Candied Violets~Violas~

I bought the Jardin sign for my friend who single handedly is creating a verger..and a potager~ I am beyond impressed:)

I liked the little sign so much I took photos before offering it to her.. I added more of my favorite things~ Violas~ My Mother's Favorite Books~ And My Maman. Not in order of importance:) AS the last would be first.. I sugared some violets..in hopes of adorning a light dessert for my husband~ It is easy to candy violets~ Look them up on Google:) You can make a mix of egg white and water..and brush on..then simply scatter fine granulated sugar on top.. I lay mine on wax paper and turn over occasionally..until dry.. If you fear egg whites..you can..simply follow step 2.. Old fashioned egg-white version: Violet flowers, at least 20 in excellent condition with stems still attached, untreated with chemicals 1 egg white Caster/fine sugar Sugar and water version (no egg-white): Violet flowers, at least 20 in excellent condition with stems still attached, untreated with chemicals 1/2 cup water 1 cup granulated sugar 1/4 tsp almond extract or 1 tsp rosewater (optional) Caster/fine sugar (to sprinkle) I have a pesticide free garden..so I have no worries re my flowers.I grow a lot of edible blooms because I find them beautiful.Topping a salad..decorating a dish.. in ice cubes.. the possibilities are endless~ Calendula,roses,lavender,nasturtiums..etc... The complete instructions can be found HERE~ I think end of May..June is the most glorious time in the garden..

Everything amazes me..Every Day~ Because it changes every single day~ What a great gift from nature gardens are.

We lived in the city when I was little and there were a few of these Bridal Wreath Spireas around,my chubby little hands would gather several clusters tightly to make a bouquet for my mom..I still remember and had to have some here..They are flowering abundantly right now and with the rain we had..they are bowing to the sun~ In appreciation I am sure~For me. In an early Spring garden I like to have; Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths Forget-Me -Nots Violas Ajuga Lily -Of TheValley Bleeding Hearts Columbines Ferns Hostas Johnson's Blue Geraniums Flowering trees such as Lilacs,Crabapples,Serviceberries. Vinca Muscari Scilla Anemone Magnolia. I am certain I am forgetting some..but these have bloomed here so far.. At the moment my favorites are The Korean Lilacs..Beautiful..lush ,full.Not like regular lilac trees.

~The Fairy Hobmother~

Scilla and Cornflower are whispering a little secret in their compound~

The secret ..is all about the Fairy Hobmother~ I had heard of The Fairy..but The Fairy Hobmother had never visited me..I guess The Fairy Hobmother never knew how fond I am of Fairies~:)

I am:) The Fairy Hobmother.. visits you on your blog..and offers you a hostess gift of a gift certificate at Amazon. I think that's quite gracious and nice..and I accepted.. If you would like to have the Fairy Hobmother visit you..all you need do is leave a comment and maybe the Fairy will pick you..you just never know!

I am spending much more time gardening..

Than baking these days..so will be sharing more gardens and crafts than food perhaps.. So keep your fingers crossed..and you too may get a visit from The Fairy Hobmother..The visit will bring a smile to your face:)

Makes you feel like a child:) The Fairy Hobmother~ Thanks Again~

Cookies that little boys say: "These are so good"~

 

If there's a puddle..Ollie will find it..Love this Goodie One Shoe shot.It was once a nickname of mine..but ..I find it suits Poodle so much more~x All the little boys we have really really liked these so I thought I would share~

I had first spotted them..a variation thereof..in my daughter's Food Network Magazine.. Monster cookies they were called.. I knew Lucas hates nuts..and always asks if my baking has nuts..so I omitted them..and omitted the glaze . I just used melted milk chocolate chips as the glaze. Winners here with little boys~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ La Recette: Ingredients For the Cookies: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup packed light brown sugar 2 large eggs, at room temperature 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 2 cups quick-cooking oats 1 1/4 cups crispy rice cereal 1 cup milk chocolate chips 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans(I omitted) 1 cup miniature marshmallows For the Topping: (I just melted milk chocolate chips) 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows 2 1/2 teaspoons half-and-half Pinch of cayenne pepper 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans Directions Make the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the butter and both sugars with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time on medium speed, then beat in the vanilla. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until combined. Stir the oats, cereal, chocolate chips, pecans and marshmallows into the dough with a wooden spoon. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of the dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 3 inches apart. Bake the cookies in batches until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Let cookies rest on sheet pans to cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Transfer to racks to cool. Make the topping: Combine the chocolate chips, marshmallows, half-and-half and cayenne pepper in a saucepan over medium heat; cook, stirring, until the mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the pecans. Drizzle the mixture over the cookies and let set, about 4 hours. Remembering the Cape this time of year~ And all the little boys are going with their families this year~

The cookies would be great in a Cape picnic:)

Gardening~ Enchantment~

This time of year the seas of Forget-Me-Nots wave through our gardens..I miss them so when they disappear~ They are so harmonious with the prevalent whites of May~ The lilac tree that was here when we moved here..as well as the masses of Lily-Of- The Valley,and delicate violas.. The latter 2 are invasive,but I would not appreciate May as much without them. The other white I favor in May is the Amélanchier~ Serviceberry~ It was given to us as a toddler tree when our daughter was expecting our first grandchild ..The kids got together and offered the serviceberry to me for Mother's Day..It's grown to be a sight for sore eyes..where does that expression come from? Because that tree..makes my eyes happy,as well as my soul.. I made some hearts recently..I'll share..and the tree will be there too:) Enchantment..can be so many things.. even whites in a May Garden~

Soul Food #130~For the long weekend here~

On my tabletop Mary E calendar May 17th had this: "Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything beautiful~ For beauty is God's handwriting~"

Linda's Biscuits~And Marie's Tea Party Cookbook~

My friend Linda at How to Cook A Wolf blogspot..has shared so many great great recipes with all of us..The last recipe I tried of hers were her biscuits..I made them for Mother's Day..twice..my daughters said I hope this recipe is on your blog:) I said it was just on Linda's but I will post it.. Can you believe we went in and made another batch for one daughter to take home and bake because she was having her DMIL for dinner?They take minutes:) I love being in the kitchen with my girls. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You can visit Linda here: But I will jot her recipe here so my girls won't have to go too far~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Southern Biscuits recipe courtesy Alton Brown 2 cups flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons shortening 1 cup chilled buttermilk Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Using your fingertips, rub butter and shortening into dry ingredients until mixture looks like crumbs. (The faster the better, you don't want the fats to melt.) Make a well in the center and pour in the chilled buttermilk. Stir just until the dough comes together. The dough will be very sticky. Turn dough onto floured surface, dust top with flour and gently fold dough over on itself 5 or 6 times. Press into a 1-inch thick round. Cut out biscuits with a 2-inch cutter, being sure to push straight down through the dough. Place biscuits on baking sheet so that they just touch. Reform scrap dough, working it as little as possible and continue cutting. (Biscuits from the second pass will not be quite as light as those from the first, but hey, that's life.) Bake until biscuits are tall and light gold on top, 15 to 20 minutes. Enjoy warm from the oven with butter and jam...yum. Go see Linda's beautiful photos..your mouths will surely water~! Thank you Linda~Bisous. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ How can I make paragraphs? Why does this happen now? :( ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On another note.. Speaking of gleaning wonderful recipes from blogging friends.. You have heard me mention Marie's name so often. If you have been following my blog for a while..you have seen the finished products.. She recently prepared an online Tea Party Cookbook..PDF file.. I just could not resist..it is very reasonably priced and you can pay with Paypal.. She has included a Royal Tea Party invitation she made..you can print them up..as she is a very talented artist..her art work is adorable..

Go to her blog..and you will see the cute invitation and the way to buy her book on the top right corner~ Marie's Blog The finished book has 23 pages..has art..photos.. lovely recipes..and ..well I just feel I KNOW the author:) I am tickled pink to have it. Have a great day~

Soul Food #129~

The so much..:)I love so much. Our yellow house with so much personality..my little car in the garage.. Best..Max and I and a flower...he said we are gardening..We did that the Sunday before last~He's at that special age..they all are..but 4 is sweet..innocent..kind..He's pretty darn cute with his splattering of tiny freckles across the bridge of his tiny nose:)

These are a few of my favorite things~ The apple blossoms in bloom~ Jacques' birdhouses he made for me~ My friend's hat on the gate of her arbour as she prepares her new Potager~ Our tulips~ And more:)

Trying to copy a watercolor from an ancient Victoria Magazine~ Pasteling:) Lucas from an old photo on the beach~ Painting Noah in one of his costumes before he left for a trip.. All our alphabet boys love dressing up~ Trying pastels on new paper..This little nest and one egg..was left abandoned after the mommy left with the other two~ Had to capture it in a way..even though I found it sad~:( I love sitting for just a few moments in peace and quiet w/ painting toys..and TRYING~ So yes..these are a few of my favorite things~If you haven't tried picking up pastels,or watercolors,or crayons,and have some time on your hands,try..you can feel different in a few peaceful moments..it happens.

Delicious Make ahead buns~ and their bags~

I found this recipe recently..and I have no clue where..I tried Googling.. to no avail So forgive me..I think the original source is Cooking Light..but I am almost certain Pinterest was my inspiration..somewhere~

You make the dough the day before..and the next day you just assemble and bake..they are soft soft soft. So good really. I had seen bread bags on the internet using dishtowels..I wasn't ready to part with my new ones.. so used fabric instead..

You can add ephemera..such as the one above I bought at Etsy..And you can add vintage lace..on one I added some crochet from a tablecloth from my grandmother's home~The tablecloth was worn..had holes..I salvaged the parts that were still usable..I love vintage handiwork~ You simply sew a hem at the top sew both sides and bottom together..whilst tucking seam binding or ribbon to the interior..to form the ties~

I liked using this Macarons/French fabric and covering a button w/ the cake.The fabric is also from Etsy..Taiwan:) Shopping from home is such an extravagance I enjoy.In moderation of course.:)

Here is the recipe for the small breads~ No Knead Overnight Parmesan And Thyme Rolls Ingredients 1/2 teaspoon dry yeast 2 tablespoons warm water (100° to 110°) 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1/3 cup 2% reduced-fat milk $ 1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided 1 tablespoon sugar $ 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 1/10 ounces whole-wheat white flour (about 1/4 cup) 5 3/5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 1/4 cups), divided Cooking spray 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper Preparation 1. Dissolve yeast in 2 tablespoons warm water in a large bowl; let stand 5 minutes or until bubbly. 2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add thyme to pan; cook 1 minute or until bubbly and fragrant. Add thyme mixture and milk to yeast mixture, stirring with a whisk; add 1/4 cup cheese, sugar, salt, and egg, stirring well. 3. Weigh or lightly spoon whole-wheat white flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Using a wooden spoon, stir whole-wheat white flour into yeast mixture. Weigh or lightly spoon 4.5 ounces (about 1 cup) all-purpose flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Add all-purpose flour to yeast mixture, stirring well. Add enough of remaining all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to form a smooth but very sticky dough. Place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. Cover and refrigerate overnight. (Dough will not double in size.) 4. Remove dough from refrigerator. Do not punch dough down. Turn dough out onto a floured surface; sprinkle dough lightly with flour. Roll dough into a 12 x 7–inch rectangle. Brush dough with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese evenly over dough; sprinkle with pepper. Beginning with a long side, roll up dough jelly-roll fashion. Pinch seam to seal (do not seal ends of roll). Cut roll into 8 (1 1/2-inch) slices. Place slices, cut sides up, on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until rolls have risen slightly. 5. Preheat oven to 400°. 6. Place pan in oven, and immediately reduce heat to 375°. Bake rolls at 375° for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm. Enjoy~ P.S.I would love to know how to chose the right size photo for our blogs~ These seem so tiny on my Netbook..and frightfully large on the family computer..I sound like Goldilocks who wants to find the right size.. I am linking to Picasa.. and pick the 600x400 or vice versa.. Or I use medium on the size asked for on the new Blogger? What am I doing incorrectly. These are too big for me said she:)

Soul Food #128

These are a few of my favorite things~

White Tulips
White Furniture
White Bedding
White Teapot and dishes
Harney's Paris Tea and my mom's teacups
Trisha Romance's Art
Sentimental Jewelry
Master's Busts
Older Checkerboard Games
Nat King Cole and my last LP

BZZZ~

It's the month of May~ I would love to say that my Lily Of The Valley are blooming like Carol's in Paris..At Paris Breakfasts..(le beau beau blog...) Go see...but they are just poking our QC ground in my little town right now.. May....represents Forget-Me-Nots and Wood Anemones..

I love them..I love Peonies~Iris~ Foxglove~Lily Of The Valley~ Lilacs~Anemones~Clematis~ Roses~ Hostas(yes..even hostas)..Some Ferns..Herbs~Sunflowers~etc..ad infinitum:) Tout ce qui est beau dans mon jardin.

Sugar cookies with tea.. Could not resist making these in February when I received this beautiful teacup w/ integrated tea infuser/strainer.. Had the cookie cut out.. and a delicious David's Tea to go with.. This cup has served me well during the chilly months of Feb~March and April.. Un coup de coeur~ Like the Forget Me Not's~

And feelings from the heart~ I wish you a wonderful May~

Pretty Bags~

What a trying experience blogging is when you have been away for months and Blogger changes it's routine. I am a terrible creature of habit..and routine..Fly by the seat of my pants is not my middle name ..Blogger is different..Picnik went away. Nothing stays the same. I enjoy learning new things..when the time is right.. I must discipline myself and get this. Since I retired.. (to coin a phrase.. it really wasn't "retirement")as in age or benefits.. younger than the age and no benefits..~ ..I have needed projects..to be still.. I enjoy making these once in a while and decided on a beach bag..It's not waterproof.. not washable w/ the trinkets I added.. fabric,flowers,shark's teeth from my favorite beach(meaning familiar and beautiful and populated by 2 handfuls..+ of wonderful people)..a pocket for my beach friendly read in the sun's glare while protected from the sun..Kindle:)..a crown and birds from a lovely envelope I received housing a very pretty card..a fabric covered button.. shells from said beach.. French monogrammed initials:) The Graphic's Fairy Ephemera as the heart~I still cannot add a link..my apologies~

These bags are fun to make..this is my 4th I think.. I know I will enjoy having it by my side at the beach..sand and all~

The initials were found on Etsy..more than one yr ago,I still have a few..I like them so much..They remind me of Brocantes in France~I felt lucky when I found them~

If the mood strikes..play w/ purses and add things..like making a collage almost..PS Where have all the fabric stores gone? :( Treading softly..entering Spring and Golf Season for Jacques..More time on my hands~

Romantic Praire Style~ Fifi's Newest Publication~

You all know my affection for Fifi..I have both her books..Romantic Prairie Style..and her newest..the cookbook:) Both are favorites of mine. We have met a few times..and every time I have left feeling enriched..Her special presence is felt immediately. She is utterly charming..and nice..and kind. To have visited her beautiful home and enjoyed her warm unpretentious generous company,will always stay etched in my mind. I was touched a few months back when Fifi asked me if I would like to participate in her first issue. Honored actually. The first edition is about to hit the stands and I cannot wait to have my copy(ies). It will be a treasure for me for sure. I have not been "disponible" lately..and have no idea how this new Blogger interface works..don't even know where the photos are uploaded and kept anymore.. When I am back in lovely blogland ..I will research and learn..In the interim..I wish you well..and wanted to thank Fifi for everything..in front of all of you. You can go read more about Fifi's new baby here.. at her own blog Fabulousfifi typepad..Oy..I can't even get the link to work..forgive me. In the interim,please know that I visit..and peek and wish you all well.I have seen the new baby:) Been to a beautiful wedding..enjoyed recipes and tablescapes and a trip to Paris..All VIRTUALLY.I've read of losses..pets etc..and am sorry for you..I have enjoyed your photos,words,art work,crafting..suggestions,tips and tricks. Our little ones are well,charming and sprouting.I have seeds germinating..and my daughters are lovely. Leurs familles respectives vont si bien~I hope you and yours are also~ Take care.. So until next time.. Amitiés..Monique. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Footnote April 24th~ Received my copy from the publisher~ I had tried finding it in stores..here we will be at least one week after..the USA ..if I can get it.. So I am very happy that they sent me a copy.Thank you Harris Publications,Inc,NY. Fifi's magazine is superb..a keeper.. All my favorite magazines rolled into one. My VERY favorite. You will have to pick up a copy and see.It is the type of magazine you can look at over and over again..not like most of my magazines..that head across the street to my daughter and then onto my other daughter. This one is mine:) Jacques enjoyed it also. It reminds me of a beautiful day we had together.. And all the other articles and photos are inspirational..and beautiful. Fifi nouveau bébé is fabulous..like her. Again it was an honor to be part of this issue. Bravo , bravo Fifi. And I have enjoyed reading your notes..I think of you all. Take care..Enjoy Spring~ xx

Petites Pies~

I prepared this post a couple of weeks ago..I hope you enjoy it..the Jamie Oliver recipe is quite good..see further down~

Small,individual..works well here~
I don't eat desserts ..but my husband loves them.

Des petites tartes alléchantes..work very well:)

I love everything small..half portions..mini desserts..small children:)

We have rewards points with our banking..and very few rewards points..takes me a long time to accumulate points..Last year we received the Breville Juicer that I love..the year before a Panini press I think.. this year..I opted for the Breville Mini Pie Baker.
I had seen them at Williams Sonoma..but it was not in my budget..sooo..when I spotted it in our rewards catalog..and I know Jacques loves pies..
It was a no brainer..they said 4 - 6 weeks delivery..(sniffle).. lo and behold 2 days later..it was at our doorstep..
It's a great, sturdy little handsome machine..I will have plenty of fun with this..
I see little tourtières in my future..salmon pies..
These were mixed berry pies..
I made 2 w/ regular pastry bottoms and tops and 2 with regular pastry bottoms and puff pastry tops.
Took 10 mins to bake(not prep time).... Clean up is a breeze
Fun:)

I watched Jamie Oliver one afternoon..he is so charming and his show..Meals in minutes I think it's called..I have only caught 2 episodes..is worth watching..

He made individual little jam and pear and meringue pies(Pear Drop Tartlets) w/ store bought little shells..I wondered if I could make just the shells with the Brevlle..and yes by pricking with a fork they turned out well..

The recipe can be found here..
For his Pear Drop Tartlets as he calls them..along with a lovely salad and great looking pasta~
He's unique.I really really like him.Cutest family too:)

Hope you try Jamie's recipe..the store bought tart shells are just right he says..you do not need to make your own as I did.

I would not hesitate to replace the jam in the Pear Droplet tarts with Nutella:) Chocolate and pears go very well together..or even an almond paste?:)And of course Dulce De Leche~

Next trials for us~


My husband has always been my best and most complimentary taste tester..Since day 1.~
Even at 19 when I made him macaroni..never believed the recipe when they said 1 cup (8 ozs)dried elbow noodles..I used the 32 ozs package I think..Oh lala.. not even 2 bricks of Velveeta(I cannot even believe ..I cooked with Velveeta and ate it on my toast..the taste was great..but I will have to Google..is it..was it..real cheese?) coated it..We threw it out..But he was still complimentary on my trial..Imagine.
I hate to admit to that..But I learned with him.
Have I mentioned it is a pleasure to bake ,cook for him?Even after almost 40 yrs.


Just a little note to say that there will be an intermission in my humble little blog.
Une pause..
Prenez soin de vous~Take care~

Soul Food #127

These are or were at some point...some of my favorite things:

Asparagus Tarts
Brigitte Cookie Cutter
The windows and doors of Italy and France
Monograms
Couscous
Anything Paris
Small Soup Tureens(I have 2:))
Blooming Teas
Yellow Black and White together
Herbs
Tuscan Pork..

Usually the last one out of the gate~

Am I~

I bet for this also..Although my daughters had not heard of it~

I have just discovered these tapes..

and had a grand time wrapping a Kraft paper Valentine parcel with a chalkboard tag and this new tape~

I bought the first 3 rolls separately..
Then found this coup de coeur little tin w/ 5 rolls..I just could not resist.My daughter said:"Go for it~" And I did.

I enjoy wrapping gifts.. even more so with this tape..The possibilities are endless as I saw on the net..how to make your own... if you Google~
I had some very old Scotch double sided tape..and some drawer/pantry liner paper I bought in France..It works perfectly..I just cut a length of the double sided tape..and put it on the liner and cut..the tape can be wound around almost anything..many are using vintage spools..
I cannot quote one source..as I got my inspiration here and there..



Easy!

Have fun~
~

Any paper would work..I am sure I will be scrutinizing wrapping paper ..in a whole new light:)

Cache-Pots~

You may remember when I made the little Nest pillow..There are many ways to transfer photocopies to fabric,ceramic,wood etc..
I have transfered color photocopies to Tiles ..from my trip to Europe and they line our powder room sink..That was a lot of fun..and so is transfering by printing with freezer paper etc with your own copier.. also by printing on T-shirt transfers.
I still like the method with Fabric Transfer Medium..and Matte Medium..

Although not always perfect(but I like that also)..there are so many uses for what you can do with them..

I like to make cache -pots..they cover a regular jam jar well and make bouquets look so personal..This one was intended for a friend~

You can adorn them the way you want..with ribbon to gather..or wire to keep a form..you can add jewels and buttons and diamonds and rubies:)(kidding..)

I have had my transfer medium..bottom left for almost 100 yrs..and the matte medium for perhaps 2.The products keep well..
The high resolution images I bought on Etsy..They arrive PDF file..
For this method you cannot use an inkjet printer..I had three copies made at my Bureau En Gros (Staples) and they are very reasonable as you know...They also print my tags etc..I send everything via computer and pick up when ready.Ahh..the joys of the internet!
You need patience..as you rub off the paper with some water and your fingers..But it is so nice to see your projects come to life..
There is another technique With Cytra-Solv~ I have not been able to find any here..But one day I will and I will let you know~

Fun fun projects..You can make journal covers..cases..all kinds of things~It's the personal touch I love so much.

Enjoy~

PS ...My little projects are FAR from perfect..uneven.. no double stitching.. a lot of "glued"things..They are just for decorative fun purposes..They would never win an award for craftmanship..Perhaps with Citra Solv more of the paper would come off..but still I encourage you to try.
This bag was given to my friend who never looks for perfection..she just accepts everything the way they are.
I love that.

Les Madeleines de Ladurée Chez Nous~

Ladurée..the Sucré Book..Quel Joli Bouquin..

It's a velours covered book w/gilded edges in a lovely Ladurée Box.
Such pretty photos and recipes..

Feminine..like this rose that has become my fast favorite.
I am not a red rose person.
This one fits me perfectly.
It opens a bit like a heart also~

It's cream..and pink..an edge of antique brown..some green..it is frilly and big and beautiful and strong!

The Madeleines turned out so well..the little bump..the golden edges..and the well imprinted ridges..

Dainty,puffy,lemony,lovely.

La Recette~
Ingredients



2 Lemons

160 gr sugar

175 gr all purpose flour + 20 gr for the mold

10 gr baking powder

180 gr butter + 20 gr for the mold

4 eggs

35 gr honey

Directions

The dough needs to be prepared a day in advance.

Grate the zest two lemons. In bowl mix the zest of the two lemons with the sugar. In other bowl, sift the flour and the baking powder.In a small saucepan melt the butter.

Beat the eggs together with the lemon zest, sugar and the honey until the mix becomes a bit foamy. Next add the flour-baking powder mix and whisk. Finally add the melted butter and mix until well incorporated.

Place the dough in the fridge,covered for at least 12 hrs.

The next day, melt 20 gr of butter and with a brush paint the madeleines molds. Place the molds in the freezer for 15 min until the butter firms. Sprinkle flour and remove the excess.

Preheat the oven at 200ºC.(390 F) fill the molds ¾ of the capacity. Bake them during 8 to 10 min, until the madeleines are golden. Let the madeleines cool before removing them from the mold.

My Notes..
I halved the recipe and it made ap 24 small madeleines...I left them in the fridge(the dough) overnight.

I also made the last decoration for the tree~
You remember the clay I used for tags?

I rolled the clay out..as I had before..cut with a heart cutter..used a paint stamp I had from folk art classes 100 yrs ago...stamped the clay.. baked it..painted it w/ an acrylic paint and wiped off..strung a ribbon and donned the tree~
Fun little craft~
Happy Valentine's Day~

To you.. together.. or on your own..:)
It is quite evident looking through the book that the Ladurée pastries..are fit for a Princess~..Or Prince~
Must be a real treat to walk through the many French Pâtisseries..Would I forego Le Louvre for Ladurée? If I had to pick one?

Qui sait?:)

The above sweet flags etc can be found via: Today's Creative Blog~

Painted Cookies~

Our Mary..taught us how to paint cookies a number of years ago now..I still enjoy the process..I wanted to make a few for the tree:) and as gifts..I used fondant this time instead of icing..I wanted to do them NOW:)

They are so much fun to do..you simply use food coloring..and paint away..I used the sugar cookie recipe from my previous cookie post ..

While painting them I imagined what Ronelle,Susan,Carol,Mary.. and Marie.. Monica..etc..would paint on them~
All would be exquisite.

I am not a painter.I wish I was:)

Trop "le fun" !!

Enjoy..Just bake sugar cookies that hold their form well.. once cooled put a bit of corn syrup on your cookie and place the thinly rolled fondant you have cut with the same cookie cutter.
Chose your designs..and paint.I find it easier to look at a picture or photo and paint.I can't paint from my head~
Thank you Mary..

My wording ..is a take on one of my favorite poems..one part of it..Paul Verlaine~1844~1896

Voici des fruits, des fleurs, des feuilles et des branches
Et puis voici mon coeur qui ne bat que pour vous.

Here are some fruits,some flowers,some leaves and some branches..and here is my heart that beats only for you~

You can see some previous cookies I painted here

Here
and here~

Probably a few more..But these are to give you an idea of how versatile and how much fun they can be~