Tag Archives: photography

Valentine’s Heart Necklace

21 Jan

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Usually my 10 year old daughters take in a little Valentine’s gift or treat for all the kids in their class (last year’s treats here).  But this year things  have changed a little.  It seems as though the thought of giving the boys anything to do with love or fondness is something that makes their little cheeks turn pink. They say the boys are silly, not interesting, noisy and smelly.  In other words, they’re starting to NOTICE them.  Oh gosh.

So together with my daughters we came up with a these little puffed heart necklaces that they can give to all the girls in their class.  It’s a quick and simple project that my daughters helped with and the result is absolutely adorable.  I can just imagine their little group of girlfriends walking around school on Valentine’s Day with these little coloured fabric hearts hanging around their necks.

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I cut the cotton batting heart slightly smaller than the cotton hearts so that there was no risk of it poking out after being stitched.

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Now you just have to layer all the hearts and string.  Put the first cotton heart right side down then place the cotton batting heart on top.  Next place the string across the middle (or slightly higher up) and then the last cotton heart on top (good side facing up).

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Now you just have to simply stitch around the outside of the heart.  For some I used the  zigzag stitch instead and it also gave a nice effect.

1-IMG_5297We then took some heavy card stock to make little Valentine’s Cards in which to give the necklaces.  We punched two little holes near the top to pass the string through and used Washi tap to fasten the rolled string on the other side.  You can add little messages and notes inside the card as well.

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Brown Sugar Shortbreads

18 Jan

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In a few days my dear grandmother is turning 91 years old.  At almost 91 my grandmother has more energy than I do and a social schedule that would make an 18 year old jealous.  This wonderful woman is sweet, kind, funny , caring and so generous.  In other words, the perfect grandmother (and great-grandmother!).

In the past I’ve mentioned that during my childhood I spent many days in her cozy little kitchen learning how to bake.  It’s definitely there that my passion for baking was ignited.  And over the years I’ve been slowly teaching my own kids the art of making the perfect biscuit or bobo ball just as my grandmother taught me.

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Today I made up a batch of my grandmother’s Brown Sugar Shortbreads.  These cookies are so buttery and rich and make your house smell like absolute heaven when they’re baking in the oven.  Usually you should make a thumbprint in the balls of dough and fill it up with jam before baking but I thought for the occasion of my grandmother’s 91st I’d make little jam filled hearts in the middle.  And they turned out perfectly.  I think I’ll be making these by the dozen to give out on Valentine’s Day as well.  Believe me, cookies like these will make people feel loved.

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Brown Sugar Shortbreads

1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter
1 egg yolk
1 3/4 cup flour
pinch of salt

1. Cream butter and brown sugar.

2. Add egg yolk and mix to combine.

3. Add flour and salt and mix until becomes  dense dough.

4. Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet.  Flatten slightly then either make an indent with thumb (or a carrot heart like me!).  Fill hole with favorite jam.

5. Bake in 350 (180) oven for 10-15 minutes.

Enjoy!

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As you read above in the recipe, I carved out a heart in a carrot to use as my “stamp” for the middle of the cookie.  My kids thought I was nuts but it actually worked out perfectly in the end (and let me tell you how hard it is to carve a carrot with a half-healed broken wrist!).

We’ll be enjoying these this week-end and sending loving birthday thoughts to my grandmother in Canada.

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Wouldn’t a sweet little decorated box filled with these delicious cookies make the perfect Valentine’s Day gift?

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Vercelli

17 Jan

A few week-ends ago we decided to make a day trip to the Piemonte region here in Northern Italy.  We are currently living in Lombardia but are literally 5 minutes from the border to Piemonte.

Piemonte offers so many beautiful areas to visit: the famous vineyards of Barolo and Barbaresco (to name a few), the vast risotto fields, small medieval towns and villages with castles, monasteries and beautiful villas and famous cities such as Torino.

So we decided that this will be our year to really explore Piemonte and all it has to offer.  Luckily we can reach many beautiful spots within an hour or so by car so it’s really perfect for a week-end day-trip.  Last year we visited the gorgeous town of Moleto and we plan to return there for a lazy Sunday lunch and walk in the rolling fields.

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So for our first Saturday outing we decided to visit the small city of Vercelli.  Vercelli is one of the oldest urban sites in Northern Italy (founded around 600BC).  The town is full of historic buildings from all periods and styles.  Every time you turn a corner you stumble upon another amazing piece of architecture.

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My husband spent the day teaching the kids about different styles of architecture (Roman, Gothic, Liberty etc) and by the end of the day they could identify all the styles of the different buildings and churches.  Who would have thought little kids would find it so exciting to learn about antique architectural styles!  I love that.

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I fell in love with this house above.  How lovely would it be to have an upstairs hallway with those windows!

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After a morning of wandering aimlessly through the town (which was empty for some reason) we found a little restaurant that offered delicious local specialties.  We tried the Bagna Cauda (warm dip of garlic and anchovies served with fresh vegetables), a local cheese plate (something my daughter always orders),  Panissa (a risotto with beans and sausage) and a hearty bowl of Pasta e Fagioli (beans and pasta).

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We also browsed through the monthly Organic/Biological market in the main square. Lots of local honeys, jams, baked goods and vegetables on offer to buy.

1-IMG_5236All in all a lovely and sunny winter outing.  I hope there will be many more of these in the coming months.  Stay tuned!

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Traveling With Kids Column on Classic Play! (Affordable Travel)

10 Jan

My newest travel column is over on Classic Play! today.  This time I wrote about making traveling as a family as affordable as possible.  Believe me, it is possible.  I list all my top tips on how to save money on transportation, accommodation and entertainment.  I also included my top way of saving spending money in the months leading up to a trip.  Pop over and take a look and I’d love to hear if you have any tips of your own.

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Bobo Balls

9 Jan

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I’m feeling super proud of myself at the moment.  For the second time this week I got myself out of the house by 7:45am in the dark and freezing cold to my pilates class.  From when I got up at 6:45am until I left it was an on-going mental battle for me.  One little voice was telling me to just stay home in my warm house and the other little voice was trying to motivate me out of the house.  Luckily the latter won.

Today I have a secret family recipe to share with you.  I had wanted to post it before the holidays but didn’t manage.  So I’ll sell them as the perfect Valentine’s Day cookie instead of Christmas cookie.

These little balls made with only 4 ingredients are one of my favourite treats from childhood.  My grandmother used to make these for my brother and I and we would be able to scoff down more than a few.   I was 23 when my grandmother actually told me the ingredient list because she knows that I would’ve been horrified if I knew there were dates in them.  I was tricked for 23 years of my life.

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Usually I’m not a huge fan of cookies that involve breakfast cereal but in this case the rice crispies add crunch that compliments the chewy dates.   I know they sound weird and slightly kitschy but trust me on this one…they’re incredibly tasty.  And as a bonus they are no-bake which means it takes minutes to whip up a batch of these.

Gramma’s BoBo Balls

1/2 cup  butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 cups pitted and chopped dates
3 1/2 cups Rice Crispies cereal

1. Melt butter in pot, add brown sugar and dates.

2. Bring to a boil, lower heat, stir and cook until smooth (8-10 min).

3. Add rice crispies.

4. With buttered hands form into uniform sized balls (approx. 2-bite sized).  Roll in white sugar.

5. Store in air-tight container to keep crispy. Enjoy!

1-IMG_4933-001I hope someone out there gives these cookies a chance and tries them out.  And if you do, please let me know what you think.  I have three kids who all love them (one being Miss Fussy) and I have followed my grandmother’s tradition of not letting them in on the secret of the dates in them.

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Guest Post: Joelix

7 Jan

{Note from Jillian: Oh how I’ve missed this space and all the creative doings behind a post.  But slowly I’m coming back and I have lots of ideas swirling in my head that I’ll get busy with once I’m a fully functioning two- handed person.  One of the most important parts of blogging for me is really the community behind it.  Over the last years I’ve made some wonderful like-minded blogger friends.  They encourage and cheer me on.  They inspire me to no end.  And as I have seen during these last few weeks of having only one working hand, they reach out and help me when I need it.  So a big warm thank you to you all.  Today Judith from the lovely blog JOELIX has once again graciously written up a fantastic post to share with you all.  This little shop she came across in Paris seems like heaven to me.  I would move a little bed into the back of the store and move in if I could.  So bright and happy and full of such beautiful things (especially for this girl who loves anything Japanese!).  Thanks Judith for introducing us to the most lovely of  shops Adeline Klam.  Now that trip to Paris can’t come soon enough!


Coucou, it’s me again: Judith from JOELIX.com. Did you check One Bunting Away’s post about the pretty Petit Pan shops in Paris? Well, here is another reason for Jillian to come to Paris soon: the beautiful Adeline Klam boutique.

Only a few weeks ago I came here for the first time and met the lovely Emlie from Griottes and Eléonore from Deer and Doe. I was completely charmed by the cute & welcoming atmosphere. At Adeline Klam you’ll find lots of Japanese paper goods, stationery, pillows, photo albums, Japanese fabrics, DIY books, wooden toys and so much more.


What I liked most about the boutique, is that it’s very spacious & bright. In the back there’s room for creative workshops for both kids and adults, which are organized a few times a week. This month you can learn how to make ballotins or a garland of paper cranes. I think Jillian’s kids will love this because they’re completely into origami!


Adeline Klam /// 54, Boulevard Richard Lenoir /// 75011 Paris /// metro Richard Lenoir /// +33 (0)1 48 07 20 88
Open every monday through saturday: 11AM – 7PM.

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Happy New Year!

31 Dec

I can’t believe 366 days have passed since I was sitting in my mother’s living room in Canada on New Year’s Eve 2011 holding my new and sweet little nephew.  Is it just me or does time fly by when you’re a grown up?  I mean, this past year my daughters’s celebrated their first decade of life and my grandmother her 9th decade of life!  That’s crazy and wonderful at the same time.

2012 had some amazing moments (our Japan trip topping the list of course) and some sad moments.  We lost someone special this year but gained many new friends as well.  My kids learned about grief but also about happiness and joy.  We are a lucky family.

And now it’s the last day of 2012 and we’re getting ready to celebrate the amazing year that has passed and to welcome the new one that is right around the corner.  I have high high hopes for 2013.  I think we all should.  I’ll dedicate this year to making myself, my family, my friends and those in need HAPPIER.  Easy as that.

Thanks to you all for your visits and comments to this little blog.  It really does mean the world to me.  And once I get this broken hand of mine healed I’ll be back here more regularly.

So enjoy your New Year’s Eve and all the best in 2013!  Lots of love from Italy to you all,  Jillian xxx

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Guest Post: One Bunting Away

24 Dec

{Note from Jillian: So here I am in the land of incessant rain and square pillows.  We arrived in Belgium yesterday evening and have already been stuffed with Chocolates and french fries.  The kids are in heaven and haven’t left their grandparents side since we arrived.  The Christmas table is set for this evening (17 adults and 9 kids) and the turkey has been picked up from the butcher’s.  Soon various family members will arrive with cousins of every age (and we’ll meet our latest niece for the first time!).  Christmas is indeed a wonderful time of year.  

Today I have my latest guest post from fellow blogger Giova from One Bunting Away.  Giova graciously wrote this lovely post about some little shops she found in Paris that are full of everything a crafter could ever hope for from one of my favourite brands Petit Pan.  I think a trip to Paris is in order so I can go spend some time (and money) in these little boutiques.  Pop over to One Bunting Away for some wonderful images and stories from two sisters who live on opposite sides of the ocean but have a shared passion for art and anything creative!}

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I’m so happy that Jillian invited me to her colorful blog (I hope you are feeling better). And since we share a love of fabric, especially Petit Pan, I thought of nothing better than to show you this very colorful shop in Paris which is filled with great things that we need to have (even if in reality we really don’t!).

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Some weekends ago on a very short trip to Paris, I went on my little excursion-a must always when I’m there- to Rue Francois Miron (which is where 3 Petit Pans are located, and of course some other nice stores too), but it is such a delight to be able to go into one and then another, and then another, and not have to walk more than ten steps each time!
You can find not only very colorful fabrics and you can see from the picture below, but all sorts of knick knacks for the avid crafter and sewer.  The middle store is one dedicated to children where they sell wonderful toys, pijamas, bed sheets, garlands and room decorations.
petit pan1Petit Pan has a wide range of prices, so I think there is something for every budget, and even if you don’t buy anything you’ll be inspired for sure.
I hope you liked the little tour of this store. And thanks again Jillian for having me here!

 

 

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Traveling With Kids Column on Classic Play! (Mount Fuji)

20 Dec

Today I’m over on Classic Play! with my last Traveling With Kids column of the year.  This time I write about our visit to the Mount Fuji/Five Lake District in Japan.   It’s a gorgeous region that is full of nature, culture and history.  And the views of that gorgeous mountain are unbelievable!  It’s really something that we’ll never forget.  Pop on over to Classic Play! to read all about it.

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Guest Post: JOELIX

19 Dec

{Note from Jillian: Today I have our first guest post on the blog.  Many thanks to the uber-talented Judith from JOELIX for whipping up this amazing Christmas recipe.  I seriously can’t wait until my arm is well enough to make these.  They involve two of my favorite things…mincemeat and cheesecake! Make sure to check out her blog JOELIX and be prepared to be inspired.  She’s one talented lady. }

Bonjour Jillian In Italy readers, I’m Judith from JOELIX.com. Jillian asked me to share something festive with you, while she is recovering from surgery. I hope she’s doing fine, because not being allowed to use your right hand for 6 weeks must be really tough! Especially with 3 kids… Big hugs Jill!

You all know that Jillian is a talented cook, so I decided to share my favorite christmas recipe with you today. I never cook myself (although I do enjoy baking & making desserts!), but I’m blessed to be surrounded by some amazing chefs. My all time favorite christmas treats are my mom’s mini cheesecakes with mincemeat. They taste very christmassy & sweet and look super cute. Plus they are not too big, which is perfect after a rich christmas meal.

So here is my mom’s recipe:

What you need:
200g digestive biscuits
120g melted unsalted butter
250g firm cream cheese
200ml crème fraîche
75g icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
100ml whipped cream
100g dried candied cranberries
2 tbs brandy
400g mincemeat

What you do:
Line a 12-hole muffin pan with cling film. Mix the crumbled biscuits with the butter in a blender until combined. Press biscuit mixture into the base and sides of the muffin holes. Press firmly with a spoon. Place the muffin pan in the freezer while you make the filling.
Combine the cream cheese, crème fraîche, sugar and vanilla extract in your blender and beat until smooth. Mix with whipped cream using a spoon.
Fill the muffin pan with spoonfuls of the cream filling. Freeze for another 30 minutes.
Gently heat the cranberries and brandy in a saucepan over low heat for 2-3 minutes. Then add mincemeat and warm through for another 3 minutes. Remove from the stove.
To serve, carefully remove the cakes from the muffin pan and serve with mincemeat topping. Bon appétit!

You can buy ready-made mincemeat at this time of the year, but my mom suggested it tastes much better when you prepare the mincemeat yourself. She wrote down her recipe and I made an easy downloadable recipe of it!

If you are going to try making these mini cheesecakes, let me know how you liked them! And of course: may your days be merry & bright! Gros bisous from France!

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