June 18 Meeting at Pam's

We had a great evening and I had a big surprise. I had forgotten the book I picked, so when we started discussing it, I was at a loss.. I soon caught up. There were mixed feelings about the book "The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield but it was a good mystery. I hope everyone enjoyed it.

I broke down this time and actually made sauce for spaghetti. It was good, I thought, and Grace helped me with the amount of spaghetti I needed to cook. We had salad, ice cream, cookies, cream puffs and many other desserts. No dinner is complete without something burned. I forgot the bread and left it in the oven. We had Blackened Italian Bread to go with our meal.

We missed the ladies that couldn't make it and I hope to see them next month.

We are a great group of girls.

Pam

May 14 Meeting at Carol's

The May meeting of book club went off without any problems.  First--I did NOT stress out about my meeting this time.  I left up my Easter/Spring decorations for everybody to enjoy (actually I just didn't have time to decorate for my Patriotic theme of the summer yet).  I decided to keep refreshments light and everybody seemed to enjoy the meatballs, veggie pizza, and snacks.  Of course, the chocolate from Paris and my newly discovered peanut cups* went over very nicely.  Thank you to everybody who brought offerings to round out the eating experience.

The feedback was positive as most of us seemed to really enjoy the book, "Hissy Fit".  My friend, Linda, had suggested the book for a funny, light read.  However, most of us agreed while there were funny parts in the book, it was pretty serious action.  Just about everybody could relate to the small town happenings.  It's a know fact that everybody knows everybody else's business; and "Who's who" can control a lot of what happens in the business activities of a small town.  I was amazed at how people expected her to just overlook the behavior of her future husband.  The only part I find repetitive is how the girl always finds a replacement so quickly.  Real life doesn't happen that way -- or maybe it does for most of society today.  Probably the most upsetting part of the book was how those involved were willing to let her and her father suffer all those years thinking her mother had just run off and left them with no contact.  It was more important for them to uphold their "image" in the community.  At least her "ex" did finally try to straighten out his life and become a better person - but his dad remained the ultimate jerk & creep.

   

Carol

*Mini Peanut Butter Phyllo Pies

1/2 cup chunky peanut butter

3 ounces Greek (or plain) cream cheese

8 ounces Cool Whip, lite - I used regular

1-1/4 cup powdered sugar

30 Athens Mini Fillo Shells (2 boxes)

30 peanut halves

Chocolate, shaved for garnish

In a medium mixing bowl, combine peanut butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy with an electric mixer. With the mixer on low speed, alternate adding the Cool Whip and powdered sugar, finishing with the Cool Whip. Spoon or pipe 1 tablespoon into each shell.  Garnish with peanut half and shaved chocolate.  Refrigerate till served.

April 16 Meeting at Alice's

The GTG April 2015 Book Club session was held at my house -- a generous time & excellent discussion was had by all. To review:

W onder was the title-- not like Alice in Wonderland -- a song and lyrics the author heard which inspired a real life experience into a story

O as in One child she saw getting ice cream. The Only thing she could think of was not let her children say something embarrassing.  By hurrying away and not even saying hello to a child with a physical deformity, RJ Palacio felt a need to respond.  To turn it around.

N would be the next step for the main character, August “Auggie” Pullman, a boy with a messed up face (one crazy birth defect) who would be transitioning from being home schooled to going to a real school called Beecher Prep.  His parents wanted this, too.

D has two 1) Daisy the dog is a very important part of Auggie’s life, and 2) Did you read all the Precepts at the end of the book?  Mine is a quote by Ben Bradlee, “ The search for the truth changes your life.”

E means the enjoyment of hearing/reading all the kid character voices in this book and feeling what they felt.  My favorite was getting to know Auggie’s sister, Via (Olivia)… and Every chapter was short!

R is for redeeming value; the overall reason for writing the book is to choose kindness.  Be considerate of others.  Push past the differences to choose acceptance especially when it’s a child.

We missed Dricka and we know she was taking care of her lovely and loved Charlene another living Wonder.    Thanks everyone!!  Alice in….

March 19 Meeting at Dricka's

This month's book club was held on March 19th.  We read "Gray Mountain" by John  Grisham.  Some thought the book was related to our way of life or heard of someone who was involved with coal related occupation and revolved around the Appalachian mountains.  I enjoy Grisham's books, but we agreed we didn't like the unresolved issues at the end of the book.  The main character, Samantha, was going to stay in Appalachia and continue the trial work that Donovan, another character in the book, started.  She will hopefully win the cases as Donovan had done before his untimely death.

We celebrated St. Patrick's day with corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, and of course,  Irish soda bread.  Thanks to Grace for her cream puffs, Roe's famous cheese cake and my contribution of apple crisp.

The night finished up with  a lively discussion of intimate apparel!

Thanks, Dricka

PS So are you a "swinger" - clip in the front and swing to the back?? 

February 26 Meeting at Rosemary's

Thinking about the blog and my hosting the February book club, I realized I seem to be always apologizing for something, the overcooked turkey, the undercooked broccoli, the overcooked crumb cake.   I apologize for the apologizes.   The dinner was good and crumb cake delicious and recipe will follow below for those interested.

It was a good discussion of the book  "Home " by Julie Andrews.   Most agreed the beginning of the book went into much detail with respect to her ancestry and got more interesting as her life and career evolved.    I mentioned that Julie Andrews had collaborated with her daughter in publishing many children's books which have been well received.    The writing endeavor was prompted by the unfortunate loss of her renowned lovely  singing voice due to a "botched " surgical  procedure in 1997.   Dame Julie is a person to be admired for her courage, talent, graciousness, and one who used adversity to redefine herself.  

Thank you all for coming and thanks for wine and goodies to share.   We missed you Pam, Pat and Grace.    It was a fun evening and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Julie Andrews  and sharing an evening with friends.

..... Till You Find your Dream
Rosemary

Recipe for crumb cake

1 box yellow cake mix (moist type)-prepare and bake for only 20 minutes in a greased sheet pan.
Crumb topping:       4 cups flour
                            2/3 cup brown sugar
                            2/3 cup sugar
                            1 Tbsp cinnamon.    -   Mix together
                             
                             3 sticks melted butter   
                             1 1/2 tsp vanilla
Melt butter in microwave -add vanilla after butter is melted in separate bowl, mix flour, both sugars and cinnamon.   Slowly add melted butter to flour mixture.  Using hands, mix and form large crimes.  Sprinkle crumb mixture onto half baked cake.  Return to oven and finish baking for another 20 minutes or until crumbs are golden.  Let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Cake is also delicious warmed in microwave.
  Serve alone or with whipped cream, ice cream if you want to spike your cholesterol, but it sure is good.

January 15 Meeting at Louisa's

The evening started with everyone catching up with each other.  Edna brought the wedding album to share. What a memorable event.

Dinner was served with a lot of help from Elizabeth.  I couldn't do Book Club dinner without her help.
After dinner we began the book discussion. Unfortunately not everyone could get the book.  Some hadn't finished it, but everyone liked the cover....Ahhh
Carol wasn't pleased with the ending.  As we discussed it, Roe put her fingers in her ears not to hear it. We decided that we liked the book especially the letters about Edi during World War II.

My famous oatmeal cookies were then enjoyed by all.
We missed you Alice and Pat.
Thanks to everyone who brought goodies to share.
Louisa