In my lap, my cat purrs and rubs her head beneath my forearm as I type. Her long gray fur occasionally floats in front of my bright computer screen, and her rough tongue licks my thumb, perhaps tasting the curried chicken we ate just a few hours before.
To be honest, her attention frustrates me. I’m tired, touched-out, and eager for a little “me time” once my daughter finally goes down for the night. I push her off, but she returns. Again and again, she comes back and jumps into my lap.
We found Cricket shortly after my oldest sister died. Three years ago, this scrawny gray cat jumped into my lap for the very first time as Ryan and I sat on a park bench, mourning things we didn’t have the words to explain or understand. We named her Cricket, but her presence in our life was anything but a lucky happenstance. I needed that cat. And someone knew it. I needed to feel her rub up against me while I grieved my sister’s death, while I grappled with infertility, while I hoped and prayed our baby would be all right. She was a gift from God…and she still is.
Because often, once the storm passes, it’s easy to forget the people who cared and the habits you formed and the prayers you prayed. It’s easy to forget how desperately you needed that little gray cat on that hot May day. I’m busy right now, and our lives are full of love, and growth, and laughter. We are in this beautiful city, with our beautiful family, and I’m doing the things I truly love. And yet…I’m still human, and broken, and in need of the non-judging affection of a creature like Cricket. In fact, I’d argue that we all do.
How this relates to a peach galette, I don’t exactly know. But I do know that we enjoyed this end-of-summer tart on Friday night with new friends…with people I’m excited to journey life with. I do know that making this tart was the only way I could have ended a busy and full week. Slicing the peaches, crumbling the butter into the flour, and sprinkling the crust with sugar….all of it was good for my soul. Just like Cricket, who has now decided there’s bigger and better things to do in our living room.
Summer Peach Galette
1 disc all-butter pie dough
5-6 peaches, slightly firm, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup coconut sugar
3 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons cream
Coarse sugar, for sprinkling
Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. In a medium bowl, gently fold sugar and flour into sliced peaches.
On a lightly floured work surface, roll disc of pie dough into a 12-inch round. Gently arrange peach slices in the middle of dough. Allow 2-3 inches of border. Gently fold edge of pie dough over the edge of peach slices. Brush crust with cream and sprinkle with sugar.
Bake in preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, until crust turns a light golden brown and the juices from the peaches are bubbling.
