Mmmm macarons

A few weeks ago, as I headed up to the cottage, I shared with you what was in my book bag. I did manage to find some time to read but unfortunately, none of the books were worth recommending.

Day After Night by Anita Diamant (which wasn't on the list but was the book I was reading when we left) was interesting historically - it's set in a British-run internment camp at the end of WWII - but I never got fully drawn in by the characters. The Memory Palace by Mira Bartok was a memoir about a woman (and her sister) and how they lived with their schizophrenic mother over the years, culminating in a bittersweet reunion and reconciliation on the mother's death bed. I find it hard to critique memoirs (it's someone's real life) but I couldn't help feeling like this book had been written as an assignment from the author's therapist because it felt a bit too factual and somehow lacking in emotion.

When we returned home, I dug into The Colour of Tea by Hannah Tunnicliffe. This book isn't quite 'chic lit' but it's close - a formulaic and predictable 'finding yourself' story with a happy ending. Set in Macao, China, it tells the story of Grace, who learns that she isn't able to have children while still grieving the loss of her estranged mother, and how the experience of opening her own cafe that serves macarons saved her sanity and her marriage. Etc. etc. etc.

Despite being a bit of a wash of a book, it did spark my interest in macarons, those tiny coloured french meringue-like pastries that come in all sorts of delicious-sounding flavours. Somehow, I've lived for 39 years and never tried a macaron. Even though I'm not a huge dessert fan, I worried that I'd been missing out on something important. So Mission Macaron was born.

I decided to visit Bobbette & Belle, a beautiful little french-style cafe in our end of the city. They had about 10 varieties of macarons available - I chose raspberry, cassis, salted caramel and vanilla for my mission.

People dedicate their lives to making and eating and writing about these unique little pastries, so I won't even begin to try to describe them in any detail. But darn they were good (cassis was my favourite). They're beautiful to look at, light and not too sweet, a perfect slightly crunchy, slightly chewy and slightly creamy texture, and the potential flavour combinations are pretty much endless. At $2 each they're not an everyday dessert, but they'd be perfect for a special occassion (like getting the kids out the door without a fight or an hour to yourself on a Sunday morning).

I can see how you could easily become obsessed with these little delights and I'm pretty sure these won't be the last macarons I ever eat. Mission accomplished.

Summer vacation reading

Yeah, we're on vacation for a week at the cottage!! Except that vacations aren't quite what they used to be. Yes, a week away still means no work and living in comfy clothes and not worrying about my To Do list. But days full of entertaining two kids and nights sleeping in cramped quarters don't necessarily add up to the most relaxing holiday. I'm learning how to reframe my expectations of vacation time, but it's hard.

One thing I definitely haven't been able to let go of in this new vacation paradigm, is the idea that I'll have tons of time to read. And so, as usual, I've packed a bag full of books for our week up north. I likely won't get through all of them, but I just love the idea of the possibility of a quiet afternoon spent reading in a hammock.

Here's what's in my book bag this week:

• Thank you, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse (we're reading this for bookclub this month)
• The Colour of Tea by Hannah Tunnicliffe
• The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon
• The Ten-Year Nap by Meg Wolitzer (I missed this one when we originally did it for bookclub)
• The Memory Palace a memoir by Mira Bartok
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling (to read to Ella)

I've also packed a few parenting books, with the (likely misguided) idea that I'll be inspired to tackle some of things I currently find challenging about parenting. To be honest, I rarely read parenting books - that section of the bookstore is just too overwhelming and I really do try to trust my instincts. But every once in a while I can use a bit of help, so here's what I've packed:

• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
• The Happiest Toddler on the Block by Harvey Karp (he helped us get through Ryan's almost-colic first few months, so I'm hoping he has more good advice for the toddler years)

Book reports to follow - stay tuned.

PS. If you're looking for a good summer read, I'd recommend the absolutely spellbinding The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (especially now that it's out in paperback) and Before I Go To Sleep by S.J. Watson.