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  • Welcome to the Gigi Blog!

    Mother to six Little Women and Two Little Men. Married to a Happy Mortician. Caretaker to goats, chickens and many, MANY bunnies. Photographer. Homeschooler. Lover of Jesus, coffee & tea and all things pink & vintage.

Light the Candles

 

“Give me a match, Charles, please,” Ma said. She lighted the taper tip of the button lamp.
A tiny flame flickered and grew stronger.  It burned steadily,
melting the axle grease and drawing it up through the cloth into itself, keeping itself alight by burning.
The little flame was like the flame of a candle in the dark. 
“You’re a wonder, Caroline,” said Pa.
“It’s only a little light, but it makes all the difference.”
– The Long Winter

 

 

 

It all started with the science of a flame – and a dark wintry night in December.

The children and I were awaiting the return of the the Man of the House from work – it was a cold, dark dreary night. We lived in Ontario then; and often had to wait long nights until daddy’s headlights appeared in our driveway, giving us relief and joy upon his return after a long day at work. We had been reading through Micheal Faraday’s “The Chemical History of a Candle” and it had left us with a great curiosity of the beauty of a simple and humble candle flame.

“Let’s light some candles on the table for daddy,” I had told the children.

The older girls dashed about and hurriedly lit a tapered candle for our table setting. Instantly, the table took on a warm, cozy glow.

How lovely it looked, I thought, as I admired our simple but somehow elegant country affair. The meal itself was nothing fancy – shepherd’s pie with some homemade crusty bread — but the candle managed to dress up our lovely little table, creating an atmosphere of absolutely coziness.

From then on, we have always lit a candle at our dinner tables. Sometimes, in the dark wintry mornings, when the break of day can still mean inky darkness, a candle is lit at the breakfast table. But mostly, our supper table is decorated with the soft and warming glow of a candle or oil lantern. It has become a tradition for our family. Even with the change of seasons and the night staying brighter a little bit longer, we will still light a small candle.

 

{Candles on the sideboard in the dining room, lit during the supper time}

“Ring the bell and light the candles,” is the creed around here for “Supper’s ready!”

{Ringing a dinner bell is another tradition we have – thanks to a friend who never called for her children, but only rang the sweetest little bell to call them from upstairs or downstairs. We have used a bell ever since I heard her darling little call. It’s so much more charming than hollering through your hallways. Thank you, Laura, for the idea.}

 

{I love lighting the oil lantern at the table, as well!}

 

Recently, my mother sent me an article in an email about a family that lights candles at their dinner table every night. “You’ve been doing this for years, Gillian,” she said. I never thought of it being a trend, just something I loved to do for our family.

 

I have read that pretty things, arranged with love and kindness, is a mother’s way of showing tenderness and goodness. Having our overcrowded  but blessed dinner table, complete with a dozen or more people seated around it’s perimeter, lit with the gentle glow of a candle, may leave a lasting impression on my children – a time of family, chatter, good food, candle lit dinners, a time of family all being together. We do not light the candles out of formality but out of tradition. And out of love. An unlit supper table is a dismal affair; it feels lonely to me and without that extra touch of affection and care.

So, tonight, whether serving a simple meal of spaghetti or a well spread out feast with company, enjoy your family — and light the candles at your dinner table.

 

“It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.”
-unknown

 

P.S. If you are nervous to light a candle with little ones at the table (and for that, I say do not be nervous but try it instead), I have found these battery candles to be absolutely wonderful. They look so real that many of my family have gone over to blow out the candles after supper to realize …. they are operated by batteries!

 

March 11, 2024 - 4:37 pm

Gigi Hahaha, yes, I love that movie!

March 11, 2024 - 1:42 pm

Monica I thought of the “Seven Brides” movie where Millie comes in and cooks a meal and the boys are wild at the table and shoving the food in. Haha! That can be us some days (well, not quite! Ha!)… definitely important though to gather and enjoy each other. I will be on the lookout at the thrift stores
For a little candelabra. 🙂

March 11, 2024 - 11:15 am

Gigi There’s nothing that I love more than to gather my family around a dinner table! Yes, it can be noisy but I know these days are precious! I only hope my table becomes MORE full in the years to come. xo I love that you have a bell, Monica!

March 11, 2024 - 9:05 am

Monica Funny, I had just found those exact candles on Amazon after looking for some to go on my porch. 🙂 I love all of your tablescapes and settings—very cozy indeed. We do not light candles, but I do ring a bell. It’s a pretty loud bell though, usually I have children far and wide—in the woods even. Ha! I might give lighting candles a try though—I do feel like our times around the table are so hurried and thrown together. I wonder if anyone else feels this way? Not ideal, but it’s true.
Beautiful post!

March 11, 2024 - 5:14 am

Gigi Sorry about that, yes, I’m sure there is an American source!

March 10, 2024 - 11:29 pm

Regina Shea I clicked on the Amazon link and then I realized it was the Canadian link. I hope the candles are a good price for the USA.

March 10, 2024 - 11:19 pm

Regina Shea I’ve recently started having eithera tea light candle or battery powered reality during my devotion time. I admit when I would see YouTube content creators doing this I thought it was silly. And I have friends who would light candles so I thought to myself why not give it a shot.I lovebit! It adds such a nice little touch to my quiet time with God. I do the same when I’m reading a good book. I might invest in some battery operated tapers.

The Humble Baguette

To me, there’s no better smell than the aroma of fresh baked homemade bread.

I love making bread.

And that’s a good thing because in our family, we need at least two loaves a day! When I was a little girl, I remember my mom saying how I could live on bread alone. My mother was a very good baker and always made the most delicious homemade buns for our family.

Later, as an adult  and mother (and sadly, without baking and cooking abilities), I distinctly remember the day my husband mistakenly tossed out our bread maker over 18 years ago … I was devastated! How could I make bread without the machine?  However, that providential incident  forced me to learn to make bread for my growing family. And I shudder to think of using a bread machine now! (Sorry to those who use one … perhaps they have perfected them by now? But still, I prefer a good old homemade loaf over anything machine made).

Bread is so wonderfully versatile; it can round out a family meal with flare and stretch a simple meal of simmering soup by satisfying all this hungry eaters around your table. It’s a skill I require of all my daughters, as well.

Recently, I was shocked to hear from a friend that Canadians cannot bake good bread. I wasn’t just surprised, I was, to be honest, insulted. I KNOW Canadians can bake beautiful bread! We have European roots in our bloodline … amazing breads, crunch loaves, soft fluffy rolls, artisan breads, they can and are all baked by wonderful Canadians that I know.

Today, to prove a little point … I thought I’d share my French baguette recipe, which is one of my favourites.

 

It’s also very easy to make! You must, however, start this dough the night before (or at least the morning before dinner, in the very rushiest of scenarios).

We’re going to start off with 3 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoons of yeast, two teaspoons of salt and 1 1/2 cups of warm water. Mix this all together in a bowl (no proofing your yeast) and let it sit for over night or at least 6-8 hours.

[I always double, if not, triple my recipes, so I would automatically double this for a few loaves at a time.]

I mixed up this dough last night after church.

 

 

This morning, after the breakfast rush was over and the kitchen was warmed up, it was time to check on my dough. By now, it looked like this:

 

Beautiful!

The dough should be alive and fluffy and very wet. Do not worry – just keep a generous cup of flour nearby to use on your hands and your surface so the dough will not stick.

 

Divide your dough into two sections.

 

Roll out gently into a baguette shape – this is a wet dough – it will be a little sticky, but work with it gently.

 

Score the tops of the bread (slash diagonally with a knife). Cover and let them rise. Meanwhile, heat your oven to 450 degrees and place a saucepan of water on the bottom shelf of the oven. The moisture will create the traditional crunch textured crust, while still providing a beautiful soft texture on the inside of your loaf.

 

I forgot to take a photo of the pans I use – but you can find them here. I’m sure, with creativity, you can just use a regular pan. Your loaf may spread a bit more, but that is okay – you will be eating this loaf so quickly!

 

Once your loaves are ready to go in the oven (about 30 minutes rest time – depending on how warm your kitchen is) … place your bread into the hot oven and put on the kettle for a nice cup of tea.  Enjoy the delicious aroma of love and homemade bread wafting through your home ….

 

After about half an hour, your bread should be ready. You can tell by tapping on the bread – if it sounds hollow and is a lovely golden, dark brown, they are finished. Place on a cooling rack. I know it is tempting to cut into your warm bread, but you must wait until they are cooled fully.

 

These baguettes are absolutely delicious served with – anything! Soups, pasta dishes … breakfast with jam … a little snack in the afternoon with a slice of melted cheese …

 

This is one of my favourite recipes … please let me know if you try it.

 

 

Yes, Canadians can bake beautiful artisan breads. It’s in our history and part of our heritage. 

March 2, 2024 - 6:26 am

Gigi Teresa, I hope so – 🙂 The washing machine was great to use. I’m glad I know how to use it now – you never know when one may need it! I hope you are doing well.

March 1, 2024 - 12:27 am

Teresa Gigi, what beautiful bread! Your children are going to have such wonderful memories of mama and home. I love the old washing machine ~ very wise and a good thing to have in the times we are living. Blessings to you and your family.

February 24, 2024 - 7:40 pm

Danessa stride Thanks for another lovely post! It is one of the most satisfying things, to make bread, I absolutely love it. I often make 8 to 10 loves at a time, every 2 weeks, it freezes very well. And I love to gift it to friends, sadly so many of my friends don’t know how to make bread or have the internet, that’s so sad. I will try your recipe, I’m sure it’s delicious

February 22, 2024 - 6:04 pm

Gigi Rebecca, that sounds delicious! I’m sure your family appreciates it!

February 22, 2024 - 6:04 pm

Gigi Cathy, yes I love these bowls! I always look for them for my daughters to put into their Hope Chest! Enjoy your bread!

February 22, 2024 - 2:56 pm

Cathy Bray Hi Gigi! i have that exact same bowl. Don’t you just love it?! I found it in an antique store. They just put more thought into everything. I will be trying your bread (making tonight to serve tomorrow) I’ll let you know how it turns out! 🙂

February 22, 2024 - 1:51 pm

Rebecca I just tried making baguette bread last week — I used a sourdough recipe — it turned out so good! I’m gonna make another batch on Saturday. I’ve started making more and more bread and I try to have at least 1 loaf of bread everyday to go with our dinner.

February 22, 2024 - 5:07 am

Gigi For Haven: I made two loaves (from the original recipe) with freshly milled flour yesterday – they were definitely more of a wet dough and you’d need you form to hold their shape but they were delicious! We ate them with our luncheon soup that day, so no photos as my family was too quick. 😉 They were more of a rustic bread – obviously, but just as good!

February 21, 2024 - 8:29 am

Gigi HI Nancy, you can make two loaves from the original recipe – they will be a bit thinner, but that’s definitely preferred for baguettes!

February 21, 2024 - 12:04 am

Haven Gigi, how wonderful that you have a neighbor who mills commercially! I’ll be so curious to hear how your baguettes turn out today. I have struggled a lot with getting nice bread out of freshly milled whole grain. Perhaps partly because I usually use sourdough. But today I had some success with 100% spelt, not baguettes but more of a sandwich bread. I just love seeing your bread creations! They are always lovely and scrumptious looking.

February 20, 2024 - 6:22 pm

Nancy Hello, Gigi. What a lovely post; thank you for sharing it. I am now looking at baguette pans since I’d love to try your recipe. Can you confirm that the single recipe using 3 cups of flour makes 1 baguette loaf? It looks like you made two baguettes in this post, so I’m assuming it’s a double batch (6 cups of flour)? I look forward to all your posts; seeing your family’s many adventures and how you live is so encouraging.

February 20, 2024 - 11:09 am

Gigi Bobbie, I’m sure the machine would come in handy on busy days, for sure!

February 20, 2024 - 9:32 am

Homeofmanyblessings Yummm.im gonna try this today, I have been making bread for years,but this looks lovely!I have a bread machine that I use for days that I just don’t have time,but then I have certain breads that I just have to make with my hands.There is something so wonderful about it!Also I love your little bread basket.What an adorable way to present it on the family table.Thanks for the recipe and have a great day!

February 20, 2024 - 6:32 am

Gigi Hello Haven, I do mill my flour but not 100% of the time, as our neighbour mills 100% organic flour that is just amazing! (Crystal Green farms). I will try it out today and report back! I’m sure it will be a very wet dough and therefore you will need to use your own judgement to adjust the consistency of the dough. What kind of grains do you use? I use spelt and red fife.

February 20, 2024 - 12:49 am

Haven Hi Gigi! I’m curious if you’ve ever tried this recipe with freshly milled flour? And if so, what kind of grain? It looks wonderful! Thank you for sharing.

February 19, 2024 - 8:07 pm

Gigi Lillibeth — thank you for the vote of confidence! 😉

February 19, 2024 - 7:34 pm

Lillibeth I think Canadians are VERY good cooks and I know if I follow a Canadian’s recipe it’s going to be good!
I was just trying to bake baguettes without a fancy pan today, and a couple of rather flat loaves later, realized that I need one of those pans after all:)

The Old Ways: Washing Day

‘He who labors, prays.
What worship, for example, is there not in mere washing.”
— CARLYLE

 

 

 

“It’s broken. There’s no way to use it tonight. I’ll have to order some parts.”

My husband’s words were muffled, coming from the direction of the open drum of our well-worn washing machine. This announcement of doom was coming late Saturday evening, a puddle of dirty water around his feet and a larger pile of unwashed laundry awaiting their cycle in a somewhat orderly heap beside the washing machine.

Broken?!

The washing machine – a heavily used and needed item for a family of 12? Broken?

This cannot be, was my first thought … I can only imagine the huge piles of laundry that would follow if I did not stay on top of my regular laundry schedule.

This indeed felt like terrible news for a mother of ten;  “a load a day keeps the laundry mountain away” is my motto … but now, with a broken washing machine, what is the poor housewife to do? A moment of panic was quickly washed away with a moment of responsibility and realization that letting laundry sit would just not suffice.

“Girls, from now on, we’re hand washing everything. No laundry will sit waiting – you use it, we wash it right away,” I said, a fierce desire had set in already – to make sure our home did not overflow with dirty laundry, stinky milk rags (used for washing the cow during milking) or soiled dishcloths (of which we go through a tremendous amount in one day).

Surely I am not the only one who has ever faced this predicament. Surely this is just a test of my organization and work ethics.  Sometimes I feel unless you live in a large family, you will not understand the plight of a large family — without a large family imagination – especially in regards to piles of dirty laundry. Yes, I am thankful this is not the summer when our clothes are even more soiled from garden work and outdoor chores. At least, it is winter and we’re not as dirty – little boy pants can be reworn for a few days.

But what about bedding?

Towels? Washcloths, rags, and the likes? We are a family that prides ourselves in re-usuable everything – napkins, etc.

Ah, the good old days of washing clothes by hand… and then I remember the lovely old washing “machine” stored away in our barn … would it be possible to use our antique washing machine for our household needs?

It’s worth a try, I thought.

I gave my husband that look and a smile.

 

 

 

“Oh, hunny, Would you please be able to find and bring in that old washing tub for me?” I asked, a cheerful smile on my face. 

My husband did not look amused. That old washer was heavy and it was up in the attic.

“You’re not going to use that, are you? That’s ridiculous. Just take it all to the laundry mat,” he said, putting away his tools.  

 

 

With some prodding and convincing, it was not long before Mr. Man of the House brought in the heavy old fashioned washing machine, something we had picked up at an estate sale several years ago, but never used.  To be honest, I have always wanted to try it but never really had a need to do so. This particular challenge of the broken washing machine presented the perfect opportunity to try laundry washing in the old fashioned way.

What if I could use the machine to help me out? What a fun way to learn history for the children and maybe help speed up the process of our washing — until the modern machine is fixed, at least.

 

Here is the original advertisement for our particular washer:

 

 

 

 

{homemade laundry soap}

 

Do you see these laundry tongs? They were purchased last summer at an estate sale from a 101 year old woman. I can imagine how many loads she did using these tongs! To think that products last for so long is absolutely amazing compared to the trinkets we see on the markets today.

 

The boys have been a great help, getting the wringer going. It is a two person job, I would say, to use this washer, but we have learned a lot. First off all, I think this actually cleans better than a regular washing machine. And secondly, it does not take as long as a regular load of laundry. The wringing action might take the longest, depending on the strength of the one in charge of the roller. Other than that, it’s fairly a simple process to get your laundry cleaned. I am very impressed with this invention! Mothers from the 1900s must have been so happy to have this washer on their back porch to help them out in their laundry days.

 

I had some bluing in my cupboard so we used that, as well, for our whites. It felt very true to the time period of the washer, seeing as Mrs. Stewart’s bluing dates back 130 years ago. {Speaking of bluing, have you seen the Road to Avonlea episode where Janet King needs to sell the bluing to her neighbours? It was a very fun episode and one I truly enjoyed watching!}

 

In my laundry room, I also have my antique iron board, purchased from an estate sale of a 101 year old woman here on the island. Every time I iron, I think of how many times she may have ironed on this very same board, of the lives from long ago. 

 

 

 

Using this antique washer, we have learned that we don’t actually need a washing machine. We are keeping up with the laundry washing, although it has taken very tight organization skills or we would be quickly overloaded with dirty laundry. The wash is done daily and we don’t allow it to sit day after day. 

 

“Well, we’re going to make great memories,” one of the girls said to me, as we washed up the dirty clothes together. One of my boys admitted he thought using the wringer was a fun chore – I have been so thankful for their help.

 

 

Overall, I am not disappointed that our washing machine broke. This has been a fantastic, historical learning experience – and memories, indeed, have been made. Sometime the old paths truly are the best paths.

January 26, 2024 - 8:49 pm

Ruthie Dear Gigi,
It’s so amazing that your 100+ year old washer is still in working order! Yes, an unexpected trial, but you made it fun! We had a similar thing in that the electric went out for 2 days. Thankfully, I have a gas stove, but lighting and the fridge were a bit of a challenge. We had fun reading books & playing board games by candlelight & kerosene lamp.
Love,
Ruthie

January 26, 2024 - 3:40 pm

Gigi P.S. The toilet/sink plunger in the photos was not used for the toilet – I used it for plunging in the laundry when needed. Just wanted to clarify …! 🙂

January 26, 2024 - 3:36 pm

Gigi You’re so cute, Monica, and a sister at heart indeed! Yes, I plan on bringing it outside in the summertime and using it next to the laundry line. I will feel truly old fashioned then! xo

January 26, 2024 - 10:30 am

Monica This might be my favorite post of yours yet. I love the photos, the washing machine, the articles, the commentary, the quotes, all of it! The Lord knew down the line you would need to drag out (bless Abby! 🙂 this washing machine and use it. I love it! Even when you get your machine fixed, maybe every now and then you can give it a spin (no pun intended!)…for old times’ sake! 🙂

January 24, 2024 - 5:23 am

Gigi Hello Ana, I knew I was not alone in my plight. 🙂 Yes, I should have mentioned – we did use the washboard as well. The girls enjoyed that part – feels like such a charming old fashioned way of doing the laundry!

January 24, 2024 - 5:23 am

Gigi HI GIGI: WOW WHAT AN AMAZING MACHINE AND WHAT A HURRY IT GOT YOU OUT OF, I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE TALKING ABOUT, WE TOO AT SOME POINT WERE 12 PEOPLE AND OUR WASHING MACHINE BROKE, SO I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO FILL A BIG BUCKET WITH SOAPY WATER FOR CLOTHES AND START SCRUBBING THE CLOTHES OF A CROWD LOL, THE OLD WOODEN WASHBOARD HELPED ME A LOT, HAVE YOU EVER USED IT? ALSO WITH A SOFT BRUSH I USED IT FOR MY HUSBAND’S JEANS OR WORK CLOTHES, HE HAS BEEN FIXING CARS SINCE HE WAS 14 YEARS OLD AND TODAY HE IS 67 YEARS OLD AND CONTINUES TO DO THAT WORK, MY HANDS DID NOT GET TIRED SINCE I WAS YOUNGER, TODAY I HAVE A LARGE WASHING MACHINE FOR MANY PEOPLE WITH GREAT WASHING CAPACITY AND MY HANDS NO LONGER HAVE SO MUCH STRENGTH, I’M 64 YEARS OLD AND I’M NOT THE SAME ANYMORE, THE YEARS GO BY FOR EVERYONE. IT’S BEAUTIFUL TO SEE THE BOYS HELP IN THIS HOUSEHOLD CHORE, IT WILL BE A GREAT EXAMPLE FOR THEM IN THE FUTURE. BLESSINGS FROM HOT BUENOS AIRES.

January 23, 2024 - 9:25 pm

Ana HOLA GIGI: WOW QUE MAQUINA INCREIBLE Y DE QUE APURO TE HA SACADO, SE DE LO QUE HABLAS, NOSOTROS TAMBIEN EN ALGUN MOMENTO ERAMOS 12 PERSONAS Y SE NOS ROMPIA LA MAQUINA DE LAVAR, ASI QUE NO TENIA OTRA OPCION DE LLENAR UN GRAN TACHO CON AGUA CON JABON PARA LA ROPA Y COMENZAR A REFREGAR LA ROPA DE UNA MULTITUD JAJAJJA, ME AYUDO BASTANTE LA TABLA DE LAVAR ANTIGUA DE MADERA, ¿LA HAS USADO ALGUNA VEZ? TAMBIEN CON UN CEPILLO SUAVE LO USABA PARA LOS JEANS O ROPA DE TRABAJO DE MI ESPOSO, EL ARREGLA AUTOS DESDE LOS 14 AÑOS Y HOY TIENE 67 AÑOS Y SIGUE HACIENDO ESE TRABAJO, MIS MANOS NO SE CANSABAN YA QUE ERA MAS JOVEN, HOY TENGO UNA LAVADORA GRANDE PARA MUCHAS PERSONAS CON GRAN CAPACIDAD DE LAVADO Y MIS MANOS YA NO TIENEN TANTA FUERZAS , TENGO 64 AÑOS Y YA NO SOY LA MISMA, LOS AÑOS PASAN PARA TODOS. ES HERMOSO VER A LOS CHICOS AYUDAR EN ESTA TAREA DOMESTICA, SERA UN GRAN EJEMPLO PARA ELLOS EN EL FUTURO. BENDICIONES DESDE LA CALUROSA BUENOS AIRES.

January 23, 2024 - 6:52 pm

Gigi Hello Bobbie, thank you for your kind words! How are you doing? We sell cut flowers in the summer at the roadside stand – the girls have sold some baked goods, as well … we haven’t sold any honey as we lost our bees during the hurricane.

January 23, 2024 - 6:32 pm

Homeofmanyblessings How awesome is that!! I love how it looks also,you look so pretty using it in your photos!Your little ones are getting so big!Have a great time with that washer.Are you selling any of your honey or other products that you might make there by any chance?I knew your girls where selling eggs,so I wasn’t sure if maybe you had a website and sold handmade goods or anything.

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