Tuesday, March 1, 2022

And here we are March~







Indoor gardening.. because..



Yes because of this..



and this..


Yesterday  a glorious walk~



Ice Lake~


An artist's community



Our dunes~

 
Nosy Parker~


The love tree





I do get out there..but less this year...  I am ashamed.I have usually donned my snowshoes by now..always an excuse.. not enough snow.. too icy..too much snow..it's blowing like crazy out there..
My excuses.
He actually enjoys all the snow removal..paths.. decks..etc..redoes parts of the driveway after the contractor  because of where our cars were parked..It's picture perfect.
I love walks at favorite places..

I honestly cannot believe my geraniums..I think what I did last summer is that I nearly killed them.I had overwintered them in paper bags..so really the roots were raw.. I put tooo much Miracle  Grow granules in my soil..all summer they did nothing.. 2 big pots..I brought them in and by then the roots had time to strengthen I think and now they look like an ad for Miracle Grow..at least 2 ft tall on one just the leaves,the blooms are well above..the other has to be 3..I had to put bamboo sticks in.Lots of blooms etc..My fern still spot on..and Rosemary too..the trick is never let rosemary dry at all.
I hope I can make their transition to outside ..calm and uneventful.

I have baked a few things..namely those adorable and delicious Bonne Maman Petits Marbrés.
I follow many French blogs and feeds and kept seeing marbled cupcakes..cakes etc..and then one day a lady said her recipe was from the back of the bag:)
Never one to procrastinate..LOL those who know..know..:)I made them right away.I will always make them.
Recipe is below..

I also made Alexandra Cooks EASY (IT IS) Brioche bread..don't excpect a full on tons of eggs and butter and make the night before and rest...stretchy filamenty  (new word) bread..This is a lighter easier version.And truly it's a keeper.
You can find that recipe here.

Now for the Petits Marbrés..


Preheat oven to 350F ...356 to be exact as it is 180C.

For the white dough~

Combine 100 grams of sugar, 2 whole eggs ,a pinch of salt then 100 grams of flour  and 1/3 envelope of baking powder,
Then to this preparation add 100 grams of melted butter and mix energetically:) to obtain a homogenous mixture.Set aside.

For the chocolate dough~
In a bain-marie melt 100 grams of chocolate with 80 grams of butter.Meanwhile mix 80 grams of sugar  and 2 eggs ..then add 90 grams of flour and 1/3 packet of baking powder.
Then add in the choco butter mixture.

Butter and flour small cake molds..And drop half white mix half choco mix.Use your knife from one end to the other lengthwise to create the marble,
Bake 22 minutes.

My notes.

I melted my butter and chocolate in microwave.
Be sure to not keep going over the marbling or you will just get a pale choco cakelet:)
Levure chimique is baking powder. My Envelopes still active contain 11 grams. So you have to use your judgement.you can do 1/3 of 12 grams.

The recipe as found in French.(Source internet)


My molds..(source..internet)


Trust me had I found this in France..lol..it would be living here.

We had lunch out every day..in Provence..every day ..can you believe..but ate at home in the evenings..
So we kept little bags of Bonne Maman treats..in case we hadn't gone crazy and had dessert or pastry in the day..These were some of my favorite.The Bonne Maman shelves in France are PACKED with delicious charming products.








 


 




 


 


 


 


 


 


 



 
On my blog..I stay away from religion and politics ..as much as I can.
Everyone is different.I don't want to offend or take stands..I do have opinions and can be vocal..But for my blog..
It's just what I choose to do.Or not do really.
But understand that I am heartbroken over the images of Ukraine.
Heartbroken.

33 comments:

  1. Your photos are so beautiful. I am going to make that bread! Thank you for the link. My heart is breaking too.

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    1. I don't think any one of us can watch and not be heartbroken right? Clearly this is disastrous on so many levels.
      The bread is fun..not like your new baker's bread.. different easy quick.. perfect for French toast.:)

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  2. Beautiful photos of snow, geraniums, marbled cakes, and sunflowers. The brioche sounds delicious. My heart aches for the Ukrainian people.

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    1. We have but to think of us in that situation.Our Littles ..our bigs..our country..Looking at the images brings tears to our eyes.
      How can someone do so much harm? Wait..it's happened before:(So tragic and sad.
      WE are so fortunate.
      Food..shelter.. and much more.

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  3. Stunning images, I love the squirrel. I covered my geraniums but they are not looking good :-(

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    1. Mine are indoors:) The squirrel was far..my hands cold..lol taking photos in winter even with wonderful tiny gloves and fingerless treasures on top:)Who am I to complain?They will come back your geraniums..rugged root system!

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  4. Another enjoyable blog. Oh my, so much snow but it's pretty.
    I love Brioche bread and have not had any since I started WW. But, I am tempted to try that really easy looking recipe.
    My heart breaks for the Ukraine citizens.

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    1. You are to be commended for your WW journey.
      Thanks A..we're used to snow..although my neighbour is in Fl walking the beach swimming and biking..I miss the sight of that expanse of blue..we never go in winter..t's just that it sounds goo.
      It's spiritual to me:)

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  5. A shout out to your husband for enjoying working out in the snow. Your nature photos are lovely. I arty pile of wood reminds me of stone balancing.
    I love that Madeleine container. You mentioned Provence. I just started watching a new series on BRIT BOX called Murder in Provence. Interesting & the scenery is great. I didn't get to spend enough time there. The sunflowers are majestic, standing so tall & sturdy just like the people in Ukraine. Like many of us I worry about the world my "littles" will inherit.

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    1. Ga we started that series last night too..many familiar sights..that's what I love about it.
      We spent two full months..2 different years and once previously..maybe 1 week..
      I left part of my heart there.

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  6. Monique, where did you find that charming Madeleine container?

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    1. Oh it's not mine..I saw it online..at one point..not sure if still now you could buy them :) I never saw them while in Provence.

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  7. Oh my, you're living in a winter wonderland! Pretty, but after a while, we long for warmer temps and the green cover of spring. Thank goodness, it's on the way. How wonderful that you're having good luck growing indoors! Just a glimpse of that pretty pink geranium lifts a person's heart, and we all need a lift these days. Thank you for the sunflowers. My heart has broken over the events of the past week. Yes, I keep thinking about the families being split up, with men fighting and women and children seeking safe haven. We must cling to hope for a better world!!

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    1. We must..my thoughts keep returning to all Ukrainians.and I cannot believe the hardship..sorrow..and devastation.People..people being persecuted.This should not be. At all.

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  8. Trying again to post…
    I wish you would open a bakery and do mail order…
    Miam maim

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    Replies
    1. If I don't use my laptop..there are every few blogs I can comment on.I've tried everything..
      Thank you:)

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  9. Married to a second generation Ukrainian Canadian, our blue and yellow flag is flying over our home. Such a poignant tribute to Ukraine, Monique, with your posting of the sunflowers. The strong yellow heads of the sunflowers give some measure of hope that pushes through the agony of these days.

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    1. My heart aches for ou.Fly that flag proudly.I want it to sop.
      How well put the re the strong sunflower heads.
      I cannot imagine how you must be feeling.
      Yesterday I did groceries,my husband commented on prices going up and I just kept thinking..how fortunate are we out buying food.Coming home to a warm home..and using these things to bake and feed ourselves with..while Ukrainians are freezing..in shelters..some ill..newborns in bunkers..it's just so unfair how life unfolds.
      And how this all came to be..history repeating itself in the most cruel way.

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  10. Winter wonderland for sure. You have all of that snow and we are looking at blooms and sunshine. Such a sweet container of madeleines, it would be nice if they sold them here.
    I think all of our hearts are saddened by the horrific images in Ukraine. So tragic to see Russia destroying lives, countries and dreams.

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    1. So tragic..we are fortunate.Food shelter..warmth (Inside;)) I love your gardens Linda..mine will come..nothing as healthy or floriferous..but things to watch grow and nurture.The beauty of it all♥

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  11. Such beautiful photos, as always, a pleasure to see. Your writing and sharing of thoughts are also a joy and comfort. All hearts are hoping, praying for peace and grace for Ukrainian people♥️♥️
    Love the sunflowers🌻. THANK YOU. xo,V.

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    Replies
    1. Val♥I know you are praying with the purest kindest thoughts♥

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  12. Love from me…..prayers for the people of Ukrainien 🙏🙏🙏❤️

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  13. What gorgeous baking you did, and thank you for sharing the recipes. As always, beautifully staged! And all that snow. I will not complain (ours is actually quite melted, though we'll get hit again.) I'm impressed with your geranium. Are you supposed to water them when you winter them? Mine have been downstairs in their bags unwatered. I have no idea how to do it but I hope they turn out even a tenth as lovely as yours!

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    1. I usually do what you do..bags in the basement.These , I brought in potted in the house..and they have done better than outside..I'll try and take a full frontal..I have cut them back and will again.These I do water.Your geraniums should come back..it's just not instant..:)

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  14. Everything is beautiful as always Monique. How wonderful to read about your Geranium. Mine has been wintering in my garage, but I am not sure it will come back. Lovely snow pictures. We have had more snow here this year as well than we had last year and my sister says more than we have had in some time and it has been colder for sure. One thing I really miss about being in Europe is Bonne Maman goodies. I loved their lemon and jam tarts, but everything they made was pretty tasty. I am going to try those cakes, just need to get the pans. Your Winter walk is stunning, you are right a community of artists and I had to chuckle at your Nosy Parker. Cute! These little pockets of joy, things like this are what keeps me going. We are living in such a sad world at the moment. Were it not little things like this my heart would surely break in two. xoxo

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    1. Marie last night we watched War in Winter set in Ukraine in 2013..The courage the have is immeasurable..the president at the time sought asylum in Russia ..Putin.. he's still there.The violence..was unbelievable.
      Yes I guess you had a lovely assortment of BM things..the aisles are packed in France.I know..La vieille Europe in Mtl has many ..well when I went 10 yrs ago..and I meant it at least 10 yrs.
      Hard to think about anything else..:(

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  15. The snow is so deep! J and such a trooper out there just like my J. He doesn't mind doing the long drive and shoveling the many front steps. The marbled cakes look amazing as does the bread! I love those small molds. ♥ We are both trying to stay away from carbs and sweets until we lose a few of our vacation pounds. We ate much more than we normally do at home. What a cute black squirrel! You don't see black ones too often. I hope we see an end to what is happening in the Ukraine soon. So happy they are putting up a fight but sad they have been put in that position. So many refugees and not enough places to go :(

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  16. You stay so busy, Monique. I love seeing all your paintings and goodies from the kitchen. I used to back, but rarely do anymore. Keeps me from eating the goods! Your snow scenes are lovely.

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  17. Loved the petits marbrés. Very delicious. Also very beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. Yes, heartbreak. It is not politics, it is human compassion & understanding. Your baked goods, so delicious looking, and you captured snow. I too used to get right out there on skis and snowshoes, but more recently I like staying in the warmth of my home. La vieillesse, je pense. Exercise comes through les cours de danse at the Y. You paint such a lovely picture of your home in your blog.

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  19. Beautiful snow pics. The petits marbres look amazing. Thank you for sharing. My heart is with Ukraine...the images and stories are horrific.

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