Berry Tartlets and Weekend Tasks

This past weekend I had it all planned out (to the half hour).  I have been building my "to do" list for my friend Felicia's upcoming visit to Colorado.  As you know...I'm a planner, to a fault.  I'm not going to show you the list because A). I'm embarrassed as to how extensive it is and B). I don't want Felicia to read this and ruin her upcoming surprises...

At any rate, my husband and I were debriefing Friday night and discussing our weekend plans.  I don't know about him...but I certainly had my tasks planned out...(or so I thought).  He proceeds to tell me about a large office building they are getting ready to demo and that the previous tenant left all their office furniture there.  Everything there was available and free to pick up before demo day.  He saw a couple desks that he thought I would like and wanted to know if I could go with him Saturday morning to look at them and possibly bring home.  Sure, I can squeeze that in first thing....no problem.

Saturday morning, we get to the office building...really more of an office "city".  It was 2 stories and I actually don't know how many tens of thousands of square feet...a giant maze of offices!!  I look around and I think I have gone to furniture heaven!  It was like someone placed me in the middle of Furniture Town, U.S.A (if there is such a place). and said to me, "have fun shopping...you're welcome"!

Well, to make a very, very long story, as short as I can.  2 days and 3 trips to the office later, we end up in a full blown basement remodel.  I know by the end of the first day my husband was thinking "why did I open my mouth".  Not only did we get the most beautiful desks with upper hutches (for each of us), we also walked away with a large craft table and chair, console table, coffee table, 2 rolling carts, a large french bakers rack and 2 lounge/casual chairs.  Such a gift!

So, the end of the story is...nothing got done on my to-do task list, however (thanks to re-purposing of lamps, fabric and artwork), I now have the most serene, meditating, quiet, "she shack" niche for me.  Good thing, because I am so stressed about not being on schedule for Felicia's visit, I'm going to need a moment in my new special area to breathe and relax.

I did however, squeeze in enough time to make these quick, delicious tartlets for breakfast. Delicious I tell you!!  I think next weekend I'll make another batch and hide in my new niche with them and my coffee!

Berry Tartlets

For Tartlets:

1 sheet (1/2 pound puff pastry)

1 egg, beaten well with fork

1/4 pound fresh raspberries

1/4 pound fresh strawberries

2 Tbl granulated sugar

1 Tbl all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp lemon zest

1/4 cup sliced almonds

For Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbl milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Thaw pastry 30 minutes at room temp, or until you can unfold the pastry.  Cut into 9 equal sized squares and place on parchment lined baking sheet, spacing 1-inch apart.

Beat 1 egg in a small bowl with 1 Tbl of water and set aside.

Slice strawberries and place in a medium mixing bowl with the raspberries.  Sprinkle with 2 Tbl sugar, 1 Tbl flour, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp lemon zest, and 1/4 tsp vanilla and gently fold together with a spatula.

Layer berries over the center of each pastry square.  Brush pastry edges generously with beaten egg.  Sprinkle with sliced almonds.

Bake on the center oven rack at 400 degrees for 17-19 minutes or until puffed and golden at the edges, turning the sheet halfway through baking.  ** Keep an eye on it to not over bake, it browns quickly at the end.  Remove from oven and let cool on the pan for 10 minutes.

While pastries cool, make the glaze.  In a small bowl, stir together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and 1 Tbl milk.  Drizzle over warm pastries and serve.

One Year Ago: Mexican Pizzas

Two Years Ago: Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Three Years Ago: Grilled Halloumi Cheese and Tomato Sandwich

Four Years Ago: Nutella Cookies