About six years ago, I remember my dad spending hours into the early morning working on design plans, drawing up his ideal version of the house he was renovating.
Heβd just bought a new three-story house, but planned to renovate it entirely and create the home he had in mind. Iβd watch him working on those floor plans, with a ruler and a pencil in hand, his brows furrowed in deep concentration.
One day, my dad asked me to accompany him to see the actual house he was working on, and being the curious me, I agreed immediately, and one Saturday morning, we got into the car and drove to this mystery house.
It was still in the original condition, just after my dad had bought it from the previous owners, but despite the unkept condition and the weeds growing outside in the garden, it looked promising. As we walked through the building, up the hardwood floor staircase, through the three floors, I remember reaching the top floor, peering into the first room which resembled an attic with the pointed roof. The darkwood roof gave way to a glass window, from which the sun could shine through like a glasshouse. Below the window was a sliding door which led to a small but pretty balcony overlooking the roads.
Just as quickly as Iβd seen the room, Iβd fallen head over heels in love with it.
It was the sort of realization that made you feel an affinity with something, and in that very instant, I told my dad that it was the room I wanted. Over the next few months, we chose purple tones for the walls and rich brown fabrics for the curtains, and the charm of designing and decorating your own space never left me.
Today, almost six years later, Iβm no longer living in Singapore, but in Buenos Aires, and as Juan and I start our search for a place to rent, I feel the exact excitement that I first felt when I visited the house with my dad six years ago.
Between apartments and hopes raised and entering houses which take your breath away, thereβs a thrill and adventure in the search that leaves me in anticipation.
There have been apartments that weβve entered and shake our heads instantly, not even being able to imagine living in them. Then there are some that are just okay, where we could probably stay in, but nothing special about them calls out to us.
And finally, there are those apartments, those special ones that you feel deep within matches your idea of a dream home β a spacious kitchen with long tabletops where I can cook and enjoy cooking in and where guests could sit at the bar as we prepare a mojito or two; a pretty and large balcony that overlooks the main road and where we can enjoy in the warmer months, reading a good book and sipping on some wine on a warm summerβs evening; clean toilets decorated in good taste and warm neutral colors; and a good-sized living room to entertain guests or to simply feel at home.
One of the apartments we saw on Saturday was exactly the sort of apartment that captivates your heart even before you leave, and Iβm crossing my fingers that we can stretch our budget just enough to have this house in our lives.
I never realized how emotional house searching could be.
When Shanna talked about her house search with Tim, Iβd read about it but from an outsiderβs point of view. These days, as I search through house rental websites, trawling for the right apartment, and as we go apartment-visiting, Iβm clutched with the hope that we find something we love, something we can look forward at the end of a long work day, somewhere thatβs truly ours.
In the meantime, we wait.
We wait with patient anticipation, sometimes even anxiety, but I know something will pop up, and in the waiting, we become.
So between apartment visits and budget-planning, I cook as usual, nothing new. Iβve been cooking so incredibly much these days, I feel like Iβm on a roll.
I wanted to tell you about these amazing blueberry and cream tartlettes quite a while back, when my mum and my sister Valerie were still visiting me in Buenos Aires, because Iβd made these for them.
I had these tartlettes on my lap all the way to the airport the night they touched down, made just for them so they would have something to snack on those first few days in Argentina.
These blueberry and cream tartelettes are really simple and incredibly easy to make.
You process some digestive biscuits until they resemble fine crumbs, mix them with melted butter and then press the mixture down onto greased tart molds, baking the crust for a few minutes in the oven.
After whipping some cream and sugar together to form to whipped cream filling, which is then chilled until used, you then assemble the tart in quick, fast steps. Spread whipped cream over the baked tart crusts, and then arrange fresh blueberries on top, or really whatever fresh fruit you fancy.
Chill the tart until cold, then serve, in the company of good friends and easy laughter.
BLUEBERRY & CREAM TARTLETTES
(Makes 3 tartlettes)
Ingredients:
1) 450g of digestive biscuits (or graham crackers), processed into fine crumbs
2) 300g of butter, melted
3) 500g of whipping cream
4) 5 tablespoons of sugar
4) 400g of fresh blueberries, washed
Steps:
1) Mix the whipping cream with sugar and whip it well, just until it reached the consistency of whipped cream, then chill it until you use it
2) Pre-heat oven to 180 deg cel
3) Process digestive biscuits (or graham crackers) until it looks like fine crumbs
4) Mix processed biscuit crumbs with melted butter
5) Divide the biscuit crumb mixture evenly into three parts, and pour into greased tartlette molds
6) Using the back of a spoon, press down on the biscuit crumb mixture to cover every bit of the surface
7) Bake the biscuit crumb mixture for about 10 minutes
8) Allow the bicuit crumb crust to cool before removing from mold
9) Divide whipped cream evenly beteween the three crusts
10) Place the fresh bluberries over the whipped cream, and then chill the tartlettes for at least 2 hour before serving
Process digestive biscuits (or graham crackers):
Until it looks like fine crumbs:
Mix processed biscuit crumbs with melted butter:
Until you get the biscuit crumb mixture:
Divide the biscuit crumb mixture evenly into three parts, and pour into greased tartlette molds. Using the back of a spoon, press down on the biscuit crumb mixture to cover every bit of the surface, and bake the biscuit crumb mixture for about 10 minutes:
Allow the bicuit crumb mixture to cool before removing from the molds:
Divide whipped cream evenly beteween the three molds. Place the fresh bluberries over the whipped cream, and then chill the tartlettes for at least 2 hour before serving:
I’m apartment hunting too! And I eat those biscuits like candy… They sure make a great crust. Beautiful tart Felicia! And a better place will pop up soon, it always does.
Paula!! let’s hope we both find the houses we love π Buen Finde!!
Hi Felicia! The new website looks AMAZING!!! π I love it, and it really looks as though your blog has found it’s perfect “home!” Hopefully you & Juan will soon find your perfect home, too! When Mr. M & I saw our house (after discouraging tours of many other homes that were not quite right…), we just *knew* it was supposed to be. Fingers crossed you’ll get that feeling, too! And blueberry cream tartlets?! Mmmm- they sound absolutely divine.
Hello Miranda!!! How was your trip to India? I suppose you’ve gone there and back with plenty of stories to tell!! π Did you like it? I’m so glad you like how the new website looks! I got it designed by Sara from Moonsteam and she’s really patient and been of wonderful help! I’d recommend her services if you plan to go self-hosted (without any fixed deadline).
regarding looking for a place with Juan… we’re still in the search. Last week we found one place that I fell completely in love with (i don’t even know why I loved it so much) but then it’s already been rented to someone else, so I was pretty down for a couple of days. But I hope you’re right, and that soon we’ll find the “perfect home” that’s both within our budget and somewhere we can love!!
Take care and happy weekend to you and Mr M!!
Oh, Felicia, I’m sorry to hear about the place that got away. The perfect home is out there, I know it! (Although it sounds as though she’s playing hard to get right now!)
Sara & you really did a phenomenal job on the website design. It’s elegant, but feels rustic & artisanal, too… and somehow makes me want to eat more, which I’m sure is a good thing! π I’m in the process of going self-hosted right now, so I’ll check Moonsteam out- thank you!
More on this in another blog post, but we ended up having to cancel our trip to India. Pesky work got in the way. Hopefully I’ll be able to reschedule soon!
Oh, so sorry to hear India had to be cancelled, but I’m sure you’ll find yourself on its colorful, vibrant streets very soon! And thank you so much for your compliments on the new design! I’m so glad you like it!! Yep, I’d definitely recommend Sara from Moonsteam – she has really affordable prices (but the entire process may take longer than expected – mine took about 2 months from start to finish). Can’t wait to see your new site when it’s done too! π Btw, Juan (my bf) is gonna visit New York next week. Any places you’d recommend? The less touristy, more local hunts?
Very lovely tart Felicia! Best to you on finding the perfect spot to call home. I know how it feels while house searching. It is very exciting!
Hello Seana!! nice to hear from you! Yes, I’m very excited about house-hunting, and I hope we find one that we really love! π Have a wonderful week my dear!
Mmm I love blueberries in tarts (and pretty much everything!) and these look scrumptious! And good luck with the house hunting! My bf and I have a little bit of time before my lease ends next summer, but I’m already anxious/excited about the idea of a true “place to ourselves” so i am sending lots of love and luck! I’m sure you will find the perfect place that speaks to you just like that other home did when you were young. π
Yes! isn’t it exciting Jess? You and Josh will definitely have so much fun searching for a place! haha. I’m so incredibly psyched to have my own home!! at last!!
Oh yes! the memories of you handing us the tarts you made for us and eating them upon our arrival in BA on 1 July 2013 is still very fresh and vivid in my mind. Thanks for both the tarts and your kind thoughts. π
The tarts tasted great! and yummy! π
I want to make some for sharing with family and friends. π Cheers!
Hello mummy! isn’t it crazy how the past few months flew by? Can’t believe we’re on Sept already!! say hi to the rest for me!!