On our way towards Christmas..

The baking has begun..The first snowfall does that to me:)

And feet fell overnight...

Butter Tarts..always..recipes are as many as choco chip cookies or banana bread or shortbread;)

Shortbreads in many variations as they are my favorites. And my husband's..

The new kind since last yr..are the Mary Macleods.. I received a commercial boxed package from Susan..In Ontario. Her name on IG is susans_journal  ..I was happy to find a close enough recipe..

I also tried a fun..bredelé recipe..  it means sugared around the edges..these are choco chip/pistachio..crunchy..:)The recipe was found on IG. at Casseroleetchocolat.

The gingerbread..faux..just tree decor:)

A little off this Xmas..my cards were painted.. my ornaments stitched for gifts far and wide..and money for a relative.

This will be my last yr.

Because its heartbreaking when your postal service strikes at this time of yr.

These will not go out this yr..no hope in the future for a resolution.. 

This will be my last bath of gifts and cards..  

I was holding out..

No more.

Another new favorite..

Weekend at the cottage shortbread..perfect for stamping.I have a file folder..all shortbread;)

I glazed some following a method I found on IG by  https://www.latortadijulia.de/

Have fun doing whatever you do at this time of year:)

I realize I am lucky to be able to buy ingredients and gifts..

I never take one thing for granted.

Our world is changing headed rapidly towards AI.

I see warped politics..wars.. sorrow..illness..in so many places.

I sit quietly and do what I like to stay in a zone.

Soon 71.. It's my fave place.

Had to add yesterday:)For memory..

A boatload of pure white arrived..:)

December:)

 

Molly..Heather's Doggie:

Koko..One of my daughter's doggie:)

Grizzly ..my other daughter's doggie:)

I had such a nice evening Thursday.. with my favorite people.

A wreath making evening.. at a gorgeous venue.. wine was served and a variety of  cheese.. and breads.Top notch..charcuterie spread.Full house..

We all enjoyed making our wreaths..both girls and a dear dear friend..for 30 yrs at least..

I have pics lol so the doggies posed;)

So much fun.. This is upon arrival..lol you should have seen the tables after:)

I'll start my baking soon..not as much as usual:)We get the leftovers and we don't eat like we used to:)

I am going to be naughty and make Bits and Bites.. :) Those I cannot resist ..So this yr..I am going for it;)

No snow yet..just tiny flurries..here and there..tiny.

Tree and lights are on point..All decked out..Colonial candles in windows..been doing them for 30 yrs at least:)

Here's to December. May your hardships be very few..

If I could wish you all..only the best for this season and the new year..

It would be health..above all.. happiness and peace.

And love always.

PS..This was the venue

Late Nov..

 

We have put the tree up..  and I've done the mantel..

Takes up most of the day..

There is no snow..  unseasonably beautiful fall..but as you know days are shorter with the time change..So the fairy lights are de rigueur.The tree doesn't bother me up early and down late..I don't have rooms aplenty decorated.. just this and a few small touches here and there..so its not overwhelming.

Canada post is on strike..  not sure things will be mailed out in time for Christmas and that's not a good thing..Cards..little things to be sent..

OY..

I did make something you all might thoroughly enjoy..

It is called a Courting Cake..  part cake part scone..more scone to me ..YAY..J gave it a 10.. me too..I did add a touch of vanilla sugar..I love that.

You can find the recipe here..

Keeper.

PS.The cake is exactly as it should be.. no soggy bottom ..not burnt..not crumbly.When  you cut into it with that jam filling it's perfect.I'm specifying this for the two very nasty comments that were posted about the creator and the cake.You're on the naughty list.Forever and a day.

The creator is young,bubbly,beautiful and smart.Oh so charming.

We have been busy doing this and that..

And I still paint;)

I still prefer them with bylines:) Stories..  I can't tell you how many people live in my craft room..Hundreds..and other artworks also.

I did not paint this week and miss it:)

Have a good rest of week and weekend..

Martha.

 

If you haven't watched the Netflix documentary..Martha..I highly recommend it.

Many of you know I lost my mom at 19.I was in Uni.

I had not had time to learn much re everything I now love..

She was instrumental in  developing so many little passions in me..Cooking..Baking..Gardening..Decorating..Entertaining( yes I used to lol)..Holidays..

My mom kept an impeccable home.. there really was in my memory  only three at home..my mom my dad and I..My oldest brother had moved out when I was 7 I think..the other I was 10.And they were never home.

My parents were not rich..but she made food I loved..all humble typical dishes.. She could cook anything.

She was trained as an artist though..and seemed to give all that up after having children,especially after losing a five yr old little girl..

Imagine how I would have loved to learn from her.

Later.. she was a speedwriting teacher/ accomplished translator.

C'est la vie.

My spaguetti sauce is based on hers..my cottage pies.. mashed potatoes.. She did make roasts and steaks..I really don't.. She cooked wild duck my dad hunted..

We had a small small pantry.. 

My life is different.

Her husband ,my dad was often sick.

Anyway she was every Christmas every birthday every NY ..every single day to me.

Then gone..

So I have Martha to thank for so many things.. 

Getting back to the documentary..she is authentic in it..and I loved that.Interesting.. funny..also sentimental in some of her looks..she looks away..

 

That dessert above..is a staple in many French Canadian families..called Pouding Chômeur..as many recipes of this as there are FR Cdn families I bet.

Jacques would tape her shows for me.. I could not watch because I worked once both our daughters were in school..I have kept the VCRs.He would note all the episodes ..print and I would tape to the VHS tape:) I love seeing these.

And if a friend called me Martha.I was overjoyed.

Always loved..all of this.

Being a mom and a nana first and foremost..but all the rest? Love doing it.