A good time was had by all!

The French flag & lovely piano music greeted us last night. I wish I would have taken a picture of the view - it was amazing.

Here are some highlights from book club last night. We had such a great time! Rebecca was the perfect host. Just check out the spread she had waiting for us...

The table was beautiful set in blue & white

The food was beautiful and tasted divine!

Rebecca prepared this fettuccine with spinach & sun-dried tomatoes. Then to top it off she made a divine Alfredo sauce with Gorgonzola and steak.

Homemade bread

Are you drooling?

We had a good discussion and had a lot of fun. Here are Kara, Britney & Ruth.

Shannon (new to our group -- if we didn't scare her away) Heidi & Brenda.


Shauna (Chantel notice no head tilt) Christie & Rebecca.

What I can't believe is that I didn't take a picture of the dessert!! Argh! It was delish! She made almond scones with tangerine curd. I am still dreaming of it. And as if that weren't enough she also made some beignets!


And finally I saved the best for last. Here is the 'Dottie Dance'

Enjoy!

BOOK CLUB

DON"T FORGET...
Book Club is tomorrow (Tuesday) night at Rebecca's.

She will be sending an e-mail tonight with directions. Please pass this on to anyone who might not check the blog -- I wouldn't want anyone to miss. Plus the menu is to die for!

As a help for Rebecca please RSVP in the comments -- thanks!

Running Moms

I know some of you are runners, so I thought I'd let you know about a new blog my sis-in-law started to support moms. I think you'll get a kick out of my comment, as I am not in the runners' club.

http://www.oklahomarunningmom.blogspot.com/

May Book Club is Moving

May Book Club will still be at Rebecca's home -- but due to her class schedule we will be having it on Tuesday May 12th instead. She will send out an e-mail with directions for everyone.

Like Kara said "more time to finish the book!" (Papillon)

See you there!

Bookclub at Shauna's soup

Thanks everyone for enjoying the soup so much. It's been one of my favorites for a while.

When I lived in Guatemala, a friend of ours from Mexico came to do business in San Pedro about once every 6 months and we would bug her to cook for us everytime. I was always hungry while living there, the black beans and tortillas just didn't cut it all the time.

Here's my attempt at writing it down:
Juanita's chicken soup

1 lb. of chicken thighs (cut into 1" pieces)
2 large white onions (finely chopped)
4 (or more) garlic cloves (minced)
2 T. butter
1 T. Cinnamon
1/2 Cayenne pepper or to taste (if you aren't a super spicey person I would be careful with this ingredient, I toned it down for bookclub)
2 t. Cumin

Saute all of the above until onions are translucent (add garlic at the end) then add the following to the pan

4 C. chicken broth (you may need more)
juice from half a lime
1 t. salt or to taste (check chicken broth for sodium content)
1/2 t. black pepper
2 cans of garbonzo beans (I prefer S&W, it makes a difference)

I like to garnish it with different things such as ripe avacados, extra wedges of lime, chopped cilantro, julienne some radishes and/or carrots, finely chopped red onions, scallions, tortilla chips and maybe some queso fresca.

When Juanita made this she used the whole chicken and black beans. I've just made it more "Shauna" friendly. I don't really like to see the bones unless I have to and I think the garbonzo beans give it all a better texture but you can do as you like. Call me for any questions. Sorry it's taken me so long but I had to make it again and try to halfway measure it all out. Enjoy.

Book Club at My House

Come to book club at my house this Thursday at 7:00 for food, folks, and fun. I just finished A Prayer for Owen Meany this morning, and I'm excited to discuss it. If you wouldn't mind responding to let me know if you're coming, that would be nice for planning purposes. See you all soon!

A Prayer for Owen Meany

Don't forget book club is now the FIRST Thursday of each month.

You should be finishing...

We'll see you there!

Book Club @ Shauna's

Last night we all gathered at Shauna's for delicious food and a great discussion of The Road by Cormac McCarthy. I wanted to show you the new paperback cover with a shot from the upcoming movie. I really enjoyed discussing this book and I think every one liked the book. At least no one said they hated it. (I am really tempted not to use any punctuation in this post)

Of course the food was delicious as always. Shauna set a beautiful table and her signature mood lighting didn't allow the best pictures from my sad little camera. So I am sorry that the photos are a little fuzzy. Robyn you will have to take them next time.

I absolutely LOVED the soup. Now Shauna I know you said you don't have an "exact recipe" for the soup but you need to try and give us a recipe -- it was soooooo good. Thanks Amber for the nice touch with the ladle.

Yummy topping for the soup!

I should have gotten a shot of the cake on a plate with the wonderful buttermilk syrup on top. It was superb.

And now for everyones favorite part...

Britney, Liam & Brenda Sue

Shauna, Bethany & Stephanie

Bethany & Stephanie will be adding new book club members soon!

Christie, Kara & Amber

Rebecca, Robyn & Heidi

Thanks Shauna for hosting! We had a great time -- stayed to late and talked about some very interesting things!

See you all next month at Kara's. You should be reading A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. It's a longer book so don't put it off.

*** Also we decided that we will now meet on the first Thursday of each month -- so we'll see you on April 2nd! ***

Surprise Cake

Here is the recipe for the chocolate cake I brought last month. It is super easy and I have to say that I love, love, love the topping.

1 chocolate cake mix, prepared as box directs
1 pkg cream cheese (8 oz)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 cup chocolate chips
dash of salt

Prepare the cake mix and pour the batter in a greased & floured 9x13 pan.

Cream together the cream cheese, sugar, egg & salt. Add the chocolate chips.

Drop the cream cheese mixture by spoonfuls onto the cake mix. Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Topping
1 small box vanilla pudding
1 1/2 cups milk
1 container Cool Whip ( 8 0z)

Mix the pudding and milk together then fold in Cool Whip. Spread on cake only when the cake is cool.

Big Ooops Part 2

OK Shauna needs some more help. Just to clarify the clarification...

Book Club WILL be on Thursday the 5th.
It ends up this day works out better for a few people.
So come to her house at 7:00 for some good food
and to discuss a good book!

Love your guts Shauna!

Big Oops

Heidi called to let me know I had the wrong date!
Sorry everyone!!! The date should read March 12th rather than the 6th!
This is why I need a secretary. Thanks Heidi for you help.
I hope this date's still okay.

Come on over to Shauna's

Book club is at my house this month
We've been reading 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy
We're meeting at 7:00 on Thursday, March 6th
Also, if you please, RSVP here on the commentary page so I know how much food to prepare
Can't wait to see you