Happy New Year!

This has truly been a special time for Bill and I. We are so happy with the  way our winter opening turned out. We can't thank you enough for being a part of our winter celebrations, especially those of you who lined up in the cold. You humble us.

Well, we've made another trip around the sun! The journey begins all over again tomorrow. It has sure been a bumpy ride and let's face it, if you're not confused, you're not paying attention. (I have to credit Bill for that witticism). 

I wish I could say something profound and uplifting to help make sense of the chaos and put a positive spin on the cycle of uncertainty we've been spiralling through. Hopefully we offer joy and happiness through our baking. Perhaps I should leave the profundity to the poets. I will, however - as I have done in the past - quote RUSH:

"Why are we here? Because we're here.

Roll the bones.

Why does it happen? Because it happens.

Roll the bones."

Also: "The point of the journey is not to arrive... Anything can happen."

On our journey we have met so many wonderful people and there are so many more to meet. In spite of the chaos and confusion, we wouldn't miss it for the world!

Thank you so much for being so absolutely fabulous. We wish you all that you wish for yourselves and a happy, healthy New Year!

Winter Opening Part Two

The prep's all done

There's treats to be had

So if you stop by 

We'll be... really... glad (okay, it's been a long day).

What we're trying to say is... if you're here, we'd love to see you!

Have a wonderful evening!

 

Winter Opening Part One

When we open at this time of year it is without expectation, especially with all the restrictions these past two winters. We prep, we bake and we look forward to seeing whomever walks through our door. So imagine our surprise this morning when we stepped outside to take our sign to the road and there was a line up! Wow! Joy of joys!

What a fabulous day this has been! Thank you so much to everyone who stopped by and made The Little Tart a part of their celebrations. You have made our day and our Christmas that much brighter!

Normally this is where I would offer salutations and best wishes and say "We'll see you in the spring". But we're not done yet! There are two parts to this winter opening and we're going to do this all over again next Friday! And so, if you happen to be celebrating in, around or nearby the Haliburton Highlands we hope you'll pay us a visit! 

Until then, from our home to yours, whatever you celebrate at this time of year, we wish you joy, peace, happiness, good health and love... lots and lots of love! ❤

The Countdown is On!

Prep began yesterday! Fresh peeled, chopped apples, golden raisins, currants and chopped almonds are just a few of the yummy ingredients that make up our mince filling. My favourite part is the final ingredient... brandy! The festive scent of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves waft throughout the store. It's beginning to smell a lot like opening!

Having said that, Bill and I are not only keeping an eye on the weather but also recent events in the news. As always we will be diligent in our efforts to keep you safe. We will continue to have strict covid protocols in place. Our capacity limit will remain at 2 people from the same household at at time. Everyone who visits must be wearing a properly fitted mask. The Little Tart isn't just our store, it is a part of our home and, therefore, there can be no exceptions.

While we promise to do our best to keep you safe, we ask the same in return so we can all enjoy this festive time of year.

As we write this post the snow is finally falling, an inspiring scene for a week of prep! Our winter opening has become a tradition for Bill and I. Nothing says holidays like waking up at 4am on a cold winter morning to bake, but you know what, it sounds great to us because you're worth it and... we're weird that way.

The count down is on!

Winter Opening!

Good afternoon!

We hope you are all safe and well, especially after yesterday's wicked weather. It has been a wild ride so far and let's face it, the recent weather has been less than festive.

It has become our tradition to open for a couple of days at this time of year and this year is no exception except we are going to do it a little differently.

Every year we are asked if we will be opening for New Year's and this year the answer is yes! We have decided to split our two day opening into one day and another day. (Yes, we are mathematical geniuses who happen to be bakers... or is it the other way around?)

Now, we have to add that we will be keeping a close eye on the weather and operating first come, first served.

If you plan to be in, around, or nearby the Haliburton Highlands we hope you'll make The Little Tart a part of your celebrations.

If you happen to be a Grinch, perhaps one of our fresh baked tarts or tasty treats will make your heart grow two sizes ('kayso... just read that back and it's not quite the semtiment I was going for. Let's try again, shall we...)

If you are a Scrooge, perhaps you can forgo your phantom friends and find the festive feelies with a fresh baked tart or tasty treat! (That's better!)

What I'm trying to say is... we'd love to see you!

Closed for the Season

Bill and I have no delusions of grandeur. We operate a tiny tart shop in a little town within a small town. To quote RUSH (because any time I also speak for Bill I have to quote RUSH) “We’re nobody’s heroes.” We bake. No biggy wiggy, boo boo. But then you come through the door or reach out here online and make us feel like what we do here really matters. We’re hardly essential but you sure make us feel that we are and what an amazing and humbling feeling that is.

So, after our thirteenth season here’s how we see it; The Little Tart has become about more than just tarts and treats. All of us together have created this special place of happiness, joy, love, laughter, acceptance, celebration and togetherness. It’s everything Bill and I ever hoped this tiny shop would become and so much more. There’s no magic formula, we’re all just making it up as we go along. That’s what makes it so wonderful.

Many folks have been asking about a winter opening. It’s early days yet but we are hoping to have one again this year. I’ll keep you posted.

And so here we are, once again, at the end of our season. It has been our pleasure and privilege to bake for you again this year and we’re so happy (and very relieved) to say we’ll do this all over again next year.

It is with love and our deepest appreciation and gratitude that Bill and I thank you for your unwavering support, your kindness, your generosity, for your patience, tolerance and understanding and for trusting us as we navigated our way through these past two years.

So long for now, my friends. We love you and we’ll miss you so please be safe and healthy so we get to see you again! ❤

 

Thanksgiving Weekend Hours

 

We're prepping for the last weekend of our season.

Booty Call Doodle part 2

 

Wow! It's October! When did that happen?

You know, I just love dragonflies. They are one of my favourite summer critters. (And not just because I know how to draw them in chocolate.) The arrival of dragonflies signals the commencement of the summer season, the end of itty bitty bitey buggy-boos; Nature's pest control and they're just so darned pretty to 

So this morning - as I prepare to doodle onto the Booty Call tarts - like, totally ready to create something awesomely autumn inspired - I said to myself, "Self?"

"Yes, self," I replied.

"Dragonflies are magnificent little creatures, are they not?" myself said.

"Why," I replied, "They are indeed quite magnificent."

"And they are a quintessential summer emblem," myself added.

"Are you saying what I think you're saying?" I asked. And we both laughed because we both knew what the other was thinking." (twitch)

So... this weekend, we (twitch) - I mean - I decided to pay tribute to our friend, our ally against the itty bitty bitey buggy- boos and a true summer emblem by drawing them one more time onto our Booty Call tarts!

And this decision (twitch) had nothing to do with my failed attempt at a turkey. (Yes, that's a broken Booty Call. No my sad drawing didn't break it. My clumsy fingers did.)

Anyhoo, don't let the weather get you down, have a wonderful day and a fantabulous weekend!

Fully Booked for Thanksgiving

 

Good evening!

We are just finishing up prep for the day and have received our final order. We are now fully booked for Thanksgiving and cannot take any more orders.

We're sorry if you missed your chance this year. We will be adding Friday and stocking the store Thanksgiving weekend so while you may not have scored a pumkin pie, you can still get some treats.

In the meantime we still have this weekend coming up! The colours are promising to be stunning. Bill and I had to run some errands yesterday and Nature is painting a stunning masterpiece! 

We hope you're having a fabulous week!

Booty Call Doodle

'kayso, now that Autumn has arrived in all her splendour, painting the foliage with her amber and crimson palette, I decided it was time to decorate our Booty Call tarts with something other than dragon flies; something a little more... seasonal. If seasonal didn't work then something - anything but dragonflies. 

Don't get me wrong, I love dragonflies. They are our saviours from blackflies. I'm so happy when they arrive and I'm sad to see them go but after drawing them all summer I'm ready for a new challenge!

As you can see, I tried everything from coffee cups to flowers, leaves to simply writing "booty". Some doodles were completely self indulgent just becauses.

Fun? Yes. Pretty? Consistent? Narp. And if the doodle can't be pretty and consistent, it's not going on the Booty Call so today... dragonflies it is!

I'll try again next weekend.

Have a splendid Sunday! 

 

It's Wind, Man

Nature sneezes autumn breezes

The sun teases while leaves drift to the ground

More time in the dark than the light

Rainy days and crisp cool nights

Why can't the weather man ever get it right?

Sunglasses or umbrella?

Give it to me straight fella!

Confusion and disillusion

You're messing with my weekend plan

He says, "Give me a break, it's not a mistake..."

... it's wind, man.

Right now the sun is shining here and we hope it's shining there... wherever there is. Have a wonderful weekend!

Fall Hours

We're already prepping for the weekend!

 

Thank You!

Every summer Bill and I bake for our lives. Never has that been more true than these past two summers. When covid prevented us from opening until July last year we thought; if we don't make it, well, we've had a good run. (Not quite so calmly - believe me, we were anything but calm at the prospect of losing everything we've worked so hard for.) All we wanted was for The Little Tart to survive so we could open again this year. 

And we did! 

We had hoped this year the old normal would make a comeback. It didn't but at least this time we were prepared for how we would operate, accommodate the regulations, keep everyone and ourselves safe. In that we were confident. We had done it once, we could do it again. Again, all we wanted was for The Little Tart to survive another year - to have a good summer so we can look forward to next year.

And here we are at the end of another summer season - our thirteenth - already looking forward to our fourteenth.

I haven't been posting much online these past two years and for that I apologize. I miss creating the write-ups and videos that have kept us connected here but survival has been front and center and it has been impossible to think of anything other than "just get through" with the hope that maybe next year... 

 

How fortunate we are to be able to say "maybe next year". But we're not done yet! We're moving into our fall season which begins next weekend. We're slowing things down but we'll be making baking until Thanksgiving!

So, here we are. You pulled us through another summer. I have spent the past two weeks trying to compose the words to express our gratitude, our adoration and love for you who keep The Little Tart operating year after year. You have been tolerant with the changes we've had to make, patiently stood in line ups, trusted us to keep you safe and have, once again, given us the gift of time.

We are grateful, we adore you, we love you. Thank you.

P.S. As you can see, we suck at selfies.

Canada Day

 Our summer season has begun!

Artist credit: This flag was designed by Curtis Wilson, a Kwakwaka'wakw artist. The design is said to represent all First Nations of Canada.

Summer Hours!

Our spring season has wrapped up and that means - drum roll please...

It is time for The Little Tart's summer season to begin!

Prep has already begun and we are adding another day for July and August beginning this week. Bill and I are looking forward to another exciting summer season and hope you have a chance to pay us a visit!

Have a wonderful week! 

Happy Father's Day!

 Happy Father's day!

We hope it's sweet!

Apple Tree, Pretty House, Left Turn...

'kayso let's end this fabulous weekend the way it began... with a tongue twister!

I worked on this one all weekend so savour it like it's your favourite tart. Roll it around on your tongue like the flavourful filling in our flaky pastry. Mull it over and feel free to share. 

Say it three times fast if you dare.

And then you'll have it (twitch) stuck in your brain like I do! I (twitch) can't make it stop! It loops around and around and (twitch) around; apple tree, pretty house, left turn, apple tree, pretty house, left turn, apple tree, pretty house (Oo - they have a dog! Who's a cute little poochie? You are! Yes, you are!), left turn.

I'm sure it's nothing that a little fresh air and a lot of loud music can't fix.

I hope. 

Have a wonderfully wondrous week! ❤

 

A Tongue Twister

 

TGIF!

We are Open!

But before I get back to the baking making I have I have an itty-bitty-ditty to share.

If you've been to The Little Tart you may have noticed I practice my writing chops by coming up with little write-ups for each item. Some are a little sassy, some suggestive (The double entendre of our name is no accident), and some are just silly. They're fun to write and hopefully fun to read.

What does any of this long-winded intro have to do with the itty-bitty-diddy? It's a segue.

The Little Tart has big, moist muffins (See what I mean?). That's no secret. The secret is, they really want to be cake because - let's face it - a muffin is really a piece of cake without the frosting. Except for those bran muffins or multi-grain h... hel... good for you kind. 

And now we're to the itty-bitty-ditty!

Inspired by the muffin's write-up I came up with this tongue twister. Say it three times fast. Have a blast of a weekend!

How many cakes could the baker's bakery bake, if the baker's bakery only made cakes. The baker's bakery could bake as many cakes as the baker's bakery could make.

But we're a tart shop so... look! 🐿

Baking the Blues Away

 'kayso the sun is hiding, the bugs are bugging and the morning news is...

Anyhoo, don't let it get you down! The sun can't hide forever. The bugs are just doing what they do and you can always turn off the news. Besides, we've been making baking just for you so don't be blue. 

It's Friday and it's June which means we are OPEN!

Have a fabulous day. ❤

New Hours for June!

 

A Glimpse of Summer

It has been our experience that the Victoria Day long weekend is an indication of what our summer will be and we are so pleased to say it was busy!

Thank you so much to everyone who came by. We missed out on May and June last year so being able to open this year was wonderful. So many familiar faces and so many new ones. We look foreward to a day when we can see you all without the mask. Life may be very different right now but two things remain the same... the quality we put in to everything we do and how much we appreciate your unwavering support especially during these trying times. You deserve nothing less than our very best!

Next weekend we'll be back to Saturday and Sunday and this year we'll add Fridays in June. I'll post that next weekend

In the meantime we hope you have a fabulous week. Take care! ❤

Four Days of Baking Making!

Why does the little tart have a hard time getting a date?

She's too flaky - always wants to talk about her fillings. (Enter hysterical laughter here.)

Thank you! Thank you! I'll be here all weekend!

And speaking of weekends... It's the Victoria Day long weekend. We are open and making baking right through to Monday! 

Wherever you are, we hope your days are full of sunshine and smiles! ❤

 

Victoria Day Long Weekend

 

'kayso - as promised - here is our Victoria Day long weekend update!

As you can see we'll be making four days of yummy baking!

If you're already here or will be here or will be somewhere in or around or nearby or in the vicinity of the Haliburton Highlands next weekend we hope you'll pay us a visit.

If you're waiting out the stay-home order or it's just not your time to visit we'll look forward to seeing you when you get here!

Enjoy the rest of your Sunday and have a wonderful week! ❤

If Lemon and Lime Tarts Could Talk

 What did the lemon tart say to the lime tart?

'kayso... we've been over this before. Nothing. Tarts can't talk.

BUT!

What if - hypothetically speaking - those tarts existed in an alternate universe whereby the combination of ingredients combined with hot-oven technology (yep, I said that) created a lemon tart and a lime tart that, although they have no larynx or brain matter, are able to somehow communicate.

What would the lemon tart say to the lime tart?

You have good taste. (baddum-bum).

It was a long road and hardly worth it but we got there.

Have a fabulous evening and tune in tomorrow for a Victoria Day long weekend update!

You're A Real Mother

 It's Mother's Day weekend!

I thunk up this little ditty last night while trying to rest my weary head. Once the words start flowing I just go where they take me. Now that it's complete I just don't get why those aspirations of being a greeting card writer never grew wings. 

Your loss Hallmark!

So... if you're a real mother or know a real mother, this is for you!

Have a superb Saturday and a whole lotta Happy Mother's Day!

 

Time Travel to Yesterday

 So... I was supposed to do this yesterday but, as sometimes happens, opening day stuff doesn't always go as planned so let's timewarp for a moment back... back... back to yesterday morning...

Good morning! 

Well, here we are once again! It's opening day and we're looking forward to another fabulous season so we are excited to announce that our 13th season begins right now!

And forward... forward... forward to now...

Wow, that was a fantabulous trip! I love time travel! We're so happy to say our opening day was absolutely wonderful! Better than we could have hoped for and want to thank everyone who came by. If you couldn't make it or you're waiting for the stay-home order to be lifted, no worries, we'll be here and look forward to seeing you when you get here!

In the meantime, our first weekend isn't over yet... we're still here until four o'clock today!

We hope you're having a wonderful weekend. Stay safe!❤️

Itty-Bitty-Bitey-Buggy-Boos

'kayso... this morning Bill and I were moving and shaking, getting ready for the baking making. When we were done we decided to soak up some sun and took our four- legged freeloader to frolick in the forest.

We slowly sauntered in but soon skeddadled out again when those itty-bitty-buggy-bitey-boos began to swarm us. We were shrouded by a cloud of blackflies and therein lies the point of this pros...

They're back!

They're not biting - yet - but beware, soon they'll be everywhere; coming out of the ground near you. (If you live in blackfly country, that is.)

What does the strawberry cheesecake tart have to do with this post? 

Absolutely nothing. 

It's All Coming Up Tarts!

And squares... and cookies... and muffins... and so on... and so on...

 

Still Opening May 1st

 

Hello again!

As the saying goes... "The more things change, the more they stay the same." We're experiencing déjà vu. We were here at this time last year posting that we wouldn't be opening until July.

Not this time, my friends. (Please forgive that Fordian slip.)

Bill and I have been paying close attention to what's happening. We have sought advice from those "in the know" and we are more prepared this year than at this time last year. The store is ready and we are opening on May 1st.

We will, of course, have strict covid protocols in place. Spoiler alert... no mask, no tarts. We will be operating pretty much like last year with a couple of tweaks which we will share closer to opening.

Bill and I recognize the seriousness of this pandemic and our responsibilies to our customers (as a business) and to our fellow human beings also trying to navigate through and survive this trepidatious (That's right, drink that word in. I did a lot of reading this past winter.) time. What won't change, however, is the quality of our baking and the importance of making The Little Tart experience a pleasurable one.

We have missed you and are looking forward to getting back into the kitchen and bringing a little normality into life and hopefully a little sweet comfort.

Please stay safe. ❤

2021 Spring Opening!

Well that was an uneventful winter; snow shovelling, wood lugging and isolating, oh my!

'kayso here we are again. This time last year Bill and I struggled with the decision to have a spring opening or to not have a spring opening. This year the decision is clear...

We are having a spring opening and hope this comes as good news.

It feels wrong to be posting this given the current circumstances and it is not lost on Bill and I that there are so many businesses struggling and sufferiing right now. Nobody, including us, wants their business to be a casualty of covid.

We need to open.

Bill and I have followed the details of this pandemic very closely during the off season and, like everyone else, have felt the cumbersome weight of stress and depression that comes from wanting to get our lives back and get back to living. We have been diligent in our efforts to stay safe and healthy and to keep others safe when we have had to venture out for necessities. 

Once again, we promise to be as diligent in our efforts to keep you safe as we operate our business. Just like last year, we will have covid protocols in place.

Having said all that, we are happy and excited to announce that our thirteenth season will begin on - drum roll please!

Saturday, May 1st!

I will keep you updated throughout the month and provide more details as our opening approaches. 

We have missed you and hope you are safe and healthy. We hope you will visit us this season and look forward to baking for you again this year!