November 17 Meeting at Grace's

"The Lemon Orchard"  by Luanne Rice

It is always wonderful when we get together. I can't believe we have  been together for nine years.  Thank you girls for making this such a successful book club/dinner club.

Like most books we read, some liked it and some did not. I personally, enjoyed the book.  There were some very sad life events that took place.  We discussed how we might deal with different people's situations.  For instance, staying in a marriage even if you are unhappy because marriage is a lifetime commitment.  Risking your life and that of your child to get to a better place.   The bottom line is everyone wants a better life for themselves and their families.  I don't believe any of us can comprehend what it is like not to have shelter, health care or to know where our next meal will be coming from.  We discussed that the these problems are something that should be dealt with more globally.  The book also reflected on the trials and tribulations of trying to make a better life and the risks involved and the problems that illegal immigrants create.  What I always think about is that a majority are just wanting a better life and are willing to work for it.

Grace

October 20 Meeting at Sharon's

The book club met October 20, 2016, to discuss the book, “A Dirty Life,” by Kristin Kimball. Rosemary was unable to attend. After a simple meal of sloppy joes and salad, and, later, pumpkin pie cake, we sat down to talk about the true story of a NYC reporter who went down to Kentucky to interview a farmer who was doing organic farming. She falls in love with the rural setting and the farmer and follows him to upstate New York where together they establish an organic farming community. Most of us agreed, even though the thought of giving up the busy city life for a quiet life in the country sounded romantic, we would not have lasted long, rising at 4 am to milk the cows, doing hard work every day with few baths, and wearily falling into bed still in dirty work clothes. Most liked the book and were interested in learning more about the couple’s life now, so we looked up the author’s blog which contained pictures and an account of how successful the farm has become. As the author discovers, "As much as you transform the land by farming, farming transforms you." Several of the readers said they planned to buy the book as gifts for relatives and friends. It’s always nice when the book you choose to share is appreciated!
Sharon

September 22 - 26 Meeting at Pat's Beach House

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande is a life changing look at the issues and concerns of illness, aging, living, and dying. It sparked meaningful and emotional discussion for our group. ...appropriate that we shared this book at the beach.
"The cure for anything is saltwater...sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen


A wonderful time was had by all.
We missed you Louisa.

August 25 Meeting at Carol's

Canceled, all members on vacation or otherwise engaged.  "Roses" by Leila Meacham will be discussed in September Meeting.

July 21 Meeting at Pam's

We read "The Pearl that Broke it's Shell" by Nadine Hashimi

June 16 Meeting at Rosemary's

Book club met at Rosemary 's on Wednesday, June 16th.   The book, "Tumbleweeds" by Leila Meacham, was discussed  after dining on sandwiches, salads.   Most  everyone enjoyed the book about the three main characters, Cathy, John, and Trey, and the events that greatly impacted their lives.    The authors previous novel, "Roses" was mentioned and regarded as one of her better ones as compared to "Tumbleweeds".  Carol Mason decided to choose "Roses" as her August book club selection.

The discussion of the book concluded with various desserts.    We missed Pat, Sharon and Grace, and look forward to our next Book club meeting at Pam's home on July 21.

Wishing everyone a safe and enjoyable summer.

Rosemary

May 26 Meeting at Carol's with Alice hosting

Kitchens of the Great Midwest   by S. Ryan Stradal
A review and summary by Alice McCarthy      

I saw this book at the South Jefferson Library in Summit Point (what a gem of a place, check it out sometime) and it jumped into my hand.  I read a page of two, and then saw recipes sprinkled here and there, I was hooked. (Like Momma’s Carrot Cake and the Onion Soup, yum).

It’s a mysterious story about Chef Eva Thorvald that moves forward from birth to adulthood in a not always completing the details style that was disconcerting and confusing to some….well, I liked it!  Also, there is keen detail on the modern take on food: using specific varieties of tomatoes and corn, wine pairings for specific meats and fish; an adventure catching the perfect fish, and red pepper jelly/growing hot peppers, and serving that Caesar Salad.

 My favorite chapter was on the Bar Cookies~ what a hoot! (Sooo typical of those Midwest ladies, have seen it before with my own eyes at the 4-H Fair and County Fair in Princeton, IL where I spent time every summer, 100 west of Chicago. Yes, in the midst of flat land and endless cornfields and big gardens and canning food and freezers full of beef).

And all this taking place and literally imagined (cause writers write what they know) out of where the author grew up in Minnesota, Iowa, and Chicago plus that fabulous isolated locale for the fine dining ending amazing 7 course meal…. And Eva’s mom showing up at the end…..

The title pulled me in since I grew up in the various locations in the Midwest, too:  born in Iowa City, IA; Tiskawa, IL; and Cincinnati, OH.
And when I took my own boys there, to the family farm in Illinois, they hated it! (They loved going into big city Chicago for the Cubs baseball games and to see the aquarium.  That’s the way it goes!)

Thanks Carol for the support, great kitchen table, fabulous patriotic decorated tree and the Red White and Blue color scheme. That was the best!!   And in the GTG Book club, we never have to worry about our wine pairings- we drink anything!   Bon appetit!

April 21 Meeting at Kathy's

Welcome back ladies, it's a soft night to discuss "Go Set a Watchman" by Harper Lee
After I read that Harper Lee had died in February and that her “new” book is a must read, I decided that it would make a good choice for our club. However I later learned it wasn't a new book or a sequel but the draft for her Pulitzer Prize winner “To Kill a Mockingbird”. She earlier stated that she didn’t want it published but later gave permission which some think was coerced. I found it to be an educational piece since it demonstrated how a messy draft could turn into a masterpiece. "Go Set a Watchman" was a rambling essay with overly exaggerated characters and with a very negative view of the south and Southerners. Some were amiss that this draft which was not her best work was published and equated it with publishing your diary. It was not for public consumption. All in all even if some found it a bit hard to get through, we agreed that reading a variety of books is the reason we are in this book club. It's all positive even if we must read books we don't like.
We were very happy to have Sharon make it tonight and that Al is doing well. Of course we had tons of food and the dried fruit and nuts, cream cheese and pepper jelly and the main course of taco casserole were a big hit. Thanks to all who brought desserts, wine, fruit and fudge from the beach. As is our way, we had plenty to eat and really think we should rename this dinner club.
Sorry you missed it Edna and Pat.
Next month we meet at Alice's and read “Kitchens of the Great Midwwest” by J Ryan Stradal. It's about food, our favorite subject.
Cheers as I finished off the last glass of Sangria,
KAthy 

March 17 Meeting at Dricka's

The St. Patrick's day book club meeting started with wine and appetizers. Our supper consisted of veal Marsala, chicken cordon blue, Spätzle, cranberry relish and stuffed spinach.  In keeping with St. Patrick's day tradition, we had Irish soda bread.  While we were discussing the book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot , we had light refreshments of green jello mold and fruit. Later desserts included cream puffs (Grace), lemon pie (Roe),  pepper cookies (Kathy), lemon in the cloud cake and coconut bundt cake.

We spoke of the effect that the Henrietta cells, which kept on growing, had in the advancement of science.  It  had resulted in cures, such as some cancers, polio, corneal transplants, HPV and so many other cures and vaccines due to medical research . I asked if the girls would recommend the book to others and they were in full agreement of yes.

We missed Pat and Edna at the meeting, but glad Sharon could join us a little bit later.

Love to all, Dricka

February 18 Meeting at Louisa's

The evening started with wine and chips with salsa.  We had a pot luck themed dinner like the wives had in the book.
We had fried chicken, au gratin potatoes, green bean casserole, and the always present deviled eggs. After dinner we discussed the book.  We all felt it was confusing trying to keep all the astronauts and their wives straight. We  seemed to like the book.  Some of us shared memories of the space program from our younger days.  Elizabeth and I served our favorite cookies with tea.  We had my famous oatmeal cookies and stamp cookies.

Here is the stamp cookie recipe:

Stamp Cookies

1 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients.
Chill dough thoroughly.
Make small balls of dough.
Roll in sugar & stamp with a cookie stamp.
Bake 15 minutes at 350' degrees.

Enjoy,
Louisa

January 21 Meeting at Edna's

Hello fellow Thespians!!!  
      The January bookclub was held at Edna's house now that her bathroom facilities were available for one and all!!!!   The tour was taken and everyone agreed that they could successfully relieve themselves when necessary!!  hahahaha
       The book for the month was the "Boys in the Boat" and before anyone gets too excited, I am making it very plain that this book was not about any reference to men alone in boats, or canoes, or subs, etc; and the goings on there-of!!!!  No, these boys were special young men that were training to make the 1936 Olympics: which was just what they did!!!  And won, I might add!!  That made me very happy because I read about 300 pages going on, ad nauseum, about the cold-ass rainy weather and the frigid water in Washington State!!  When it was not describing that; it spent reams of paper going on about the boats themselves!!  I never knew so much about rowing boats, in and of themselves,  and crews,  in all my 67 years and hope I don't have to learn anymore about it!!!  (Even though it would probably make a darn good movie if they threw a little sex or something in it!!!)
       I wish to make it clear that this was not the general consensus of the book.  There was a good bit of discussion about the life in that time period and the conflict in participating in the '36 Olympics because of the policies of Germany under Adolf Hitler.  Others did enjoy the book because they had been involved with rowing through their sons' colleges.   So my opinion is just a drop in the bucket, or river, or ocean; so to speak!!
     The redeeming feature for me was the meal I served which was an English roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, in deference to George Pocock; the English designer of the infamous boats!!!
     We finished with upside-down peach cake and ice cream, a variety of cookies (Dricka), and Kathy's amazing bourbon brownies!!!  Hope I didn't leave anyone out but I can't remember that far back.  Forgive me ( mea culpa), if I forgot your donation!!!
     A special visitor was Alice's Mom who was very lively and jovial and we enjoyed her company!!  
     All in all, with the good food and the good people; it was another successful Bountiful Bookclub adventure!!!  
       See you for the next meeting in February which Kathy will post on the blog!!
Finally finished with love, Edna