I visited the blog you talked about. I posted it on my Facebook timeline so my Grandkids and Great grands can see it...LOL If we all felt that way. I treasured my Grandma's.

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    1. Isn't it a tender tender post?
      You are right if we all felt like that..I never had one..
      Loved her in Kelly's skirt..and Dash..so smitten with her.I love little kids.And about the kite..and walking through her home seeing the love..it was just a tearjerker..LOL.
      Of course I get teary at not much..yesterday one of my doctors showed me her sons photos..I felt it again..:)

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  12. Every now and then I get in the experimental mode! It's tons of fun.

    The recipes look good. Oh, and I ordered "Lemon." It should arrive this week. (I hope I ordered English!).

    I think I"m finally pulled together with an acceptable cat for my portrait commission. We'll see if she likes it but I do!

    Have a lovely weekend.

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    1. Did you do a post and share it? I will go see..I hope you love Lemon..if it was written Lemon..it's English lol..Citron..well you can email me:) I can help translate..I am sure you can return it?
      I am sure it's English!!

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  13. Rod McKuen! That really conjures up great memories. I loved him too. That voice. I know I had an LP but God knows where it is. As usual your recipes are superb. Have a great weekend and if you're like us in Southern Ontario, stay warm.
    Diana

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    1. Thank you..wasn't he something..? With The San Sebastian Strings? I don't know why I remember that♥
      it's 10F in the sun right now in QC..
      Why oh why did I do what I did with them..all my LPs are gone..except Nat King Cole..my dad bought it..to think of my mom...

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  14. Wow...beautiful photos! I especially love the one of the chocolate cake, the way the light is hitting it. Just beautiful!

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  15. Really lovely photos...
    Have a great saturday!
    Love from Titti

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  16. You're doing well on the dark side :-) I chuckled about needing a hand model. So many times, I will call for Joe to hold something while I photo it. I will check out the blog next. Have a wonderful weekend. I am finally off on a Saturday, so we're having a dinner party. LOL

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    1. Have fun..I can see Joe having the patience of Job..seriously.:)

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  17. LOVE your adventure to the Dark Side. ;) And, that you are always trying something new. So much to learn, so little time. LOL!

    Thank you so much for the link to Kelle's blog. OMG. Made me bawl like a baby. Most beautiful story of family love. Crazy good. Thank you again. Have a wonderful weekend, Monique! blessings and hugs ~ tanna

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    1. I can't tell you how many times I bawl there.One of my daughters told me about it I think about 1 yr ago..of course I read the story of Nella's birth..and was just hooked on all the love and talent lol in that family.I can see you loving it too Tanna.:)
      Have a great weekend!

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  18. Like Tanna, I love that you are always trying something new. You GO girl! Love the darker photos, and I can see you going from strength to strength on these. So atmospheric! I love the bright ones better, but then I live in dark and dreary (this time of year) England, so I crave light! That soup looks fabulous and like something I can tempt Todd with. He needs the fibre. Oh, and I loved Kelle's blog. How utterly special is that. She has a new fan! Thank you so much for pointing us towards her! Love you. Hope you are enjoying your weekend! xoxo

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    1. You are always trying something new too..I have to admit for me I like lightness also..but..seeing Twigg studios..Aimee..you just cannot help yourself.
      Utterly special blog♥
      Not surprised you love it too:)
      It's freiking cold Marie !

      x

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  19. Both photos are wonderful, Monique. Your soup looks delicious and that loaf! Yum. My daughter would love it. Must make it for her, next visit.

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    1. I love how often you get to be with your kids Barbara..and friends..a lovely life:)

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  20. Love the dark and moody pictures. You had good subjects to photograph too. Both soup and bread look delicious. We are traveling, on our way to our 6 week rental in Florida. Looking forward to getting to know New Smyrna Beach. They even have a French Bakery.

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    1. I bet you will loe it..6 weeks is so nice..I think ideal..when we go we are on the other side,the gulf side..A French bakery will be perfect..I love the beach,the walks the books:) The shells ..the sea the most though.
      Have a wonderful time Penny.

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  21. Dear Nana, actually the Le Creuset cookers are fabulous, but very expensive. I do not know if you understood my text, where I explain that I have bought all my pots - at the moment I own 5 - at an outlet near Barcelona - La Roca Village - for half the price.
    While still being expensive, it is well worth the money you pay.
    Hugs
    Nina

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    1. VERY expensive here..I have tried using translator for your blog..oh lala..I guess as bad as the French translator:)

      Lucky you.
      Everyone I know that has been to Barvelona..loves it:)

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  22. All the photos turned out so good.. and Jacques is such a sweetheart...
    I want to give big thanks for your sweet comment.. you are such a sweet person.. a BIG HUG..

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    1. I think it's nice to comment if you have something to say.
      And I would never comment badly..my mom always sai:"If you have nothing nice to say..don't say anything at all"..So true..andd sometimes..busy gets in the way..appointements..duties..I blog to have online camaraderie...so many kind people..great to feel good instead of harrumph:)

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  23. Hi Monique, you have the best attitude about everything, always learn or see something creative and beautiful every time I visit your site, thank you.....

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    1. Oh my dear..on my blog I have a good attitude..on my blog.
      You're so sweet!

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  24. The foodie pictures are glorious and the recipes are making me hungry:)

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  25. I love your dark photos - you are certainly on the right track! And the cake, the bread and the soup all look fantastic :)

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    1. ILOVEYOURBIGPHOTOS!
      I find smaller..on my blog..they lose sharpness and clarity..
      I would have to change everything..
      From Stick In The Mud:)

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  26. Love your dark photos! Loaf looks delicious too! xo

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