Lessons from a treasured Christmas Carol

Is there anyone on earth who can't relate in some way to Ebenezer Scrooge in Dicken's Christmas Carol?  Each of us  have seen at least one of his blaring characteristics in ourselves whether it be his greed, his anger, or simply that life gets so all consuming that we forget what is truly important.  While I hope to never be visited by three ghosts, the story itself is a reminder of the preciousness of family and loved ones as well as taking time to enjoy life and give to others for the time here is short and the opportunity will be gone to do so.

Bob Welch in 52 Little Lessons from A Christmas Carol has made it easy to see all the lessons one might take from the beloved story.  From a reminder that it isn't all about you to talking the talk is not enough to giving because you have been given to, this book provides excellent reminders at any time of year, not just the Christmas season.  I doubt Dickens himself even realized how powerful his words were and the many lessons we can take from the story.  Broken down into 52 short pieces makes it easy to read one a day.

I also own 52 Little Lessons from Les Miserables and I am surprised by how many hidden messages Mr. Welch has pulled from some of my favorites.  He pulls no punches and is straightforward in his words and has an uncanny knack of bringing the lessons home and touching my heart. For anyone who loves A Christmas Carol, I think this new addition to Welch's collection is a worthwhile gift.  My favorite man will be finding it in his stocking or perhaps the advent calendar leading up to Christmas?  From a teacher's standpoint, I would definitely use it to make my job easier in the classroom if teaching from Dicken's work. 

I did receive this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one. 

Pastry secrets of a NY baking legend

I suppose the title gives much of it away and should have clued me in that this book of recipes just might be over my head but I love baking so wanted to give it a try.  This volume is an education.  From baker's tools and secrets (very helpful and not all that well-known) to ingredient information and explanations to the history and preparation of the recipes, you will learn more about baking strudel, stollen, danishes, puff pastry, sweet breads and other delicious treats than you have ever known. 

The author(s) [whether it be Mr Greenstein or his children who published this volume in his memory) provides a number of variations you can mix and match with each basic dough for you to try and I very much enjoyed the personal touch he gave to each recipe, much of which was the family history.  Each recipe is clearly written and well explained and the only thing missing, in my opinion, are photos to tempt the baker.  The paper is just so-so for a cookbook.  It is very much a matte finish that will not take splatters or drops.   For the most part, ingredients are found in every basic pantry with a few exceptions so no need to run to the grocery and purchase an item that you may never use again.

I don't think this will be your every Saturday morning pastry book, at least not for me.  However, with the holidays approaching, the Cinnamon Buns, Cheese Strudel, Pastry Pillows with Berries 'n Cream, or Bear Claws would make a wonderful Thanksgiving or Christmas morning treat.  I think that they are all recipes that I, as an average baker, with some time and attention to the directions can easily master.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive one. 

Baked goodness

  Oh my!  Where is my kitchen and how quickly can I get there?  This book of delicious baked goods recipes exceeded my expectations.  So many cookbooks have recipes with ingredients that I simply don't keep in my pantry nor do I want to go out and purchase an item for a specific recipe that I may never make again nor have any other need for the leftover ingredient.  Such is not the case with this book.  Most items, but not all, can be found in my pantry 24/7 and they are all ingredients I am familiar with and can pronounce!  How refreshing!

Another thing that I like about this cookbook is that there are a number of "how to" hints such as melting chocolate, separating an egg, assembling and frosting a cake, making brown sugar at home, deal with sticky cookie dough, keep brown sugar soft......and the list goes on.  The only downfall I see in the how-to's is that there isn't a listing of them in the Table of Contents so it makes them more difficult to come back to but they are included in the index.  Lest you think from my list of how-to's that all the baked goods are desserts, think again.  Also included are breakfast baked good and savory baked good recipes along with the cookies, cakes, puddings, and fruit desserts.  Each recipe includes a photo of a goal for what your finished product should look like.  Also included in the back of the volume is a great listing of suggested recipes for occasions like when you want to ship the item, things that you can make ahead of time, items for the hot summer days, and suggestions for the fall when the weather is a bit crisp and you longs for things made with a fall harvest.

Like all recipe books, I wish this one was spiral bound so it would lay open on my kitchen counter when using it.  The pages are a matte finish as well so no wiping them off to look like new when you get something splattered on them.  Other than those two things, very little fault can be found with Food52 Baking:  60 Sensational Treats You Can Pull Off In a Snap.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to write a positive one.

On This Foundation

As a small child, Nehemiah is present when a trusted acquaintance enters his home, killing his parents. Twenty-eight years later, he now serves as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes when Jerusalem's wall is destroyed, leaving the city and the temple unprotected, and he feels compelled to do something about it, making sure that they city and temple bore witness to the One true God.  When he left Susa, Nehemiah would never have dreamed of the challenges and opposition that awaited him.  Only through God's protection would he even live long enough to fulfill his mission, much less do so in only fifty-two days.  Will God answer his prayer and remember Nehemiah with favor?

If you have never read Lynn Austin, this series is an excellent place to start. I'm sorry that I have a bit of a hole in my reading of it, having read book one (Return to Me  and makes the  top of my sister's list of favorite books) and now book three but, while somewhat of a continuous story, I didn't feel that I was at a disadvantage having skipped book two (Keepers of the Covenant) in understanding the third.  However, finishing On This Foundation definitely makes me want to go back and pick up Keepers of the Covenant.

As always, Lynn Austin's writing is rich in history, well documented and does not stray from the Biblical account.  If you are looking for a quick, easy read, she probably isn't for you but there are few Christian fiction writers who write with so much "meat" and leave you with so much to think about.  I have never read any Lynn Austin novels that I didn't love and this one is no exception.  There probably is no better author of historical fiction.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to leave a positive one.