Friday, November 23, 2018

The treats of Christmas past:)


My Christmas thinking cap is on..I think I know what I will make..a small festive cake for my daughter's home..some cookies etc..some newer things to me..I picture them turning out..the power of positive visualization;)

I make far less as far as bars and squares go because both my girls bake for Christmas also.

But Christmas baking is my very favorite baking..
So I'm not ready to stop.
I had fun looking at past blog posts..not to the very beginning..but some..
In case some can inspire you..here goes my internet Rolodex of a few Christmases past.






His face here lol..
















Oli..  that age where you don't care:) he is still a bit like that♥





You want to see how quickly time goes by?
Adamo..18  Giuliana 16  Lucas 13..Max 11..Noah 10..Oli 9.




Have I mentioned I love Christmas baking?:)♥


























Blogs..are a great way of storing memories♥
Now to take off the thinking cap..and put on the baking apron;)
Have a good weekend and week ahead!


58 comments:

  1. awwww what lovely Christmas memories, I love Christmas baking too and for my mom was her favorite !
    All the pictures are beautiful and the kids are really cute, have a nice weekend!!

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    1. You too Gloria!It is funny..once our daughters left our home everything was on hold for me..and then it all came back🙏🏻

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  2. They are such absolute masterpieces!!!! State of the Art Christmas baking!!!!! I got a book from the library called The Joy of Hygge. I thought of you. The thing is, your creations and PHOTOS are so very very much more beautiful!!! Sometimes I hear you urgin people whose work you like to publish books, but, Monique, YOU are the one who has a most gorgeous book to publish. Parts of your blog would be gorgeous in paper!!!!

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    1. I absolutely agree!!!
      Put me down for the first copy.

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    2. You girls..art mentors..
      You made me smile🙏🏻🎄

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  3. Glorious projects!
    How can you post anything after this extravaganza?
    I'm stuck on your animal cookies ❤️🐻💋

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  4. I absolutely cannot breathe for the beauty of this post. Oh, where is your cookbook? Your photos are so stunning, so absolutely breathtaking I cannot believe it. And the thing is, I know those delicacies are every bit as delicious as they look. I would love to take a baking class from you. How about it -- host a cooking class somewhere near you and show us how to make these beautiful things without completely losing our minds! I'd be the first to enroll. Truly, this is the most beautiful Christmas post I've ever seen.

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    1. I am an imitator..I invent nothing☺️
      I love my precious moments having the time to play.
      I should have... lol you have heard this before..listened to my intuition..a BFF..and stopped working before I did..
      My intuition was right on all points and I did not listen.
      If I write a book it will not be about cooking☺️It would be on intuition and listening to that voice❤️But...Thank you💕

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  5. Is that what Oil had on? A thinking hat? So many beautiful treats - I cannot choose, but look forward to seeing what's to come dear Monique. I can't believe you found all those pictures. I have trouble finding mine. Doona@gather

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    1. Lol!I have no idea where we found that aviator hat..or where they did..I just know that kid brings Sooo much joy into our lives..they all do!Like yours🙂You should be able to type in a search bar on your blog..I looked up Decembers🎄I Googled for you today..I cannot find a solution to your anonymous problem😢

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    2. Well, that is just the sweetest thing Monique. My eyes welled up - that you tried to help fix my comments problems. I'll try the Decembers thing too. Thank you.

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  6. Monique, this is heaven. I can't begin to decide which I like more, the gingerbread houses, the shortbread cookies, the pies... It has to be your grans' happy smiles.
    Amalia
    xo

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  7. Dearest Monique,
    You are a dream 'NANA' for your grandkids and all your baking looks like coming from a pâtisserie.
    Love the smell of any baked goods in the house, especially on cold days.
    We're making good progress, cleaned my finished bathroom on Wednesday, just in time for Thanksgiving.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  8. Lovely photos and yummy looking cookies. I,too
    LOVE Christmas baking. I saw a fun sign that said--
    Baking Spirits Bright. I couldn't agree more. Enjoy your Christmas.

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  9. Oh my - all that baking - how fabulous! As is that Christmas photo of you and Jacques and your two girls - Bella!!! I am still recovering from all the Thanksgiving cooking, so I’ll wait a few days before I start in on Christmas. The littles do grow up so fast, don’t they! Last Christmas my little was crawling underneath the dinner table. This Thanksgiving, he sat there, ever so handsome in his blue oxford shirt, and was so polite and grownup! Hope you have the happiest of holidays - much love to you and yours dear sweet Monique!💖

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    1. Sush an old photo:)WE look a bit different;)In his blue oxforddhirt:) WE can;t get the boys interestted in the classic look..
      WE show them..nut thye are all bout sports and extremely casual tshirts and things like Under Armour;)
      I tag you back for a most wonderful holiday season..♥

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  10. Quel magnifique tour de piste photographique de ces souvenirs de Noël. Une présentation qui met des étoiles dans les yeux. Un grand sens artistique, l’art de faire saliver, une maîtrise de la lumière et du détail. Je suis gourmande et admirative de votre travail. J’adore Noël et je constate qu’au fil des ans vous avez mis en scène dans ces gourmandises et desserts votre amour pour les contes, l’enfance, la famille. Merci de partager cette féérie de Noël. « Noël n’est pas un jour ou une saison, c’est un état d’esprit » John Calvin Coolidge.

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    1. Vos commentaires me sont tellement précieu x..de la poésie!J'ai lu vos mots lentement,pour pouvoir les savourer.
      Je vous remercie de cette délicatesse!

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  11. Thank you for sharing this post today. Merry Christmas. I will be Christmas baking along with you...

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  12. I loved your internet Rolodex ♥ I am old enough to remember what that was :) Such wonderful memories of baking for Christmas past! Such beautiful and delicious memories. I was looking at old photos recently of Mack and Dane when they were little at Christmas and now seeing Bo ♥ Such a blessing. I love the ornament photo of you, Jacques and the girls dressing in their matching Christmas outfits. Of course I did the same with mine :) It will be a fun-filled month of December for us both!

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    1. It will,,Caroline bought things for her table..all so her and lovely..will be great...I always look forward to this season..and so does J:) I bet your TG was perfect!!

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  13. Beautiful! you are a baking queen!

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  14. Hi Monique, Terry here having problems again with my google account. Thanks for the memories of Christmas past, I remember so many and have tried to duplicate a great deal. I kicked off the season early with some cupcakes in red snowflake patterned baking cups. Lillian and Katherine and their parents stopped in for a visit today and Lillian wanted to know what was that (the kitchen aid mixer) and the measuring cups and penguin spatula. So we just might have another Baker in the family soon! Hope you are having a great weekend.

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    1. Exciting!!
      Kids in the kitchen..make th kitchens glow..You have been so inspirational to ME!!We just love baking for our families..LOVE:)
      Wish I coud fix that anonymous thing:(

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    2. Now I’m signed in. Not the worst thing in the world right? I was at Home Goods AGAIN! They had a large cookie cutter in the shape of an old fashioned truck with the Christmas tree sticking out the back. I had to buy it. Will probably be saying why when I’m trying to decorate it. Thinking I will tint some glazed royal icing and paint the cookie rather than traditional technique. It will be like a watercolor😂. I should practice.

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    3. There you are!!Oh the cookie cutter sounds fun!I saw a small one and had no faith in my cookie déco talents..I did buy a rubber stamp at Target though lol!
      I love those trucks and trees.Target has large ones as Xmas é orations!Even campers!You will do well I am certain!

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  15. Oh, I see my Christmas Elf girl down in the bottom corner, lol. Its been a long time since I made that. I have so enjoyed revisiting all of your baked creations from the past Christmas's and the photos of the children also. I treasure my "She loved Christmas" ornament you sent me, and indeed every ornament you have ever sent me. They have pride of place on my tree! Every year I say I am going to get things done early and every year I let myself down! In my head I have HUGE plans, but in reality they don't amount to much! lol I don't know how that happens! You are so blessed to have this family to share all of this with! I can't wait to see what you cook up this year! Happy holidays! xoxo

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    1. :)

      Let's hope they turn out!
      My daughter and I briefly takled Christmas baking yesterday..the girls have soo much at this time of yr on their hands!I am trying to remember how I did it all when I worked..but it worked right?Love that card!

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  16. Yes, dear, blogs are the best way to store memories. That’s why I keep posting.
    Christmas is really arriving and I’ll have my home full. That’s pure joy, lots of baking . I keep backing the same cakes and cookies I used to eat as a child in my parents home - I miss those days andI miss my parents. Life goes on!
    Have a great Sunday.
    Hugs

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    1. Can you imagine having our parents back for one Christmas? I guess we would not want to let go:)
      I am sure your home is festive..warm and filled with delicacies!!

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  17. My dear Monique...
    I have read every single comment...it is UNANIMOUS!!! You are a genius!
    Every picture is a work of art and love...the boys♥️...that family photo from the early days♥️
    Those desserts are utterly delightful...and it is my biggest pleasure to be able to view them...
    You are a very talented beautiful woman...inside and out...love oozes from every single picture...
    Okay...I think you get the picture...so thankful for finding you...

    linda♥️

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    1. You're such a doll.

      How nice of you to say these things!
      I feel the same way!
      Happy I found you!!
      Lucky eh?😉😘Going to make your PB cookies for Oli next week!

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  18. Monique!! That was an extra sweet trip down memory lane... :) xo

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  19. Monique, your photos are so fabulous. What a gifted baker you are. The desserts all look so perfect. I admire your skills, not only baking, but photography and painting. Your love of your family shines through. How special your family is. Love seeing your treasured photos from Christmas past.

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    1. You're such a sweetheart Linda! Your family is extremely lucky to have YOU! Caring for your dad the way you did and now your mom,,exemplary.
      How many do this?
      That's real love.

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  20. What a fantastic journey down 'Gingerbread Lane!' You've certainly inspired me to get my baking sheets out. Your shortbread looks tempting

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  21. TENGO GANAS DE HACER GALLETAS PERO NUNCA ENCUENTRO UNA RECETA FACIL Y RICA.
    ESTAS TODAS PARECEN RIQUISIMAS;)

    SALUDITOS

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  22. If everyone looked at your page once a day, the world would be a better place! So full of love!

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  23. I sure did enjoy my trip down memory lane :-)
    Happy Holiday baking to you!

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    1. Happy Baking to you too..Love your cookie molds..:)

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  24. Chère Monique, merci beaucoup pour ton doux commentaire.
    En réponse à ta question, je n’ai pas cessé de me teindre les cheveux. En fait, je n'ai jamais l'intention de faire ça. Bisous

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  25. Yday I realised Xmas is coming very fast. Not even a month! Thank you for this beautiful serie of pictures, that's so xmassy that it makes me nostalgic... the gingerbread figures, the Xmas trees, the warm cookies directly eaten out of the oven... Can't wait!

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  26. And you are the queen of Christmas Baking! I loved seeing all of those together and remember so many of them. I have had a Gingerbread cake on my bucket list of Christmas baking for some time. I just love yours. Wish I could have a bite of everything.

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  27. You are always an inspiration but especially at Christmas. I remember so many of the beautiful goodies that you have made. Do you still make the wonderful ornaments?

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