baking and back-to-school {rustic pear tart}

while i love to cook, i'm not much of a baker. i'm not really one for measuring, and baking can be so time consuming, not to mention messy. but the farmer's market on saturday had pears, and i was inspired to make a rustic pear tart. honestly, i don't know exactly where i came up with this idea, but i must have seen one somewhere. i googled it and found a recipe on the lovely blog bread and honey, and let me tell you, it was amazing. i would definitely make it again, and if it interests you, click over and get the recipe. yum.

(the recipe calls for dried lemon zest, which i sure don't have on hand. i did however have a bottle of lemon essence; i used a teaspoon and it turned out great. you could zest a fresh lemon or omit it altogether for something a little different.)

last night was the first night i was back volunteering with the high school youth group. last year was kind of disappointing attendance-wise, but this year, not only are there a ton of new freshmen, i had seven upper class girls in my small group! (last year we were lucky to get two girls, total.) this year there is an entirely student-led worship band, and one of the guitarists is female. i'm always happy to see women in leadership roles at church and all-the-more to see teen girls recognizing and using their gifts to glorify God and build up the body of Christ. i'm excited to see what God has in store this year.