This is the time of year most of us reflect on the months past and plan to do better/different in the future. That's all good and well, but this year, why not make a list of small changes instead of huge goals that you've made over and over and not accomplished?
For instance...instead of losing XX # of pounds, how about exercising 15 minutes a day. This can be anything....jumping jacks, marching in place, stretching...anything to get moving. Another idea I heard about was to take an empty jar and every day or week, write a short note of the good thing(s) that happened, then at this time next year, reflect on those. This is a wonderful way to remember to be grateful and to acknowledge the good things God does for you.
I'm thinking I might do this!
Another wonderful idea would be to try something new every week or month.... take an art class or sewing class or try out a new recipe.
With that in mind, I bring to you, Diana Rubino with another recipe from her book, Around the World in 80 Meals; The Best of Cruise Ship Cusine which can be purchased at Amazon.
Puff Pastry
Ingredients
3 cups
unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup plain
bleached cake flour
6½ sticks
unsalted butter, chilled
1½ teaspoons
salt
1 cup ice
water
Instructions
Dice
butter sticks into ½ -inch cubes.
Put
flour in mixing bowl.
Add
butter and salt.
Blend
flour and butter together until butter broken into small lumps.
Blend
in water and mix until dough clumps roughly together but butter pieces remain
the same.
On
a lightly floured work surface, quickly push, pat and roll dough to form a
12-inch by 18-inch
rectangle.
Lightly
flour top of dough.
Using
a pastry sheet, flip the bottom of the rectangle up over the middle.
Flip
the top of the rectangle down to cover it.
Lift
the dough away from the work surface using a pastry sheet.
Clean
the work surface and lightly.
Return
the dough to the work surface. Set it with the top flap to your right.
Lightly
flour top of the dough, and push, pat and roll again into a rectangle.
Repeat
folding as above. (Each "roll-and-fold" operation is called a
"turn".
Repeat
process 2 more times. (4 "turns" in total).
After
the last "turn" you will see flakes of butter scattered below the
surface on the dough.
Wrap
dough in plastic wrap and place in a plastic bag.
Refrigerate
40 minutes.
Repeat
“turn” process 2 more times.
Let
dough rest 30 minutes.
Dough is ready for baking when rubbery and difficult to roll.
Sounds yummy!
While you're trying out her recipes, check out Diana's latest release, From Here to Fourteenth Street which can be purchased from The
Wild Rose Press Amazon
Kindle Amazon
Paperback
It's 1894 on New York's Lower East Side. Irish cop Tom McGlory and Italian immigrant Vita Caputo fall in love despite their different upbringings. Vita goes from sweatshop laborer to respected bank clerk to reformer, helping elect a mayor to beat the Tammany machine. While Tom works undercover to help Ted Roosevelt purge police corruption, Vita's father arranges a marriage between her and a man she despises. As Vita and Tom work together against time and prejudice to clear her brother and father of a murder they didn't commit, they know their love can survive poverty, hatred, and corruption. Vita is based on my great grandmother, who left grade school to become a self-made businesswoman and politician, wife and mother.
About Diana....
My passion for history and
travel has taken me to every locale of my stories, set in Medieval and
Renaissance England, Egypt, the Mediterranean, colonial Virginia, New England, and
New York. My urban fantasy romance, FAKIN’ IT, won a Top Pick award from
Romantic Times. I’m a member of Romance Writers of America, the Richard III
Society and the Aaron Burr Association. I live on Cape Cod with my husband
Chris. In my spare time, I bicycle, golf, play my piano and devour books of any
genre. Visit me at www.dianarubino.com,
www.DianaRubinoAuthor.blogspot.com,
https://www.facebook.com/DianaRubinoAuthor,
and on Twitter @DianaLRubino.
Photo by belchonock from depositphotos.com
Well friends, hope you enjoyed this latest (and last) Holiday Recipe and Romance post and hope to see you again for Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.
Until later...take care and God Bless!
PamT
Until later...take care and God Bless!
PamT
10 comments:
Your recipe does sound yummy, Pamela. Have to give it a try. Also looking forward to reading, From Here to Fourteenth Street.
Have a great New Year!
Looks like a great book and a mouth-watering recipe.
Thanks for this post Pam and Diana. So many recipes say such and such amount of puff pastry, and assume you'll buy it. Thank you for an actual puff pastry recipe. Pam, I love the idea of trying something new every week/month. Even if it's a fifteen minute stop at a never-visited-before tea shop or such, it adds freshness to our lives. Great idea. The book sounds like an exciting read. Cheers.
Excellent suggestions and reminders. I think I'll try some of those ideas, Pam. Love the premise of this book, Diana. Unique and compelling. Happy New Year!
Very enjoyable blog post, Pam and Diana.I just love the concept of Around The World In 80 Meals. Stirs my travel and adventure passion, along with my hearty appetite!
Happy 2016!
Recipe sounds yummy! The book does, too. :)
Thanks for visiting friends!
Not sure why Diana didn't .... but I'm sure she'll check in when she can.
PamT
Thanks all, I was busy writing my next book...sorry I didn't stop in yesterday.
We love cruising, so the idea came naturally to me.
Thanks again for hosting me, Pam, you're welcome to guest on my blog any time!
Happy new year to all!
The recipe and the novel both sound great!
I love the notes in the jar suggestion. I think it might be my new "thing". The books sound cool and the recipe is a must try! Fab post.
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