I confess I LOVE it.
I love having seasons:)
A season to receive seeds and plan ahead:)
My inspiration to get out there on my own..is to forge a path to the generator.
J makes beautiful winter paths around our home.. but to get from the side (where the tanks and generator are)..to the front of the road.. where the propane company comes..they need a path.. it is easier for me to do it on snowshoes.. so I do that back and forth twice,to make a good one..then from the back of our home to the trails I love so much.. It is exhilarating.
We are in the country with century old trees..if the winds howl..or freezing rain hits us..or heavy heavy snow..we can lose power..
Thus the generator.It took us 20 yrs to get a whole house one.We always used one that J had to get out.. get everything hooked up..fill with gas.. I said..Oh let's just do it. A wonderful feeling of security for a septuagenarian and an octogenarian:)
My people continue to become short stories..Good practice for me..
Auguste was skiing to work in Montreal this week:)
My fave pastry mat is the Oxo oh so flexible one..that is so easy to clean..love it..and these new little gadgets that come in a set of various sizes.. We mark our spacing.What a neat neat thing to have.
If you are a baker.. seeds..if you are a gardener.Paints and paper if you like to paint:)
A camera ..if you like to take pics;)
I am reeling in gloom sporadically in my mind with everything going on.
The fires..the crashes.. the economy.
I keep busy to focus on other things..even reading does not distract me enough.I have to be moving about. here..but keeping busy.
Pretty sure many of you.. Stay awake at times..With concerns...
Have a good weekend.
Footnote..In case some of you missed this.Our current Prime Minister's response to the POTUS of the USA.
This is for Anonymous and her confidence in her POTUS.
I have always loved your blog posts! Have had a long while when I haven’t checked on Blogger to keep up with things; love following you on Instagram, though. I find it’s sometimes difficult for me to focus when reading. The mind wanders. We are in very serious times.
ReplyDeleteMy dear Nellie..we are.I feel the same way.xo
DeleteNo need for the gloom, with Trump in the driver's seat, both the US and Canada are in good hands.
ReplyDeleteInstead of deleting your comments before they are seen as I usually do..although I have shared some of your meaness in private with certain people so they can see how truly despicable you are..I left your comment here..Because I want to reply that I had no doubt you voted for your POTUS..I have nothing in common with you.I am not even agreeing to disagree.I disagree wholeheartedly with your comment.And I am disgusted with the way things are going.I am for equal opportunity.I am for LGBTQ.I am for women's rights.I am against racism..discrimination..I loved the Bishop's speech.. I abhor his remarks after the plane crash.So many beautiful lost souls.. And he mocked..do you want me to swim? That perhaps a person of color was manning the control tower.His sidekicks..the oligarchy..are you rich? I hope so.. You are going to have to be to keep up.
DeleteYour true colors just shone through.
I have absolutely nothing in common with you.Nothing.
Fear not all your future cheap comments will continue to be deleted.You are a cruel,unhappy person.Buh bye.
Seems I have more to say.. did you know your POTUS and his sidekick have at least 17 kids total with at least 6 different partners?And they are setting down rules for women? Fine examples to be setting down laws.
DeleteDear Monique, I agree with you whole heartedly! The only place trump is leading my country is straight to hell!
DeleteI want GOOD for both our countries:) We have always been such great neighbours.Thank you.
DeleteGreetings, Monique! My goodness, your home and acreage are beautiful, no matter what the season. Aren't we fortunate to still be able to get out and make pathways! As I type those words, I sure do wish we could treasure those "pathways" that our country has shared with all of our neighbors. You mentioned your concern, and I have to admit, these are times when I pray for God to help us--to lead the way. I pray our leaders will do what is right. On a more positive note, I agree, there's nothing that compares with a whole-house generator. Many years ago, when we were still on the farm, we had a terrible winter storm with thick ice and snow. It was awful. Even after the roads were opened, our electricity was off, due to the extensive damage done to the lines and power poles. My husband was finally able to get to work and I stayed home to keep the fire burning in our living area (hoping to keep the pipes from freezing). I still remember bundling, taking tiny steps, pushing the wheelbarrow to the woodshed. I did that for a week. Never again! After that storm, we had our first big generator installed. Then when we moved to our smaller home, we got another one. It is an incredible blessing! As I turned the calendar this morning, I realized that we are only a few months from springtime. We can make it! Hang in there, Monique!
ReplyDeleteMy deepest thoughts exactly Pam.. And we are also familiar with long power outages..the great ice storm..11 days..no generator whatsoever.Yes so grateful when I am out there actually thanking God I can walk.. and see and breathe..and move.Our countries were friends.I feel a difference .. I am sad about that.For my littles for your littles..we are definitely not where we were..not you and I.. our beloved countries.:( Have a good weekend.Take care.
DeleteI am trying to focus on the positive & happy. From my perspective the next four years look pretty gloomy🙁
ReplyDeleteMy perspective also.Except..I am in Canada.
DeleteYour path are lovely and so helpful for those who visit and fill up the propane tank. Like you for years, we did not have a whole house generator. We also live out in the country with lots of trees. I feel a relief having a whole house generator that kicks in automatically when the power goes off. It is exciting to receive new seeds and anticipate future flowers. 🌺 Enjoy your winter wonderland and stay cozy.
ReplyDeleteIts really changed things here..the other was so much work for J:) Thank you!
DeleteOh, such beautiful images! I can't relate to living with snow, but it fascinates me. Your snowy view around your home seems magical, Monique. Thank you for sharing, dear friend. Yes, it is difficult to sleep, clear my mind. Too much tragedy around us! I woke to the news of the MedJet crash. Life is so very fragile!
ReplyDeleteI know.. a child going back home after a stay at the Shriners.. so much bad news.. hard to get around it all..I am so used to snow..I feel a lethargy would come over me in a very hot state.I have been in Fl at length.. and we realized even 6 months would be heavy with heat and humidity.You have a better climate I think.It just looks beautiful:)
DeleteOur whole house generator is the best investment we ever made. Fortunately we have never needed it for a prolonged period of time but the security of knowing it’s there is so worth it.
ReplyDeleteI could not deal with your snow. Nope, never. But it’s your way of life and you adapted to it well.
I did adapt:) Im 71..lol had to along the way:) Yes the generator..win win win!!:)
DeleteOne month closer to spring. Yay!
ReplyDeleteOur whole house generator is the best investment we ever made. Fortunately we have never needed it for a prolonged period of time but just remembering the 10 days we had no power after a hurricane several yrs ago makes me feel secure.
Us too..secure and safe:) xo
DeleteThe unbeaten path, the pristine path, the close-stitched track of a deer across the wider plow of folksteps reaching out of sight---there is your Montreal ideal and my idea of Heaven. I love snow. I never LIVED in snow, but in the so-warm Winters of the Mississippi Delta, with a welcome dismissal bell the moment the first ten flakes floated past those huge window panes of school. Bus drivers didn't know how to drive in it. Nobody really did, except for the great lines to grocery stores for milk, bread and baloney. Those seemed the Southerners' requisites for a shut-in day or two.
ReplyDeleteNo child knew a pure snowman---ours were of the inch or two of snow, scraped up with grass, twigs and acorns and patted into a semblance of the thing, and every yard with kids had a freckled effigy proudly sporting a carrot nose and grandpa's old hat. Even the eyes weren't accurate---nobody we knew had coal or a furnace or even a basement---and no coal in town except for the cinders picked up from the railroad a block from our house, and the bravest of us (including me) made a trek with a sack on down the tracks a bit to retrieve some dropped pebbles on the track beneath the COAL CHUTE---a railroad landmark all up and down the line, for the TALL smokestacky building which took on coal from the deliverers and delivered it into the coal cars of all the incoming trains. I can still hear that deep rattle through my screen on a Summer midnight.
Your words and paintings---a treat to see an almost facing one, and the breeze-flap of the silky ski pants is a genius touch---such a real moment captured so vividly. Our own snowed-in was a vast and three-week white, with our ignoring garbage day and driveway clearing---we salted a path to and onto the porch for the mailman, but the rest stayed a white wonder except for a lot of cross-stitching by the cats coming to dinner.
And Sunday, when we three walked far out the yard to the big bell to ring out Chris' 78th birthday, GrandDaughter wore her Ganner's camo boots and socks, walking her Mom and me a path to follow right in his footsteps like always. That's the snow picture I'll remember this year. I think yours and mine are equally HeARTful.
I never doubted for one moment our paths were not heartful:)
DeleteAs always your words paint beautiful pictures.You are an artist.
You know..if you wrote a book.I bet I would read it all.
Short stories..or better yet the story of your life.
I've not received your photo to perhaps paint..Let me know if you sent it.
I wish you peace..health and happiness and a pen or pencil and fingers that never stop writing.
I loved your reply to 'Anonymous.' Thank you for sharing. Unfortunately, there are quite a few people that think this way. The other half of us just can't understand them! I am a 71 year old wife, mother, grandmother, and retired teacher, and I am so scared for my loved ones and my country.
ReplyDeleteAnd my dear American friend.I don't want my blog to be political..But she ..he .. has been spewing vitriol and hurtful comments to me.This time..I had had it..and this way she will not get the last word.Im turned inside out over all this..
DeleteI do confess that my Starry Night did not allow your message---nothing has come through. Perhaps on the Paxton People one at the end? my e-mail ganjin042@gmail.com That's a zero.
ReplyDeleteI am going to email you:). Now:)
DeleteI think we are all reeling with gloom these days, Monique. I feel I must apologize for what our country is doing to yours and rest assured that many are angry (and helpless) about it. Thank you for sharing your reply to Anonymous. (Who should at least own his/her comments with their name.) Like you, I'm baking. It is healing. (Today was a blueberry muffin recipe from New York Times.) We are getting a gentle snow this morning and soon it's out to Costco to stock up before the prices soar, which they will. A good book, maybe a nice movie, and All Creatures Great and Small. A gentle Sunday. May your new week be a good one.
ReplyDeleteAll Creatures great and small:) A perfect lovely distraction.I am saddened and find myself in tears.. 10 yrs ago..at a hockey game the singer ..US her mike stopped working..Every Canadian sang the anthem for her.This week.. as your anthem was sung...The crowd booed. Can you blame Canadians..no I know you cannot,and I know where your heart lies Jeanie.I just cannot believe all this.Like what about 9-11 when we were there to help.. the water bombers.. for the California fires? We have always been such wonderful neighbours and allies..This is a a tragedy..IMHO.
DeleteIt is so sad what is going on now and I am so happy that you saved Anonymous' comment for all of us to see. Christians should be thinking more about the base upon which religion was founded. On a more uplifting note, I love your creations, painted and baked! I feel the need to bake something and punch some dough - LOL.
ReplyDeleteOh thanks for the kind words..and the laugh:)::)
DeleteThat anonymous clown leaves me horrible comments also. I love all your creations, and I know a lot of people near my camp that decided to get generators.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you for sharing Debbie🤗Clown 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤡love it!!!
DeleteSo sad you are targeted too...
DeleteI wonder what the common denominator is.. perhaps that we search for beauty and wonder....:)
DeleteMaybe that's it.....I know of another blog that is receiving horrible comments.
DeleteIt's not political because this was way before POTUS elections so the last remark made by that unhappy person should not be interpreted as political..i stand my ground anyone who voted for him step away from me.
DeleteI confess I don't read others comments, but something caught my eye and I read it all with such disgust and contempt, the antithesis of what you have been in all the decades I have known and seen. Its so shameful how polarized every phase of life has become, thank you for allowing those to rally around and embrace you, heartbreaking that such ignorance abounds, I'm sorry this person found you, the shining light of positivity to so many. 🙏
ReplyDeleteYou have brought tears to my eyes.Thank you so much for your beautiful words.
DeleteThat anonymous clown just never gives up eh? Well, we all know where they are coming from now. I shake my head at how deluded these people are. Like you, I am losing sleep over this idiot south of the border, and his sidekicks. It is hard to believe that anyone can be so wicked.
ReplyDeleteOn the positive side your posts are a ray of light for all of us who come here regularly to bask in what you share so generously. Beauty and truth. Positivity. Beautiful photos. Beautiful words. I have always called you my Susan Branch of the North with all you share. Your art. Your cooking. Your gardens. Your beautiful little corner of the world. Don't let that miscreant get to you. They are the real loser here.
Love and hugs, xoxo
I was surprised to see Debbie is also attacked..Anyway I am sure anonymous voted for you know who.I just know in my heart I have nothing in common with those that voted for him.I am seeing people that voted for him..very regretful.He is not for helping less fortunate..he is into stuffing his pockets and his cohorts pockets..Lol everything he says.. he spews lies.. like there are no US banks here..well THERE are.. Oh he's giving me nightmares..My eldest daughter canceled her NYC Spring break ..canceled everything..Im so proud of her:)
DeleteYou're a doll ..thanks so much..and you KNOW how many recipes of YOURS I make and how I admire your fairy fingers..On top of that the bravery it took to get back here:) KUDOS.
Thank you for providing a respite from the general horribleness, and a safe haven where I know you won't suddenly turn out to be a dreadful person espousing the worst sides of humanity. Someone said to me "we can still respect each other even if we disagree....". No, that's not possible. How can there be respect for anyone who entertains such repugnant ideas? And your snow is beautiful, but after a week of it on the ground here (VERY unusual) I don't think I could do a whole winter of it!
ReplyDeletecheers, '
ceci.
I am used to it:) Thank you for your astute words.I cannot either abide by those who voted for him.I have seen several people who have saiid..Had I known.
DeleteWell now you know.Tearing the world apart and his own country for his own narcicism.