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.

The latest Trim Healthy Mama

As women, most of us have tried at least one diet--and failed.  Many of us have tried more than we can count--and failed.  I am not certain that God created us to deprive ourselves of any of the foods he put on the earth for us to enjoy and to nourish us, even the occasional yummy dessert.  Healthy eating and staying trim is a lifestyle choice and there are certain "rules" to follow that will permit us to enjoy all that God has given us, just not necessarily in one meal.  The authors base this plan on Biblical principles as well.

Three years ago, Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison (sisters) self-published Trim Healthy Mama, never dreaming it would be read by the masses.  I have seen my sister successfully use the principles within that volume to slim down and keep the weight off, just from following the advice within.  Basically, there are two different food types, those which are satisfying (less carbs and uses fat as the primary fuel) and those which provide energy (have more carbs and offer glucose as the primary food source.  All are permissible but not all should be eaten together in the same meal.

When I first saw this edition, I thought it was a new book and it is in some ways. It is less than half the bulk of the first and about half the price.  However, if you want to have recipes to accompany your new eating lifestyle, you have to purchase the Trim Healthy Mama Cookbook.  Now, don't misunderstand, there is some new information in the Trim Healthy Mama Plan but, for the most part, the original is divided into two volumes.  It works.  Now your book with the basics of the plan isn't getting splattered with your cooking.  There are a number of menus included in Trim Healthy Mama Plan, just not the recipes.  A lot of the sister banter between the two is also not included in this new edition which I think adds to the first volume but this newer one serves its purpose.  Apparently, there were others who don't feel as I do and didn't care for the snippet editorials included in the original.  This volume is more affordable and can stand alone without the recipes.  It is far less bulky.  So, to make a long review shorter, I like it.  I think I will stick with my original dog-eared, well-loved, underlined volume for my own library and share this one but I do like it and think it will appeal to even more because of the affordability and smaller size.

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.

A precious Christmas story

Is there anything better than a home baked cookie?  Well, maybe a home baked Christmas cookie would top it.  Nothing says the holiday is here like baking them and sharing them with others for me.

Home and holidays just aren't the same without family though and nothing has been the same since Jack's father left to go find work and now Christmas just won't be the same either since he can't come home for the holidays.  Every penny has been watched since his father left so, when Jack comes home to the smell of freshly baked cookies, he is certain his nose must be fooling him.  He soon finds out that the cookies aren't meant for him but instead for the needy at church.  Disappointment filled Jack but he helps his mother with the baking while she shares with him the origin of the Christmas cookie. One special cookie is saved for Jack for Christmas morning and then Jack learns the true meaning of Christmas when a stranger appears at their door.

I think this review is going to be a bit partial.  All my life, my grandmother, aunt, and mother have made a beautiful (but not so great tasting to me since I don't have an appreciation for anise) Christmas cookie called a springerle, having a German descent.  This story revolves around these imprinted cookies so I loved it.  I also loved the story of the German family who started the tradition in this book.  Not only did they meet the physical needs of their neighbors, but met the spiritual needs as well, all through some Christmas cookies.

The illustrations are bright and colorful to attract children and at the end there are two Christmas cookie recipes to try with your children, one of them being for springerles.  The springerles will definitely be prettier and work out better if you can find a mold so check your local antique store to see what shows up.  Don't hold your breath for a nativity as is featured in the book though because most molds are pretty generic with leaves, fruits, birds and such on them.

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.  Two tumbs up for Dandi Daley Mackall's, The Legend of the Christmas Cookie: Sharing the True Meaning of Christmas.

God Gave Us Sleep

Sleep.  Such an incredible gift God gave us to restore our body.  Doesn't every parent look forward to the time of day when they tuck in their children for bed?  Not only because that means you, as a parent, can take care of some tasks that may have gone undone throughout the day but also because we can settle in for the evening and get some much needed rest.

Little Cub is having a good time playing with friends that she doesn't want to come inside and go to bed when Mama calls.  Mama patiently explains the benefits of a good night's sleep, doesn't get angry when Little Cub finds every reason in the world to prolong getting into bed (sound familiar?) and then prays with Little Cub before leaving the room.  But Little Cub just can't sleep very well and awakes on the "wrong side of the bed" making it a pretty miserable day.  That night, she sleeps well and awakes with a whole new outlook.

God Gave us Sleep is just one in a series of God Gave Us books by Lisa Tawn Bergman.  Little Cub is a constant character throughout and, in each, gains new insight into God's love.  Each story has colorful watercolor illustrations, is hard bound, and the perfect length for a short bedtime story.  The paper has a nice heavy feel and is slick and durable. I think each of these books in the series make a nice baby gift and will be adding this one to my next gift.

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.