Thursday, December 7, 2023

Up to now..

 






Watching the last season of The Crown.
Absolutely charismatic spot on actress playing Diana.
Elizabeth Debicki.
Beautiful ..talented.
Amazing .

I admit to having tears.
So much to say ..but I won't.




So the book I am reading..
My friend Anne Frank.

Tears again.
How could this happen..how is it happening again.

It's because I am green isn't it?
Think about it.


I'm not sounding very Christmasy yet I am.I am in my cocoon of a small Hallmark town..I love my town.

Getting ready..baking..wrapping..

Fairy lights to brighten the long dark days..(I love them)
Nothing over le top.

Just regular fare..Same ornaments..same stockings..a lot of the same food..
But I feel spoiled.

The mint snowballs are new..
From  Sally
I like adding..trying new things.Small delish mosrsels..
The mushroom cookies are from Winnie
Fun to make..Tourtières made that day are work..these are a play date..Next time Ill make sure I have FRESH red oil based food coloring I used my Wilton and it turned out mauvier than red. My Callebaut white choco is kind of creamy color could be that too..For my dots I used icing sugar glaze.






My fave baking days were with the littles..gosh my heart melts when I start going down the rabbit hole of old pics.Oli is on a bench there baking..now he is 14 and 6'3.

He towers over me.
Darling darling boy.


Tourtières are made and frozen..this is an old pic lol..
As this is..This was the day we baked so many  Oli wanted nothing to do with that apron lol..



Max was ok with it:)



We had company for dinner..and a roast was the main meal but I served stuffed shells  served along with garlic bread as a PRIMI course.. I used Natashas Kitchen recipe but I added my take on them..here and there..and a bit of these.I was literally all over the place;)
My not so local cards with inserts  and one gift are  off..  soon a local gift ..well MTL..and cards..
I like being ahead of myself..ask my husband:)
This season goes by so fast.
Let's savor it.

20 comments:

  1. Don’t you love those photos of the littles from the past. I will be baking with mine in my daughter’s kitchen. I am in the spirit. Apartment beautifully decorated with three small trees, balcony glowing, Christmas cards sent, shopping completed. I will begin wrapping next week. I love to wrap. My husband always said I should be a professional…ha ha! The weather is not very seasonal , going to be 57 degrees today. Have a few fun get togethers next week. Lunch with an old friend. Tea and gift exchange with my Mexican Train ladies. Feeling well and looking forward to the joys of the season. Monique, may you have a beautiful, memory making Christmas and a very Happy, Healthy 2024❤️🎄

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    1. It all sounds perfect Ga..especially your wonderful spirit..Have FUN..:)

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  2. What a gorgeous post--and I needed to see it this morning! Your words and photos always lift my heart, Monique. Those pictures of the boys are priceless! It looks like we will be having a very unusual, but incredibly blessed Christmas. My husband had a stroke 8 days ago, and life has changed completely. My days are spent at hospital and rehab with him. I believe that's where I should be right now. He's doing so well, but we would appreciate prayers for his right hand and short-term memory. Although I might not get around to baking all the treats my family is used to, I have decided not to worry about it. We will celebrate the joy of the birth of Christ and all He has done to help us through these rough days. Even if we do a carry-in to the hospital, I'm going to have the family together. All will be well. All will be well. All will be well. I just keep repeating that.

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    1. Oh what a great outlook:) I am so sorry for you.And I know your husband must be so grateful to have you by his side.I saw a judge on TIKTOK asking for prayers for his pancreatic cancer..and he asked God to put his healing powers into the hands of his physicians.I am certain you do this also.I know life can change in one breath.Again my thoughts are with you and I will repeat your mantra for you ..Starting now....All will be well..All will be well.:)xoxo

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    2. Thank you so much, Monique! xoxo right back at you!

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  3. Listening to Michael Buble and reading this wonderful post is all I need to fully wrap myself in the Christmas spirit. I've not started my baking yet (that'll be next week) but oh -- I'm loving every minute. You and I are on the same wavelength with the books we read and oh, the Crown. I haven't seen it -- will add Netflix next month when I have time to sit and watch, but I can't wait. Loved seeing the beautiful baking and wonderful memory photos. I have yet to start my cards, too. Company this week eats up the time -- but in a good way and I wouldn't change a minute. Cards are welcome anytime! I love them and will not stop! Hugs and joy!

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    1. Enjoy your company:):):) You are surrounded by great friends and family..I think that is fun:)Enjoy the preps..I know you do:):):

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  4. The cookies are so cute, the mint snowballs look so tasty. Loved seeing the photos of Oli and Max, so darn cute. They grow up too fast. You are so fortunate to have family so close. I watched the Last Christmas last night and tears filled my eyes. Wishing you and your sweet family a very merry Christmas.

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    1. Im sure I would love that movie..Emma Thompson is one of my favorites Linda.So un glam so real so natural so funny.I think I can only rent or buy I went to check:)I am lucky to have family close by.Max the 16 yr old will be boarding for football next yr..Time flies like crazy.I know Christmas will be here tomorrow.I know it:) Take care Linda thank you for all you share..and and all your help in the past.Ill never forget.:)

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  5. I share your concerns and a few tears, and living in the USA, I am constantly preoccupied by the fascist turn in politics, but I feel instant relief when I get that email notice of each of your new blog posts. It means a few minutes to be inspired and to recalibrate with a happier focus. The beauty in your posts sustains me! Thank you. Jeanette Sclar

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    1. Jeannette.Thank you for these words that are so kind.The world is suffering so much.I met a girl at the post office this morning ..that I worked with a number of years ago and she said..Aren't we lucky to live here?I never take it for granted but I cannot help but be so saddened by the state of things.We have our issues..with strikes etc.. but I feel safe.All those that don't have this luxury..I am truly sorry for. xo

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  6. Even though you may not feel festive yet, you certainly help the rest of us to feel festive! I have to admit, I'm having trouble myself. I just doesn't seem to be as carefee this year. But we have our family, we have our health, and those are the most important things of all! Plus we have a gorgeous day and I'm grateful for that! ♥♥♥ So much happiness here, the Littles when they were Littles, the ice skates ornament and the cookies remind me of Mexican Wedding Cakes which I love. Oh, and that pasta dish! Would you believe I've never made it? Bookmarked. xoxoxo

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    1. I had never made it either.It disappeared:)I was able to make it ahead always a good idea:) I want to prep two gift boxes one for a neigbour one for a young friend.. she said I was like her auntie:) that's why I started early..Who am I kidding..I just like baking;) I went down the rabbit hole of od CDs whith so many photos stored there.. It flies by..Today on IG and FB..the captains graduating from Bourget spoke.. it made Caro have tears.. such amazing friendships for the boys made at that school.Funny my girls went there..it was not like this lol.They were not in the sports programs though.I am sure you will be preparing soon.:)Yes our family.The top heart spots.:)

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  7. The boys are sooo cute ❤️ Parisbreakfast

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  8. Those mercury glass ornaments, so beautiful. Likewise the cookies. If they taste only half as good as you have made them look they must be amazing! Your boys. So sweet. Why do children have to grow up? They should stay small and cuddly forever! xoxo

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    1. I broke one decorating the tree..a wine glass..:( I am sure your tree is beautiful..in your pretty cozy home :)Oh I know..I adore them big but when I go down the rabbit hole of old cds filled with pics..I want to go back in time:)

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  9. Love the photos! xo

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