Lots of pretty blooms..although not the greatest summer..
I hope I have not missed the peak harvesting garlic time.I like a dry day..
It makes things easier.
Many of you may remember Bonnie Stern ..she's on IG..and showed the butter tart square recipe.. had to make:)
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| La relish de Josée |
I made Josée's relish again..my husband loves it and most of my family does too..so it's win win:)
I have been making it for 100 yrs..
You can find the recipe here
The reason some looks gold and some looks green..the green are in green Ball jars..:)
I know I left you with a video last time but when I saw this one..
:( I had to share..
It broke my heart..a lot has happened in a nice way to that boy..since ..but ohmygosh..At exactly that age..until 14-15 I would say..I was bullied by the popular kids in my neigborhood..the less popular were nicer..but could get roped in..you know..peer pressure..but FAR nicer...Never at school..Just in that clique.
I was bilingual.. and they were anglophones..I've always been bilingual and always will be.I favor none.. I did Primary and elementary school in French ..College in English and started at McGill.
But to them..I was French.. so French pea soup..French fry.. I was heavier than they were..so Fatty fatty two by four can't get through the kitchen door..Tidal wave when I dove into the community pool..etc etc etc...
Really bad bullying..the kind that even affects your mom.
Imagine that.That bugs me more than anything.
Thank God school and the students there were always just so normal with me.
My life changed and took a dramatic turn..but let me tell you..you never forget.
We all do things we regret..but if you can stop one kid from bullying..you're a Godsend to the bullied.
Even adults bully...
Have a great week..
Take care..:)
I am sorry you had to go through that! Maybe all of us do to an extent. I had a name that no one could spell or pronounce including most teachers. I got tired of correcting them to the point I did not want raise my hand to answer questions. My parents were born in Latvia and I was born in Germany. We came to the U.S. after the war to a very small town in Nebraska. We were the foreigners except for a few German families. I survived and am proud of my name and heritage! Funny though, I just wanted to have a simple married name such as Mrs. Jones. That did not happen either and I am still correcting names!!!
ReplyDeleteWell Mrs Jones you made me smile..I saw something cute on IG today..a little asian girl..visibly so..or caucasian..not sure which said it..told her dad: Look dad..I have a twin..lol they were wearing the same dress.:) If only we could all see people this way.
DeleteAs I drink my coffee, so early today, I marvel at your photos. Beautiful. It might not be the best year for gardening, but Mother Nature has not forgotten us.
ReplyDeleteI watched the video and it reminded me of the days when I taught elementary school. Bullying is everywhere and I hate it. I believe many teachers try very hard to encourage and befriend those kids who are mistreated or ignored. Monique, you make a very powerful point when you remind us that the parents of those children who have been bullied often suffer, too. Plus, adults are often victims of bullying. It's shameful.
Thank you for the reminders you bring to us. Each of us can make a difference.
I agree..one of my daughters is a K teacher.. I think they have zero tolerance..That's the saddest part when I think of what my mother felt:( She had lost a daughter..had me..and then these bullies clouded some of her days.I wonder why later in life it bothers me so much more.She did get to see big changes in me and I am grateful.
Deletex
My sister was the ‘bully on the block’
ReplyDeleteNothing has changed.
Oh no:(. Gosh..:(:(:(
DeleteYou have the loveliest blog!! So beautifully designed! I’m horrified to hear your story about being bullied!! How special to be bilingual! Especially with French, my language of choice to study in college, and we have a daughter who teaches high school French. Our grandson will study abroad for fall term. He will be in Paris!!
ReplyDeleteNellie! That's amazing!Maybe you could visit him:) And bravo to your daughter.
DeleteAs always, I fall in love with every photo, every thoughtful word, in your post. The garden is so beautiful -- you clearly have the gift and the passion. I know that's very hard work and your efforts show. (And I'm saving the recipe for when I'm doing sugar again. It looks fantastic!)
ReplyDeleteI really empathize with the bullying. Too many of us have experienced it but I think it is far worse now than it even was when I was a kid. It hurts me that you had to experience too. And you are right -- it is still happening today and now by so many adults who took our country's former president and bully in chief's methods to heart. Talk about bad role modeling. When I worked with grieving children one of the saddest in my groups was an 11 year old girl whose 15 year old brother killed himself because of bullying from classmates. The family turned it into a crusade and finally got anti-bullying legislation through the Michigan government. I'm not sure how much it helps except possibly in the school setting. But it is a start.
What a tragedy:( Honestly back then I never thought of end of life..it wasn't something we heard of over 50 yrs ago yet I know it happened..
DeleteOne thing it does..it makes us defend the underdog having lived through that.When I got ..popular hate that word..if I saw someone..being left out,I made sure I befriended them.
My mother was my crusader.Always ..just the most loving mom..we all think that so I will say one of the most loving moms:)
On a warm July morning, I sit down first to that burst of watermelon colour, like a bite of sweet Summer, and go on down to the kitty-whiskers, the exquisitely-monogrammed Monarch, and then that purple flower!! It's like sitting down beneath the wide leaves of my childhood fig tree to the deep-bruised colours and sweetness of the ripest fig, bursting beads of juice along the seams, and turned inside out for the feasting.
ReplyDeleteAll that kitchen bounty, with the condiments and cakes, with the front two jars the image of my Mammaw's ranks of Chow-Chow pints ranged along the Fruit-House shelves. My canning days have come to a close, I think, unless you count the three plump ruby plums ripening on the breakfast table, for one of Leah's coffee-cakes this weekend. They'll be cut into little moons, macerated with a bit of sugar and vanilla, and simmered a bit before being dropped from a spoon into carefully-blocked-off little squares of the cake before baking.
I cannot go on with the rest of your post right now---it hurts my heart to think of all the MEAN going on out there---we've been so isolated for so long from much of the world's shortcomings, censoring for ourselves the TV and internet subjects that reach us, We lead a sort of insulated Dashwood life, "keeping no company and having no horses," and it has cushioned us from a lot of the sharp and the cruel.
I will just send you and all wounded children the "ganjin" thought that my own GRANDS have heard for all their lives---up close at a skinned knee, a fall, an unhappy encounter, and by phone or text or letter from far away when they call or write in need of a hug:
"I'm SO sorry that happened to you."
In my softest, most loving ganjin voice. Plenty for everybody; I'm right here.
AS always most thought out comment.. filled with charm and caring.:)
DeleteYou really should write a book:)
Beautiful photos as always Monique and lovely shares. Like you, I was mercilessly bullied from the age of about 13 to 16 and it was horrendous. So bad that it affected me physically and made me ill. I was off school for weeks. I am so grateful that we did not have social media back then as at least at home I could get away from it. If it were not so who knows if I would still be around. It did help me to be a much more compassionate and understanding person. I could never treat others in the same way. Never. I am so sorry you were subjected to such treatment. You are such a kind and good person. Shame on them. I often wonder how my bullies lives turned out. Who knows. Have a great weekend! xoxo
ReplyDeleteOh I know how most of mine have turned out..in small ways..Life has been fine for them lol..
DeleteI thank my mom and school friends and one friend in the neighbourhood was so much kinder..But inevitably if the cool skinny kids start laughing..well the others follow suit.
That little boy..what a shame so ..lonely.:(
And were they not merciless?
And yes shame on them.
My daughters and grandsons..never bullied anyone.:)
I was with one of the gentle giants day before yesterday..sweetness incarnate:)
Have a good weekend:)
Happy Friday! Your photography, as always, is amazing…a feast for the eyes…your words are poignant and powerful.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes a bully?…I was and my daughters were bullied as teenagers, it’s hurtful and harmful…I’m not sure why people bully…??….but it’s made us very sensitive and compassionate to others….even though there are still scars. ♥️♥️♥️
Thank you for this beautiful and thought provoking post. Enjoy your weekend. xo, V.
I agree ..Compassionate it made us.The Silver Lining:)I am sorry that you were subjected to such vitriol also.Such a shame to cloud innocence with nastiness..Bon weekend:)
DeleteWhat a lovely post in sunny July...beautiful pictures too. It´s a joy visiting your blog :)
ReplyDeleteLove, Titti
Thank you Titti:) Have a lovely week:)
DeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDeletePlease read my post
ReplyDeleteOh my, I'm so far behind! Gourmet set me back for days, in addition to having the whole family over a few days prior! I had 101 emails in my blog inbox! So many beautiful frills and fancies to marvel at each day. I love seeing the monarchs here too. Gives me hope for them! I am so envious of your blue/purple hydranea. Those bars look heavenly! We're eating more than our share of ice cream lately. Always on hand in summer for the littles and guests. Kopps custard, a local gem!
ReplyDelete