I usually post ..too much right before Christmas and Springtime..
My two most on hands seasons..
I was looking forward to a Christmas coffee with my young friend..but her mom got covid..then she did:(
So that is def on hold..
However I was able to make a no contact visit..She lives at the end of a long long long country road..
.jpg)
Gates..and wreaths:)
.jpg)
Enchanting you see...:)
This year I changed the recipes up a bit.. vintage ones came back to play..
Brought back many memories..
Bits and Bites..Nuts and Bolts.. I can walk away from sweets but these garlicky salty Worcestershire ..y treats are like..crack to me as they say..;)
Our government has ordered the postal strikers back to work.. we will see if that happens as strikers are contesting..
Even if they do go back..the holiday backlog is enormous and things would never get to destination for weeks.All I had prepared is nestled away for next yr..which will be my last yr mailing things.
Only my niece will be mailed her cheque this yr. Even if she gets it later.. she can buy things on sale.
Bah humbug..CP was the Grinch that stole Christmas..for so many..Passports for trips..medications.. drivers licenses,,small enterprises banking on xmas sales.. gifts.. etc..cheques..
Look under our tree circa 1958?Look below..Same.
To say I faced adversity lol..is putting it mildly.
We stayed in touch even when she left.
Years later I was at her celebration of life after she had passed away.
It is proudly displayed every Christmas.
As I write this..Tuesday I mailed two things.. both arrived the next day.Go figure.
I was elated my niece got her gift.
I had a wonderful visit from my friend Nancy.. she was my neighbour and moved several years ago..
She came for a visit:)
A holiday gift.
My daughter has been a kindergarten teacher for 100 yrs..She started with older grades but her heart gravitated towards littles.Every yr Xmastime.. they wear their pjs to class.. and have a sock exchange.I can never post her students but I can post their feet.
Every time I meet people that have children my daughter has taught..they tell me she's the best teacher.At the wreath making..one woman was there.. her son is marrying a girl he met in my daughter's class so many years ago..this summer:)
So it's no easy feat as here in QC unless you have an exemption.. you must go to French school.. so the majority of these Littles are English..their first foray into school and French..is my daughter:)
Tucked in a box ready for Christmas
I made Sol's cheese crackers..I have 2 of her recipes one with cheddar one with parm..both very very good..Appéritif good.
We all have cheese coin recipes.. I have a little folder but ..I think I have 4 faves:)
And ..Tada..you have to try Marie's French Gingerbread cake recipe..
Hands down..by far.. top drawer...BEST
A childhood friend.. sent me photos of when we were about 30 maybe less..
Well ..I should have appreciated me more then lol:)
But it was a gift ..a Christmas gift to receive.
She always had a sweetness.
Have yourself..Happy Holidays..to my friends of all beliefs..
Health in the new year..and a cozy blanket to comfort you..in your heart and outside of it.
Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année.
I'm sorry to say my blog will now have comment moderation in the New Year.
That way THE anonymous will no longer be able to be cruel towards ..my friends..or my baby Jesus.
"Seeing isn't believing, believing is seeing..." Oh my, Yes!!! I love your watercolor of Judy the Elf. And the picture of you (with your dad, maybe?) is precious. That photo takes me back--you and I are the same age. So many delicious sweets and savories--made with a generous helping of love, no doubt. But my favorite things that you shared with us are your manager from long ago and the cross stitch. Your old friend who made that cross stitch helped you when you were in great need, just as the babe in the manger continues to help all who believe. May you have the merriest of Christmases, along with all of your loved ones, and a blessed New Year!
ReplyDeleteThe same to you Pam:). I love my Jesus..and that manager:)Some people are put into our lives for a reason:)See you later:) Enjoy the holidays.
DeleteI love your manger scene. Even the baby Jesus with the broken arms. This is Christmas. A lifetime of love and memories are held in this sweet creche. All that you have shared here today embodies this holy holiday perfectly. The love of family and friends. Pretty baking projects, beautifully presented with love. Sweet Christmas Socks. Sweet memories of loved ones past and present. Christmas IS love. Merry Christmas my dear friend. May it be filled with love and joy and peace and may the year 2025 bring you more of the same. xoxo
ReplyDeleteI'll be adding a feature that will clear comments before I post them.It has come to that. To say Jesus needs a makeover is the last straw.Marie you've been mentioned so many times though the years for everything you share.Mille fois merci! A joyous season to you and yours:)
DeleteI saw that this morning when I commented. I wanted to reach through the screen and give 'em a slap. I don't blame you for adding the feature. I had to do it on mine. We live in a strange world. Love and hugs. xoxo
DeleteI saw your other comment and could not bring it here:) here's to us lol
DeleteHi Monique, I have the identical manger which belonged to my mom. I am 70 years old and I remember being about 6 or 7 years old and going to a crowded little hardware store around the corner from our apartment where she bought the manger. Mine has been scotch-taped all over but it is something that I can't part with. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteSame here..It's funny I keep the same surroundings..I son't change much:). This is a keeper..I think there is still a price tag under one of them $0.29 cents:)A very merry one to you also:)
DeleteMy goodness you have been busy. I know this is your holiday and season to go full M!
ReplyDeleteI love all your fond memories.
I can’t imagine the repercussions of that postal strike. I hope it resolves soon.
I have lost track of which daughter teaches K. I love that photo.
Recovering from my 2nd knee surgery (Dec2) and doing very well. It was more fun when the first was done in July. It is too freak’n cold now!!!!
Going full M:). If I could add emojis lol..Oh yes summer for healing much better.What a trooper you are A.. Happy Hanukkah to you and yours:) And happy healthy New Year:)
DeleteThanks M!
DeleteSuch an adorable photo of you when you were young. I fully understand why you cannot part with the manger, so precious and the loving memories attached. Love Judy the elf.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is so gifted to teach littles. The sock photo is so cute. How fun for each one of those littles to have a wonderful and loving teacher.
So glad the PO has resumed. Such an awful time to strike.
Your cookies are work of art.] and I can imagine so yummy.
Merry Christmas 🎄
Thank you so much Linda..I appreciate all your talents:). And lest we not forget your kindness as without you..Latabledenana would not be here:) Happy EVERYTHING!
DeleteI love your blog, it’s so wholesome. I can’t imagine anyone giving nasty comments. Joyeux Noel et Bonne Annee de la cote ouest 😍
ReplyDeleteI know..it's as if the person can't wait for a new post to spread ill.Thank you so much Happy Holidays!
DeleteSo cozy Monique...merry Christmas to you and yours! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you ..to you and J and I also:):) xox
DeleteI LOVE your blog. I’m saying this while I have an opportunity. My name is DeeDee Clark and I live in North Texas, USA. I can’t understand how miserable that person must be to attack you, but I also know there are evil people in this world.
ReplyDeleteYou can never post too much at any time on any topic! I don't tell you often enough how much I enjoy your blog! I had been drooling over that Nordicware pan you used for the gingerbread cake and your post and link to the recipe were all I needed to make the purchase, which amazingly will be here tomorrow morning by way of Amazon.
ReplyDeleteThe Canadian postal strike was so very unfortunate. Oddly, I read that postings to the US from Canada would not be affected so I ordered from my very favorite Canadian companies to support them through this awful event. Everything arrived most promptly!
Disappointing that comment moderation will be necessary, but really, as long as YOU see my comments, I'm happy! So few Grinches make so much work for so many.
Jeanette:) So few Grinches..loved that! Just a word of caution..the mold I used for Marie's cake is silicone.. a smaller version..However with Marie's same recipe I made the NordicWare two house little cakes..I prepped the pan..baked..waited 15 minutes and they popped out.Her cake is ideal for holding a pattern..less for those two houses..but it is the mold's fault..The impressions are too small..Its called the NW house duet pan..The big one is better:) My silicone mold is Dollar Tree..Thank you and happy happy holidays:)
DeleteI am craving cheese cheese crackers now. So many memories we've made and people we've lost. Do I spy cheese crackers in your Nuts and Bolts mix...the little Cheez Its we call them here? What a great idea! So many delicious looking treats and ornaments and ♥. I really like the sweater-like pattern on your tree cookies! Pray tell how. We celebrated Saturday night with the whole family - it was so much fun. L and W will come for dinner here on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas to you and J and your girls and Big Boys, Monique. ♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteYes! Instead of cheese nibs..Oh Susan these are dangerous for me..:) I have not stopped lol..I knew you would have fun..I will definitely send you the way I did the knit:) I wanted a sweater cookie cutter but never found:(. So nice you have L and W for Xmas day..Adulting:). Its so easy to do pretty with 4..But a riot is FUN aussi!!
DeleteLove seeing the wreath of sock feet! My sister was a K teacher for 30 years. Many of those continued to keep in touch and many were at her celebration of life. Those of us who taught take joy in seeing these children grow and embrace life with success. I saw a former student on Thanksgiving when out with friends at a private club for lunch. He was in town with his family and was excited for me to meet his children. Joy! Happy the postal strike has ended. I read that they will soon be accepting international mail.
ReplyDeleteThanks for brightening my days, Monique. Merry, Merry!
Merry merry to you! When I worked my clients vhildren were always faves of mine.I Love Littles..and my daughter clearly does too:) Like you and your sister:)
DeleteThe above anonymous comment was from me. I hit publish before adding my info.
ReplyDeleteI thought it might be you:) Lovely teacher that you were and are in your heart:) How nice that they came to her celebration of life:) xox
DeleteI’m sorry you have a very unpleasant commenter, why in the world would someone take the time to be so unkind and Grinchy? I hope I’ll be able to comment when you make changes. I always so enjoy your writings, art, recipes, beautiful garden and photography. Your cookies look amazing, that drawing of Santa! …and love the photo of the littles…always charming pictures and insights. Wishing you and all your darlings a most happy holiday season..warm and happy memories and good, good health.
ReplyDeleteCheers and HoHoHo …Virginia
Hohoho Virginia! Yes you will be able to comment.This feature lets me preview what is said and accept or delete on the spot before the comment is published..:). She often criticized a commenter..That is unforgivable as commenters cannot really delete a comment..This way I can see her negativity before it is shared:) Win win no one gets hurt:) Thank you for your lovely comments and Joyeux Noël!!:)
DeleteA lovely post. Merry Christmas Monique🎄
ReplyDeleteYou as well Polly!:)
DeleteMerry Christmas to you and J and your girls and your "littles". I wonder if I could do the knit like you did on your darling cookies :-) I can't resist the Nuts and Bolts either. I made two batches, we call them Chex Mix here....and since I bought so much of the cereal, they are sending me a free Snoopy Tin for the Chex Mix. That will be another memory!
ReplyDeleteOh the tin:) How fun..It is so easy I will DM you..I bet you had a ball!
DeleteWishing you another glorious Christmas ❤
ReplyDeleteI bet you had a lovely one.Jain Our weather was idyllic..fresh snow..blues skies..Perfect Christmas weather..A thaw in the future.Have fun today!
DeleteMerry Boxing Day, Monique, as I haven't been on a computer for five days, which I think is some sort of record! I hope your Christmas was very merry and bright with all your not-so-little men and your daughters/families. Are those cookies that look like little sweaters? How in the world did you do that? They are amazing! But then, all your baking and presentation is amazing and I think the recipient of your cookie box has to be the luckiest person in the world! Those stars are beautiful, too. And I loved the sock picture. What a spectacular idea and a very clever photo! Your watercolor greeting is perfection and oh my! Those childhood memories! Your manger is precious -- never let it go. I moderate too -- it really helps. But it's a shame you've chosen to do it because someone was mean-spirited.
ReplyDeleteI send you all good wishes for a beautiful Christmas season with a lot of peace and joy and cheer still to come -- and more for the new year! And, a lot of mail! (Maybe you'll get my card before Valentine's Day!)
The weather was nothing short of Hallmark for the eve and day..Fresh sparkly snow ..bright sunny days.Lucky.My brunch has changed over the yrs.. carnivore lovers lol..So yes all was good.. everyone was leaving and one of my girls said..mom we forgot your desserts..OY they were wrapped on my tea wagon..OYOYOY..one did not want to leave with any as she had hosted the night before and we were all so ful..we nibbled on one..she has boxes full..Jeanie I am going to send you how I hand knit my cookies lol:) I trust you had a lovely Christmas..and all the best for the year 2025 to you and all your loved ones.I have saved yours for next yr.Packages are lost mail is slow coming..:(
DeleteAlmost Happy New Year.....2025, don't think I ever thought about writing that year, especially not in the 1950's! Ha! I see you and yours had a wonderful Christmas. I love that you include so many photos, being a visual person. I made 550+ cookies(depending on how large or small one cuts the bar cookies: 15 recipes), plus 3 cakes, 2 decorated. Whew!! And, I had to buy the cutest cookie cutters that made 3-D house scenes...made 15 of those. And, now I need your cookie recipe for the trees...and how you made them look knitted/like fabric! Lovely idea. And, I am sorry that people have to be mean.....just no reason for that. Susan Branch does what you are going to do and now that she is on BlueSky, you have to register. Thank you for your blog and the tiny falling stars that the mouse makes....charming.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I bet those houses were adorable!2025..I know..already almost 1 month in..Since addong comment moderation..some get lost.I apologize for the delay:)
DeleteSo wonderful....Love Sketchbook Wandering. I started out as a K teacher, then it was Art. And Librarian with children....Warms my heart to read about your daughter...
ReplyDeleteThank you Rita:) Happy New Year:)
Delete