January Book Club at Bethany's House

Book Club was hosted by Bethany last night.  Here are the ladies who attended...

Mariana,  Bethany,  Kara,  Shannon,  Britney,  Kristie &  Heidi

We had a really great discussion about the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbran. It was unanimously loved.

We all learned a great deal from the Louis Zampernini and his endurance and forgiveness.

We also all agree that more should be taught in school about this part of WWII.

Bethany made some wonderful soup and homemade rolls for us!

A few of us got to have Brussel sprouts for the first time and they are magically delicious!

We also realized that we were supposed to vote on books last night but we all forgot! So we picked a classic to read in February and we will vote on new books next time.

So post your nominations for books!

Here is the schedule for the next two months:



February
The Rules of CivilityBy Amor Towles
Hosted by Heidi
Reviewed by Brenda
**VOTE ON NEW BOOKS**


MarchCatcher in the RyeBy JD Salinger
Hosted by Kara
**POTLUCK**
Reviewed by Britney

Christmas Party

 Shannon hosted us for the Christmas party this year.  We were a little short on numbers but we were not short on good food and some serious laughs!!

First the goodies...

Now the white elephant exchange...

As always there were some pretty great gifts!

Kristie was super excited to get some new records! Britney was pretty excited about it too!

Shannon is ready to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with her wood ready-to-be-painted and glittered cross complete with Jesus stickers.

Brenda is reasy to celebrate the true meaning of being a good wife with this page turner!

Britney scored with hot coco, mug and marshmallows

Okay so Kara is really the one who scored! She got this great plate and a rice bag that smelled divine!

It looks like I received some moon shine but it's actually like $5.000 work of Donna Karen Cashmere Mist

I saved the best for last!

Here are the pictures from the games we played...

The object of the first game was to shoot the toilet paper with a rubber band. The first one so drop the soda can won.

Britney is not very competitive

Again. Britney... not competitive at all

Next we tied a pair of tights around our waists. In one toe of the tights was a ball. So we had to do some serious pelvic thrusts to knock over the bottles.

This was seriously hilarious! We were crying we were laughing so hard.

Okay

Now

For the moment of the night

Shannon was really going for it

She wanted that bottle down!!

Such a great night!

We missed all of you who couldn't make it!

I'm starting us off....my book nominations

Edenbrooke: A Proper Romance by Julianne Donaldson



I haven't read it so I can't speak for it, but I want to read it. It has an average review of 4.43 stars (out of 5) on Goodreads...if that helps.

Description from Amazon:

Marianne Daventry will do anything to escape the boredom of Bath and the amorous attentions of an unwanted suitor. So when an invitation arrives from her twin sister, Cecily, to join her at a sprawling country estate, she jumps at the chance. Thinking she'll be able to relax and enjoy her beloved English countryside while her sister snags the handsome heir of Edenbrooke, Marianne finds that even the best laid plans can go awry. From a terrifying run-in with a highwayman to a seemingly harmless flirtation, Marianne finds herself embroiled in an unexpected adventure filled with enough romance and intrigue to keep her mind racing. Will Marianne be able to rein in her traitorous heart, or will a mysterious stranger sweep her off her feet? Fate had something other than a relaxing summer in mind when it sent Marianne to Edenbrooke.


Book #2: The Boneshaker by Kate Milford



Again, I haven't read it (that's why I'm nominating it...b/c I want to) but I have heard a lot of good things about it. It is considered YA Fiction and has received the YASLA Best Fiction for Young Adults 2011 award.

Description from Goodreads:

Thirteen year-old Natalie Minks loves machines, particularly automata—self operating mechanical devices, usually powered by clockwork. When Jake Limberleg and his traveling medicine show arrive in her small Missouri town with a mysterious vehicle under a tarp and an uncanny ability to make Natalie’s half-built automaton move, she feels in her gut that something about this caravan of healers is a bit off. Her uneasiness leads her to investigate the intricate maze of the medicine show, where she discovers a horrible truth, and realizes that only she has the power to set things right.

Set in 1914, The Boneshaker is a gripping, richly textured novel about family, community, courage, and looking evil directly in the face in order to conquer it.

Finally, book #3: The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan



Haven't read it, but heard good things about it. Received an average of 4.03 stars on Goodreads

Description from Goodreads:

An enchanting historical epic of grand passion and adventure, this debut novel tells the captivating story of one of India's most controversial empresses -- a woman whose brilliance and determination trumped myriad obstacles, and whose love shaped the course of the Mughal Empire -- 16th century India. Skillfully blending the textures of historical reality with the rich and sensual imaginings of a timeless fairy tale, "The Twentieth Wife" sweeps readers up in Mehrunnisa's embattled love with Prince Salim, and in the bedazzling destiny of a woman -- a legend in her own time -- who was all but lost to history until now


Those are my picks to start us out. Can't wait to see all of the other suggestions. So many good books so little time!!!!

Christmas Party!

The Christmas Party is Thursday!!

Shannon's House @ 7:00

**Bring a dish to share and a white elephant gift!**

November Book Club at Kristie's

Kristie (otherwise known an Nurse Nancy) hosted a fantastic book club for us last month.  We devoured treats galore. Here is a sampling of the goodness

The best treat of all was having Christie join the group again! We were so happy to see her and happy to hear her good news (she is expecting baby number four!!)

We played where in the world is Christie as we made her pose in each picture. It really was a fantastic night and it was so much fun to be all together again!

Bethany, Shauna (holding Bethany's baby Oscar) Christie , Kara & Stephanie 

Christie, Shannon & Kristie

Christie, Brenda, Heidi & Britney

See you next time at Shannon's house for the Christmas Party!!

Book club FHE

Book club is Monday night 

Kristie's house

8:00 PM

We will have a special guest!

See you there!

Bookclub at Kara's

We had a great time at Kara's (a few weeks ago) for bookclub.

She made amazing food (as always). And yes, I did have seconds.

On the menu (and I'm sorry there aren't photos b/c it was delicious and beautiful) was:

Butternut Squash Soup with a yogurt sauce drizzle (heavenly)

Tossed salad (bacon, tomatoes,....great vinaigrette,...so delicious!)

Crusty bread with cheese

and....

Avocado Ice Cream with toasted coconut, nuts, and a honey drizzle. You must try it.

Kara will you please put your recipes on here? Everything was so incredibly good.

We talked about "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet." We were small in numbers so the conversation was limited. It got mixed reviews....no one hated it, but some loved it, others thought it was okay.

We got to see her new and fabulous kitchen and talked about all sorts of other "good stuff."

Thanks for hosting Kara. I had a great time!

Book Club at Kara's

Come one, come all.

Eat some food.

Discuss the book.

It's at my new house, so let me know if you need directions.

I would love to know who can make it so I can plan accordingly.

Cheers!

Bookclub @ Stephanie's

I'm sorry we don't have any photos to let you know exactly what you missed out on, but we had a really good time and even better food!!!!

I will try to fill in as best I can....

We started off munching on these...

roasted chickpeas. I don't even know what was on them but they were a little sweet and a little spicy and a lot delicious. I'm officially addicted. I think I'll make some tomorrow.

We then imbibed in Brazilian Lemonade...

only served in adorable glass jars and served with these...


Then we ate fabulous Asian Lettuce Wraps


I won't even tell you how many I ate, but let's just say...more than one, or two.....or.....that's good enough.

We also had fried rice (which was delicious) that I can't find an adequate picture of......dang.

And then this incredibly delicious fruit salad.


and then topped it off with these bad boys...


That's right....homemade Almond Joys. I'm considering popping by Stephanie's more often in hopes that there will be another platter of these waiting for me. I will admit....I did not eat just one.

I hope I'm not forgetting anything, but everything was fantastic and Stephanie hosted like the true professional that she is.

We had some hilarious conversations,...most of which were not about the book. I'm not sure that anyone even finished the book, but the consensus was that there were a lot of unnecessary words. I think. I apologize for not having actually read it. Please forgive me.

We had a great time and missed all of the lovelies that couldn't make it.

I had a much needed night out and was able to catch up with some of my favorite people in the world.

Thanks Stephanie!

p.s. These are not the legitimate pictures. I just filled in with as much as I could find on Pinterest to give you a taste of what you missed. :)

p.s. again -- Happy Baby Bethany --- we hope all goes well. (Unless it has already happened, in which case....where are the photos????!!)

Book CLub ay Shauna's

As usual we enjoyed the most delicious food and conversation at Shauna's house.  I can't tell you how grea tthe food was.  In fact I have recreated this menu twice and my family loved it too!