Stitching times..~

Home Piglet,We're going home,because that's the best thing to do right now~

There is something extremely therapeutic about  crochet..
The first things I learned..were dishcloths..
I am happy to have a stack by sinks w/ soaps..because not only should you stay home..but you must wash your hands.

You can't know how  wonderful.. crochet can be until you get into it.And it didn't happen at once for me..I had to be inspired and want to..and watch you tube video after you tube video until..Eureka.


I am truly a beginner..not sure I can even follow a pattern..
But I can follow you tube videos and excellent tutorials..
I'm repeating myself ..I think I am just trying to share a passion..

The bag for my crochet hooks..was found first at Amanda's..  IG feed..the tutorial at Sew Happy Creative..

But start with something like..at Marian's exquisite blog..
A dishcloth..handy and practical..

Just little things are fun too..that blog Just Pootling ..has a Youtube channel now..she taught us how to make the rainbow key rings..remember the primrose wreath? Same girl..Kate.
I am indebted to all who taught me.

♥
In my searching for things..I came upon a box of clothes a friend's mom made for my girls more than 38 yrs ago..I would guestimate.
Sherril's mom even knit some things w/ toothpicks..I only have several outfits..I think one of my daughters has the other sets..Look at the details♥The skating outfit..all one piece!
Now that..is exquisite craftsmanship.
She was such a nice mom..and like me..Sherril loved her mom so much.

Much less happy note..I made a mask for J and I..I only had enough elastic for two..
I have ordered more..
I wasn't going to..and one night..or day..Linda sent me a pic ..and I thought ..I must make some too..JIC..and as it turns out I need mine..
This is the pattern I used..It was easy.And look..a perfectionist I am not.If you have a machine..and know how to use it..this can work..

I am in awe of people making masks..by the hundreds and either donating..or selling and giving all the proceeds away to charitable organizations that help.
I applaud those selling them for $5.00 ~$8.00 which covers costs ..not time..because not everyone sews..

On the other hand..making a business out of it and charging a lot more....? Well I guess business is business right?
Can't judge right?
One pointed finger points 3 back at us;)
Because I did buy one..  an artist designed the pattern and I have loved her work..when I saw her fabric was used for masks by a commercial company that sells some of her original art into prints or house accessories....I ordered one..I have a good excuse though..a Visa US gift card expiring very very soon..sooner than borders will open...
No shipping fees..no duty because it's under the value ..And it will be another mask I can see for spray painting ..disinfecting etc..One I didn't make..
Are you like me? I always feel what someone else has made is far nicer.


The difference is just so humbling w/ the givers.

On Facebook..which I don't partake in but can see some posts..this was very popular..and if you feel that your face and soul can still smile..
have a peek..it does have some truth in it..

All this blablabla to hopefully inspire you to try something new in case these times are weighing so heavily on you and that you have the time.

Distraction..is a band-aid.As temporary as it may be.♥



And today..is Earth Day~ What a difference a year makes..

Take care..stay home..

Looking forward to feeling so much better about everything~

And..it's snowing.
Baked some easy egg/challah bread..made the dough in the machine then shaped..it makes a small loaf and that's great for J and I.
The recipe is so easy..

La recette~

3/4 cup water
2 eggs
1 tbsp butter
3 cups flour
3 tbsps sugar
1 tsp salt
2 tsps yeast

All in the bread machine..  remove ..shape..

I followed the shaping here as I forget from time to time..

Let rise ..brush w/ egg yolk mixed with water..sprinkle sesame seeds.
Bake in a pre heated 350 oven for 25 mins..I think I did 375F.

Another dish that was so good..reminds me of my youth ..is Un Macaroni Chinois:)
I found the recipe at Cinq Fourchettes..Nancy is a QC blogger /recipe developer.cookbook author.

I know many don't read French so I wrote it quickly for friends..in English..



Here you go..not my best calligraphy nor my best pic..mini Ipad pic..recipe written early morning to share on IG..

Footnote
PS..Don't use the roasted sesame oil to sauté..just to flavor..use reg oil for the sauté..and IF you use the SPeppercorns..make sure you crush a lot..either by dry roasting first and grinding ..or another method..or just use ord.pepper.
Linda was kind enough to tell me the proper ways:)

Still playing with paints and just wanted to share a great IG story by Kateri Ewing about using color dot charts to create our own unique palettes with colors that speak to us.
I've always liked them..as you can see from 2017 and The Holbein card..and from a home made one bottom right.I make messes of them..that's fine..I have so many pristine cookbooks and who cares if they are pristine:)?
It's really not easy to stay home..and not be so very concerned with everything going on.
The death toll in CHSLDs here is very tragic.
How can you live a whole life..and end up old and alone ..being cared for by not enough staff..
Even in private places that charge up to $10,000.00 a month?
I just don't get it.They paid taxes..most raised families.
A crying shame.

This is just a tip..so much is so different.

You just can't turn a blind eye.

I find it very hard to be anything but introspective right now.

I am forever grateful to have hobbies.

I always liked to dabble in things...
but one day.I realized they would be floating devices.
Who would know these things?

Oh my..I know in one of my families..the parents are working from home and busy.. 3 boys ..who are out of school ..with..no structure like in school..I know their bonds just grow stronger and stronger..and they never complain..but as a mom ..I worry about all of them.
Our other family..one son..the dad is a policeman so still works..the mom at home..because she's a teacher..so Noah is alone..with mommy being his end all..she's used to it but now it's 24/7.
It has to be exhausting for parents.
I find my children are excellent parents and that warms my heart.

Ok I won't keep going on because there are 1000 subjects I could broach and we all have opinions.
I must say..and you all know I'm not political..
I sure like Gov.Cuomo.

And I LOVED getting some pics through IG..from a mom and her daughter that are pretty special.. honing their craft♥
We have to focus on other things than the news at times..
Like cute photos..This little girl has excellent parents too.

I mean ..come on.
♥♥♥
Take care~

~Easter 2020

We'll just be quiet..today..like every day~

That's fine with me..like everyone else though I'll be remembering Easters past.

I am practicing primroses w/ a tutorial from Just Pootling..she has a you tube video..s
I'll get better;)Promise.
I hope..

I've planted seeds..thank God I had some left..
If you want cute Peter Rabbit seed packets..
Go..
Here PR Printables

Still painting..

Mainly homes though..still repeating myself about staying home..

Finished my Covid Blanket..

And made only a few treats..my Laura Secord Cream Filled eggs.. .for pick ups and drop offs.
Jacques and I are fine..our family also.
I feel sorry for everyone who is not fine:(

Very different Easter 2020..
Take care and stay home♥

~Home..Sweet Home.

Stay Home..Restez Chez Vous~

The above has all been repaired and ready to frame,grateful I did all those needlepoint Christmas stockings as I had yarn leftover that matched the areas!

In this time of truly nesting at home..
I again implore you to stay home..and not  mingle..

I recently voiced my opinion..to someone from 30 ft away..stating I thought people not going by the rules..were selfish..irresponsible and stupid.
Why should health care workers risk their own lives while idiots disobey?
The person said..:"Oh well..it's human nature..blablabla..."

Sad.
We can't be complacent.
Be aware of all the acts of kindness..but don't stand for ignorance...The ignorance of people not being disciplined.


Being even more at home..than usual..if that's at all possible..I've looked at things more closely..like some stitchery I did in the 70's  and perhaps very early 80's.
They hang in the basement here in the hallway leading to my craft room..which has a lot going on right now..

The first one..I unframed because some stitches were fraying and it was stained..but not many..so I have now restitched the frayed ones on the roof and a few stray ones..it's re~stretched and ready to be stuck in a frame when I can get to one..
They are 16x20.
Caroline wants it..and then Mylène said she would take the others:)
I gave many as gifts..and I gave some to clients.
I regret the gifting of a few;)


Anyway..time to refresh items I have grown to love again.
Linda @  http://linda-keaveney.blogspot.com/  stitched as a young mom too and we follow each other on IG..I told her i would show more details:)
So some are here.

awful pics ..sorry..

I can't tell you how stitching these kept me company as a very young mom in the 70's w/ 2 baby girls sleeping.

I still love stitching~

The pillows are from the same era..but have been in our living rooms..forever..the words..I've always had words pretty much everywhere..

In all of this..  a story that actually made me laugh..

Many of you know that Mylène and Alain wintered Bécassine at their home..not sure when I will have her back..as we are not seeing anyone or going anywhere for feed and such..but she's in great hands.The hands that raised her.

During this quarantine I guess M cleaned out her fridge and found a piece of Boston Cream pie I made for birthdays Feb 14th  ..lol

So Alain fed it to the chickens..it looked fine..lol again..
Anyway the chickens went nuts pecking away like they always do..
but Bécassine pecked twice and walked away.
Alain said to Mylène:"She's just like your mother..2 bites of dessert and that's it"!

SO TRUE.
Anyway made me laugh that Bécassine is like me:)
We all need a smile these days.

If you are still reading..
Take care..Stay Home.

And Thank you M.Legault et Cie for being such a great father to QC.

Stay Home~Restez Chez Vous~

I keep harping about this on IG..Please..Please..Please.

~Mid March~2020.

I have never witnessed anything like this in 66 years~

Covid-19.

I painted this flattering self~ portrait..I say flattering because I am not wearing my 18 winter layers and slippers..and it's from the back..just about 1 day before things started going haywire here.

As of now..our Prime Minister's wife,Sophie Grégoire ~Trudeau has the virus.

All schools are shut for at least 2 weeks.

Events gathering too many people are canceled.

Sporting events canceled.

Store shelves bare of certain necessities.

The stock market is  ..you know..

Cities..closed down..countries..

Our parliament is closed until end of April.

The government.. will continue..but by phone..and web..

It's all so much and so frightening for many.

It's easy for us to say relax..but I did wake up several times..really concerned.

My What If middle name is overactive.

I really never sleep well in the best of times..so..

I think of the health of everyone..businesses..

The economic outcome seems  grim.

That's not me predicting this.

In the last 10 yrs I have seen that many people are alone.

What of them?

Who can they find comfort with?

In a way the internet and social media will be a blessing  for house bound people..

It certainly made the news spread soo fast.

The bad jokes..the shocking photos..

The jokes in poor taste..are the worst.

How people can find humor in all this is really beyond me.

I have often mentioned it's good to develop a HOME hobby..I hope you do.

Now is the time to be grateful for reading..knitting..painting..writing..etc..

I have to see a doctor next week..I told my husband to stay home.

I will go alone.

We are being well informed here in QC..

I tried painting yesterday and it was just awful.I'll re-apply myself later today I think.I have to be inspired...

I am hoping that sometime in 2020..all will be well.

For everyone.

In more ways than one.

♥

~March~

Unfathomable that March is upon us~


I for one am not done with winter..
I'm a gardener before ..a lot of other things.. and Spring till frost is a lot of hard work..
So I quite enjoy this time to be still and paint and play..

I'm a bear in hibernation..

I don't feel guilty taking out my art toys and painting..or crafting or baking..

In summer ..I do.

So ..let me eke out winter quietly and happily on my own;)

We did have more snow..


Oh well..c'est la vie ♥

I love our area..  so many pretty homes..case in point above..

I am not really a lover of Mc Mansions..
I prefer cozy.Small medium or large..hand me charm...different..unique..COZY.
I often listed homes that the fireplace was never used..NEVER..in QC..  makes a mess ..they said.Oh lala.
LOL.

As I type this draft..everything outside..trees..bushes..homes are coated in icing sugar..

I made blueberry muffins for Oli on a Wednesday and they were good:)
I do..use way more vanilla..and prefer a pungent sweet vanilla SUGAR..I poke blueberries on top before nestling them in the oven w/ a good sprinkling of Turbinado sugar.

You can find the recipe here..but do read above.
I also finally started digging into Julie Jones' first book..Soulful Baker.
I found Julie on IG..
I loved everything about her..
Her devotion to her mom w/ Alzheimer's was exemplary.

She would often have her stories revolve around her "mum"..heartbreaking..
Her 2 beautiful boys..
Her art in baking..
A magnet she is..and her accent♥♥I am a sucker for a beautiful accent.
And ..well her beautiful face is so approachable..
So that's my story about this great book..
She has a second one out now..kudos..
She has not had an easy year.
I think sometimes one must keep forging ahead..regardless.
I know..so much easier said than done.

In every stage of our lives..we face challenges..

One of our grandsons..adored one of his teachers..
School was fun..he got awards..he was so gung ho.

He loved her.

And  before Christmas..she took a leave..and has not.. and will not return.

He said to me:"Nana I think she's dead"..she's not coming back:(
For once in my life (lol) I had a great teacher."

I was disappointed for him..at his age..this is huge..
he is forging ahead regardless.
There's no choice in the matter.♥
What we learn from Littles..is invaluable.

My cute thoughtful cards are all put away..but this bouquet arrived today..so it's out and it wanted you to see her..she's a UK card..:)
From Marie..I love fold outs..we are watching Paddington 2 w/ Oli..I love it more that the original! And a pop up book is center stage;)

She's pretty darn lovely~

More snow on the way~and Mr.Rod McKuen~

February..is quite the month~

We had an unusual amount of snow and more is expected!

It's a 29 day month did you know that?

And we change the time March 8th! 

Very early..

 Easter is late ..April 12th..

Chances are..we may have no snow..

A new popular sport here..is bicycling in the snow..special bicycles.

The boys do it in high school ..and here and there I am seeing more and more..

Jacques is tempted..but a fall would..could be..not so great.

I am NOT tempted.

He is the walker ..biker here..

I was happy to find pieces that go with my tea cups..it's all about gardening so you know me..

At my favorite shop that I stay away from because I need nothing:)

I had a little birthday..66 ..oy.. and thank you to those who remembered♥

Lovely cards..and thoughtful offerings..

Even Sesame Street stamps on a wonderful card.

A  very special jam spoon..art supplies.. Caudalie products.. a new top..socks..mug♥

I only talk about my bday after.

100 yrs ago I loved the attention.

Now I cringe at public..

but quietly..I appreciate the remembrances and thank you ♥♥

Let's talk about those books..  all the Rod McKuens..♥ I was 17 ..I loved him so much..and am so glad I kept his books and didn't discard them like I discarded so many things.His LPs..:( Etc..

The SPS books are more when I was in my thirties..

Corny I was..corny I still am..

just glad I kept them.

We had the boys..3 of them..  while my daughter and husband went to Nashville..they had a ball!

They are adventurous..young..love the same things..

We loved being with the boys..

they are soooooo mature!

I just cannot believe it.

Autonomous..

except Oli.

He's 10 and pretty autonomous but I can still get him to cuddle and give him foot massages;)

They are TALL and funny  and SPORTSMEN.

And so nice to us.

My daughter has her job cut out for her..raising 3 sons is not like having 2 girls..like I had..

Kudos.All.The.Sports.All.The.Time.

They grow and they grow and they grow!

And 3 quarts of milk lasts..a day..lol

Out of the desserts I made for them..

This was their favorite.

It's a QC classic..

Easy as pie.

We have several recipes..I tried a new one..

La recette~

Warm..you will think you are in heaven.

Oli likes it cold.

Oli like chocolate milk..not hot chocolate.

Cake part

1/2 cup softened butter I use salted

1 cup white sugar

2  large eggs

vanilla to taste

2 cups unbleached flour

 1 tbsp baking powder

1 1/3 cup of whole milk

Cream butter and sugar  add eggs one by one..put aside..in another bowl mix flour with baking powder..

Incorporate this into the sugar mixture alternatively with the milk.

Put in a 9x 13 pyrex..(I did not I used my HUGE round pyrex)

They did not either..but for your first time..you should;)

Sauce

1 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1 1/2 cups heavy cream

 1 1/2 cup brown sugar

 1/3 cup unsalted butter..mine's always salted;)

I also add Watkins maple extract because I like it.

Mix all these and cook stove top until boiling..reduce heat simmer 2 minutes..pour over cake that you have spread in your pyrex.

Bake at 325 F for 35-40 minutes..

Top must be golden.

I use a toothpick too.

This is not for the sugar faint of heart..This is a treat..and made for our robust QC winters ;)

Un classique

The little calendar was made with my Kim Klassen Lightroom downloads for the Polaroid shape..and the actual calendar for February ..the dates etc..is from Minding My Nest

I love what I learn..thank you all that share!

A whiter shade of pale~

From the net~

February~

A card for a friend..sort of..I switched it up for her..:)

Painting along with Chris Petri on You Tube..go see..he is great and relaxing and fun .

Found this cute cute book..  100 blank pages..imagine ..later in life..he loves to draw!

They only had Lucas and Noah..and Lucas hasn't drawn in a while  he will be 15..things change..

I snuck this..above.. on the back page inside..he painted this of me when he was perhaps 6.
Who knows though..if it will get filled;)

I was searching for the above here..saw them in my fave librairies in Provence..can you believe I can't find any here?
Even in the US have not found..2 hard cardboards..elastics..they open like a portfolio to draw etc..
Cartons de Dessins.
I tried making some..not so good..;)


It's pretty snowy here..yesterday AM I needed to see the lake..

That's an ice fishing shack above..this is what I call needing to be alone.
Because we have a whole enclave up shore road..

I was gently happy to see the heart..

gently happy  kind of a a word right?

Unrelated to the heart my phone pics are so oversharpened SOOC..not sure what to do..there is no setting to adjust sharpness..I want normal..you can see above I tried to blur..badly..any ideas?

I was alone..  2 people walking far away on the ice with 2 dogs..and me..on the banks..
Isn't it beautiful?

In the kitchen..

This apple crisp though is delicious..Just different enough to have and to hold forever:)I added two apples and cardamom and nutmeg.If you need help tell me:)
The trick w/ this crisp..you make the crumble..refrigerate..
you make a creamy blend of the filling ings and then add the thinly sliced apples..so it's a creamier apple crisp and it's..le bomb:)

February 14th~
For some it's a birthday..others a romantic holiday..and others a commercial holiday.
When the girls lived with us I always had a special little something for them..I know I was giving into it..
Mylène's first V day I made us matching long red skirts w/ heart pockets..she was born in August so not even walking..
I was playing as I said:)
I made heart cakes and brownies forever and I guess Jacques and I gave into it all with cards for a good 10 yrs..
But we long ago made a pact..
no cards no nothing..


LOL I read on Facebook..a man saying when you make that pact w/ your wife..it's so stressful!
Because it's a trap.
I love humor.
If someone makes me laugh..I like them a bit more.

I might even love them a bit more.

Anyway I made a little card for someone special..a bit different than the one above..but extremely similar..
And another for a friend..
I have lots of bdays in Feb.
I made the boys..a heart cookie..with smarties etc..it was a Diane Morissey idea..I have made those giant cookies before..but had never embedded dove or other chocolates after baking..quite cute..:)

I used this recipe..

Original Toll House Pan Cookie..

February..the most special bday..

Our little one is 43!

On the left above..on the right below.. oh my G those old terrible slides..

Loves of my life~Some of them ..because more came along right?
In the form of little boys:)

Did I tell you I made a tape for their Walkmans? It had Carly Simon's  "You are the Love of My Life" on it..it was a tape I made with songs telling them how much I loved them..because Lord knows I cannot sing..nor dance.
Well..they recorded OVER them..bahahaha.
Teens are a treat..lol.

Notice..the RADIO below..and I swear I did not match the girls bathing suits to the chairs;) But notice his summer pathways in '77:) 

I made their clothes..
Obviously;)Pinafores and gingham..♥

The first house he built for them:)♥I'll have to find the subsequent ones:) One had a dutch door:)

And this is  now~

I took this pic of her w/ my phone Saturday as we headed out to Michael's etc..I told her to make that face:) You're only young once and all the sunglasses ads I see on IG the girls do this..
Still playing with her after 43 yrs:)♥
She's a ray of sunshine.
Listen to the song;)

I still feel the same way~

But different.

Whatever you get up to from here on end in February..I hope it sees you content and healthy~♥