Friday, December 3, 2021

A lovely time of year~

 













December has arrived so quickly and unfortunately will end so quickly too.

I think because of last yr..I am more looking forward to it.It seems we will have dinner and brunch together♥..This new variant was and is a real threat.

My last Paris People was Santa..It finishes this watercolor book off perfectly in my mind's eye..Photo as always by Geni..who has recently been taking an IG break.

I've loved painting these..over 80 lol so I really have.

A lovely lady Diana..sent me this wonderful tea advent calendar..the first day was Gingerbread!Yesterday's Anise..so pretty  and useful..A decadence really.:)I am grateful.

Advent Calendars..when my girls were at home I always gave them one so it's been years really..Last yr..Dec I decided to make them one for this year.I bought the little Kraft paper advent calendar houses on Etsy..a PDF file pattern..My Staples doesn't print on Kraft paper I found out aftrer:(So I printed them up here on reg paper.50.

Because I have 2 girls:)

Then you cut out and clue the little homes..I glued mine to a foam core board that I cut in two w/ a curve like a street and set up the village..added bottle brush trees and trim to the front..and that's it..you fill and tie off.

They liked them:)


I made those delicious Gaufres of Isabelle's..I just love the crispness..sugary caramelly taste..not a pizzelle  though..be warned..but I love these more.Rhum adds a distinctive taste.Put them in a tin and you are good to go for weekkkkks!

Paris Breakfast's charming letter..look Gingerbread men:)

Perfect opportunity to use Dash's Gingerbread man waffler..Tilley told me about the waffles..I had bought some for the Littles..never for me.These are tiny treasures..gems..Tilley has many:)Enabler she is.I give these wee machines 5 stars.

Not sure I will make more snowmen..I'll see but they were fun last yr..

All special  Canadian cards are sent and US and Europe..only certain local and one local gift still left to mail.

Started some other baking..not all successes..Anyone else have problems with some Donna Hay recipes? Never quite on point for me.

While I realize that I am looking forward to this season I know many are not.

So many have lost parents..spouses..friends..So many are ill..so many have far less than anyone else..

And so many will be sad and lonely.

Sorrow happens to each and every one of us..loneliness too..and situations change..things happen in a heartbeat.So even though I may have a Spring in my step because I will be w/ my family this yr..all can change on a dime.

I've been on that dime many times.And never quite completely off.


It's 27F windy and brisk ..but blue skies..Tree lighting and festivities going on in my Hallmark town tonight..♥

Wish I really really wanted to go..you need a BFF for that..

Mine are busy ..one moved.. and one's not a festivity person lol..Nor am I but I'd like to get that back.

Bon weekend!







38 comments:

  1. Love from me Ria and Leaf 🍀🐾💕

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  2. A most delightful advent calendar you’ve made, so special and creative. I love your Santa….and all the photos… just beautiful. Wish I could go to the tree lighting with you. Happy weekend. V.

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    1. 🤗An instagrammer posted a great video of it so in the comfort of our home I saw it.Thank you.

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  3. 'Following along as ever, Monique. ♥ And I've been thinking about making a Nordic Ware house-cake like that for my mom's birthday next month. :) Lovely! xox♥

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    1. You make the loveliest things for your mom !Always🤗Hopeall is well!

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  4. Monique, you have such energy and zest for life! When do you find time to sleep in between painting,baking,crafting,gardening,photography (I’m sure I left something’s out)and sharing it all with us!? I have been on that”dime”, too. Many times
    Enjoy the wonderful season and your loved ones.❤️

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    1. Thank you.Well when I was teetering on that dime I didn’t do much…then slowly I could and again slowly I found the more I focused on things other than teetering ..it helped.
      My husband just read your comment and laughed out loud because often he says boy you’re a busy girl..
      🤗🤗Have a lovely weekend Ga

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  5. Dear Monique, I love your Christmassy post. The little house advent calendar is just darling! What a lovely thing to make. And your Christmas waffles and biscuits, gorgeous. I am just beginning to get into the Christmas spirit. I need to read more blogs like yours! Hugs, Rose x

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    1. I thought you were doing great when I saw your post..A little music..some tape..paper..thoughts of others..that's great Christmas inspo.

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  6. If I lived closer, you know I would love going to the festivities with you :-) Those Christmas waffles are the cutest, and your watercolors always blow me away. Have a Happy December. Loved the owl suggestion you sent me.

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    1. :) I know you would..Jacques offered..:) But we didn't go..He was being nice...

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  7. So cozy! I wish I could have joined you at the festivities! :) xo

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    1. We missed out on a lot while you were here🤗I know you would have!

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  8. Yay for your series. The advent village! The waffles! Perhaps you would stop by my blog...I've been trying to post more regularly again...Next post will be Christmas images/cards that I'm working on. Today it was clearing away November...

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    1. The advent calendar idea came to me in the heighth of Covid so the only way was to buy a pdf file on Etsy and print from home.My girls are appreciating them.
      Like I am appreciating the tea one🙂I’ll go look!!

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  9. And I always love your compassion for people and the world...

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    1. Once you’ve been in a dark place you never forget🙏

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  10. I would have gone with you to the lighting festivities too. ♥ Picked you up and drive too :) Snowing and sleeting here today. We had a Costco trip planned but not sure we'll be going now. You always find something charming to make for Christmas! The advent village is adorable and I love Santa! I'm lucky to have been on the receiving end. ♥ Everything you touch! Those dimes are not fun but you always teeter on the positive end. :)

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    1. Im so grateful you have helped teeter on the positive end:)Winter is here..boys' school closed here but not our other daughter's ..snow day..in a few days we will see 40's..up and down....Have a great week!

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  11. So enchanting. I love your Paris Santa, of course. And that advent calendar is so dear. I love advent calendars but that is especially wonderful. Tea, treats, baking... yes, this season comes and goes too quickly. And I am woefully slow. I need to at least mail my Canadian and Europe cards this week; then I can get to work on the others. Thanks for the reminder. Have a wonderful week. I hope to finish getting the house done and then some good cleaning and regrouping. One of our babies (the four-year-old) has Covid (we're very worried but he seems to be relatively OK) and we're concerned about his brother (3) catching it too. Think lovely thoughts. But I don't think we'll be seeing Thomas the Tank Engine, our Christmas treat, this coming weekend.

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    1. Oh no re the boys..here numbers are going back up but under 17!
      It's such a roller coaster and we would all love to get off and move on in a more harmonious healthy safe way..You do so much for every holiday..Im sure your home loves the care you give it..Hope the younger Little doesn't get it too as well as parents etc..:(

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  12. I am eo happy to back blogging. Not sure I will continue but right now I am loving it. As with your IG your blog is an inspiration too. ❤

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    1. I had better go see what ou are up to Susan:)Have a good week!

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  13. Aww Paris Santa is precious. Advent calendars are lovely. You always bake and have the prettiest treats. I have a similar gingerbread pancake maker. I made them for the grands when they visited. I will share them with my Gingerbread table.

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    1. Can't wait to see your beautiful table:)Thank you:)

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  14. What a lovely post Monique. I love LOVE your Santa. So beautiful and would make the perfect card. What a fitting end to a year of Paris People! That must be a stunning journal you have! Love the Gingerbread letter. How sweet! Your gaufres, the advent calendar, everything is so beautiful. You are embracing the holidays beautifully! I just adore your posts always. I relish them even more than Susan B's. xoxo

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    1. Well what can I possibly say?🙂I have 3 watercolor books filled with these guys and might want to venture out ☺️Where,or what no clue.But I loved every minute of painting them.Thank you💗

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  15. PS - My sister and I went this morning to visit mom's grave and left a Christmas arrangement on it. It was very cold and windy there. It is always a sad visit. xoxo

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    1. So sorry it is sad.I often wondered this.
      My parents are in Mtl.A huge cemetery .Their little girl is there too.
      Jacques and I always said..no service no gatherings ..nothing and spread our ashes ..but my neighbour died and his ashes are where I would like to be now.So in the new year..I’ll be inquiring.I hope they have a spot for me.Always wanted to live on the water🙏

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  16. Oh THANK YOU Nana!
    I LOVE yr still life with the Bon Marche letter
    ❤️❤️❤️

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    1. Ce fut mon plaisir! J'adore les bonhommes en pain d'épices..mignons comme tout .Merci Carol!

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  17. Love that Santa ����and you ❤️❤️

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  18. Oh Santa is just perfect and all your gorgeous photos of Christmas bring a special delight. You are so right friend about those who are alone or are missing loved ones. I know there is an empty chair at my table this year and Christmas is just not the same. We will manage because she is in a much finer place but us who are still earthbound feel the loss. Take care and thank you for sharing some Christmas Cheer with your lovely post. Hugs!

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    1. Oh I am so sorry for your loss.that empty spot is more than an empty chair:( I love that you specified she is in a much finer spot♥I know two young women ..grieving their dear mom..it will be the first without her:(I'm sad for them because I remember.
      Take care and thank you for your note Donna..

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