Home

After over a year in Europe, I was flying home.

With a last minute flight booked and too many farewells, it didn't really hit me that I was finally returning to Canada until I was actually in Canada... and realized how much I had forgotten it.

I felt like a tourist in my own country!

I had forgotten the small and simple things that define Canadian living, and here I was rediscovering them.

I was welcomed home by a smiling and tearful family, a bitter cat, an overexcited pup and a 12 kg bag of flour.

I found myself once again among family, long lost friends, and my dearest and most truest friends. 

We reunited together over drinks, afternoon teas and sunny walks, flowering with smiles and laughs.

I baked.

Everyday. Sometimes twice a day. Sometimes three times. 

I wanted to share all the lovely and divine French dishes and creations I had come to love during my time away, with everyone at home. But I was also so very happy to taste again the things that I had been missing so much that remind me of home.

My kitchen presented me with a chance to create fresh and fun Canadian and French fusion dishes and desserts!

Cakes

Tarts

Brioches

Puddings

Pastries

Crepes

BREADS

I baked breads. Oh, so many breads. 

I didn't really have a choice did I? I had a 12 kg bag of flour to get through!

I don't have a bread machine, but I have decided that I really love the process of making bread. 

I spent an obscene and slightly embarrassing amount of time in the kitchen.

I don't know why I love baking so much. It's for so many reasons that I love to fluff up egg whites, beat in sugar, and watch little blobs puff and turn golden and fragrant in the oven.

I know I cook and bake because I love to share these wonderful treats with people and I love how it brings everyone together. It's a great excuse to invite others over, and gather round a table laid with fresh cakes and tea, or meals hot off the BBQ. I must say that many of our get-togethers with family and friends revolved around eating, and I was totally on-board. 

But my time home would be short and sweet.

 I barely had time to unpack before repacking my bags. Barely enough time to say hello before I had to wave goodbye.

Because I was off again, on my next adventure.