Friday, July 24, 2015

Lovely Tarts♥Tartelettes..come in..









I had found a fig tart..recipe I was smitten with..and lost it..
I finally had fresh figs.. whipping cream..and mascarpone..
I Googled and Googled..and found this recipe..
It's not the one I was PINING for;) The one I thought I had PINNED~
But guess what?
I ♥ this..
so I made half the recipe for the crust..and made 3 individual tarts..
halfway through baking..I pricked again w/ a fork.. and baked a good 5 minutes longer..maybe more..
Until a bit browned..not much..
I left the shells out overnight uncovered..

the next day..I whipped up maybe 1/4 cup or whipping cream.. some vanilla sugar and 3 tbsps of Mascapone..a tsp of honey..
I filled the shells..topped with quartered figs.. sprinkled w/ pistachios..a few lavender buds..

and drizzled w/ more honey.
That night..I ate a whole half of one..
that good:)
The crust is dry and shortbeready.. and flaky..the creamy interior is not too sweet..and the figs and honey? ♥


My arbor clematis..at the front are so floriferous..that one must walk around the arbor..Betty  Corning and  Paul Farges....intertwine..cross over ,and engulf the arbor.
I will not complain..winters ..a whole different srory..

..the first hydrangeas are blooming..

..the Pink Diamonds..Kyushus and PinkyWinkies will follow suit..for now..Anabelle..and Endless Summer have started their show~

I have one big bunch of peach floxglove and the short..too short ...but heavy rainfall we had..all but flattened all the glorious stalks.

One of my mom's favorite poets..was Paul Géraldy..every time I see 2 blooms close together ..I think of the title of the poem I learned off by heart in grade 6  ....to say in front of the class..
I knew every word..and I remember the very confident feeling I had reciting it in front of everyone..
unusual..what does a grade sixer know of Toi et Moi?:)
She loved it..so I loved it♥


I know this looks familiar..I tried watercoloring the oil I did of the Littles..
the thought I want to share is that a very good quality watercolor paper is a dream.My friend Nancy gave me a package of 10 small watercolor papers in February.
I could tell looking at the texture..it was even nicer than a big  sheet of Arches paper I have..
the edges are deckled..the paper felt like fabric..I can only imagine what some of you could do with this paper.
It was bought at a Japanese paper store.. Au Papier Japonais  I think..I went once with Nancy many years ago.. but it is made by.... Papeterie St-Armand..
It is heaven to work on.What a difference.
If ever you want to spoil a friend who likes to piant..this is a lovely idea..
I buy the $ store  blue bubble bath..  and fool myself by putting it into one of my parents crystal decanters ..this is like getting Arpège~:)No fooling needed.

Bon Weekend..
So nice to hear  from Sam who is back from Provence~
Provence is just so darn picture perfect.

62 comments:

  1. Your tarts look so wonderful! Love the water color. Thanks for the compliment on my sewing machine table! I stained and painted the harlequin pattern on myself!

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    1. No wonder I had never seen one! Just lovely!
      I fancy those iron bases..I have one..but my real machine is on top..not pretty like what you did:)

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  2. Monique, those tarts look too pretty to eat, but I bet I could. The hydrangea is probably my favorite flower, but is kind of like choosing a favorite child - impossible. Your poem recitation reminded me of getting on stage in 5th grade to recite the poem Trees in front of kids and parents. I couldn't remember more than the first line. It was mortifying. Guess we all fall down sometimes. That paper is really pretty. I would love to go to that shop. I used to be in a garden club called the Venus Fly Traps. I made paper once for them with dried flower petal in it. So pretty and is really easy to make. Have a good weekend friend.

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    1. You made me smile..I kid you not I tried making paper this week w/ dried flowers in it...:"Guess we all fall down sometimes.."..~I did~
      So awful..not even funny..
      :)
      There were no parents at my recitation.
      And you could not pay me enough to get up and talk somewhere now;)

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  3. Your tartelettes look amazing, we would like them in my house.

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  4. Your tarts are so pretty! And the figs....lovely. What a nice size. The ones I have are smaller but they still taste great. I found a few recipes that I am going to try....love the fruits we get during the summer!

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    1. Me too.. all the bounty..we stopped at our very very small produce market and they had some wonderful things..grateful.

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  5. i just love your watercolor and the description of the paper, the real good quality does make a difference.
    Those are my favorite kinds of foxglove so sad to read that they were flattened. The subtle color just makes me happy.
    the sentence that begins with pink diamonds are those all names of hydrangea, i like all those names :)
    hope you've been having an enjoyable summer,
    jenni

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    1. I went to Michaels yesterday and one of the Arches blocks was opened..no comparison at all..
      I will save up:) and one day get back to the Japanese art store and pick up some more..
      I don't paint enough to need a big quantity..so I can wait..you would love it Jenni.
      Thanks for the nice wishes.. you too...

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  6. Your fig tarts look so fabulous! I want to reach through my screen and grab one. We had a couple of fig trees down in West Texas where I grew up. I sometimes pick them off the tree and eat them and I don't think I've eaten another since then and that was a very long time ago! I wish I were your neighbor for many reasons! :)

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    1. We would be craftin':) That's for sure..sharing ideas over the garden gate;)

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    2. Awww, what a wonderful thought :)

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  7. I love figs Monique!! and these little tarts look awesome and delicious!!!
    xo

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    1. They really are so good Gloria..how fun we can find so much inspiration on the net..

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  8. That fig tart looks delicious. I've never had figs cooked. We usually slice them and serve fresh with prickly pears, they are beautiful together. Almost as beautiful as your painting :-)
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. These are fresh..not cooked..but..baked w/ cheese inside and drizzled with honey..they are very good!

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  9. Your tarts are just beautiful Monique. I must look for some fresh figs. I do love them. I've been indulging in plums and nectarines. I do love fresh fruit season! Love the watercolour. That paper is so gorgeous. I must look for some. I am sure it is not cheap. I tend now to buy packs of large sized papers and cut them down so I can get more from them. El Cheapo, that is me. The flowers . . . sigh . . . those foxgloves are the most beautiful shade of peach. Just lovely. Hope you are having a fabulous weekend. xoxo

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    1. Oh me too Marie..this is the first time I have had individual sheets and they were a gift..I can tell you that 10 sheets were under $20.00..
      But I did feel Arches yesterday and honestlythe package..(block) felt so stiff ..not like this..this is like butter..velvet..silk..I could go on and on:)
      She loves art my friend and knows her things:)
      Relax this weekend Marie:)

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  10. Those fig tarts are almost too beautiful to eat... almost!! Your flowers are beautiful as always... but, it it the paper I am drooling over!! Your friend chose a wonderful gift... =) And, I LOVE that beach scene in watercolor even more. Have a wonderful weekend, dear Monique. blessings ~ tanna

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  11. I agree too the tarts do look wonderful. I love figs but Jerry does not like them because of the seeds. My best friend and her husband visited and I found out she too does not like them because of the seeds, she said it is a texture thing. I know he would like the filling though. Your clematis are beautiful! My Endless summer hydrangea is not a strong performer. Your peach foxgloves are such a pretty shade. I would have thought they bloomed earlier, I have to look into some foxgloves to add to the garden. They will be back next year, no? Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

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    1. They are usually biennials..
      I planted seeds last yr..nothing this year.. so I caved in and bought this sturdy beauty..but if it is back next year I will be greatly surprised..
      Many people don't like figs at all.
      Italian friends introduced us to them years ago..we got hooked..picked them off trees in Provence.. we like quite a few warm and cold things made with them..with honey they are heaven.:)
      I will send you seeds of this peach beauty if I get some..;)

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  12. Bon week-end à toi. The Yes, I am rediscovering what a difference papers make & sometimes I am more compatible with some inexpensive ones, figure-toi! I've found that for my ink drawing the smoother papers are better. anyway, what a lovely gift you received and what a joyful little painting you created! Here's a book that i think you will LOVE!! Local Color: Seeing Place Through Watercolor by Mimi Robinson. It's like it was made just for you! Les tartelettes et les fleurs sont belles!!

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    1. I agree about different papers..especially w/ your fine penwork..:)
      I am going to Google right now..
      I have a Creative Girl ..by Danielle Donaldson..book on order..it's already 1 month late..it was a pre-order..now it's Aug 20- Sept 1..hope it's true:)
      Rita I hope you know how very much I appreciate it your book recommendations.Thank you!

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  13. Your water colors are lovely. What a nice gift from your friend, Nancy. I never tire of looking at your beautiful flowers and baked goodies.
    The fig tarts are just too pretty to eat. You have a gift of styling.

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    1. YOU are the one w/ that gift..that made me smile:)

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  14. Your photos are gorgeous! Love the lavender buds on the tarts :)

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  15. Oh to have half your talent - for painting, writing, photography, and gardening! Amazing - almost forgot baking too. That tart looks wonderful :)

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    1. Tricia..it's me who thinks that when I visit you..your pics and recipes are wonderful!

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  16. Du blanc, de la douceur et de la gourmandise... Que demander de plus ? :)
    Bonne semaine

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  17. Your garden must be so beautiful, Monique. Wish I could take a little stroll through it with you. Hydrangeas are one of my favorite flowers. My garden has suffered this summer because of our record setting heat wave. No end in sight.

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    1. You know Cathy..already I see the end coming here..the graden has taken on a whole different aspect I find with the rudbeckias popping open..when the golds arrive..it's a sign.
      I can't say my gardens were at their best this year..some areas ..things are getting tired..

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  18. Those white hydrangeas just about take my breath away, so lovely! White ones are, by far, my favorites. I think you did well with your fig tart, I would have eaten the whole thing!

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    1. It's small:) Jacques eats a whole one:)
      Thanks Scott!

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  19. Monique, Sara Midda's books are some of my favorites.
    I remember not only having to recite poetry in front of the class, we had to participate in UIL events. I still remember some of those poems.
    As a primary teacher, I felt it was important for children to do the same, memorize poetry and recite it before an audience. Children love participating!
    Your blooms are amazing! Summer beauty abounds at your home!

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  20. LOVE yr watercolor of The Littles Monique!
    Loving Picnic in Provence too.
    Thanks

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    1. Great..glad you are enjoying it..Jacques did too although he preferred Lunch In Paris..reading another you might like..Gail..Painting The Hamptons recommended it.:. My Paris Dream..Kate Betts.

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  21. Maravillosas tartaletas y como siempre unas fotos maravillosas.
    Besos

    lagalletarota.blogspot.com

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  22. That tart is spectacular and I am sure it was delicious!
    We have been running so crazy this summer that I have had a hard time blogging! I guess every summer seems like that, and now it is disappearing!
    The watercolor is so enchanting! You always create such beautiful treasures in so many art forms!
    Have a spectacular week!

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    1. It's flying by here also..
      plus you have soooooo much going on..and you handle it all..amazingly.

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  23. I have had the worst time with borage this year. Each time I plant they die with barely a blossom. They are a favorite of mine... I love the color so... perfect for your tarts. Very lovely and fresh sounding. Such a perfect summer dish. Good luck with your flowers -- hard rains are so frustrating!!

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    1. What a shame..there's always next year right?
      That's what a gardener thinks at her most optimistic;)

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  24. The tarts, garden and painting are all so beautiful! My figs have"t ripened yet. I" lll make this recipe when they do:-)

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  25. They are lovely tarts! I have not seen fresh figs at any of the local stores here yet, but when I do you can be sure I will be buying some! This recipes sounds wonderful and my kind of crust ;) Such a pretty foxglove. I am so sorry that it was damaged in the storm. I need to replant some as those I have disappeared. I guess they are supposed to be just a biennial but what gorgeous beauties they are. Where is that lovely stone wall behind it in the photo? And I thought Arches was the gold standard of watercolor paper! I guess there are many different weights and presses of it, though. I'll have to see if that paper is available online anywhere. I would love to see the difference and love your re-do :) Sorry, I'm so late to your post. Weddings, receptions and having the boys all day yesterday - plus trying to get my menu finalized, printed and sent out took up the past three days. Much more to do in preparation this week! Looking forward to a more relaxing time in August. Did I just type AUGUST???

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    1. Holy shmoly you did!
      me too busy this week w/ M's bday Sat:)
      It's not a stone wall..it's a few stone boulders in front of the garage..where I have a bed planted..Mostly Hydrangeas and lilies and super invasive.. I am sick of them..snowberries...aka Symphoricarpus Albas..we keep pulling them out.. cutting them.. relentless..I did add a very unique plant I had growing in the left nook of this bed..and there are so many babies..will show you..an invasive I would not mind.. fall blooming..kind of blooms..
      blooming;)
      Arches is good..great great..this one is different..like buttah:)
      If ever I go to that store will think of you.

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  26. Your hydrangeas and tarts are making me swoon. Marscapone, whipped cream and honey - be still my heart.
    Oh, the beauty of it all!

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  27. Thank you Monique. I missed you and it's good to be back. I thought for a moment I might still be in France at the patiesserie when I saw your gorgeous tarts. If anyone should be spoiled by good watercolor paper, it should be you. I didn't think you could make the paining of the boys more lovely, but you're right. That paper takes painting to a whole different level. I have no doubt in my mind that you could sell your watercolors and they would be a big success. We've had a lot of rain too, but our new hydrangea is blooming its head off. Sadly the older ones didn't bloom this year, probably because of the harsh winter. I always feel cheerful after I've visited your blog. Take care.
    Sam

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    1. I am happy you are back to visiting us all..although I am certain it must be so hard to get out of your Provencal bliss.
      What a trip!More pics please;)

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  28. What gorgeous paper, Monique. Love the edges. Think I saw something similar in a paper store in NYC. Wish I could remember more about it.
    Such a charming watercolor. Pleased you found a source....I do have a friend who would love that as a gift!
    Your flowers are gorgeous! The colors of that foxglove are a miracle, aren't they? So sorry they were flattened, but the photo is giving us great pleasure.
    Yum on your tarts....no figs in my market yet. I find it amazing and wonderful that we can discover recipes online we thought long lost. How did we manage before Google??

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    1. I agree.. Chef Google..DR Google..Decor Google..Weather Google..etc..
      What on earth did we do before?
      The paper really is sublime.. I know the Japanese store sells it..but perhaps contacting the actual paper maker here in Mtl..and they could send..?:)
      I live in a small town..rarely get to the city..and if we get there it's to see a real Dr.

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