Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Me again..

 







Every yr..I try to make linzers..my all time fave recipe is from Gourmet 2005 and you can find it here..I have been making it for almost 20 yrs now.I tried different ones..not comparable.




You may wonder why I try and get my baking done a bit early.Well. to start with we have a wonderful cold room which keeps things refrigerated in winter.It's so handy..
And every yr I like to make a selection for someone who might appreciate a gift box of them..
I find the best way to offer..although I love the look of all the cookies displayed beautifully in a compartmentalized box eye candy..I prefer doing this..


Cello wrapped..individually by type of treat..and a little tag saying exactly what they are..
Works for me..:)
I found large boxes at HomeGoods...They store a variety comfortably..and I could add a card and ornament..wrapped also inside.





The recipients don't know I blog..so they won't see this;)
This..makes me happy.To put little things together..





And this ..wow..2014...where does time travel to?
Darling darling boys.







I have to say in 50 yrs..I have come to the conclusion..in our home..as it was in my home for the short time I had with my mom.
It's the mom that makes Christmas..
The food..the gifts..the wrapping..she is the one that wants to try and create..memories. 
Forgive me if you know dads that do this.
I don't..
I do know that couples without children..some of the husbands seem very caring and make certain their wives are thought of:)

Every card that says from Santa..is the mom..lol. Every dessert baked..is the mom..Every gift wrapped..I've never seen an elf here lol..
I think that's why moms can get overwhelmed and certainly  can feel under appreciated..Many many work outside the home..as I did ..yet things were done and not by Santa;)
To all the moms creating Xmas memories out there.
I appreciate you.Because however humble and small and non materialistic my childhood Christmases were.My MOM made it Christmas for me.
Thank you Maman. xoxoxo
It was the gift under the white plastic tree with tinsel..the faux fireplace at one home..The smell of tourtière.. the way she sat in the darkness and looked at the lights on her own..I caught her a few times.
My eyes fill with tears at this vision.
I bet she was thinking of past Christmases before losing a daughter..her parents..etc.A different life maybe? At the artist she had been?
Christmas is the king and queen of nostalgia.
That's the hard part right?
I want my Littles to keep this nostalgia free feeling forever.
No losses no pain..
I am thinking of many of you having a very hard Christmas.
I am sorry for you.
For loss..illness..Some of you have confided in me.
Take care.







She was the one:) For this one.





A girl I know on Titok always signs off with..
Much Love.And blows a kiss..
xo


35 comments:

  1. What a lovely, lovely post, Monique. Yes, it's most often the mom who makes Christmas, although I think some of the younger generation might be a bit different. I know my son and one of my sons-in-law enjoys baking and such. But still, the mom takes the lead and makes sure everything is done.
    I am the same way about giving cookies to others - each kind must be wrapped separately from others otherwise they all taste the same. I like to use glassine bags when I can find them.
    Christmas is hard for some people and it's good to remember that. Your baking is utterly beautiful and I'm sure very much appreciated by those who receive it.
    Joyeux Noel, Monique.

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    1. Merci Lorrie:) I totally agree men today contribute more I find..One of my son-in-laws is the stellar dinner maker..and the other has mastered pizza making.I maintain though that it's my daughters who are Mrs Claus,all the comforts of Christmas are created by my girls..the magic;)By the way I thoroughly enjoyed watching your travels this year:)Wonderful memories for you both:)

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  2. So very thoughtful....as always. Joyeux Noel indeed 🎄💚❤️

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  3. I love how much you enjoy this holiday, the preparation, the details of your preparation and finally how sentimental you are.

    Happy Holidays
    Hugs and Kisses

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    1. Who know why we become the way we are right?
      Happy Holidays to you too A xoxox

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  4. Beautifully said Monique. It is at this time of year that we think back on all of the warm moments that our Mother’s worked so hard to give us. I love the way you package your gift cookies! Don’t get me started on HOMEGOODS..that store spells danger for me, l love it so much and it takes me five minutes to get there! My Linzer cookie recipe came from Bon Appetit. They were fun to make. Joyeux Noel Monique 🎄🎁✨

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    1. I bet its the same recpe housed on Epicurious? Yes Im kind of glad I don't need decor as we have one 20 mins away..and no real highway driving:)Toi aussi ga..Meilleurs Voeux:)

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  5. Just reading your post and seeing the beautiful pictures of your homemade goodies makes me want to get started baking! And if all goes well, I might have that chance starting tomorrow. My husband is supposed to be discharged from the hospital today and it feels like Christmas has come to us early. Thank God!

    Such wonderful pics of your dear boys. What a huge difference a few years makes.

    I could not agree with you more. Most mothers have an incredibly strong influence on everything that takes place in the home. It's a privilege and a huge responsibility. When I see the lives our adult children are living, and the way our littles are shining, I tell myself it was worth every bit of sacrifice, work, tears and laughter. God knew what He was doing when he created Eve!!!

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    1. Oh wow..great news re the coming home:) And you made me smile with EVE,and so astute the commentary about witnessing our children and their children shine and be good good people:)Love your words..All is well:)

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  6. What a beautiful post Monique. Glad you keep the Christmas magic alive! xoxo

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  7. My mother worked so hard at making our Christmas very Merry, and I love seeing you spreading joy for your family and friends. xo

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    1. Thank you..Your mom even made Halloween over le top:). xo

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  8. Merry Christmas, Monique!
    Your friends are so fortunate to receive your Christmas goodies, that bit of your heart and tradition each year.
    Yes. I have watched the work you put into every holiday with your family. It is inspirational. I’m fortunate to have found a partner later in life that shares all the magic of being a mom with me.
    For the first 20 years if parenting, I was on my own- loved it all, fortunately, but am blessed this past 20 plus years to have found a man that actually does wrap gifts and so much more.
    I think your family and friends are so blessed- as are you- because whatever you take on- you do with such finesse! Second to none.
    Big hug to you!
    Valerie

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    1. Valerie!It has been so long! I am so happy for you to have a partner in life that cherishes you enough to wrap gifts:) After 20 yrs what a sweet surprise!So darn sweet..A Christmas story right here:) 20 yrs on your own..is not an easy feat.:) Kudos to you..I am going to go see you now..

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    2. Valerie I saw photos f your grandchildren..from 2020 I believe..PRECIOUS.. the newest one a wee girl? That video was so cute!

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  9. Very sweet post Monique. You work very hard to create precious memories for your family. You are so right, moms everywhere are the ones who make Christmas magical. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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    1. Moms..well mine..yours and most others are angels on earth:)I remember yours and how good you were to her.You must miss her so.Thank you..Merry Christmas to you and yours also:)

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  10. I love how you package your cookies....what a special gift.!

    I read this quote on Instagram recently: "Go out more, keep cheerful as well as busy, for you are the sunshine-maker of the family, & if you get dismal there is no fair weather." - Louisa May Alcott in Little Women-
    I've found this true in my family. If I show any melancholy or sadness it pulls everyone down so much more than any other family member. I don't know why that is but it's true. My son is a single dad so he does do Christmas for my grandson. He doesn't do as much as I did for him but he decorates, plans special things & buys the gifts. Then they come to my house for me to take over with the Christmas cheer.
    Maybe women are just more social? My husband is perfectly happy to sit at home & have every day the same as the one before, with no celebrations at all. He is most content with quiet repetitive days. Goodness I just cannot do that! So I plan holidays for myself & he comes along because we live together. And I go to all the Christmas parties without him.

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    1. My husband is exactly the same..I am very happy at home too and perfectly happy with routine..but I am always experimenting with recipes..painting,crafts ,photo..He is a true maintenance man:) Outdoors and in..mechanical stuff. ..Busies himself too but I am revved when I have finished breakfast.He reads all his papers and likes doing things after 1 .He exercises every single morning..treadmill at least 30 yrs.I tried once or twice lol..
      So we are different.Once in a while I see a young friend for coffee here locally ..a couple of hours maybe once a month I love that.Over 11 yrs ago I was so busy at work being so social..then I had to stop:(. I got very quiet.. and abandoned friendships...I am slowly getting out there..:).He has been retired 25 plus yrs:) But not a sedentary person at all.Which I am glad:) And he makes me wine:) LOL. You are good:) I'm not into parties at all..only family:) Even working I dreaded the office parties..award ceremonies..I cringe:) My neighbour is like you..social..loves parties.. very good for her as she lost her husband 2 yrs ago..and is never at a loss of things to do and friends to see.. Oh we all make the world go round don't we? Thank you for your interesting honest comment!Your son sounds lovely:)Very much so:)

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  11. What a lovely post, Monique! So true regarding all the work mothers do to make Christmas perfect for their families. I know my mother did all the work to make a beautiful Christmas for me and my sister. I love the photo of your mother and father! She was very pretty and you definitely look like her. ♥ The photos of your Littles is so precious with their light string necklaces. Time flies far too quickly! Your cookies look delightful and the packaging is perfect!

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    1. Time ..where does it go? I remember what good sports they were Christmas morn for these pics:) Oh that nana:) LOL..I d love to look like my mom....Thank you xoxox

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  12. All wet-eyed…can’t comment…
    Parisbreakfast

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  13. As usual your pics are perfect. You are such a loving nana.

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    1. It is a privilege to love them..They are so easy to love:) Thank you.

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  14. Oh Monique, my heart is just singing with this post -- singing with nostalgia and with joy and remembrance. I love the photo of your parents and of the memories you share. My dad stepped up to the plate very well, especially in later years but it was my mom, too, who did the baking, the wrapping and no doubt, the shopping. Rick is a good wrapper and wonderful cook (but not cookies!). Before we were gone Christmas Eve to the kids house, he would make bread and I would make cookies and we'd deliver to friends together. Now we can't seem to get our acts together well enough to do it BEFORE we go!

    Speaking of which, I bet every blogger reading your post would like to be a recipient of one of your holiday baking boxes! They are gorgeous on the outside and when opened and seeing that array of fabulous treats, I'm sure each and every one is overwhelmed with your generosity, talent, skill and style! Lucky them!

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    1. Hohoho you are so sweet:) You are so appreciated in blogland and real land:) Thanks for all the kindness!

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  15. What a lovely post...and beautiful pictures!
    Warm hug from Titti

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  16. Hi stranger, only because of me! I was on my old blog looking up some Christmas recipes and then wandered around to some by gone blogger I used to fearlessly follow, including you. You make the most beautiful posts and love your stories. Those grand boys are getting soooooo BIG!! Love following you on IG. Thank you for always a kind word and encouragement. You are a lovely lady. Merry Christmas to you and yours!! Love you, -Bev

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    1. Thank you for finding me:) When Blogger etc changed so many of us lost each other.. when I was foolish I even deleted my Google albums which led to utter blog despair.Linda helped me reinstate my page..but sadly still soo many posts have no photos and a danger sign.I was ready to walk away.
      I'm still here.Because of Linda the fairy blog wizard..Val and others that encouraged me to keep going.
      Happy holidays Bev.

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  17. Oh Monique, I thought I had commented on this post, but alas the www must have eaten it up somehow. I do remember reading it when you posted it. Your boys are so grown up now. Why can't they stay small for much longer. Soon they will all be in college, getting married, giving your great grands, etc. Time flies when you are having fun. You are right about moms making the Christmas's. I used to spend a lot of time putting together Christmas's for my children. My oldest son has always called me the Christmas Queen. The baking. The gift buying. The wrapping. The meals, etc. I loved doing all of it and it was all a labor of love. We moms are all alike I think! As always a beautiful and well thought out post. Love all that you share. xoxo

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