Thursday, June 11, 2020

~June 11~Gardens and Pizzelles and aquarelle.








These above are in a front bed..


We are getting old..our wood adirondack chairs rotted..I replaced them begrudgingly with plastic..moving them for lawn mowing ..much easier.


I still remember when we laid earth everywhere here and seeded for the grass that is mostly weeds after 20 yrs.
Our children and son-in-law helped every step of the way..even the flagstone walkways everywhere..
I need to divide those front hostas..they took off..
That..my friends is an awful backbreaking job.




A new addition..I adopted 3 String Of Pearls..this one is slightly different than the other two:)


I love the way they grow..love the look..succulents you need hardly water them at all!




Many many many moons ago I made pizzelles with a friend..I loved it..for yrs I have had a pizzelle maker in my cart and I bit the bullet recently..

So glad I did:)

The gardens are awakening..they catch up here and hurry on..until they are gone..
I am enjoying the warmth on my face on certain days.
I love The spirea by the fairy pond..they live there..

and every yr..irises shock me into believing I can grow them:)
I adore Van Goghs'..:)
On most days I am very dirty in the garden..upkeep days..but some days I just walk around and take pics..
I love photography and flowers fit in perfectly!

I used the watercolor book in the first pic that I bought in Provence..to paint Nana's Garden..
It's a funny texture..more a stripe texture..but still it's PROVENCE to me.
My fave green is beyond the fence..DS Cascade Green..

I used to make garden notes..and wow somehow I stopped..

so before I forget..

Garden Notes for next year..2021

*Make sure you have starting soil for tomato seeds..and fresh pots.
*Flower seeds start way better direct outside...less waste..
case in point parsley ..basil..4 o'clocks.
*Root cuttings for basil  are better for me.
*Rosemary ...roots!
*Bungee cord your Korean lilacs at front of house.
*Great idea pruning roses and creating an obstacle course by the tomatoes and lettuce..who would want to walk on thorns?
*I am told Iris grow well in mulch!
*Buy lots of earth and mulch.
*Add a spirea to left of pond.

For now this is my list;)

Blooming now ..June 11th

*Iris
*Spirea
*Tree peony and fried egg peony :)
*Catmint
*Korean Lilacs
*Some Geranium rozannes
*Weigela
*Bleeding Hearts
*Hellebores
*Vinca
*Yellow rose of Texas
*Still FMNs

I guess that's it for this almost mid-June update..

The wind is howling..good thing I have two bricks on my chairs;)
We are still staying put.

Covid cases are not encouraging..

A doctor fro Notre Dame was on the news.."PLEASE MAKE MASKS OBLIGTORY".
This is not over.:(

Take care.


44 comments:

  1. Absolutely stunning! I just adore seeing pictures of your garden. I think I could happily have a gardener that I tell what to do....like digging up hostas or doing all the weeding...then I could just putter in the dirt, sit in the shade or read.

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    1. Sounds like a plan:):) I keep putting off the big jobs..this fall those hostas I think..I think:) ;)
      Have a good day and a good weekend:)
      And this fall I hope to have Eli again for a few hours:)

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  2. So characteristically delicate and light are your images, photo, watercolor, baking, gardening...heavenly, truly...
    I too am enjoying staying home, though I long for Quebec City. We were going to go in May, as we do each year...I have 4 new outdoors plants now: In pots: Lavender, cilantro,
    and parsely. In the ground: Nasturtium. Not much, but they give me such pleasure. I took a photo but blogger won't let me post any photos today.
    I agree that masks should be obigatoire...I hate going to our grocery store where they don't require them. Belle journée à toi, Monique, R.

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    1. Meci.. Rita la francophile aquarelliste..wonder if you would have done Maine wé Carol if not for all this too..what a shame..and we only see fragments.I friend works in palliative care..not working now as she will be 80 but has zoom meetings..so sad..so sad the things that are transpiring.
      We are the ones that have an oasis at this time..
      Take care Rita..They say ..We"ll always have Paris?
      Well you'll always have QC city too:)

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  3. Lovely, lovely! Can you give me the full title of the watercolor book?
    My irises have been beautiful and my hydrangeas are LOADED with buds!

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    1. Hi Carol..it's in the first photo top right..Carnet Du Fond Du Jardin.. it is a blank watercolor book for us to fill in as we like.
      Bought in Provence 2018♥♥♥

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  4. Your garden looks stunning, Monique. I've always liked gardens but have a new appreciation for them since the lockdown.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Medecine for souls..that photo you posted of France w/ the roses up the wall..be still my heart..to live in Provence in an old stone home must be lovely..no wonder so many expats are there;)Bonne journée..:)

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  5. Replies
    1. Penny thanks:) I appreciate the encouragement..the wind is so strong the spireas are getting naked and the tree peony blossoms have all fallen..:(

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  6. For not getting to the garden center I would say your garden is extraordinary. In fact, it would be extraordinary, even if you HAD been there, just as is. Oh, the iris are gorgeous! I love your Nana's Garden painting. It's perfection. It is truly a haven.

    I'm still missing and could use more potting soil. I'm hoping Rick will decide he needs to go to hardware again soon.

    The pizzelles -- glorious. I helped make some years ago at a new year's party and swore I'd buy the kit to do it and never did. I never thought of making nutella sandwiches with them. That could move my needle when stores open! Take care and have a glorious weekend and celebrate that gorgeous garden!

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    1. You take care too!It is so windy here I may paint this aft..I tried gardening..I really did😊😊The pizzelle maker was from Amazon and I left a true and glowing review👌🏻I have not done this in so long but I must have had a Kleenex in gardening garb..what’s mess when I did a load of was this am 😳😒😐C’est la vie!
      Merci pour ta visite😊

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  7. Your garden looks amazing....love from me Ria 💕🍀💕

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    1. Aww Ria ...always so nice..thinking of you...take care...the world is upside down at the moment...

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  8. Your gardens are heavenly looking. I love the flagstone walkways. It is a lot of work, but so worth it. The pizzelles are so pretty. Maybe I need one too...LOL

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    1. I think you do:)I love YOUR gardens:)♥

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    2. Thank you. Can you point me to the pizzelle maker you bought in Amazon?

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    3. Absolutely..it is perfect..it came recommended,by a great baker I believed her :)Spot on

      CucinaPro Pizzelle Maker- Polished Electric Pizzelle Baker Press Makes Two 5-Inch Cookies at Once- Recipes Included

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  9. Your garden is stunning! A labor of love... :) xo

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    1. I am getting old...er😑😑😑😑It used to be a piece of cake😊Thank you!

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  10. It seems like only yesterday you were shoulder-deep in snow drifts
    Falling harder and harder for yr watercolors Monique !

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    1. Your words💕💕💕Thank yo so much!
      Yes winter to summer overnight..lol..aaaalmost.

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  11. Always so spiritually and artistically edifying to drop in, Monique. Best grandmother, EVER - for sure. Nutella sandwiches that are so pretty? YUM! and that yard! Just gets better and better every year.
    Yes -hopefully we make it with all family members healthy and well out the other side of this. My daughter is pregnant with her third and due end of August. I haven't been there since February as no crossing borders. I usually go every two months. Gramsy torture. I just want us all close. OXOX V

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    1. Oh I hear you!!
      Her third..lucky nana..one day we will be close and hugging again..this is so surreal.
      I think about you every week while Les Chefs plays here on TV..chef host Daniel Vézina!
      They all have Thermomixes!!!!!

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  12. I love your fabulous jardin! C'est si beau!

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    1. Merci..it is sometimes a great joy..sometimes not😑Always therapy🙏

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  13. Your irises are so lovely! I would put chairs right in front of that garden to admire them too :) With all the large trees we have surrounding our yard, mine grow tall to reach for light and then they flop over. Lauren said, please give me those that have fallen over ♥ We had them for dinner last weekend. Two patio tables pushed together, they at one table, we at the other. No shared serving utensils and they wear a mask if they need to use the bathroom inside. The big are the worse. We have a 21 year old wonderful young man who helps us once a week. Digging, mulching, gutters, etc. He is thankful for the extra work and we are so thankful to have him. Fingers crossed he doesn't move away! Love that watercolor and the special paper. I see the stripes but the texture is pleasant. Your pizzelles are so pretty! I've always loved their beautiful pattern. Do they stay crispy? I think I need a String of Pearls plant now ♥

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  14. Food...flowers....fairies...what could be better!!
    Love those White chairs!! I have never seen White!!! Better get my spray paint out!!
    And I always adore your sweet paintings...always a treat for the eyes!!
    The last few posts I have done, Blogger keeps asking me to try the NEW blogger...Im kinda scared to!! Have you converted over??
    Enjoy this rather chilly breezy Saturday...☀️
    AND...
    For the love of God...Why aren't masks mandatory????????? Seems like perfect sense to me!!!!!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Masks sense to me too:)Perfect sense!

      I have seen Try the new blogger and have looked away lol..I am still not over Google plus and losing my pics..But end of June we will see it on our blog as default..Carol from Paris Breakfast educated me:)
      I just want to stay in my time warp;););)
      Lovely here this Sunday..hope it is there too:)

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  15. Monique, I would enjoy relaxing in one of your chairs out in the garden. It looks so fresh and green! I'm glad you are enjoying some pretty weather. I love seeing your paintings. They are charming! I keep mine on my desk. Love looking at them, thinking of my friend up north!
    I've never made pizelles. Happy Weekend!

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    1. I always want to correct my spelling..:) LOL I will in my title..
      I dont relax in those front chairs..I stay on the porch or backyard..my neighbours and I are gardeners and hardly sit.I did sit out around 3 out back to paint yesterday..it felt nice..but it was a funny day under the clouds you shivered and under the sun you baked..I am the never happy camper;)x

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  16. Love your garden notes Monique. What a wonderful way to journal what's happening in your garden home. I hope you keep it up. Your Pizzelles! I have never tasted a pizzelle! I am imagining them as a really thin crisp buttery delight. Like a thin crisp waffle? Together with nutella, must taste amazing! So many here not wearing masks and getting together in close groups. I don't understand it. Especially over this past week with all the protests, etc. I can see there being another spike in the cases of Covid we see here in the UK, and these insane get-togethers will be at the root of it all. I feel they are opening things up far too quickly here. Like you and J, we are staying home. Your chairs look comfortable, wooden or not, and your painting, what can I say. I am your biggest fan of that and your gardens, and well, really all that you create with your magic hands! Have a great Sunday! xoxo

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    1. You're very sweet because I'm a Jack of All Trades..I've always said that.There is not one thing I do well..I just do a lot..because I do love everything home..craft.. gardens..etc..and I have found that it is medicine :)
      just watched Filthy Rich..Jeffrey Epstein..OMGEEE.
      OMGEE..Did you watch?

      Wonder where that 575 Million went? The girls..all of them deserve a home..whatever they need.
      I know it's hard for some to understand why the girls did it.
      I get it..
      Young..many in sad home situations..power..money..and really roped in.
      Poor young girls.
      Creep JE as he had on his 77 Million dollar mansion in NYC.
      I am on a rant because we watched the end last night.
      Good for that last judge..Tenor?

      Oh what a sad story.
      Ok that's it:)

      Bon Dimanche..
      Grantchester is back tonight:)

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    2. I did watch it and thought what a despicable creature he was and such a coward, to comit suicide rather than face his crimes. Sad for the girls. He hid his money well, but I suspect his girlfriend knows exactly where it is. How has she gotten away without any charges??? Yay for Grantchester! xoxo

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    3. Yay is right:) Guyslaine is somewhere.

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  17. Ugh, I also watched Filthy Rich. But what I really came here to say was I love your pizelle cookie photos, and the pizelles remind of when my sisters and I were in our 20's. We borrowed a pizzelle maker from my sister Cheryl's sweet motherinlaw and made them as gifts for family members. A fun and tasty memory! I ordered a String of Pearls from Etsy and it already arrived! Thanks for letting us know about this plant :-) Have a good week in the garden.

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    1. Your etsy is fab!And so is your plant:) Prince Andrew was a surprise and not in a pleasant way at at..

      He can't remember being in the photo?
      Yikes..people get away with a lot when in high places.
      he doesn't sweat?
      How all these girls were taken advantage of by grown men kills me.
      They should all be brought to justice.
      Yes a week in the garden is a plan;););)

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  18. Dearest Monique,
    Barely find time to read blogs... with this huge challenge of doing the final Proofs after I've uploaded all 12 finished chapters. My graphic designer added the Figures, Tables and now its one more time checking it all before it goes to print. Had to break my old mind over the new DC Adobe version for Mac in order for being able to edit inside these Pdfs... It will be 3 batches with each 4 chapters.
    But this stages too will pass... Wish I had time for baking Pizzelle, always loved them. Your pictures here are all darling!
    Enjoy the spring, can't believe that summer is around the corner...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Bon Courage!! Kudos for all your work!!Have a good week!

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    2. Meanwhile I still have kept my blog as well...💞

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  19. Your garden is absolutely beautiful Monique

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