French apple tart with an infant by your side

A few nights ago I was hosting a book club social and decided to make this recipe I saw on A Cup of Jo. 

First things first: I poured myself a nice cold glass of diet Pepsi with cherry (even though I hate pop!!) because I'm exhausted from getting up with a baby all night:)

Next: I got excited to try my new scale that Calvin's brother gave us for Christmas last year. It made me feel extra French to not have to Google how much flour, in cups, the recipe called for.

Making pastry always reminds me of my days working at Savary Island Pie Company in West  Van.  My best advice for people intimidated by making pastry is- do not fear the pastry! Believe in it- don't over mix it and get excited for how much better it tastes than store bought crusts. But don't be too good for store bought crusts if you're in a rush:) 

I skipped chilling the dough because who has time for that? It might be better chilled but I'll never know the difference.

Let baby boy try some apple while you work:)

Arrange the apples.

I felt very righteous seeing my tools washed and drying while the tart baked so I had to take a photo.

Pulled it out before burning the top too badly. Broiling is SO tough, especially when baby boy gets sad. But still- I think it's a very pretty dessert and with only 3 Tablespoons of sugar in the recipe, it's really not too sweet. 

I also baked a little tart with the leftover pastry and apples so Calvin and I could have some before guests arrived. Sorry these next two photos are blurry:)

I bet you could substitute any in season fruit in this recipe and have a very elegant looking dessert. Was fun to test it out! Plums would be really nice and tart. 

Currently reading...

These two books in conjunction:

Ha ha ha! And Calvin is teasing me, just a little bit. But seriously, I've never felt more motivated to not procrastinate while simultaneously feeling less bad about the procrastinating I've done in the past. I recommend this combo for any fellow procrastinators out there. 

"Tolstoy and the purple chair" by Nina Sankovitch

Been reading and thumbing through this book since I picked it up at the library yesterday. The last sentence of this quote  really struck me. I love dramatic descriptions like this! 

Gus wears shoes!

Movies to watch when you feel a little blue if you're...me. Or a list of movies I like so I can stop asking Calvin to remind me what I like.

Begin Again

Admission

A Room With a View

Adaptation

Moonstruck

Groundhog's Day

Friends with Money (NOT Friends with Benefits)

Paris Je T'aime

Happy Go Lucky

Another Year

Enough Said

Not listing movies to not watch after you have a baby because you'll cry imagining the evil character's as once being someone's baby because I'm gonna keep this blog all about the pos!

Something new every day

My friend who used to work as a therapist with mothers and small children told me that infants learn some new skill every day. Ever since I've been noticing all these things Gus does that he couldn't do yesterday or last week! It's amazing! This morning, after trying on this sailor suit his aunt Nita bought him (vintage...from the D.I.:) I left the living room while he was playing with a toy. When I came back in the room, he had rolled quite a ways and was holding this plastic magic bullet cup Calvin had left on the floor (sorry Calvin:) and was trying to drink out of it. My baby is growing too fast!!!  

But then later today I remembered he still can't crawl or walk and I want to cherish this baby stage because it is flying by!

Isn't this the ultimate baby pose? 

Toronto Summer 2014

I applied for Gus' passport shortly after he was born so we could get to Canada as soon as possible for a visit. His first flight was an international one, so he is to be commended on that. He did so well on the plane- I was so relieved. This trip was the first plane ride in an epic summer of travel and I have to say, he was an excellent sport with all the jet-lag and long hours. Well done Gus Gus! We went to visit my mom and Lindsay and Maddie (and Gertie) and of course were thrilled to see lots of good friends while we were at it. I felt so nostalgic for the days that I lived in Leslieville! Wish I had pictures of everyone we saw while were there but these will have to do:)

Below is Gus on his first flight!

Below is Gus with his aunt Pooch and cousin Mads...

Below Miss Madds is drawing a picture of her uncle Calvin as a clown. See how he's juggling?

Meeting my beautiful friend and former colleague Cindy at Lee Anne's place! Why don't I have a picture of him with Lee Anne??

Gus and Grandma with her broken leg

Gus with the lovely Briony followed by Gus with the lovely Sarah

View of my sister being a mom! (putting little shoes on little feet)

Photos of marms' place

Just some of the delicious food we ate. Homemade fresh pita bread with roasted veggies and falafel. Too good!

And of course, it was so wonderful to catch up with dear Lindsay B!

Not pictured: wonderful Beaches ward friends, Ariane and Ellery!, the Danforth and much more. Was so nice to be home in Toronto for a while. Thanks for treating me and Gus so well.