Meeting Reminder: December 12th Film Discussion

This is a reminder that this month's meeting will be on Thursday, December 12th. We will watch and discuss Beasts of the Southern Wild, directed by Benh Zeitlin.

Schedule:
5:00pm Watch film
6:30pm Potluck dinner
7:00pm Discussion






Please bring book and movie recommendations to our December meeting so that we can finalize the list for winter and spring 2014. Per Laurie's suggestion, let's remember to have a good mixture of both the new and the old in our book considerations.

Hope to see everyone there!

Meeting Reminder: November 21st Book Discussion

This is a reminder that this month's meeting will be on Thursday, November 21st. We will discuss The Burgess Boys, by Elizabeth Strout.

Schedule:
6:30pm Potluck dinner
7:00pm Discussion

Hope to see everyone there!

Meeting Reminder: October 17th Book Discussion

This is a reminder that this month's meeting will be on Thursday, October 17th. We will discuss The Paris Wife: A Novel, by Paula McClain.

Schedule:
6:30pm Potluck dinner
7:00pm Discussion

Hope to see everyone there!

Test Post

This post is a test to see if those who weren't getting emails from this blog will now get it. Ignore if you aren't one of these.

Meeting Reminder: September 19th Book Discussion

This is a reminder that this month's meeting will be on Thursday, September 19th. We will discuss A Land More Kind than Home: A Novel, by Wiley Cash.

Schedule:
6:30pm Potluck dinner
7:00pm Discussion

Hope to see everyone there!

Fall/Winter 2013-14 List

So the final list is below; it is also located under the "Current List" tab. Our January selection has been changed. Once we have completed this round of works, the lists under the two "Complete List" tabs will also be updated.

September

Meeting: September 19, 2013
A Land More Kind than Home: A Novel , by Wiley Cash

October

Meeting: October 17, 2013
The Paris Wife: A Novel, by Paula McClain

November

Meeting: November 21, 2013
The Burgess Boys, by Elizabeth Strout

December

Meeting: December 12, 2013
Film: Beasts of the Southern Wild, directed by Benh Zeitlin

January

Meeting: January 16, 2014
And the Mountains Echoed: A Novel, by Khaled Hosseini

Fall/Winter 2013-14 Tentative List Discussion

Here is our tentative reading/viewing schedule for Fall/Winter 2013-14. Enter a comment on this post to submit your suggestions, pans, or ideas. We are looking for a possible replacement for The Burgess Boys, since it is not yet out in paperback.

September

Meeting: September 19, 2013
A Land More Kind than Home: A Novel , by Wiley Cash

October

Meeting: October 17, 2013
The Paris Wife: A Novel, by Paula McClain

November

Meeting: November 21, 2013
The Burgess Boys, by Elizabeth Strout

December

Meeting: December 12, 2013
Film: Beasts of the Southern Wild, directed by Benh Zeitlin

January

Meeting: January 16, 2014
A Canticle For Liebowitz, by Walter M. Miller

Meeting Reminder: August 15th Film Discussion

This is a reminder that this month's meeting will be on Thursday, August 15th. We will watch and discuss A Separation ("Jodaeiye Nader az Simin"), directed by Asghar Farhadi.

Schedule:
5:00pm Watch film
6:30pm Potluck dinner
7:00pm Discussion

Hope to see everyone there!

Corn Salad

1 (15.25 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained

1/2 cup red onion, chopped

1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped

3/4 cup Miracle Whip (I use real mayonnaise)

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (I used extra sharp)

Mix and chill the above ingredients.  Just before serving, mix about 1/2 bag (10 oz.) Chili Cheese Fritos into the above mixture.

As you can see, another really easy one.  Enjoy!

Submitted by Barb Thomas

Meeting Reminder: July 18th Film Discussion

This is a reminder that this month's meeting will be on Thursday, July 18th. We will watch and discuss The Other Son (original title “Le fils de l’autre”) directed by Lorraine Levy.

Schedule:
5:00pm  Watch film
6:30pm  Potluck dinner
7:00pm  Discussion

Hope to see everyone there!

Scalloped Potato and Herb Tart

Pre-baked 9 inch refrigerated pie shell.  (I used Pillsbury)

1 medium size russet potato (about 12 oz), peeled and cut into 1/16 inch thick slices

1 1/2 tsp. table salt, divided

6 green onions, cut into 1 inch pieces (about 1 cup)

1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh chives

1/2 to 1 Tbsp. coarsely chopped fresh dill

1 cup half and half

2 large eggs

1 large egg yolk

1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves

1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded Gruyere cheese (I used Swiss cheese)

1/4 cup (1 oz. freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

Prepare pie crust according to package directions pressing into a 9  - 9 1/2 inch tart pan with removable bottom.  Bake as directed.  Cool completely.

Preheat oven to 350.  Bring potatoes, 1 tsp. salt and enough water to cover to a boil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; cook 5 to 7 minutes or until tender.  Drain potatoes and pat dry with paper towels.  Cool 10 minutes.

Cook onions in boiling salted water to cover in a small saucepan to 2 to 3 minutes or until tender.  Drain well and press between paper towels.

Stir together parsley and next 2 ingredients in a small bowl. 

Whisk together half and half, next 4 ingredients, half of parsley mixture and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt.

Spread half of potatoes in bottom of pastry crust.  Top with half of Gruyere (or Swiss) cheese, half of cooked onions and half of egg mixture; repeat layers once.  Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet 40 - 45 minutes or until center is set.  Let stand 10 minutes.  Sprinkle with remaining parsley mixture.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Submitted by Barb Thomas

Peanut Butter Fudge

1 stick butter ( I may try 1 & 1/2 sticks next time)

1 cup creamy peanut butter

1 tsp vanilla

1 lb powdered sugar

Melt butter & peanut butter together (I did this in microwave for 90 secs). Stir in vanilla. Mix in powdered sugar (had to use my mixer for this step). Flatten into a greased 9x9 pan. Chill in fridge at least one hour.

Cut into small pieces. Enjoy!

Submitted by David Green

Raspberry Soup

1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, thawed

1/2 cup rose or dry white wine

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar (I use a little less, depending on the sweetness of the berries)

1/2 cup sour cream

Garnishes if desired:  lime slices, fresh raspberries, sour cream 

Process raspberries and next 3 ingredients in a blender or food processer until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides.  Pour mixture through a wire mesh strainer into serving bowls.  Garnish, if desired.

Yield: 2 1/3 cups

Contributed by Barb Thomas

Lemon Sherbet

2 cups whipping cream or half & half (of course, I use whipping cream) 

1 cup sugar

1 to 2 tblsp. fresh grated lemon peel

1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice

In large bowl, stir together cream and sugar until sugar is thoroughly dissolved.  Mix in lemon peel and juice.  Pour into 8 inch square pan or directly into sherbet dishes.  Freeze several hours until firm.  Makes about 1 1/2 pints.  Garnish with lemon cartwheel twists.

Contributed by Barb Thomas