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.