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..:)
Update:)
Oh, yes! What the world needs now is love! It seems there is just so much hate! We have no snow here, just lots of rain. Flooding is a possibility in some areas. I love your art and your food!
ReplyDeleteThank you..and stay safe:)
DeleteHi Monique, We are expecting our largest snow of the season.We have been flirted with so far. Only 6 " so nothing compared to yours. Your needle work is beautiful. I used to do needlepoint, counted cross stitch, and crewel. The house you made is incredible. I think one of the reasons I stopped stitching is I didn't know what to do with all the finished projects. I think that in another time another place you and I might have been good friends. We share so many interests and I would have learned so much from your talents. I have some new health challenges ahead but I just put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Praying all the way.
ReplyDeleteTake care❤️
Ga..I could have used friends that liked the things I liked:) That would have been lovely.I am so sorry new challenges have arisen.A dear young friend of mine who faced issues told me that she focused on the dashboard..not what happened..not what lied ahead.To just focus on the now..and .I am sure your prayers are ever so fervent.I wish you well....Take care..
DeleteI love your needlework. To be presented with a gift like that is something to be treasured. Your "House" is especially beautiful and detailed. Those cookie things are so sweet. And oh, doesn't your Coquilles St. Jacques look divine! That time with our kids flies, doesn't it -- all of a sudden, they get old (but we have them beat!)
ReplyDeleteWe sure do have them beat:)My girls have said they like the large framed crewel works so hopefully they wont be donated lol:)I am glad..It was something I did love to do..I think I am less invested lol:)I bought a vintage tea cozy fabric and do have all the wool from my stockings..But I've had it since before covid..lolOnce I start Ill have to finish..putting it off..Thank you:)
Deleteps -- LOVING all the photos and such on your sidebar. Recently updated or have I just been too clueless to notice? They are wonderful, each and every one!
ReplyDeleteYou are very observant as the newer ones..Canada..Linda's balloon girl and me from the back shopping are in fact newer.My Mtl winter gal too:) Kudos!!To you:)
DeleteGOOD MORNING, SWEET FRIEND!! Stuttering with surprise to see my name mentioned, and blushing with chagrin at my delay, with some of the rosy flush for the simple honor that you care to do this thing just for me---this great gift of your hands and heart, and you're awaiting my answer. I cannot begin to say what that means in the scheme of slow life and narrowed days---a once in a lifetime offering of such a gift, and I cannot produce anything to copy. The event was in 2007, practically in a faraway planet---the Mid-June of an Alabama Summer, with the tiny GRAND and me both in unaccustomed scratchy dresses (but in our faithful pink-clogs-alike, in protest to the discomfort of the needed "respectful clothes" of the day.
ReplyDeleteJust a roundish lady in pink and a waist-high tiny sprite in a blue dress holding a wilting pink flower walking away hand in hand at a family funeral.
E-mail sent, and profuse thanks for even thinking of sharing your wonderful talent on my behalf. Lauds and commendations lag in the wake of such an honor. Thank you from my heart.
And my apologies from my heart:) Without a photo I am lost in space:( My apologies..if ever you get one of you now with her from the back:) Please send:):):):
DeleteLove your paintings and your sweet stitchings. The house is adorable. Thank as always for sharing recipes and the fabulous Elena Faith and Richardo. Marie’s gift is so sweet.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure!! It came years ago and I was thrilled UK things were not readily available back then:) have a great weekend!
DeleteI thought I was having a rough week, then I read that you might have up to 15 inches of snow! We were in line for freezing rain and snow, and thank the Lord above, it missed us. I think I'd be just fine if spring came today or tomorrow. It's been a long, hard winter, and so much sickness, too.
ReplyDeleteYour needlework (my grandma used to call it "handwork") is amazing. Such treasures. Love the one pictured here, of the open house. Also like the wintry scene at the top. I don't think you have to worry about your girls ever getting rid of those. They're heirlooms.
Happy heart day to you, Monique, and to all whom you love. It truly does make our world go round. Loving isn't always easy, but, oh my, it brings eternal rewards. Count me in!!
You're in:). Did you have a lot of sickness this winter? My girls do NOT like winter..I do..but this much accumulation equals that much work..:( It's a lot and this weekend more..All schools canceled..People working from home..That Savannah girl is absolutely buried..no sign of her;)..Freezing rain is the worst.I am glad you didn't get it..And I hope all the sickness is gone gone gone:) Have a good weekend..From the tundra;)
DeleteOh my word, I hope the snow doesn't get as bad as predicted. Your coquilles St-Jacques look delicious. The house stitching is gorgeous. I hope you and your family stay safe Monique.
ReplyDeleteIt was a s expected! Now the wind has picked up..Ill add pics from this aft:)We are fine thank you Polly:)
DeleteGOOD MORNING!!! I see your temps every morning, and wish you toward Spring!!! We're what I call "Iron-Hard-Cold," but nowhere near the invincible breath of that air where you are---I know the farther North, the better inured and prepared, and we've learned a LOT about preparing for such weather, but the grasp of the NorthWind on Canada seems a great battle that descends and lurks for eons. I think of you every day, there in your warm house surrounded by all the creations and work of your hands and eye---even your photographs seem gilded with a light seldom found---you bring ethereal beauty to a mudbank (OH, to SEE just plain old MUD again, our Mississippi Gumbo, which clogged the fields and snatched our shoes, instead of all this overlay of such regrettable, resented beauty which tends to linger past its welcome).
ReplyDeleteAnd I've been sifting through photographs---Chris was an avid photographer for all of our time together, with a collection of cameras for any event---his love of the art wandered from the actual posing and shooting, to a tiny, homemade darkroom in the end of our garage, and every Grandchild seemed to have a little flinch-and-blink when he'd take aim with those flashing lights. I'll find what I'm looking for someday, for the hunt is quite delightful, kept-home as we are, and the old times pass through our fingers like petals in the wind, with a laugh here, a wistful sigh there, a laugh-bursting comment there, as we fold these moments back to our hearts in glee or thankfulness or grateful tears. What a treat of a Treasure Hunt you've led us on, and we've said often how we might have just passed these big clear lugs of our history on without another glance, save for this fun adventure into the past.
If you realized and recognized the sheer force of your presence, of your talents and personality and downright charm, all coupled with such a humble proffering of such valuable scenes and treasures, you'd realize that your willingness to share that talent just with ME, is like having Martha Stewart offering to sew me a dress, and I'm fumbling to find a pattern. And the hunt has been so serendipitously enjoyable, it's like The Play's the Thing for these snowbound days. Thank you from my heart, and stay well and warm, Sweet Friend.
Well you have made me tear up of course. I don't deserve your praise.I accept it with a welcoming heart though.Life is so short we often omit to tell people what they represent to us.This is Valentine's day and it comes with commercialism..Which takes away from it.Words of encouragement kindness and love should be said when we feel it..Chris sounds wonderful:)An artist like you but different.My friend Nancy is an artist with her paints and her words..in her 80's she is taking a writing class at McGill.She loves writing.Every yr around this time..a fancy florist arrives in snow to deliver a huge bouquet of lovely flowers.I asked her to not do it anymore..That we know our friendship's value and that such a gesture is just too much.In true Nancy fashion she acquiesced..no falsehoods.Just ok:) I hope your treasure hunt is successful Rachel:) Have a good day and a good weekend:)xo
DeleteBonjour Monique from Snowy Nova Scotia to Snowy Quebec. Winter is really treating us to a lot of beauty at the moment. Love all of your photographs. Your salad looks so tempting, and I am enjoying all of your photographs as I always do. I have to agree with racheld, you are a wonderful example of good things in this world, an oasis of pretty and pleasant. I always enjoy everything you share so generously with us all. The art, the food, the gardens, everything. Never underestimate how very much you are appreciated by us all. xoxo
ReplyDeleteBonjour Marie..and how nice to read this today:) We were going to have a family get together but one SIL is poorly.. So it will be a shoveling afternoon.WE are getting as much snow this evening and overnight as we just had..It's a lot lol.I love winter I love snow..just the maintenance.J never complains lol..You have been a sharer of such wonderful things for years.You never stopped..Always offering recipes that you test and try..so I always believe you.I am VERY grateful too!!Before we know it Spring will be here..Have a great weekend:)
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ReplyDeletehello - i hesitated to comment on the house crewel embroidery because i couldn't think of words that would be complimentary enough.
this is a stunning piece of handiwork. I don't know whether it's art or whether it's folk art, but it certainly exudes the joyous vibes which always characterize the very best in folk art.
surely a public exhibition of your crewel works could be arranged? we note that you currently have only five left in your own possession, while an art gallery presentation would (i believe) normally look for more.
perhaps your own home town could arrange an exhibition of the current five works in the local library, or in the town hall? five works would be plenty for an intimate "home town" presentation.
alternately, a curator of a larger museum or art gallery could host a group exhibition of important crewel embroideries by several different artists, including your five pieces..
bref, the tantalizing single glimpse of the house embroidery you've shown us here is too brief to do justice to this magnificent piece. The world wants to see more!
for example, i'd love to see big close-ups of the interior of each room in the house. Or else i'd like to be able to visit the actual embroidery on display somewhere, so i could eyeball your genius stitchery up close.
thank you for sharing your always-lovely pictures with us!
Oh my goodness thank you so much! That is very nice of you to say such positive words about work I did many years back.Thank you again.
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Deletei'm serious about putting your works on public display, though.
artists can - and often do - approach the curators of public venues to suggest an exhibition of their own works.
i know, i know, this is a terrifyingly daunting prospect. I wish i could help.
but is there someone - perhaps one of your daughters - perhaps a neighbour or friend who is a fellow resident - who could contact the appropriate official in your local library/town hall/community centre, to discuss the possibility of exhibiting your collection of five works?
often, especially with artists who are modest, it's easier if someone else can start the dialogue.
You are. kind..Its me that would not go for that .I truly wish for the least of attention now compared to 15 yrs ago:) I think I did love attention.At one point. And now I don't.:) But thank you:)
DeleteNothing stalker-like or anything going on here...
DeleteYou made me smile:)
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ReplyDeletei'm not the same Anonymous as the one who has been plaguing your website for some time now.
i'll find another username if i can figure out how this website works. In the meantime, i'm an 85-year-old who lives in downtown Montreal and i have a lifelong connection with the town of Hudson, Quebec.
as long ago as 1944 - up to about 1950 - yes, that was 80 long years ago - my family and i used to drive out to Hudson once a year for a picnic and our annual blackberry-picking celebration.
the spot in Hudson we used to visit had the best blackberries for hundreds of miles around.
it was a gently sloping hilltop whose rocky surface consisted of gigantic slabs of cracked granite (or was it limestone?) worn smooth by the Ice Age millennia ago..
in those ancient cracks, warmed by the boulders and by the blazing July sunshine, grew a Garden of Eden of wild blackberry bushes.
never since have i seen such gigantic wild sweet blackberries. Until you've tasted one of those just-picked Quebec blackberries, still warm and sugary from the strong July sunshine, you haven't really tasted heaven.
we'd pick little pails full of blackberries and then we'd have our picnic.
later, at home, our parents would prepare countless jars of blackberry jam, several bottles of blackberry syrup and at least two blackberry shortcakes smothered in whipped cream.
Oh I knew right away you were not that anonymous.My dear friend will be 84 in August and lives in MTl and is an artist. painting and writing..I think you are a very goor writer also.She has started the McGill writing circle and loves it..You would love her!She was my neighbour yrs back and we became such dear friends..she is in Mtl for quite a few years now.I would like you two to know each other.I wonder if I could orchestrate that?Let me know:)
Deletegood writer. Excuse the typo.
DeleteActually she will be 85 in August if you write to me privately I have her permission to give you her email🙂
Deletewhat a kind & generous offer. I am touched & humbled.
ReplyDeletei'll write to you after i find your e-mail addy (recovering from back surgery here so not very mobile)
in the meantime please give your friend my very best regards. And i'm looking forward to basking & browsing here on your exquisite website. It's a haven of pure beauty.
A bientôt.
I will save you the search.. and prompt rétablissement! You can reach me at monb54@hotmail.com Take care..
DeleteI love that crewel house! I remember seeing it once before and it is so charming. I love all the detail and whimsy. Years ago, needlework was much more popular. I did so many needlepoint things in colors that don't match anything in my home anymore, LOL. All done at a time when I needed something calming to settle my mind. I hope your birthday gathering goes on as planned and the weather doesn't keep you from celebrating. My girls in their 40s now too! Oh, the Coquille St-Jacques looks so delicious and comforting. You have many wonderful Canadian chefs!
ReplyDeleteM will be 50..50! Unimaginable..I don't feel old enough..Yet I just caught my face looking down on my phone camera and I honestly thought who in God's name is that? OY..One yr older all of a sudden looks like 20.So..it is entirely possible I have a 50 yr old:)I am glad I kept the ones I did..they were some of the most intricate..and absolutely largest except for one XLARGE delft vase with flowers.. framed.I gave it to someone..one of the ones I should not have;) LOL.You learn.
DeleteIt's gorgeous out but still very cold with wind chill..Thrilled I finished that long path to the tanks..I pray for no more huge downfalls..Have a beautiful day:)
Look at all that snow!! Its beautiful. Here in North Florida we recently had 4" of snow-crazy. Thank you for sharing your photos, the needlework and all the other. glorious things.
ReplyDeleteVelva
Oh I hope it did not affect crops? Thank you Velva:)
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