There was always something extra. At the end of the meal, when dessert plates had been licked clean and the mugs of tea were no longer steaming, a little bag would invariably find its way to the table. The crinkle and crackle of the plastic alone attracted enough attention to draw everyone to the kitchen [...]
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cranberry curd tartlets w/ pecan crust
Thomas and I went walking through Bruges this weekend. The sun was out, the sky was blue and the air was frosty ... the perfect day for wandering feet and a meandering mind. One that couldn't help but wonder how this came to be my city, and if it would ever really feel that way.
Read Morepear cardamom cake w/ cinnamon crumble
I made 20 Galettes des Rois last weekend and forgot to put a bean in 16 of them. I went down to the cellar, but had no idea what I was looking for. I returned a bunch of empty bottles, and then forgot to ask for my refund at the register. I went to bed, and upon waking found that I'd forgotten to take out my contacts.
Read Moreapple dulce de leche danish
My alarm goes off. Thomas grumbles. It is 6 am on a Sunday morning.
I get out of bed, find slippers and pajama pants, and head downstairs. I turn on the light, then the heating, the oven and the kettle. As I wait for the water to boil, I rinse my french press, discard the remains of the day before, and measure 40 grams of coarsely ground coffee. [...]
Read Morepear cranberry hazelnut tart
In the summer of 2007, I took my brand new orange backpack to the airport and boarded a plane to New York. I was beyond excited. Nervous, too, because this would be a trip of many firsts. My first time making such a long journey by myself, my first time traveling with a group of strangers, my first road trip through the US, my first time camping.
Read Morespiced apple & quince crumbles
Sometimes I forget how rewarding it all can be. Standing in a cold and gloomy kitchen, trying to figure out what to do with the bags of produce we've received from our farmers, wondering how to prep some unknown vegetable, struggling with sticky dough or trying to make a dent in the piles of dirty dishes ... it can seem like too much. Too big of a challenge. Too high a hurdle.
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