My house was filled nearly to capacity last night for our annual Yankee Swap. Thanks everyone for coming and for all the stuff you brought! We also did book show-and-tell. I missed some of the discussion, but I saw pens and paper and furious scribbling going on, so I think it went well.
I made hamburger-vegetable-tortellini soup and Mexican minestrone. I'll post the former as soon as I can, but here's the link to the Mexican minestrone recipe at Better Homes and Gardens online:
http://recipes.bhg.com/recipes/recipedetail.jsp?recipeId=R056462
Next Meeting
When: Friday, January 4
Where: Ann's house
Book: Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan
For those of you needing directions, Ann lives next door to me. So you can follow the directions to my house and just go to the second house on the left instead of the first.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
October 22 - Water for Elephants
A small group met at Darla's last night to discuss Water for Elephants. Darla, assisted by her husband Dick (who BBQed and waited on us!), fed us well! Mini-pizza appetizers, a lovely green salad, delicious BBQ pork and sweet potatoes, yummy potato salad. And then Ghirardelli chocolate brownies and ice cream for dessert.
Everyone loved the book, both those in attendance and everyone I heard from. We talked about our experiences with circuses, about how the plot was laid out (yes, you were supposed to get the wrong idea about who killed August in the prologue), how wonderfully the author handled the issue of aging. We even talked about one of the book group guide questions in the back: how does Jacob's story mirror the story of Jacob in Genesis? Darla went and got us a bible, but Lisa had the answer. (He left home, got married, came back and claimed his birthright, or his brother's. Something like that. If you're really curious, try the Wikipedia article.)
Next Meetings
We had some discussion about what to do next, since we are several members unavailable in November or December or both. Here's what we decided:
--Nancy
Everyone loved the book, both those in attendance and everyone I heard from. We talked about our experiences with circuses, about how the plot was laid out (yes, you were supposed to get the wrong idea about who killed August in the prologue), how wonderfully the author handled the issue of aging. We even talked about one of the book group guide questions in the back: how does Jacob's story mirror the story of Jacob in Genesis? Darla went and got us a bible, but Lisa had the answer. (He left home, got married, came back and claimed his birthright, or his brother's. Something like that. If you're really curious, try the Wikipedia article.)
Next Meetings
We had some discussion about what to do next, since we are several members unavailable in November or December or both. Here's what we decided:
- For our November meeting, we will go on a shopping bus trip to Boston. Anybody who can make it, great -- it's a blast. Lisa will look into it for us.
- For December, I will host, and all you need to do is show up and share a book (or books) you've already read. We'll also do our annual Yankee swap.
--Nancy
September 26 - Three Cups of Tea
Jean hosted us at her beautiful home in Thetford and fed us wonderful stuff for our discussion of Three Cups of Tea.
Jean made two soups: Vermont cheddar and sausage and zucchini, both fabulous. She also made grilled garlic-tomato bread, cornbread, and zucchini bread (I think!), as well as a baked spinach appetizer and a blueberry pie for dessert. Wowee!
Everyone who attended love the book, except for me. (My excuse was that I was listening to it and didn't like the narrator.) It is a remarkable story, though, and I'm glad I heard about it. I think that sentiment holds true for everyone.
Next Meeting
Where: Darla's
When: Monday, October 22
What: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
P.S. I brought a copy of my "Canonical List of Books" for the group, and everyone said they'd like a copy. I said I bring a copies next time, but if you'd like to take a look, here is the link: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcv72sgv_1d5mjhd&pli=1
Jean made two soups: Vermont cheddar and sausage and zucchini, both fabulous. She also made grilled garlic-tomato bread, cornbread, and zucchini bread (I think!), as well as a baked spinach appetizer and a blueberry pie for dessert. Wowee!
Everyone who attended love the book, except for me. (My excuse was that I was listening to it and didn't like the narrator.) It is a remarkable story, though, and I'm glad I heard about it. I think that sentiment holds true for everyone.
Next Meeting
Where: Darla's
When: Monday, October 22
What: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
P.S. I brought a copy of my "Canonical List of Books" for the group, and everyone said they'd like a copy. I said I bring a copies next time, but if you'd like to take a look, here is the link: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dcv72sgv_1d5mjhd&pli=1
Thursday, August 23, 2007
August 22 - Hooked
Karen hosted us for a lovely dinner. We got a tour of her wonderful gardens and then sat on the deck while she grilled chicken. She had at least three salads for us: a greens/feta/watermelon salad (which was so good!); a black bean & corn salad (also fabulous); and mozzarella and tomatoes from her garden. It was all topped off with chocolate indulgence cake and espresso/cappuccino by Karen's significant other Michael (brave man). Wow!
The overall assessment of Hooked was that it wasn't all that great: didn't hold our interest and/or had a far-fetched plot. Darla saw more in it from her perspective as a mother of computer-game-playing boys. She told us that game hardware is getting more interactive (you can buy "rumble packs" for Game Boy controllers that lets you feel explosions and the like), so it wasn't really far-fetched to her.
Next Meeting
We instituted a new idea this time -- whoever is hostess at the meeting gets to pick the next
book. Karen chose Ann's suggeston: Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time.
Date: Wednesday, September 26
Place: Jean's
The overall assessment of Hooked was that it wasn't all that great: didn't hold our interest and/or had a far-fetched plot. Darla saw more in it from her perspective as a mother of computer-game-playing boys. She told us that game hardware is getting more interactive (you can buy "rumble packs" for Game Boy controllers that lets you feel explosions and the like), so it wasn't really far-fetched to her.
Next Meeting
We instituted a new idea this time -- whoever is hostess at the meeting gets to pick the next
book. Karen chose Ann's suggeston: Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace . . . One School at a Time.Date: Wednesday, September 26
Place: Jean's
Thursday, July 19, 2007
July 18 - I Am the Messenger
Lisa hosted us for a great meeting; almost everyone made it, and we welcomed new member Jean. Lisa made a baked veggie pasta dish (just perfect for the cool, rainy weather), had a lovely salad, served home-made sangria, and topped it off with a yummy trifle. Thanks, Lisa!
Everyone present liked I Am the Messenger. We discussed what age group reads young adult literature, because some of the scenes in the book were mature and/or disturbing. We generally found the ending disappointing, and Heather's criticism - how did Ed know what to do? - was echoed among several of us. We enjoyed the fact that it took place in Australia, and folks seemed fond of the Doorman, the smelly, coffee-drinking dog.
Typically, we talked about tons of other books. I did not write them down, so please feel free to chime in and remind folks. One thing I do recall was Kristin's mentioning that Stephanie Meyer's YA vampire stories, Twilight and New Moon, are big with jr. high girls right now, and she also loves them. I'd also like to report that these two books are the top 5 list on MySpace right now.
Next Meeting
Where: Karen's
When: Wednesday, August 22
What: Hooked by Matt Richtel
Everyone present liked I Am the Messenger. We discussed what age group reads young adult literature, because some of the scenes in the book were mature and/or disturbing. We generally found the ending disappointing, and Heather's criticism - how did Ed know what to do? - was echoed among several of us. We enjoyed the fact that it took place in Australia, and folks seemed fond of the Doorman, the smelly, coffee-drinking dog.
Typically, we talked about tons of other books. I did not write them down, so please feel free to chime in and remind folks. One thing I do recall was Kristin's mentioning that Stephanie Meyer's YA vampire stories, Twilight and New Moon, are big with jr. high girls right now, and she also loves them. I'd also like to report that these two books are the top 5 list on MySpace right now.
Next MeetingWhere: Karen's
When: Wednesday, August 22
What: Hooked by Matt Richtel
Monday, June 18, 2007
June 11 - Then We Came to the End
I missed 99.9% of this meeting. Thanks to Lisa for this summary:
Thank you Ann for hosting, the food was fabulous, (we all love lasagna) and the biscotti recipe must be shared! Nancy was missed, though she did turn up looking very fit after winning both softball games. . .yeah Fluent!!!
Most of us did not like THEN WE CAME TO THE END, finding that it was just not that funny (except the sushi part). Becky did like it, though I can't remember why?! (Nancy we need you!) Leann hasn't finished the book yet, Lisa felt the only part that she really got into was when Lynn was the narrator.
Next Meeting
Where: Lisa's
What: I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
When: Wednesday, July 18
Thank you Ann for hosting, the food was fabulous, (we all love lasagna) and the biscotti recipe must be shared! Nancy was missed, though she did turn up looking very fit after winning both softball games. . .yeah Fluent!!!
Most of us did not like THEN WE CAME TO THE END, finding that it was just not that funny (except the sushi part). Becky did like it, though I can't remember why?! (Nancy we need you!) Leann hasn't finished the book yet, Lisa felt the only part that she really got into was when Lynn was the narrator.
Next Meeting
Where: Lisa's
What: I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
When: Wednesday, July 18
Thursday, May 03, 2007
May 2 - The Class Castle
We had a lovely gathering at Leann's to discuss The Glass Castle: A Memoir
by Jeannette Walls. We welcomed new members Heather and Karen and had a long, lively discussion of the book, which everyone found to be amazing. Leann served a yummy cheeze stratta along with not one but two salads. It was delicious!
Regular Meeting Day?
We set the time and date for our next meeting (see below), but Leann has offered to help us set up a regular monthly meeting (e.g., the 2nd Tuesday, or the like). If we all e-mail her our monthly commitments, she'll compile them and make a recommendation. Just send her a message and say something like, "I'm busy the first Wednesday of every month."
Next Meeting:
When: Monday, June 11
Where: Ann's
What: Then We Came to the End: A Novel by Joshua Ferris
by Jeannette Walls. We welcomed new members Heather and Karen and had a long, lively discussion of the book, which everyone found to be amazing. Leann served a yummy cheeze stratta along with not one but two salads. It was delicious!Regular Meeting Day?
We set the time and date for our next meeting (see below), but Leann has offered to help us set up a regular monthly meeting (e.g., the 2nd Tuesday, or the like). If we all e-mail her our monthly commitments, she'll compile them and make a recommendation. Just send her a message and say something like, "I'm busy the first Wednesday of every month."
Next Meeting:
When: Monday, June 11
Where: Ann's
What: Then We Came to the End: A Novel by Joshua Ferris
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Two-Potato Soup
This recipe comes from The Big Book of Soups & Stews: 262 Recipes for Serious Comfort Food by Maryana Vollstedt.
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 large russet potatoes (1 1/2 pounds total), peeled and sliced
1 large sweet potato (3/4 pound), peeled and sliced
3 1/2 cups chicken stock or broth
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 cup buttermilk or milk
1 Granny Smith apple, unpeeled, cored, and chopped for topping
In a large soup pot over medium heat, warm oil. Add onions, garlic, and celery and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add potatoes and mix well. Add stock, thyme, salt, and white pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until potatoes are soft, about 15 minutes.
Transfer to a blender or food processor in batches and process until smooth. Return soup to pot and add buttermilk. Simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with a few pieces of apple.
Notes on what I did
I used closer to 2 lbs. of baking potatoes and more like 4 cups of stock (because these were the amounts I had on hand and wanted to use up). I used regular pepper, probably less than half the salt, and skim milk. The soup still came out very thick.
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 large russet potatoes (1 1/2 pounds total), peeled and sliced
1 large sweet potato (3/4 pound), peeled and sliced
3 1/2 cups chicken stock or broth
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 cup buttermilk or milk
1 Granny Smith apple, unpeeled, cored, and chopped for topping
In a large soup pot over medium heat, warm oil. Add onions, garlic, and celery and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add potatoes and mix well. Add stock, thyme, salt, and white pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until potatoes are soft, about 15 minutes.
Transfer to a blender or food processor in batches and process until smooth. Return soup to pot and add buttermilk. Simmer until heated through, about 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top with a few pieces of apple.
Notes on what I did
I used closer to 2 lbs. of baking potatoes and more like 4 cups of stock (because these were the amounts I had on hand and wanted to use up). I used regular pepper, probably less than half the salt, and skim milk. The soup still came out very thick.
March 7 - A Day of Small Beginnings
Hi, all. I hosted a small group to discuss A Day of Small Beginnings. I loved the book; I think Leann and Ann liked it. Becky joined us without having read it; she's taken it home to give it try.
My Two Potato Soup was a hit, and I post the recipe separately.
Next Meeting
We have tentatively scheduled the next meeting for Wednesday April 18th. Is that date OK for everyone?
Host: Leann
Book: The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls.
My Two Potato Soup was a hit, and I post the recipe separately.
Next Meeting
We have tentatively scheduled the next meeting for Wednesday April 18th. Is that date OK for everyone?
Host: Leann
Book: The Glass Castle: A Memoir
by Jeannette Walls.
Friday, January 26, 2007
January 25, 2007 - To Kill a Mockingbird
A few of us warmed ourselves on delicious pesto soup at Becky's for our discussion of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. We also watched the 1962 movie, which won Gregory Peck the best acting Oscar. We loved the book and marveled at how closely the movie followed it. We got a late start on the movie and ended up leaving late. Thanks for hosting us, Becky!
We were wondering if the latter part of the month was harder to schedule than the earlier part, so we've decided to meet again in the beginning of March. Here are the particulars:
Where: Nancy's
When: Thursday, March 8
What: A Day of Small Beginnings by Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum
P.S. I noticed that Robert Duvall had an acting credit in the movie, but I didn't see him. I just looked it up in the Internet Movie Database, and guess what -- he played Boo Radley!
We were wondering if the latter part of the month was harder to schedule than the earlier part, so we've decided to meet again in the beginning of March. Here are the particulars:
Where: Nancy's
When: Thursday, March 8
What: A Day of Small Beginnings by Lisa Pearl Rosenbaum
P.S. I noticed that Robert Duvall had an acting credit in the movie, but I didn't see him. I just looked it up in the Internet Movie Database, and guess what -- he played Boo Radley!
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