The lilies are blooming albeit not as in full force as usual w/ the drought..
The colors are glorious..there's just one I am not over the moon w/..kind of peach w/ a deep mauve edge..peach and mauve?:(
Speaking of peachy colors..I found apricots at Adonis..had to buy a few to try painting and to eat..found a delightful recipe..I halved it..and it made 3 small ind.desserts.
I found it here..however I modified it...I used a baking yeast I have that has vanilla in it:) I adjusted the amount because my envelopes are suitable for 500 grams of flour.And I added grated Tonka.The apricots are macerated in Cognac:)Just while you prep the mix.I pressed my halved aricots into the batter.
I made Josée's sweet relish again..it's our fave for burgers..I do like a spicy mayo that has pickle juice in it..or Sweet Baby Ray's..but this relish is a keeper.
I seem to be lucky every yr w/ my garlic..but Debbie at Mountain Breaths kindly sent me a link to a great video..about when to harvest your garlic..here it is..He husband Joe is a garlic grower too!
I love this miniature white rose that I have (2) forms a large bush..and the flowers are so similar to The pink Fairy..could be a white Fairy:)
Did a bit of painting..the apricots..may champagne glasses thanks to Carol's tutelage..those champagne bottles..and glasses..:)
And I have to tell you some photographers are so inspirational on IG..
One I follow ..actually 2..I think they are husband and wife..
Jackie Greaney and JPHavel have remarkably beautiful photos of New England..Travel around the world..recently they were in Nova Scotia and their photos inspired me.
I was also inspired by a photo one of my daughter's took of Lucas..her son..in her convertible antique of a car:) Sipping an iced something w/ his hair in the wind..he will be 13 August 6th..this is the card I made for him totally inspired by her photo.For this one I used my Ipad as a lightbox..and transferred the outline..then I painted it.
This was the photo..
I can't wait to give it to him.Of course I am more excited than he will be..lol♥
In August we celebrate..Lucas..Mylène,Giuliana and Adamo:)
13,43,17 and 19.
Have a lovely weekend..as always.
Such a cute watercolor of Lucas. Seems most of our family are summer babies too. Those white roses are gorgeous. I just don't have luck with them. I love just about everything apricot. They are hard to grow here as we usually have a late freeze that kills the fruit. Same with peaches though sometimes we get a crop of white peaches. My lilies were beautiful this year too. I grew onions in my little raised beds and they did okay, though not very big and boy were they strong. Weren't sweet like I like them. I just wish I could figure out ha surefire method of growing them. I hung them out on the back porch. It looks beautiful there. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteThese lilies do so well and are bug free bust Oriental ones..die of Lilybeetle infestations.Many roses don't do well here w/ my harsh climate but tjis type thrives..mind you it's a great flush..that lasts a long time..but then that's about it.Gardens are finicky aren't they? And yet we persist:):)
DeleteYes, though there are some who would disagree, only the eternal optimists are gardeners. And I did a double take when I read mid July. I still thought it was the first of the month. The time goes by so fast now.
DeleteIt does..faster and faster..hope never dies in the heart of a gardener:) I received a stepping stone that said this and I loved it..but then someone got very sick..a gardener and I gave it to her..I hope it's stepping around many gardeners♥
DeleteWhat a delightful way to start my day 🌟
ReplyDeleteLucas will cherish that card...it is amazing! And I know what you mean about being more excited than he about it! ☺️ I feel the same way about the handmade gifts I make. But I know at the end of the day, these items from the heart will indeed be cherished❣️
Your flowers...fruits...relish....all a delight....and, I LOVE that East Coast painting...a keeper for sure!
Have a wonderful day Monique...
Cheers!
Linda :o)
ps....I need some Fairies in my garden😍
You do Linda..at least 2 for Vivi and Nora.. I would love for you to be excited by them..minimal..no care!I can understand how you get what I am saying about excitement;);)
DeleteWe just love them so much it excites US..LOL..
We are very lucky w/ our Littles ♥So lucky.You have girls.I have boys;)
You too ..it's quite gorgeous here..still need rain..I am complaining again..Stop it:)
Lilies are always so beautiful...mine are gone, the temperature has been over 104° for the last week. I am really interested in your sweet relish. It sounds as though it is something we would enjoy...and your pictures have me sold. I am not familiar with Tonka, I have to look that one up.
ReplyDeleteLove the special card for Lucas....I can't believe that he will be thirteen...it doesn't seem that long... Enjoy your weekend.
Our littles grow so fast! If you need me to translate the relish I am happy to!
DeleteTonka..I ordered from France:) Easier for me to order it than try and find it in a specialty store in QC..;)It's a bit almond/a bit vanilla..and I grate it like nutmeg..mayby your Penzey's would have it?
Your grandson is so lucky to have such a COOL portrait!!!!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could send you our apricots. We have so many, all at once. Drowning in apricots.
Lucky you! Une petite confiture maybe? So popular in France..little jars of it au petit déjeuner:)
DeleteCan't believe is mid July!! This year was strange for me I think.
ReplyDeleteI love all the yellows here Monique.
Apricots are one of my favorites . I have to wait until summer...
Love your paint of Lucas, so cool xo xo hugs and love Monique !
Life changing your year..So everything seems different and off and a bit unreal right?
DeleteThank you for your nice words Gloria.You take the time to make others happy.
Yes dear I see the world different, . I know is difficult.
DeleteHave a nice weekend Monique !
Mid July already, the summer is whizzing by! Your apricot desserts look fabulously tasty and I love the painting you have done of the apricots. I like tinned apricots, but not so fussed about fresh ones, funny that. As they say over here, "There's naught so queer as folk!" That relish looks positively amazing! I am going to look that one up! What a bountiful garlic harvest! Two new people to follow on Instagram. The Maritimer in me missed the Eastern Seaboard very much. I love seeing photos of it. I think your grandson will be positively thrilled with his card. You have done such a lovely painting of him. That will be a forever-after keepsake for him I am sure! You are just so very talented. August is a busy month for Birthdays! You will be spending the whole month celebrating ! Thanks so much for all that you share. It always brightens my day! ♥♥♥
ReplyDeletePS - YOUR ROSES< I almost forgot. How beautiful are they!! Magnificent!
DeleteIt's YOUR birthday too!! You are very close to my daughter and that's how I remember..Like Nancy is exactly on my daughter's birthday..makes things easy:)
DeleteYou will love their photos Marie..BRIGHT SHARP GORGEOUS!!
Have a beautiful day Marie..:)
The relish sounds wonderful and I love your two paintings!
ReplyDeleteThank you Penny!!
DeleteWhat a great painting of Lucas! He will love it. In a few years you will be painting one of him BEHIND the wheel of that convertible looking very cool with his sunglasses on. I bet his mom and dad Are not looking forward to the day he is driving. I miss my roses, how big does that white rose grow? I read 2 ft but commments on a website said theirs grew to 4 ft. Also confused as to the relish color. Hers was green yours is yellow. Did you use yellow zucchini to get the gold color. Also when I did google translate it calls for fat. Is this correct? The apricot cake looks good. Did you bake in glass canning jars?
ReplyDeleteGood morning! I will translate and send the relish recipe:) She added food coloring..I don't..It's good..Why don't I just write it here:)
Delete3 lbs of zucchini
3 onions large chunks
2 red peppers seeds removed and chopped fine(I just do everything in the processor)
1/4 Cpickling salt
4 1/2 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups vinegar
1 1/2 tsp dry mustard
1 tsp celery seed or salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 tbsp water
2 tsps cornstartch
1.In a FP process zucchini onions and peppers..transfer to a large bowl..add pickling salt ..mix well let sit for ap 1 hr or more,mixing occasinally (I went out so it was like that a bit longer)
2.Afterwards..strain everything while rinsing under cold water in a sieve.What I do after, is put all the drained,rinsed mixture in Ikea type tea towel..and squeeze to bits.It is imp that all the water be gone.
3.In a heavy bottom pot mix all other ings (vinegar etc)except water and cornstarch.
4.Bring to a boil.
5.Add your zucchini mixture..and return to a boil..simmer ap 15 mins stirrring...until it thickens a bit..
6.Add the paste made from the water and cornstarch..continue cooking 5 mins while stirring.
Place in your sterilized pots.
Water bath 10 minutes boiling water.
Easy easy..she used cheesecloth..I had used mine for photos..lol so used an Ikea dishcloth..the thin white and red striped one.
Weigh your zucchini.
I love this color..I didn't feel the need to add coloring and she even says you don't have to:)
This is my 4th time making it since I found it.:)
Those wee clear jars are crème brulée jars ..empty from Fance.I dragged some home..they are the rounder bottom ones..the ones that look striped I bought on VS they also had premade flan type desserts I am certain.I have seen some similar clear glass ones on Amazon .com..they are not high..
Lucas' mom learned to drive in that car..lol..and we think w/ 3 yrs to go he may also:)
UGH:(
Mine stays maybe 2 1/2 feet it's got quite a girth too ..it's not a miniature..just the roses.. and grows a bit taller than the pink fairy.Wish I could remember the name and the purveyor! I cannot find my garden journal binders:(Have a great day!
Lovely post! xo
DeleteYou are talented. Love your paintings. I'm sure Lucas will enjoy having a special gift.
ReplyDeleteYour Rose's certainly are pretty
Cindy
Fingers crossed:) I should add the pic of him..lol:)Thank you Cindy!
DeleteThanks Monique for translating the recipe. I’m thinking it might be a nice addition to our pig roast dinner. I’ll make a full batch for that this week, it is supposed to be stormy. I have flour sack towels that I can use to drain. They are light weight and large so probably will work well. More jars to collect. I’ll be off to amazon later today. You lost your garden journals? Yikes, you were so organized with them. Your daughters learned to drive on that car? Oh they have to have him learn on it too. Fingers crossed it lasts for him.
ReplyDeleteJust be aware the turmeric will stain your towel..I knew..turmeric is ridiculously staining..They did learn to drive on it..it's an 86 Cabriolet:) Still looks good..I gave it to her 5-6 yrs ago..I had kept it all that time:) It's nice to have it in the family still:)I have no clue where I put those jornals for SAFE keeping..wonder if I threw them out in a simplifying frenzy:(
DeleteI know it stains but the flour sack towels were inexpensive 12 for a certain amount at Vermont Country Store I think. They are great to drape over the KA when incorporating flour or confection sugar and dry really quick after drying dishes.
DeleteSounds good! And you can keep it for that!I think the colors would be beautiful..as a plus for your roast:) I love making it..seeing the jars..all shiny:)
DeleteThe relish looks amazing and, yes, thank you for the translation. Your artwork is lovely. I did buy a set of watercolors, but that's as far as I got!
ReplyDeleteIt is the most zen thing :) I just love it Pattie.I bet you will too:)
Deletepeach and mauve?:(
ReplyDeleteYellow + purple are compliments on the color wheel
They adore each other! Tey it you'll like it. Just be sure not to have equal amounts...
Why whr yellow peach has just a touch of mauve/purple for balance :))
Aww..the lily..is the most unglorious mauve..truly not a preety..more flesh w/ these deep purple edges..to my eye..dull..and not wow..but yes in watercolors..I should take a pic and show you..I keep moving her away:) She's not bad near the black hollyhocks;)
DeleteGuess which colors I will play with later?:)
Love the watercolor of Lucas. It will become a family treasure. Plan to watch the garlic video even though I don't grow it. I can dream.
ReplyDelete:) Thank you!!
DeleteWhere do I begin!? I think with hair, that glorious head of hair that your boys have inherited from you ❤️ Love your painting of Lulu! So many similar moments in our gardens. The apricots dessert and relish with their sunny colors look so summery and delicious! We are in the middle of a rain deluge and I hope it makes it's way to you. Power outage for several hours in the wee hours this morning Our 44th anniversary today!
ReplyDeleteHappy happy anniversary! WE have so much almost the same..as u know ours was June..Hope you have nice plans..we drove to a wtaerfront resto..and it was closed..LOL.Great anniversary.
DeleteThe boys do have nice hair..and I tell them all the time..Geesh if you want compliments get a grandmother;)Nana.
Just read an interesting piece on this.I may Curb My Enthusiasm.
These boys walk on water for me..like for you;)
Supposed to get rain tomorrow..no band ais big enough for this grass..the crops are in peril..I was listening to J's news..
Have a beautiful day..you two are a match made in heaven..on earth!!♥
We didn't go out. I prepared a couple of our potential gourmet dinner recipes for us last night and we opened a nice bottle of wine. We needed to turn in early as we were picking up Bo at 8:00 am for 'Morning Camp' at Nana and Papa's house :) Since they live 30 minutes away by freeway we had to leave our home at 7:30! Had a great morning with him, even though the weather still wasn't ideal.
DeleteLittle BO:) I need a recent pic!! 7.30 LOL..LOL..LOL..;)
DeleteI love lilies, they are so hardy and just lovely. Hubby went to the garden nursery today for some potting soil and came back with more lily plants! Thankfully we are now getting a lot of rain so these plants will be off to a nice start.
ReplyDeleteThe relish sounds amazing, as does the apricot dessert. I buy dried apricots to snack on...its hard to stop!
Your watercolor of Lucas is fabulous! You really caught the feel of his hair blowing in the wind...that's real talent!
Continue your summer pleasures!
Jane
Enjoy your gardens..your summer..your family your sweethearts and friends!It flies by too:)
DeleteThanks Jane..sometimes my girls post or send me pics that inspire me:):)Have a great w/e!
Pretty <3
ReplyDeleteDearest Monique,
ReplyDeleteOh, apricots are one of my favorite fruit. Wish it would be available for a lot longer... just like rhubarb and cherries!
Love your roses and your painted surprise for your grandson is precious.
Sending you hugs,
Mariette
Bon weekend..hope last Sunday was great!:)
DeleteBon weekend to you. Yes, it worked out but I was almost overwhelmed by the work. Have not done a 5-course brunch for 8 in years. My husband is quatre-vingts and that makes a huge difference too!💗
DeleteCiao! I just found your blog from another blogger that I follow. Your blog is extraordinary! I love the focus on food, flowers and more. Your watercolors are so beautiful; something that I used to do as a teenager and would love to get back into. You've inspired me as a gardener, cook, and amateur painter. I can't wait to read past posts and to read future posts as well. My daughter is an art teacher and artist herself and I'm going to let her know about as well. So glad to have found your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking the time to write🙂I appreciate every word.,!
DeleteOnce again I'm totally charmed by the lightness of these pictures. Your little apricots cakes are at least as beautiful as these opulent day-lilies...
ReplyDeleteMerci beaucoup Romain!
DeleteSee you added the photo. Your rendition is fantastic. I love his hair! He will look adorable behind the wheel in a few years. Your daughter is going to have a lot of girls hanging around the house because of him!
ReplyDeleteLol you made me smile!He is so charming too..I am sure I will be dying to meet some of them☺️The younger two we many ion girls and it is still a foreign language😂I am sure Frankie will keep you regaled with stories too:):)Thanks Terry!
DeleteAww Lucas is going to love that beautiful painting - great job Monique ;) Our lilies are blooming too but I love your colors. I spend every Monday with one of my granddaughters (2-year old Jayden). We always go out to the garden and pick tomatoes, blackberries or whatever is ready. We bring them inside and wash them and she eats them up like candy. Yesterday one of the daylily blooms was knocked off. We brought it inside to put in water, but first Jayden wanted to wash it. Everything from the garden must be washed first you see. It was a little crumpled after it's bath, and then she carried it around in her little hand for hours. So precious. Tomorrow we go to a local farm to pick blueberries :) I'm an August baby too!
ReplyDeleteA two yr old's little hand makes everything look even more beautiful and poetic♥ How lucky are your Mondays?
DeleteInstead of Tuesdays with Morrie..Mondays w/ Jayden♥That would be my kind of Monday:)
I have been enjoying your blog for a short time now and find it so positive and hopeful. I hope you don’t mind, but I am taking a quick screenshot of your watercolor apricots. I love how soothing and comforting the colors are and would like to attempt to duplicate them myself. May I ask you what colors you used to achieve this effect? Thank you
ReplyDeleteOf course you can take a screen shot..of course! I wish I could remember which colors I used as I did a few sets of these.I know I laid a soft wash of te lightest color and then let the colors bleed in..apart form the darkest spot that I added after..
DeleteI am trying different colors..I find I have turned into a paint collector and I am learning from Carol etc..that you can do just as well with fewer colors.
So..I am sorry my answer is so long..but I tried different palettes that I have.
Thank you very much for your encouraging words..!
Awww sweet gift for Lucas, he is going to love that beautiful painting. I feel that my Xavier will have similar thick hair like Lucas. Love his sipping on that beverage, enjoying the moment. My mom was the biggest cheerleader for her grandchildren, and you cracked me up when you said about curbing your enthusiasm :-) I'm an August baby too! Joe harvested his garlic on Sunday, and I showed him the link to harvesting garlic also. I'm still learning something new every day :-)
ReplyDeleteI love learning!LOL I must Curb it;) Looks like you had a ball at the sale..and that place..where Sarah stayed? How nice.I felt Xavier had a Lucas face from day one..Think I even told you that..Darling boys♥
DeleteLucas'll love the painting, I'm sure. It's so perfect, so nice!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Thank you Nina..hope so:)♥♥
DeleteForgot to tell you that Joe is hoping to bring garlic seed back from our trip to Italy. ❤️
ReplyDeleteOh..that's fun..you 2 will have a ball.I loved Italy..well the parts we visited;)
DeleteI love seeing you on IG but I do miss seeing you here! How good your summer is looking!
ReplyDelete:) IG is so quick and easy isn't it?:)It's an ok summer..glorius for non gardeners and lovers of heat and humidity..we have rain now..a blessing for the crops and home gardeneres:)
DeleteFinally I've made it over to visit my friend's colorful and beautiful blog! You live in such a state of inspiredness, if that be a word, and I am always cheered and happy to see your photos and paintings and creations! Food and otherwise...
ReplyDeleteYou're having a ball! Keep it up..it's the perfect summer for many:) Here I am grateful for all this rain at last..and the time to paint dring the heat and humidity!:)
DeleteYour paintings are fabulous. Love Lucas. Oh, I love them both! I need a lightbox, that's for sure. My transfer method is wearing me down.
ReplyDeleteAll your goodies look delicious and so pretty! The relish sounds especially delish. Off to send you an email!
I had a conventional lightbox..I think it was recommended by Carol yrs and yrs ago..I think..years..
Deletebut a friend from the states showed me his last yr..and I caved..you plg it into your computerthin thin thin..love it..although I really only trace people..and my Ipad is fine..I paint IPad size:)
How sweet that painting of Lucas is. I know he will treasure that forever. You captured him perfectly.such a pleasure to finally visit and catch up.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! I have a broken ankle currently and can't walk on it so I have tons of time for reading! My goal is to read all of it! I am an artist (mostly plein air oil painting but am taking up watercolors now) so I love reading about your painting adventures. I would love to be a baker and a grower of beautiful and edible things but I'm not good at either. My question on this post is, I want to make the relish (thanks for the translation) and when you say to process the zucchini, onions, and peppers in a processor, what does that mean? Do you grind them until they are liquid or more like a grated version? I really want to try it but wanted to make sure I understand all of the directions first. Thanks!
ReplyDelete