Plum Frangipane in late winter...

~dreaming of spring & summer fruit~

Crust:
1 Stick butter, well chilled and cut into 1/2" pieces

3/4 Cup all purpose flour
1/4 Cup ground almonds
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 Teaspoon baking powder
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/4 Cup ice water


Use a food processor to mix & combine ingredients. Chill for 1 hour. Prepare pan..with olive oil spray & flour. Fill with crust mixture and press into sides.  Bake for 20minutes in a preheated 350* oven. Let cool.

Filling:
1/2 Stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/3 Cup almond meal
1/4 Cup sugar
2 Eggs
1/3 Cup all purpose flour
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

Jam:

1/2 Cup jam (your choice of flavor). I used apricot.

 

Spread jam over cooled crust.  Pour filling over jam. Bake for 40minutes in 375* oven. 

 

Cool & serve with vanilla bean icecream.

 

 

Fantastico!

 



Phalaenopsis Orchid

Something about a beautiful flower...that can make you dream of spring.

 

 

 

Chamonix

 

 

 

Goodbye sweet Chamonix (aka: Cham, Chammy, Chammer, Chalmers, Chammy Bear, Bunny Bear, Mr. Bunny) ….my fine furry friend for 16 years.  March 12, 1998- March 6, 2014.

He was the muttly I fell in love with at the Puppy Rescue… the first pet that I called my own and a primary reason for buying the house that we still live in today. He was a little guy with a rock & roll hairstyle that made everyone smile and even ask if I had highlighted the fur on his head. (Ummm. No, I did not. J)

He was an excellent co-pilot when I was a fledgling wine-rep traveling to Steamboat… window down with the wind up his nose, blowing his ears back. I’d look at him from the driver’s seat and smile. He loved climbing on the rocks & swimming in the Yampa. He loved snow and was a true mountain dog with lots of fur. He sometimes scared people on hikes because they thought he was a bear.  He had 2 ACL knee surgeries (when he was 3 and again when he was 4), but he never let that slow him down. He went back at it and continued to climb 14ers, diligently accompany me on long-distance hikes & x-country skis, tirelessly fetch balls and eagerly swim way out for sticks in the tarn.

 

He was a great friend to Dar-Dog, father to Lucca-Dog, brother to Raleigh and wise elder statesman to the two Maine Coons: Pirmin & Tupelo, with whom he shared the house.  He was a loyal & brave protector of me, but also of Kenny & Finn.  He hung out in the yard like a proud king of his castle. He always jumped up and wagged his tail when I came home and slept by my bed at night.  He turned my many mis-adventures & subsequent couch time into quality time hanging out with him.

 

  

This last year was hard on him, but he was a determined & steadfast trooper. I can only think that he loved his life and wanted to stay with us for as long as he possibly could. He taught me the true meaning and value of always being there for the ones you love.

 

 

Love you Cham…
toujours dans mon coeur.