Time for reflection~♥The fairy lights do that to me..and the tree~

It's the little things ...you know..



Things..precious things you had as a child..

Things bought on trips that then reminded you of someone..

Things you have had forever that remind you of a newly found Instagrammer that inspires you

A quirky funny ornament..that make you think..maybe you were born to be wild

Ornaments from my darling daughters

Ornaments from clients you had

Many ornaments from long time pen pals...  two peas in a pot

Ornaments I made to make my girls happy and to make  $$  at craft sales..
LOL times have changed

Ornaments that represent passions..

Ornaments commemorating the best of the best years

To remember yrs gone by.. 45..with Jacques..started in -73

Yes my favorite people call me by this name

More passions..stitching..

Bloggers near and far..some lost some found

Laughter

It's the little things..you know.♥ 

Keep them all so close to you~The THOUGHTS that go with the things..

Monique,xx

Cookietown~

Been baking cookies cookies cookies and bars:)
If you have a rolling pin that makes designs..you cannot go wrong with this recipe!
It is such a keeper.
My daughter borrowed two of my stamp cookie cutters and on her very first try..they came out perfect!
So if you own a stamp etc..rolling pin..and have not been successful I encourage you to try the recipe from The Lemon Apron~

I mention our Christmas stockings during the holidays and I am asked to share them..on occasion..so I usually pop them in here and there  for newcomers.

I made my very first one ..a snowman holding a snowbaby's hands..representing Frédérick holding Lucas' hands.
Lucas is our firstborn grandson..
Then I made Lucas', then our daughters..Alain..then Max and Noah and Oli..one for Jacques..one for me and an extra one.
The last 3 are never filled:)

I owe making these stockings to a  friend I had.

She taught me everything..
She sent me supplies to begin..and links on where to purchase wool etc.
She drew some for me..Mylène,my daughter drew the others♥
She video 'd herself showing me how to proceed.
For this I shall be forever grateful.

It's funny..I make small felt ornaments..that I give to my daughters..I have run out of patterns now..egads..
But Caroline wrote to me the day she put her tree up and told me that she liked my ornaments best of all.♥
And that Lucas said:"When I move out will nana make me some?"
Moments like those make me want to be here forever..

I made sugar cookies and used my huge Birkmann cutters..Statement cookies lol!
Either as an individual gift or poking out of stockings wrapped in cello.
I am rather supercalifragilistically smitten w/ my Canal Homes..The cutters are from Fancy Flours..Winter Village Cutter and Stencil Set.
$$  but imagine for me in Canadian funds.One million dollars;)
I still say..worth it.
We had a snowglobe day Tuesday..light snow all day falling gently..
Wednesday rose brilliantly sparkly w/ blue skies and sunshine.
I love days like these.
Truly Christmas weather.

These last little cookies are the best gingerbread cookies I have eaten.I used my Pain d'Epices spices from Provence..but it is the icing sugar instead of sugar that makes such a crisp lovely cookie..
You can find the fab recipe here..from Susan;)
More inspo from Susan~

Happy Baking

Fairy Lights ~And believing in Santa...

In Dec..it's either freezing w/ bright blue skies and sunshine..or milder..and grey..milder meaning 20's lol..
So fairy lights and cocooning indoors ..baking or painting or wrapping are favorite sports here:)

It's fine indoors or out  with no news on:(

Had to show you my Advent Calendar..Paris Letters..Paris Breakfasts..look at her latest subscription lette.It's Le Louvre..she designed and painted this absolutely genius Advent Calendar.
I am sure I have shown you my wall of fame:) I will again..soon..it's almost wallpapered with her letters:) I save them.:)

Made a new no-knead all my fellow no-kneaders,cinnamon and raisin..you can find the recipe here and I am here to help if you need it.You all know Isabelle Lambert..our famous QC cookbook/lovely person author.! It's a keeper.
I would recommend proceeding as I do for Ricardo's no-knead..as I really have trouble w/ the floured tea towel.I had to throw it away.It does not work for me.I am not a pastry/bread chef..she is:)

Operate the way you are used to..:)

My cake is a Bailey's Coco cake..dense..not very moist..perhaps because I halved it..still turned out ok..That little house took forever lol.

This little cutie and his mom popped by for tea/treats/hot chocolate..

Magic bars ..were the treat of the day..a classic since the 60's here..
I have been making them since 1974.
Like Nanaimo Bars..you're sure to land in a QC home around the holidays and find them gracing the sweet table.

That Vignette above with the very mini crocheted tea cup..was in a Christmas box from a dear dear penpal/friend.
My longest one.
You can have a long long standing one if you start NOW at my age:)

Time FLIES..

Noah had been asking his mom about Santa..children had started to talk a lot about NO Santa..he asked his mom again..so she told him..in the most gentle way possible..and he cried.
I had tears when she told me.

"But what about the cookies he eats?"

So many questions.

So few yrs at being so innocent♥

Countdown~

I can't believe it~

But it is a lovely time ahead..

Thinking about baking ..and thinking about those we love..finding a special something for them..

writing cards..making cards..

Drinking warm soothing teas or coffees..

My daughter initiated me to Skinny Moka Lattes:)..

here..

Florida has a special place in our hearts~

All our 4 Littles have come to visit at the same time we have visited..as babies..
To see them grow.. after a few yrs of absences..
is  quite amazing.
I like my daughter's phone pics better than mine for one thing;)

We had all kinds of weather..from sublime to not so sublime.
Robin..a VT friend on our beach is a landscaper..gardener..she combs the beach and makes..gardens out of SEASHELLS♥
This is one smidgen of what she creates.

Max..came and had to leave us w/ his dad for Edmonton,Alberta where he played in a round robin tournament for all of Canada w/ the CFL..in flag football.
His dad..left their holidays and went w/ Max.♥
Dads are different these days.
Fred does anything for his boys.And Alain is a dad like I never had.
Alain goes out to lunch and shopping with his children..like Fred..and supports everything they do.
No iron hands here.
So different from the 50's.
SO HAPPY FOR THE LITTLES.
So...Max and Montréal won:)
National flag football champions.
Next..Fl ..in Jan for International games and the ProBowl..meeting heroes..playing their best game.
Look what I spotted on the beach..on a cold breezy..well windy day..on the beach.
You Mean The World To Me.

Sums it all up for my little family♥
See you soon..back in the saddle:)