Make The Lemon Tart

 

Last week, I saw something on my social media feed that caught my attention. It was a short account of a moment that 2 women shared while jogging one morning. 

The author is Pam Berg. I read it over a few times. The first thing that came to mind was a brief conversation that Lisa and I had Friday morning when I was making out the grocery list. 

I asked if there was anything special she wanted for dessert or work snacks for the following week. Almost immediately she asked if I could make a lemon meringue pie. I smiled and said, "Absolutely!"

However.

My inner voice was saying, "Of all the things I can make, you want that?"

Sigh.

Don't get me wrong, I love to cook and bake for Lisa and our kids. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen. But, there are just some things I don't like to make.

It's kind of like housework. I enjoy doing most of it, but I dread dusting and mopping floors. 

In the kitchen, I don't necessarily enjoy making a handful of items like pie crust, lemon curd, my fresh made chicken tenders, and cinnamon rolls. But I make them because we enjoy them. 

Unfortunately, Lisa was not able to find cream of tartar at the grocery store. This has been an ongoing thing since the COVID pandemic began. For the life of me, I don't understand because it's not a popular baking item.

But then again, that could be the very reason why. 

Diet Moxie, my absolute favorite soda, is another thing that hasn't been in stock.

With no cream of tartar available, a lemon meringue pie was a no go so I made the next best thing. 

A lemon tart with a graham cracker crust.

While I grated fresh lemon peel and squeezed a half dozen lemons, I thought about the "make the chili" short story.

My rendition was obviously, "make the lemon tart."

Although the "make the chili" story didn't make grating lemon peel and squeezing lemon juice more enjoyable, I found that I dreaded the task a whole lot less.

I still grumbled a bit while crushing graham crackers for the crust, but not as much.

It's all about perspective.

Life is short.

I know I say this a lot.

Tomorrow is never guaranteed.

So, make the chili.

Or, the lemon tart.

By the way, the lemon tart was exceptionally delicious.

And, we shared.