Sayonara March...

 

Tried some new Hot Cross buns and they are divoon:)You can find her recipe here..

They are made in a snap.I made 1/2 recipe.. Fresh they are sinful..the next day 10 seconds in the micro..equally as sinful.Keeper.!

I made the viral bunny bread ..Use the recipe you like.I liked this recipe as it was a firmer dough..It is my sweet young friend Vanessa's recipe..You can find it here..

I found my shaping method on TikTok..Reels abound..

Jacques thought it was a chicken at first glance:)

I have been painting more peeps inventing more stories..all on IG..I've included a photo ..of what I inspire myself with..For my Riviera people..

Geni..from here..Is my inspo!!

She takes hundreds of photos of the backs of people and we play together.

I am grateful to her.

Birthday desserts..

The choux out of the oven..Ipad pic lol

We celebrated my husband's bday ..and my daughters flashed their phones..Oy horrible light lol what other excuses can I find:)

Any way Sweet balloons.. delicious food..best company in my whole wide world.

So I wanted to recommend these two desserts..

I made choux..w/ craquelin on top filled with a coffee creme pat:)

The choux..Lesley Chesterman recipe I have been making for yrs but I adopted Kathleen Meisinger's technique..Bravo to her..Craquelin..Serious Eats..crème pat ,,chocolate..Sur La Table recipe..

That cheesecake was voted 5 stars..

It's a crème brûlée cheesecake.

I agree best ever.

The recipe is here..

Choux had to be filled right before we left and the topping of the cheesecake at the table.

These carry things were so handy! Came with lids ..last Mother's day on our trip.

Happy Birthday Young Man...

Our chef..had grilled everyone beautiful steaks.. 10! J and I rarely if ever have steak..This was a treat:) Salad,small potatoes,asparagus..Perfect evening.

Have a good week,,we are having freezing rain...

It's warming up..Snow is receding..:)

 Wuthering Heights

Just a few days ago.. and then the sun came out and things have started to melt because it is so warm here..

So nice to put my winter boots..coats..snowshoes away..I like them all but it is time:)

In quite a few areas of our gardens..no snow but in many still a lot.

The roof..metal..makes the snow slide..so close to the periphery of our home..still feet:) But that path I kept shovelling..is grass..Jacques' paths..grass.

 Savannah..in the peony bed..is just keeping her head above after being buried most of the winter.

I garden indoors..;). Surprised a small fuschia   is on rebloom all winter..

A few of my floor plants are getting so big..Not sure what to do with a jade.. my fern..I will replace tjis Spring..Still on point but not the beauty it was.

We eat in daylight now..all winter..in the dark..Jacques makes delish pizzas..Friday nights..

This meal is on repeat here.The air fryer is perfect for it..

Bang Bang Chicken skewers..air fryer..

Recipe is here...

Have a lovely weekend..

March Madness...

 

So tranquil in my little corner of the world..Only on the surface..

The beautiful skies of winter .

Thing is.. it's over before you know it.I wish something else was was also.

Time flies..and the older you get the faster the days go by.

And never ever bored.

I am grateful for that.

Time change affects me though..We just changed the time this weekend..3 sleepless nights.Why can't we leave things alone.My dear friend said it was like changing house..

These are baguettes you can make under two hours..

You can find the recipe  @plantsbymichelle on IG

I made half the recipe..

And instead of one large baguette..2 smaller ones. I make these on repeat..Purists will say these are not REAL baguettes..like Paris..lol..Well we have REAL baguettes here in QC with many stellar bakers..some from all over the world.Paris included.

But I love baking fresh bread..with ings I know..with my hands..and these are delish.Crisp out of the oven..they do soften  though.I don't care;) Toasted delish too.

PS if making these.. to shape..twist upon themselves to look like these..

Re the cute 3x3 paintings..I have time..just not inspired:)

I paint smallish already this is making me paint even smaller..

So I'm just not inspired:)

I'll continue what I love painting best..People.

Lately..more Montreal people ..but I will resume the Riviera..Paris..Provence once I have left winter behind:)

I love inventing little stories about each and every one..

My art supplies like my baking and gardening supplies.. are my treasures..

I do love scents and cosmetics also.

Love as in big like not love like loving my family;)

 If you want to try these baguettes..

2 1/4 cups bread flour

1 tsp sea salt

Mix in  a bowl

In a measuring cup measure 1 cup of warm water 115-120F add one rounded tsp of active dry yeast (I use SAF INSTANT)1 tsp sugar..Mix..and let rest 10-15 mins until it gets frothy add to flour..mix well if its a tad dry add a bit more warm water..not a lot.

Cover and let rest in a warm area for ap 90 mins..

Once doubled..shape with flour on your hands and board.. into 2 loaves.. and bake in a pre-heated  450F oven for ap 20-25 mins.. 

Enjoy.

Gardening wise..I've taken 1 dahlia tuber and plopped it in a baggie with earth..I follow Gardening Grant and he suggested this to see if viable etc..Ill proceed with my larger ones if it works well.

I cannot pot up all these tubers:)

I might start some seeds soon.Not too early..

No tomatoes.

Too many squirrels and chipmunks feed on them.I have enough pests on my flowers to contend with.

Have a good week.

....Sad times.

 

My interpretations of sunflowers for Ukraine.

 I am appalled at what I saw in the White House.

Who voted for this Magalomaniac and his sidekicks?Yes MAGAlomaniac.I know the proper spelling.

Vance wrote Hillbilly Elegy ( a lot falsehoods I have since discovered) How dare he tell Zelensky to say THANK YOU and why are you not wearing a suit?You know how you were.. and yet you judge? 

Zelensky is a hero buddy. Not you.

I have never ever seen such a terrible display of hosts IN the White House.

And then you have comments like these..

OY.

Wow..

Putin is laughing ..  scary times.

I had to voice my disdain.

You only live once..This is not a dress rehearsal.I want to say what I want to say.Freedom of speech.

They have disrespected my country.Canada.

They have disrespected Ukraine.

They have disrespected hard working people..People born in America that harvest their crops..etc.

They are disrespecting Gaza by showing AI Images of a waterfront Club Med.

The list goes on and on and on.

Do unto others as you would like others to do to you.

For the boys..Smores cookies.. base is a graham cracker..topped with milk chocolate pieces..marshmallows then a good choco chip cookie dough..Baked..Before warming to serve add an extra piece of choco on top.

Yes there is sugar:) No you can't make them calorie free:)It's a birthday;)

For healthier fare...

Funny..I stitched this pillow probably thirty yrs ago..I NEVER noticed I had left parts unstitched..wondering why lol.One day I'll unpick the pillow and finish;)

One is nearer God's heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth

I would have to add..or holding a baby..being with family..

All far from the Madding Crowd.

Birthday Girl...

 

She was the most pleasant baby..Loved being rocked..woke up happy went to bed happy..My young mom friend could not get over her nature..Easy peasy.Our first was feisty lol going to bed for her was sheer torture and she let us know;)

I'm so glad they are such good friends..18 months apart.Best days of my life being a young mom..then the best ever days lol was becoming a nana.Heart full.

These are so good..I found the recipe at Simply So Good you can find it here..Keeper:)

We had two storm days.. but the 16th was the worst.I looked out and our crabapple was filled with what appear to be robins.The wind and snow..blizzard  like I could not get good pics.How do these darling tiny things withstand this weather?

I think there are about 125 ft..from our gas tanks to the road..It's an area the snowblower cannot go on..so I shoveled it:( So heavy so deep..

Next yr I will try and find someone if this happens again.I usually make a path on snowshoes..I could not with the depth..Lesson learned..

I didn't have fun.;)

Inside far warmer.The girls bask in the sun.

And  children play in the snow:)

All these players played as children..and now they have won the 4 Nations hockey tournament.Kudos for their courage and hard work.

Have a lovely weekend...

Bonjour from QC Canada.

 

The biggest storm ever recorded in decades in Qc..is coming..

I love winter but not disproportionately..

Oy..up to 15 inches.. More Friday and Sunday too.

This is what the world needs more of at this moment in time.

One of my Montreal people with a story to go with on IG..

I am always grateful for the light in our kitchen no matter what season.I surprise myself with my gratitude for  our home..and where it sits..

I don't redecorate..I just seem to be comfortable as is.

I had a nice digital loan re Elena Faita..Yes the highest honor..She has a cooking school and owns my favorite store in Little Italy.A dream..

Dante....Her son Stefano owns restos and is a very accomplished chef with a TV show to boot.A huge line of products to enjoy.

Proud of that family.

Did a bit of stitching but.. honestly..compared to kits I stitched up before..the quality is cheapette.

Not impressed but it kept me entertained.

Another chef I love here is Ricardo..His coquilles St-Jacques are on repeat here..I add Shrimp..and make that full recipe for 4.. for just J and I. For small ind. ones..This recipe for 4  is just right.

Rachel is you are reading this..I have not received your photo:(

I have even emailed you..Wonder what the glitch is..?

I have only about 5 of these large crewel works that I made in our home now.I gave the rest away.At one point I think I had counted over 50 works.

I am second guessing two of the people I gave one to..and one that I gave a few to..Should not have.Trust your instinct lol.

It's that wee voice that is stronger than all the rest.Shh...Listen..:)

I just love the ones I have left..not bragging just happy I made them..and have them still..

I'm not baking Valentine treats because I am in charge of desserts for an upcoming bday..The littlest..48 unimaginable.

So if I make anything that turns out Ill share in my next post.

Until then..

I received this kit of English cookie cutters years ago from Marie I still love them .She is so kind.

Happy Valentine's day..I'm just calling it heart day..It's a great excuse..and you don't need a boyfriend a partner a spouse  or a lover..Just LOVE everyone..  color..creed..etc...

Let's make the world great again.

Update:)