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

November 19 Meeting at Grace's

Well, we celebrated our 7th Anniversary.  Where has the time gone? It is hard to believe that much time has gone by. We just get better and better. Sharon & Alice, sorry that you were unable to make the meeting.  We missed you.

Everyone was pretty much in agreement that they enjoyed the book, "The Invention of Wings" by Sue Monks Kidd.  Many of us had never heard of the characters in the book and the active role they played in abolition and woman's rights. None of us had ever heard of Sarah Grimke or Hetty Grimke. I did not know that slaves took on the last name of their owner.  It is so hard to believe how anyone could be so cruel to another human being but do understand that during this time in history living in the south you had to abide by the law and treat your slaves as personal property. Sarah found out at a very young age when she was presented with her own personal slave (Handful also known as Hetty) on her birthday.  Sarah who loved books taught her friend/slave Hetty how to read and write and when this was discovered Sarah was stripped of access to any books and Hetty was whipped.   When Sarah's father took ill, she moved north and at that time realized life was very different up north and that slaves were not part of the lifestyle she knew in Charleston.

Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Love you Ladies.
Grace

Thank you Grace for our Anniversary gift package 

October 15 Meeting at Sharon's

Wow! Didn’t expect such a reaction to this book! Seems like people either liked or HATED it! It was described as a moving and funny novel of the heart, but several thought it was nothing more than a blatant bashing of Catholicism. The author is a former priest and some thought he was airing all his criticism of his religion through this story. They felt Mary, the title character, had no redeeming virtues. Others felt the story was a charming look into the Irish small town culture of the 50s. Most were in agreement that what Mary did to her close friend was unforgivable. Thankfully, everyone was in harmony before the discussion, partaking in a meal of sloppy joes, layered salad, and macaroni and cheese. As usual, desserts were in abundance and, hopefully, all went home in good spirits. We missed having Carol, Rosemary and Pat at the table. 

Sharon

September 17 Meeting at Pat's

         While eating white lasagna, we discussed Rachel Joyce's first novel, "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry". I had read recently that much of the pain people experience in our culture is from unresolved grief.  Our book discussion included the power of journey, the importance of sharing grief, both telling our story and listening well to another's story.  The time passed quickly, and I was sorry for our discussion to end.

    Love, Pat

August 27 Meeting at Carol's but with Edna hosting

      The August Book Club was held on the 27th at the home of Carol and hosted by Edna.   We started with snacks and the sweet and sour chicken was the most popular.  The recipe is found under "sweet and sour chicken" on the internet and then I went to "Mama's Kitchen".  The sauce was on a different site because I didn't want the one on Mama's Kitchen.  It stated that it was spicy. 

     After everyone arrived, we started our dinner with a picnic theme.  We ate on paper plates and did barbecue and potato salad, etc. 

     Our book this month was "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand.  I had read it a while ago but the story had moved me so that's why I picked it.  Several people had also seen the movie that came out recently.  Everyone liked the book but found it hard to take.  The story of man's inhumanity to man, is always hard to imagine!!!   Louis Zepporini was an average American guy, living his life in California and dreaming of being an Olympic athlete.   He was on track to be a winner when he ended up in World War 11, as did so many young men of that generation. 

      One of the things we discussed, was how many of us either had family members in the War or knew of someone that was there.  We also remembered how most of our family that had been there, never talked about it. 

      Roe said she found it hard to read but loved the strength that Louis showed.  Most agreed with her!!   Pat said that there was a strong pivotal point in the movie that was not really played up in the book.  Of course, we got into a discussion of government and how many Wars are fought over old men's wants!!!   Sad but true!!! 

      All in all, the book was enjoyed and next month's meeting at Pat's on the 17th, Sept. was set up.  She has picked " The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" by Rachel Joyce. 

      The evening ended, as per usual, with hot coffee and tea and more desserts than we could possibly eat; even though we gave it our best "book club" try!!!!!!  Grace brought peach cobbler, Roe brought oatmeal/chocolate chip cookies and Drika brought dream sickle cookies.  As hostess, I made dark chocolate brownies with dark chocolate icing and almonds along with vanilla ice cream!!! 

     Sorry you missed the evening, Alice!!! 

      I am looking forward to September book club and the book, even though I have already read one wrong book thinking it was the right one!!!  hahaha

Love, Edna

As requested - Coconut Muffins (Harpoon Hanna's, Ocean City, MD) Recipe