February 15 Meeting at Edna's

February bookclub took place on February 15th at my house on  Paynes Ford Road.   I had one week to arrive home from England and get my act together!!  Don't know if I succeeded on "the act together" part but we gathered anyway!!

   Since the book was set during World War 2 in  Germany and Poland; I decided to try to stick with German food.  I did a German cucumber salad for a start and served a German pork roasted with potatoes, onions and sauerkraut.  It was tasty but it is not a specialty of mine.  I had never fixed it before.  I just went to Pinterest, looked up "German Food" and then picked the recipes I liked.  I also did a German Chocolate Cake.  Of course we had other delicious desserts brought in and candy too.  Oh yes, I almost forgot the stupid chocolate-dipped vodka strawberries which were a pain to make, didn't look anything like the pictures and have sworn to never fix again!!

    Now the book!!  Everyone seemed to really like the book even though it was sad!!  I didn't realize that we were doing a book about World War 2 right before this one but they were different enough that we had no trouble getting through it. 

     The story tantalized us a bit with the young boy mispronouncing words so that you had to figure out what he was talking about : "The Furor" and "Austwitzch".  ( I know that is wrong but close enough)!!   Like I said earlier, it had a sad ending but all felt that the whole thing was sad because he ended up the same way as the other young prisoners;  (the Jews in the stripped uniforms).  I know when I saw the movie years ago, it had a profound effect on me so I wanted to share that.  All in all, it was a great evening with a wonderful group of ladies that I had really missed over the last months!!  Sorry you were unable to make it, Sharon, but we talked about you and we couldn't have done that if you had been there!!  lol. 

See you in April for the next one because I am going to be in Florida for the March one!!

Love, Edna

January 18 2018 Meeting at Dricka's

Author, Kristen Hannah, presented an account of France during World War II when Germany invaded. It brought to light the struggles of the French people with emphasis on sisters, Isabelle and Vianne.

Much of the story told how different they were.  Isabelle was strong, rebellious and impulsive. Vianne was nurturing, cautious and always protective of her family. Both sisters needed to be loved because they felt rejected by their father when he lost his wife and had changed in personality after he returned from the Great War.

Isabelle known as the "nightingale" was patriotic by helping airmen to safety by traveling to the British consulate thru hazardous conditions. Vianne was protective of children who were Jewish and separated from their family by changing their identity and finding shelter for them with a Catholic orphanage. She took her best friend, Rachel's son into her home and pretended he was adopted from a member of her family who had died.

In the ending of the story, they both found the love they both were searching for was always there. In memories: wounds heal - love remains.

Our meeting was only 6 members, so we missed Alice, Edna, Grace, Pam and Pat. We had a supper of chicken franchaise and pork chops with various sides. After our discussion, we had tea and an array of desserts: peach cobbler, rice pudding, coconut brownie and apple cake. Everyone at the meeting concluded that the book was very good!!

"Till we meet again",
love to all, 

Dricka

December 11 Christmas Luncheon

Merry Christmas!!  

We missed you, Pam and Carol.

November 16 Meeting at Grace's

This book "Breaking Night" by Liz Murray was selected after I heard the author give a talk on her life at Shepherd University, she was so inspirational.  
 I was amazed at how far she had come in her life with all the obstacles she had faced, as well as her living conditions and her home life.   She did not attend school because she felt this strong need to be there for her parents who were both drug addicts   She had one sister who was not as tolerant as Liz when it came to her parents.    What was unbelievable to so many of us was the love that she had for her parents, especially her mother.  I believe everyone liked the book and we had a very good discussion.  No one in this group could really relate to the life style that the author experienced.
We all agreed Liz Murray was very intelligent and mature for her age.  She enjoyed reading and was self educated. When her family hit  rock bottom and she was placed in a home, she realized she wanted more for her self.  She was given an opportunity to complete school and to enter a program for college bound students through the NY Times.  She was number one in her class and was accepted in to Harvard University where she excelled.
The movie "Homeless to Harvard" is based on this book and  the life story of Liz Murray.
This was a special evening for us ladies as we celebrate our ten year anniversary.  
So much to be THANKFUL for as we approach Thanksgiving.  Good Friends. Good Food and Good Times
Love you ladies, thank you for being in my life, I am truly blessed. 
Love to All.  
Grace 

October 19 Meeting at Carol's

Everyone appeared to have a good time during our Halloween festivities.  The costumes were great and I love that you all entered into the holiday fun.  I hope the decorations weren't too scary or over the top.  The food was uncomplicated (pizza, veggies, cheese and crackers, chips and salsa and fruit) and way too many desserts like usual.  The book was not so successful.  I think most of us agreed the story lines were very good, but way too short.  The author jumped around from character to character and never delved far enough into the different lives.  I felt we were left hanging from a cliff too many times.  My disclaimer is I had not read the book previously and went on a recommendation from a friend.  I want next October so you can start thinking of your next costume.

Carol

September 28 - October 2 at Pat's

Our Sept. meeting was held at the beach.  We had 4 days of beautiful weather, beautiful ocean, fun if not too productive shopping, good company, and plenty of delicious food, from still warm choc. chip cookies to homemade scrapple.  Our book discussion was spirited and covered many topics including organ transplant, loyalty, and monetary impact on healthcare.  The cure for anything is salt water- sweat, tears and the sea.

Pat