Lemon and Lavender Shortbread Cookies

I've kinda been daydreaming lately.  Hubby and I have been talking about redoing the backyard this year.  We haven't really done much to it since we moved in.  We have a nice lawn and some shrubs on the slope, but I think we're ready to give it a makeover.

Puff Pastry Peach Tartlets

Summer is almost over but there's still time to enjoy some delicious peaches.  There's just something so incredibly intoxicating about the scent of a ripe peach.  Its gorgeous aroma, so sweet and fragrant, just makes you wanna sink your teeth into its juicy flesh.  I get so giddy when I see a beautiful display of these fuzzy fruits.  I'm sure the produce guys think I'm a little weird when I'm picking out peaches.  I love smelling them.  I can't help it.  You should really give it a try.  The next time you're at the grocery store or the farmer's market, stop and smell the peaches.  Just take a deep breath and inhale all the sweet fragrance.  Aaaaaaaaaaaah...now that's what I call aromatherapy. 

Puff Pastry Apple Tartlets with Salted Caramel Sauce

I'm having my family over for Thanksgiving this year so I'm gearing up to do some major cooking and baking in the kitchen.  I got my fridge stocked and ready to go.  I'm just a little nervous. I've only cooked a turkey once in my life and that was years ago.  It was the first time I hosted Thanksgiving.  I had everything planned and the food was gonna be awesome.  Well, it was almost awesome...I forgot to take the giblets out of the turkey. yeah. 

Macarons from My Valentine

Last week, I saw a video on Desserts Magazine about how to make French macarons and it left me wanting to make a batch of those addictive little cookies soooo badly.  But after my first and second attempt at making them, I just knew I didn't have the patience to make them from scratch.  So I just watched the video to learn the proper technique and admired the French dialogue.  Maybe I'll make them again when I'm not in such a hurry to devour them. Quick confession: I understand very little French and speak even less. Oh but I"m trying.  I do have the best intentions to learn more; I have a stack of books and cds to prove that. Je parle francais..someday.

Palmiers

I was rummaging through my freezer yesterday when I found a package of ready-made puff pastry, lost and forgotten in the back behind some frozen peas and carrots. Hmmmm... What to do? I was a little sleep deprived and in desperate need of a sugar fix, but I wanted something quick and easy to make. I ended up making these gorgeous little palmiers (also called palm leaves) which I happily nibbled while sipping my cup of coffee.

Good Morning Croissants!

These buttery, flakey, oh-so-good and crunchy almond croissants are, I think, the best way to start your day. Just imagine yourself sitting there, sipping some coffee and enjoying this heavenly pastry.  One bite, just one bite, and I know you'll be hooked.

The Parisian Macaron

I'm starting to reminisce about my favorite place in the whole wide world...Paris!!! (ooh la la). Six years ago, my husband and I went to Paris on our honeymoon and that's when I officially became a francophile. I fell completely, utterly, head-over-heels in love with the City of Lights. We ate what typical tourists would consider quintessential Parisian foods: baguette and brie, croissants and cafe au lait, crepes with nutella and banana, etc. etc. But the ONE thing I never got to try was a Parisian macaroon. (sigh)