Needless to say I loved that tutorial.I would love to be able to paint such as this no tutorial:)
I baked more cookies after ordering a few custom cookie cutters..
The cutters come with a recipe..Ill try it next time;)
This time I made the ones I love the taste so much of..brown sugar shortbread cookies..I know I have lots of faves..this is one of the recipes..I have shared it before with the Je T'Aime cookies..
They are really good.. however..I really do understand what certain cookie cutter ..stamps need..and I still make errors..For this recipe I added more flour..I still rolled in sugar..but after chilling the balls (bigger) I dusted with flour and did the same with the cutter..prior to baking I chilled again..I made these on a 100F day mind you but when you make stamped cookies a lot you get the hang of them
Note..One day all my fun stuff will be somewhere in a huge garage sale lol..contact my daughters;)
My gardens are work..lots of work but lots of joy.The big work is Spring and Fall..right now..it's primping and cutifying..and caring for them..
You know..I walk the gardens several times a day..
and does this happen to you?
I walk by and bend down and look at a flower..and think to myself..:"you're so pretty"..sometimes I say it out loud.I do..Not LOUD more like just telling myself that vocally.
Some things I grow to mainly take photos of ...some things to punish myself lol..some to eat..some a challenge..some to remind me of friends.Some because they are larger than life and floriferous..others so small almost invisible.
Some to make bouquets and some to just bring a peacefulness to the gardens.
But it's the fact I actually say:"You're so pretty" ..?
We had Oli one afternoon and he wanted to take photos..when I downloaded the pics..I saved 3 of me..usually it's..garbage..bin..don't share..
But I saved 3 :)
I thanked him.
All the boys are well..♥
I've been taking small trips down memory lane..Europe 2008..Glad we traveled when we did..I know overseas is finished.
♥But I am grateful for all the beauty I saw the four times we went..minus one place:(
I could live in an old charming(of course) home..easily..in the south of France..but with all my family there too.
A lot of people have stopped blogging in general..and have stopped commenting on blogs because they become the dreaded ANONYMOUS and then say who they are..
This girl..
Everyone's tech guru princess..Linda has written a great post..thought I would share..
It's here at Life And Linda..
She graciously shares tips to make Bloggers Lives.. far easier.
PS It's verbena bonariensis I forgot this year..def next yr.
I appreciate the link---I have not published on LAWN TEA in too long to remember. Somehow days have so run together, things are flashes of happy and bright and green and pink amongst the blur of time. Today is naught to the scheme and turn of the world, but two years today, the brightest light in my life whispered away, to be cherished only in memory and all the reminders of that big, happy presence in this house. And I wanted you to know you have brought many, many of the BRIGHTS into those days---your world is punctuated with small glads, fleeting flowers, sweet treats and moments, and you mingle and share those in a voluptuous shower amongst the sameness and stillness in mine. I cannot tell you what knowing that I have a seat at La Table de Nana has meant, with the whole world closed out and few inclinations to create the fun and treats of before in my own kitchen, garden, home. Our lives are smaller, now---we set a smaller table, pull closer and remember all the great gatherings of our past, now at the mercy of airlines and schedules, masks and gloves.
ReplyDeleteThank you from my heart for all the moments---the dawn and midnight and needful moments you and so many of this colorful, wide-casting world have brought into our small secluded days. You BRIGHT my heart, and I'm so grateful for you. jan at LEAH HALEY on Facebook
And Racheld:)
DeleteLeah..You just brought true tears to my eyes..puddling in the bottoms.I am so sorry for your loss.So sorry..I am not on FB but I will go look at Lawn Tea.You are so correct..Our tables are so much smaller now.Circumstances.. events.. things beyond our control.
ReplyDeleteLeah..I am wrapping proverbial arms around you.. as in a virtual hug..
You are so eloquent.Again..thank you.
I will take a look at Linda her blog…love your garden pics…mmmmmm yammie cookies …lovely weekend …enjoy ..love Ria and Leaf 🍀💗🐾🍀
ReplyDeleteShe is so helpful Ria..but you are fine here..I see your name:)
DeleteYou made me laugh M. "Some things I grow to mainly take photos of ...some things to punish myself ." Me too
ReplyDeleteMy 4 o'clocks are punishing me. Of the seeds I put in the ground, only one of the many germinated. I assume the rest were bird food. The several that germinated in pots are wilting in this heat unless I water them a few times a day. I wonder if I should trim them back to help them. They are over 2 feet tall.
Oh I know you too!!Oh they do get so tall! I know that they are hard to get out of garden beds at end of season the roots and the tuber oy.I tried saving tubers one yr..nothing.I had read you could;)Like you grew them as a young mom..but my passion was reignited in Provence..they grow in asphalt cracks:)Hardy reseeders there!I guess they would bush out like Zinnias if you trimmed..branch out like basil?:)
DeleteA lovely post again and beautiful pictures...your painting is fantastic! I love to paint but I think watercolour is difficult to learn, I'm struggling a lot :)
ReplyDeleteToday we have a cloudy day, the first one in July! Love it!
Have a great Sunday and take care...
Titti
I never learn..:) I play and play..We may get rain today I am hoping:)I hear you re a cloudy day!
DeleteThose beach girls just steal the heart! As I'm getting closer to my seventh decade, it's becoming a bit harder to remember when I was a little girl, but I'm blessed to be able to watch my little granddaughters growing up. They change every day--just like the world around us.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are perfection, Monique! Those colors...wow! And I can nearly taste those brown sugar shortbreads (with a good cup of coffee or tea). Your posts are sort of like coming home for a visit. xoxo
Im very close to my seventh decade too..But I live with an octogenarian who inspires me.If I am as fit as him at 81..but since I don't exercise like he does..not a chance..Its a religion for him I think devout treadmiller every single morning for decades.I've tried;)Once or twice..You are watching little girls..I am watching now..BIG boys:) What a gift these littles are to us right? Right:)Have a great week!
DeleteWhat a lovely post. Tears filled my eyes reading Racheld's comment. I, also have one less place to set at the table for the last 18 years. It is a space that never can be filled. Everyone seems to be flocking to Europe this summer...I just hope I can return to Paris one more time in my life, I have missed it so much. On a lighter note yesterday I found a ceramic shortbread pan I purchased many moons ago & never have used. It even comes with some recipes. Maybe I will take a photo of it & send it to you Monique. Have a good week & enjoy those garden walk abouts.
ReplyDeleteIs it a Brown Bag mold? They are great..tricky but great:) Yes send me a pic:)
DeleteI know you miss that person..how sad to continue life as one not two.I too wellled up at Rachel's comment.Its the little things..always having someone by our side..listening(or not;0) to everything we say or mumble about.. share stories of our children..its with them all our memories.I am very very sorry for you both.
Your gardens are dreamy! :) I love the photo of you... xo :)
ReplyDeleteOli took it:) I like it too as I didn't delete it:) Thank you xoxox
DeleteOh me too..Ill be driving thinking how pretty something is and it pops out of my mouth:)Not sure re the adventures;)
ReplyDeleteMonique, just lost my comment. Grrrr! I'll try to recall my thoughts. Your blog is always a bright light in my life. The way you write is like a diary, a journal, or a conversation as if we were having tea together. I appreciate that! It's comfortable! Like you, my garden is my joy. Yes, it is work, but joyful work. And yes, I talk to both flowers and critters. Yesterday, I was with my landscape architect discussing plans for planting the new courtyard. A green lizard was resting on the boxwood hedge, and I started talking to him. I told him to show us his red throat, and as if on demand, he did. My LA (also one of my students from the 1970s) was amused. Then we saw another, this time a brown lizard. I visited with him as well. I want these critters to know they are welcome. I fill the birdbath with fresh water each morning. It's miserably hot here day in and day out. I worry about these animals suffering this heat. As for traveling over seas. I think that window has closed for us. I cherish the many memories we have of trips to the south of France, Tuscany, the English countryside, and other amazing countries. How fortunate to have had these experiences. I'm grateful! I read the first comment. Likewise, it is a pleasure to have a seat at La Table de Nana, to walk among your garden, to "visit" with you across the miles. Thank you, my friend!
ReplyDeleteWe 've been friends for so long.I appreciate your way of keeping friends forever..Never any gossip never any drama..just TLC all the time towards everyone..even critters.:)No doubt I love seeing your beautiful collections so tasteful in every way.I am looking forward to making a batch Of Monnie's Gazpacho..You are..a class act.:) I picture your mom the very same.
DeleteBon Dimanche..How neat that your LA is a past student:)
Your kind words touch my heart! You know I feel likewise. I should make gazpacho for M. He would like that! You would have loved my mom, a true gardener and delightful lady. Sharing friendships with former students who were 6 and 7 years old when I taught them is the icing on the cake of a wonderful career. They are the children of my heart!
DeleteI know they are! You loved your students and teaching days..And M's gazpacho is the cat's meow.
DeleteYour gardens are lovely. Ours in the back are quite toasty. I wish we would get some summer rain. The cookies are so cute and I bet tasty. You are a star baker. Thanks for the shout out about the Blogger post. I do hope it helps.
ReplyDeleteI hope it helps many!Blogging is becoming a thing of the passé..and you are so very very very helpful.Not sure I would still be here if not for you.Please don't ever forget that:)
DeleteOh, that first comment! :( It is the simple things in life after all and I don't care what people do to find the "you're so pretty' in life. As long as it makes you happy and gives you purpose. We need those things! We had a huge rain yesterday afternoon and in the middle of of the wee hours of morning. The sun came out this afternoon and now it's a veritable steam bath outside but the gardens are happy! I love garden walks morning noon and night! You are so lucky to have seen a monarch butterfly. I read that they are becoming endangered. Fewer and fewer milk weed pods on which to lay their eggs. I made Chris' (and your) bran muffins this morning. Delish! Your painting, garden and cookies are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI agree!What makes us happy and gives us purpose.Its so much fun to try and make others happy too..I never got or understood friends or aquaintances that had those little stabs..I need that rain Susan,as some plants are toppling.. funny my tomato plants are sad compared to past yrs..I am wondering if all my cherry heirloom seeds are just too old now..the larger varieties seem better but hardly any leaves..It's a conundrum..I heard Costco bags of earth are GREAT ..I may try a few next yr..Ill need J.. my Fiat ..the boot is teeny:)They are good those muffins..Ill be adding prunes this week;)
DeleteI put chopped dates in mine - so good. I made them first last week - a flop. Baked at the recommended time but they weren't completely baked in the middle. I used all WW flour, it was much too dense. This morning, I increased the baking time by 5 minutes, only used half WW flour and half AP. Much better! I never saw Costco brand soil! Only Miracle Grow at our store. At least as far as I could see. I always add leaf compost (from our Village) to the soil before I plant my tomatoes. Maybe your ground does need some extra 'oompf'. :-)
DeleteWe biught a partial load of compost enriched soil..:(. Took a while to transport all the wheelbarrows..I expected more..The garlic ..without it was GREAT..I heard abot Costco dirt from a Tiktoker;) That lives in QC so I will look for it..Next Spring..I love chopped dates too..They are keepers Im glad you worked your way around them.I finally have a source for wheat bran!
DeleteI worry about overseas traveling. I still hope to go one more time... but who knows. The garden looks beautiful. I always talk to my garden -- I apologize to them if I've been a little negligent, ask them how they're doing today, and yes, I tell certain ones they are pretty. Because -- why not! I love your tutorial efforts and will definitely save the shortbread recipe, which looks fabulous, as do your star baker cookies! I love the photo from Europe but even more I love the beautiful one on your sidebar that Oli took of you yesterday. You can tell your warmth and love from that photo -- such a beautiful woman you are, inside and out.
ReplyDeleteI felt funny adding it.. but when I downloaded the photos from his day here..I saw the look of love I have for him:) Thank you ..So we are plant whisperers:)Europe offers SOOOO many photo ops..I loved walking around seeing things for the first time and taking pics:) Coming back to the nest away from home and painting.Dream trips:)Grateful..Have a great week!
DeleteI always love visiting your blog. Your cookies look delicious. Love the custom cutter. Your flowers are beautiful. I follow you on bloglovin and it is not working for me right now, so I finally googled you to see your blog again!
ReplyDeleteThank you Penny!
DeleteThe comments today really touched my heart. I don’t paint but like you I live for cooking, my garden and my grandchildren. I’m done with overseas travel. Sleeping 3 nights on an airport floor because planes are cancelled would not go down well. If your stuff ends up in a garage sale, my Waterford collection will be on the next table. Put there by my kids who only drink from mason jars!! Love from BC where it’s finally summer.
ReplyDeleteThe airports are a zoo seemingly for some..even here to Fl direct..my daughter recently went..They are young but it can be exhausting for older people and the fear of covid after escaping it for these past years.Sounds like we love the very same things:)Oh those garage sale tables will be full:) Have a good week!
DeleteI visited on Sunday but got distracted (as usual). The mister likes to come into the sunroom when I'm on the computer and chat. LOL Your cookies look delicious, I will start baking again in the winter. I have gained some weight (I'm not overweight but my clothes are too tight) so I am trying to not eat desserts. I know you bake mostly for J. The garlic harvest went well yesterday, and Joe braided it the best he could. I'm staying out of the airports until they get their act together which they say should be by summer of 2023. Your garden is beautiful as always.
ReplyDeleteConundrum..Fl ..conundrum..I hear you though! I may order a new variety of garlic..not sure:)I am certain your harvest was wow:)
DeleteI had read this on my iPad when you first posted it, but of course could not comment so am commenting now! As always your flowers/gardens, etc. are beautiful and I always love your artwork! Like you, I love to take trips down memory lane. I try to weed out the bad bits. Not all was bad and I did get to see some lovely spots and experience some lovely things. I doubt I will ever travel to Europe again. Actually I doubt I will ever travel again. It is not so much fun when you are doing things on your own. Anyways, as always I enjoy your posts! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI know Europe is no..In fact J categorically said no Europ no Maine etc..so we're done.C'est la vie..Glad I saw what I saw..weird I never wished to travel before I did...Again..c'est la vie':)
Delete