Petits Fours~

Petits Fours.. one of my youngest recollection of a beautiful small dessert..was a Petit Four~ Not a Macaron..that came later..but a Petit Four..  then a Palmier..and a Mille ~Feuille~

Even now..I bake and bake and bake..and can resist most desserts..I have a salty tooth..not a sweet tooth..but place a PetitFour..a Palmier or a Mille~Feuille  in front of me..and I cannot resist the temptation of..even but one bite♥
For Mother's Day we went to one of our daughter's..I was to bring a salad..but I also felt like bringing a  memory of my youth dessert and opted for the petits fours..they are so feminine..

I made them yrs ago..and had no trouble at all.

In redoing them..the cake I chose was perfect..I halved the recipe and baked in an 8 x8 square..
Very very good..

I split it in half after carefully removing a small upper crust with a serrated knife..

I coated the middle with a slight strawberry jam..place the top on..and then placed a very thin layer of real Almond Paste bought at La Vieille Europe~
(SO GOOD)..not like the rolled one we buy..this one is SOGOOD:)

I refrigerated over night..

and sliced into ap 1x1 inch squares..
Tada..beautiful..now for the icing part..
I'll wait to share a better technique..suffice it to say..I used a fondue fork to dip in the poured fondant(w/white choclolate)..and food coloring..à la mauve because I was using candied violets I made this past week..
Oh lala..took longer to ice..and they are not perfect..than make the whole cake..and candied violets..~!
Nevertheless  I was pleased with their amateur look:)And am looking forward to making pink ones sooner than later~With a less sweet icing and a very different technique..
For a special occasion..I think these are worthy:)
My daughter's chocolate chip sour cream cake was far better:)~
The boys ..painted Tshirts for their mommies for Mother's Day when we babysat..:)♥
This is a craft that is suited for little hands that can squeeze a bottle of fabric paint..good idea if they are not dressed in their best clothes to do it..they are permanent:) And take ap 24 hrs to dry well..The child makes his drawing first w/ pencil or chalk or dressmaker's pen..then the Scribbler's go on top:)

The gardens are starting to emerge..and even fade!
Things happen quickly here..like our lives~
In a blink..of an eye...
My treat is bringing in fresh flowers..
What a gift!!
Most of my herbs are planted..still need lovage:) and borage..and a big big basil plant~

Then all I have to do after my annuals are planted and basketsare hung....is sit back..and..

enjoy watching everything grow..while going about just maintaining  without the huge Spring clean up~
and picking fresh herbs from the garden to cook and bake with.
Sheer bliss.

A new Standard Flowering Almond tree to plant and begonias to adorn La Maison Des Jardins~

With temps hovering in the 40's and 30's tonight..I am so glad I waited for the annuals.
Have a great week..

Lovely Days~

Lovely Spring days that have been far more like summer~ We jumped from Winter to Summer~
Forget ~Me ~Nots..and Tulips are Les Fleurs Du Jour..with the Crabapples just starting to burst open..
Been gardening..and loving it..
Made a few small tags with moss and pressed flowers and stamped script found on Pinterest through Selia~ Loved making them..
Printable labels for wine of water or juice..ice tea.. lemonade..were found at The Graphic's Fairy~
So cute!
I forget where I found the idea of the pin cushion..I think Pinterest..they are small hand held and you embroider a tree..the Nonna's initial and the children's names....Fun to make.. Heart shaped pins the best~


 Bought Ricardo's 100 Best Recipes and started with his oven roasted tomatoes/pasta recipe..

Not sold on the length of time it takes to slow roast tomatoes..they look beauteous doused in oil and herbs..but mine took 3 hrs..
The recipe is simple..
Prepare your tomatoes in advance..I did in the morning..

Sauté 2 chopped red onions.  some red pepper flakes in EVOO...some garlic and mushrooms..add some white wine..some chicken broth and your chopped oven roasted tomatoes(I skinned mine).. fresh basil  .. season to taste..when soft and fragrant add your cooked pasta..I always reserve liquid..add freshly grated parm.. and serve..top with additional basil and Parmesan shavings~

This is a variation..not in his exact words..it was very good~
I love Ricardo~

Enjoy your weekend..supposed to cool up  here and hopefully there might be a bit of rain in the forecast~
We never got those April showers that bring May flowers~

PS..Just wanted to say to a few of you that for some reason..I cannot comment on your blogs..You have to log in a different way altogether one I am not familiar with..and it leads me nowhere..:(

Plse know I am still enjoying..or just getting to know you..but have no way of letting you know:)

Patricia @ ButterYum for one..Hello...:)
That's just one..
I don't FB..or Twitter..perhaps that is why?
They require you to create a new Google plus account etc..

The Language Of Flowers~

Is Universal~

Our darling wild violets are blooming..if you are French or English or German..Dutch..Spanish..Italian..Japanese..Chinese..Croatian etc..everyone can read a flower~♥

These..pull my heartsrings..~ They are delicate..fragrant..edible..wonderful..magical~

The book a neighbor gave me 3 yrs ago.. The Language of Flowers..ends on Violettas~

Such true words..!Violettas represent modesty..superbly so~

I used Violettas to top our dinner plate plate tonight..the rice.. The rice was made even better than usual because of a recent Jamie Oliver show I watched..he recommended adding a special Preserved Lemon to it..Tiny ones..Round..and beautiful..Mine were bottled in Provence..Lubéron region..I love the addition..He's just so charming an talented..and a great cook..Love him..and his oh so cute family~

Skewered some spicy shrimp..marinated in lemongrass..evoo..garlic..ginger..sugar..hot peppers..lime juice and zest..and some spicy garlic paste..grilled with the small zucchinis..Très bon!

The serviceberry is blooming..tulips..magnolia..(I saw a yellow one at the garden centre..wow..)..Mine is pale pale pink..

The  wildflowers are fairy like right now~

Everywhere you look.. a rebirth..I set the fairies out today..their home..the special door etc..

This weekend was very special spent with some very favorite boys..checking out the beach~

It ended on a heavenly note..  a sweet note written by our 7 yr old grandson~

A different language of flowers~

Nana has 3 beautiful little boys.She is  "Belle".. and grandad is very intelligent:)
For Grandad and Nana..


Be still my heart~

Spring has definitely Sprung~

In one breath it seems ..so we are busy trying to get everything done  in a breath..Usually you get some time between snow ..rain..etc..

This year we went from snow  to no snow and dry conditions.

Very dry already..nevertheless..finally the Peonies are poking..the Forget me nots are thriving..
some anemones are blooming  and the buds on the trees are staring to burst..
And as I mentioned the Fiddleheads..Here is a clearer image of what we eat:)..I know some wondered what they actually looked like..

Here they are unfurling amongst the scillas..
It is a season of rebirth and you have to be astounded and humbled before nature~
That little tree of enchantment my friend gave me is a small thing..yet it comes back in beauty every year..different..and beautiful every year..I will show you when more buds are opened..just one at the moment:)
She sent us a Happy Spring card..with this in it..I love David's Teas..they are some of my favorites..How cute is this one for Spring~

Very Happy Bouddha~

Reaching Nirvana is easier than you can imagine.We start with a blend of green and white teas,that we sprinkle with Jasmine Pearls..and white Hibiscus Flowers~

The scent is so lovely..I will have my first cup today..and try and think more buddha~like~

We've had quicker meals..mussels.. roast chicken,Dianes Mom's manicotti..(love it and freeze portions..)..Jacque's pizza..

I also made a salad that was just so pretty..I had seen a photo somehwre..forget where and didn't PIN..
I must admit mine bloomed far larger than expected..I bought 2 small organic Boston Bibb lettuces..
and made Jacques and I each an individual serving..I think one large head for 4 would be great..you would just add the dressing after it is cut and served in four..

I made a dressing of EVOO..white balsamic vinegar,sugar country dijon ,salt and pepper..sprinkled the flowers with pom arils..blueberries and little onion crisps..violas and pansies woul just finish this off..It's quite show stopping actually:)in person..♥

I also made a couple of scone recipes..the first was from Katrina..At She's In The Kitchen

Apple Honey drizzled scones..
Here they were before baking..

I made a smaller version and halved the recipe..

and after drizzled with honey..

They are moister than your usual scone..I think because of the apples...Very good with the apple pie taste:)
In Katrina's great words:"I woke up with a passionate desire for scones"~
I do:) Sometimes I do..she put the prettiest words to my thoughts..





I also made amazing pomegranate scones....but didn't get a photo..they are absolutely delicious also..I had never made scones with apples or pomegranates..

2 totally different recipes both very good..since I have pom seeds left I will make more..

Found here..Do try!

Leave at least 1 inch in between when baking these..They just bloom:)

Next time I will post a pic..but they do turn out exactly like her photos..and she gives a nice tutorial :)

Have a great weekend..
Take care~

Scilla Season~

Scilla Season here is the beginning of it all....
Years ago..I found my first love as far as websites go..
Gardenbuddies..I met wonderful people through Gardenbuddies..I learned about things to plant..how to use a digital camera.. how to use Photoshop..how to grow a clematis..(I even have a clematis named after me God Bless him:) )
I learned many wonderful recipes.. how to set different tables..
How to keep in touch..how to have amazing netfriends..
How to grow lilies..and irises..
I met wonderful people in person through Gardenbuddies..

and as penpals..but in webpals..:)

Many cherished people..
2..very cherished..Marlene and Derek..
I can't believe  I lost them both..

They visited us..we visited them..
Wonderful memories..

Derek..found the poem I was looking for:
"In Search Of My Mother's Garden..I found My Own.."

And described  part  our backyard as "Borrowed Landscape"..
His words have never left me..

In our "Borrowed Landscape"..there is the golf course..lush and pristine and lovely..w/ a hedgerow of wild grasses and wildflowers..and a secret garden..that the Easter Bunny hides the eggs in..that the boys come exploring with me..:)

Right now..my borrowed landscape smells like heaven..or what I think heaven smells like..sweet ..pure..fresh..

And ..it's all in the Scilla's Scent~

Scilla and Coneflower have been out there sharing delicious secrets:)

The Potting Shed's ( La Maison des Jardins)..flag is flying against the brilliant blue skies..

And Nana is practicing her watercolors every chance she gets~  Humbly..

Did you know Scillas had a scent?

At the same time..the Fiddleheads are popping up~So many in the Secret Garden~

So ..  beacause of the voluptuous fiddleheads..tarts are also in season..I love to forage and pick these and rinse the brown outer parts away..then I steam ..and steam....and add to tarts..
The basis for this recipe is from Epicurious..but fiddleheads were not even a thought in their recipe..

So easy..  I picked the fiddleheads yesterday..and kept them fresh in the fridge..

This morning..  I thawed the puff pastry(President's Choice..my fave here).. I steamed the fiddleheads.

I mandolined 1 onion..  and one potato..
I chopped 1 portobello mushroom..



Browned my onion rings in one tbs p of butter..set aside..
browned my mandolined potatoes..w/ thyme..s and p..set aside..
and then cooked my mushrooms in the same pan....set aside

Roll out your puff pastry to ap 1/4 inch..mine is almost that..cut out 4 circles to fit your 4 tat molds..prick with fork and freeze for 30 mins(not in the tart molds)..

Then in your tart pans.. set 5 or more fiddleheads..prettily   ..in the pan..top with the onions..and the potatoes..I added some feta..
I seasoned generously..
Topped with the chilled pastry and baked at 425 F for ap.. 25 minutes..
As soon as they are done..flip ..and see.. beautiful:)

You serve w/ a balsamic glaze..since I burned my ceramic cooktop when my son-in-law #2 came to ask for our daughter's hand in marriage while I was making a balsamic reduction a la Ricardo..I buy my balsamic glazes now:)

Top w/ fresh herbs..and ..well.. delish and pretty..
Jacques had one of his home made sausage patties w/ it..and I made a generous serving of broccoli..
We worked outside all day..so it was nice to have the tarts prepared this morning..I simply heated them up for dinner..still crisp..still fresh~

Kindness In Words Creates Confidence~
Kindness In Thoughts Creates Profoundness~
Kindness In Giving Creates Love~

Lao Tzu

Thank you Linda~
And welcome dear Spring~

Housekeeping~and Cara's Cookies~

As soon as I can open a window without freezing to death..I start washing my windows and the few curtains we have..our bedroom and bathroom have the curtains..  12 yrs old already..a Martha Stewart pattern..they look like chintz..yellow background and beautiful peonies and lilacs and roses throughout..nicely faded..just plain panels ..  no frills.. and they are never closed:)  3 in the bedroom 2 in the bathroom..
I can throw the panels in the machine..and hang right in place to dry~  After shining the widows..
..but the V shaped toppers..I cut out from my grandmothers tablecloth..I was able to get 5 v shaped toppers..the 4 corners..and then the center of the tablecloth..I formed myself into a V shaped topper double width..one of them that she embroidered..it still has a very faded little piece of fabric where her name was..♥
Those I wash delicately..and have to iron..I had made my own starch and added lavender oil..apart from everything being sparkling..the scent blew me away:)
It still lingers but not as much..
Google home made starch recipes..you will see how easy..and mine is still fresh as a daisy..Cornstarch..cold water..hot water..essential oil.
I never knew my grandmother..nor my grandfather.I think my grandfather died when I was about 3 months old..I will check again..they had 5 children..

In the photo above..there is my great grandfather..my grandfather..my dad and his 2 brothers..there were 2 sisters also..the last one just passed away..and this is how we discovered our grandfather had been married prior to marrying my grandmother..his wife died at 23 yrs of age..:( and they lost a 6 month old baby..
He went on to marry my grandmother..have 5 children and accomplish great things..
You never know in life what the future can hold can you after huge sorrow?





Did some of the kitchen ones..and will finish up the rest this week I hope~

Picked my first bouquet~ Pickings are slim..but when it's your first ..it's special..To sound like Vivian Swift the whole bouquet is probably the size of a teabag:)..or a Triscuit:)

Made a few seafoody meals~ Involving more shrimp..

                                                   Seafood Caesar Salad

                                                  Butternut squash Risotto with Shrimp~

            No greening of QC yet as you can see  but very soon..the buds are on everything!And then by magic..the neighbor's home disappears~

But sadly..those glorious tulips are on their last leg~They are stupendously attractive~

Ahh..I was forgetting..Cara's Cookies~

Cara.. was our daughters babysitter at one point..the very best..there is always one that is the best..she was it..she lived across the street..and would bring games..and play with them..we really did not go out a lot ..but when we did the girls were so happy to have Cara.They were great neighbors.
Anyways..Cara has moved and is of course a  mom herself..but we kept a recipe from her..they are called Cara's cookies to us..
When I made them ..I brought some over to our daughter's and her eyes lit up..she said I haven't had those in so long~

They are really really good..

La Recette~

1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
 Blend and reserve

Cream


 1/2 cup butter(her recipe which is 30 yrs old at least for us said margarine)
1 cup sugar
add 1 well beaten egg..one tsp of vanilla..mix together..add dry ings above..
then add..
Add 2 cups Rice Krispie cereal..
1 cup raisins(I plump ,drain and cool mine)
6 ozs of chocolate chips..
Drop on your parchment paper pan..and flatten slightly w/ a fork.. bake at 350 Degrees for 12mins..


Cool on rack~

A step through memory lane this mixed up post of mine..
Anyways enjoy the cookies..
Enjoy all your new buds and blooms
And take care~

Weekend~

Turned very cool and windy~

I had spoiled myself on Thursday and bought tulips~

My friend had tulips when we ate at her home..RED and utterly gorgeous..I sometimes buy bouquets of 8,but these Costco bouquets have more..last longer and are infinitely prettier I find~

I made California rolls one day..we love those..Easy to prepare in the morning..and then after a day in the garden..(Friday)..you just eat them up..

Saturday..I baked bread..and then decided to try More Than Burnt Toast's rhubarb muffins..but with Strawberries as I could not find rhubarb :(

They are very good..the streusel..w/ the almond essence.. almonds and lemon zest..Miam:)

3 little bowls..all you need..

With a cup of tea or coffee..so nice on a cold day indoors~

I have been playing with paints too..

So not too unhappy that Saturday was chilly~

You can find the Muffin recipe at  Valerie's~

I halved the recipe for Jacques and I..as we had bran muffins too..So..well..just so:)

They are good..very good and I would not hesitate to add a touch of almond extract to the batter~

♥

Truth be told..it snowed Saturday.

Twirling huge snowflakes it snowed here..31 degrees F as I looked at the outdoor thermometer..stuck to our back door....

What's up with this?

All I can say is :"Stay off my tulips...snow..stay off my outdoor tulips.."~

That night ..Jacques made another of his specialties that I like so much..Shrimp Pasta..

Delicious..and so have those tulips been all weekend long..

Just delicious..

You have to find a way to let Spring in..one way or another when winter seems to be hanging in~

Orange..coral..not my colors of choice in flowers..but they go well w/ terra cotta floors..and they positively brighten up a white room tremendously~
I found something new at Costco..a  large container of Parmesan Shavings..
I give them a thumbs up..we always have fresh..and shave..but these were reasonable..there was alot..and so handy..Chocolate shavings like these would be great for desserts♥
In Italy.. they actually served Shrimp w/ cheese..so now I know we were not crazy to like the combination:)
I finished my online art class that I thoroughly enjoyed this weekend..re-arranged the" Messroom "downstairs to accomodate the classes..with my ancient Toshiba laptop on my drafting table..:)
When you are a Jack of All Trades and Master of None..the Messroom..serves as ..past office.. art room..sewing room..photo room w/ lights:) yoga..wine making..ironing..etc..

Lots of light though after noon for a basement room..2 big windows let the sun shine in..when it does:)

And today..Sunday was such a day~

More of the same..ccold..but loads of sun..
I made sushi again because I found lovely new colored wraps at my Asian shop:)and my daughter was popping by with Noah~In one package there are 5 sheets..yellow..orange..green..see through with yin ~yang sesame seeds..oh so pretty..and they worked very well with my smaller rolls..
I finished my online art class..which I thoroughly enjoyed..
and watched my tulips bloom~

                                                                           

                                                                             ♥

One thing I love about Pinterest ..is how..you often Pin..things from the same people..:)Time after time..

                                                                           Example:)♥

When I am lost with paper and pens and paints..time stands still  and I am quiet inside..Love that~