Meeting Reminder: December 17 Film Discussion

This is a reminder that this month's meeting will be on Thursday, December 17.

We will watch and discuss The Outsiders, directed by Frances Ford Coppola. Those who wish to are also encouraged to read the book, for book/film comparison discussion.

Schedule:
5:00pm Watch film and potluck dinner
7:00pm Discussion

REMINDER: Remember to bring your own dishes and utensils for the potluck.

Please RSVP for the pot luck dinner and/or discussion.

Hope to see everyone there!

Meeting Reminder: November 19 Book Discussion

This is a reminder that November's meeting will be Thursday, November 19, 2015.

We will discuss The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Schedule:
6:15pm Potluck dinner
7:00pm Discussion

REMINDER: Remember to bring your own dishes and utensils for the potluck.

Please RSVP for the pot luck dinner and/or discussion.

Hope to see everyone there!

Early Reminder: November 19 Book Discussion

This is your early reminder about next month's book, to give you plenty of time to purchase and read it, then come and join the discussion.

Next month's meeting will be on Thursday, November 19th. We will discuss The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne.

Schedule:
6:15pm Potluck dinner
7:00pm Discussion

For your convenience, the current list of titles is always located at http://fafbookclub.blogspot.com/p/current-list.html.

Hope to see everyone there!

Meeting Reminder: October 15 Book Discussion

This is a reminder that October's meeting will be Thursday, October 15, 2015.

We will discuss The Nightingale, by Kristin Hanna.

Schedule:
6:15pm Potluck dinner
7:00pm Discussion

REMINDER: Remember to bring your own dishes and utensils for the potluck.

Please RSVP for the pot luck dinner and/or discussion.

Hope to see everyone there!

Early Reminder: October 15 Book Discussion

We're starting something new. Each month, we'll send a message early in order to remind people of the upcoming title in time for them to purchase and read the book.

Next month's meeting will be on Thursday, October 15th. We will discuss The Nightingale, by Kristin Hanna.

Schedule:
6:15pm Potluck dinner
7:00pm Discussion

For your convenience, the current list of titles is always located at http://fafbookclub.blogspot.com/p/current-list.html.

Hope to see everyone there!

Meeting Reminder: September 17 Book Discussion

This is a reminder that September's meeting will be Thursday, September 17, 2015.

We will discuss Etta and Otto and Russell and James, by Emma Hooper

Schedule:
6:15pm Potluck dinner
7:00pm Discussion

REMINDER: Remember to bring your own dishes and utensils for the potluck.

Please RSVP for the pot luck dinner and/or discussion.

Hope to see everyone there!

Meeting Reminder: August 20 Film Discussion

This is a reminder that this month's meeting will be on Thursday, August 20.

We will watch and discuss Strangers in Good Company, directed by Cynthia Scott.

Schedule:
5:00pm Watch film and potluck dinner
7:00pm Discussion

REMINDER: Remember to bring your own dishes and utensils for the potluck.

Please RSVP for the pot luck dinner and/or discussion.

Hope to see everyone there!

Meeting Reminder: June 18 Book Discussion

This is a reminder that June 's meeting will be Thursday, June 18, 2015.

We will discuss All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr.

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

REMINDER: Remember to bring your own dishes and utensils for the potluck.

Please RSVP for the pot luck dinner and/or discussion.

Hope to see everyone there!

Movies Chosen, and Please Think About Next Booklist

So we've finalized the movie selections for July and August:

July
Meeting: July 16, 2014
Film: What Dreams May Come, directed by Vincent Ward

August
Meeting: August 20, 2014
Film: Strangers in Good Company, directed by Cynthia Scott

See full Current List here: http://fafbookclub.blogspot.com/p/current-list.html

Also, please bring your book and film suggestions for the Fall/Winter booklist to the next meeting. Then hopefully we can finalize the list at the July meeting or the August meeting.

Meeting Reminder: May 21 Book Discussion

This is a reminder that May's meeting will be Thursday, May 21, 2015.

We will discuss Me Before You, by JoJo Moyes.

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

REMINDER: Remember to bring your own dishes and utensils for the potluck.

Please RSVP for the pot luck dinner and/or discussion.

Hope to see everyone there!

Correct May Meeting Date May 21

As several members have noted, the Current List on the blog incorrectly posted tonight (May 14) as the meeting time for this month, but the third Thursday is actually next week, May 21. Please accept my apologies for this error.

The Current List has been corrected, and a reminder notice will go out sometime during the next few days.

—C.D. Walter

Shepherd's Pie

TOTAL TIME: 40 mins

PREP: 20 mins

COOK: 20 mins

Servings 4-6; Yields 1 pie

Posting this per a request. I've said it once and I'll say it again there is nothing Irish about Corned Beef and Cabbage, but Shepherd's Pie has always been and still is a staple of traditional Irish cooking. This is a really easy, but tasty recipe that the whole family will enjoy. It's nutritionally sound with all the major food groups represented. The British use lamb in their Shepherd's Pie, but we've always used beef. Do whatever you prefer or even try turkey if you're watching fat content. This sauce is lovely and rich and should go well with any meat. You can use fresh or leftover mashed potato. I usually use 3 tbsp of ketchup instead of the 2tbsp of tomato paste as I like the hint of sweetness, but traditionally the paste would be more sound! You can also make individual pies which are always a hit with the kids. This freezes beautifully too, so make two and save one! Just let it defrost and glaze with the egg and pop into the oven as directed. Enjoy! :)

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 lb ground beef or 1 lb lamb
• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 3 -4 large carrots, finely diced
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 3 -4 sprigs fresh thyme, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 glass red wine
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste I used the ketchup as she recommended in the instructions above.
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 large quantity mashed potatoes (estimating 6 cups, fresh or leftover)
• 1 egg, beaten
• grated parmesan cheese (optional) I used Asiago cheese

DIRECTIONS

1. Pre-heat oven to 200C/400°F.
2. Saute carrots in the olive oil until starting to get tender.
3. Add in the onions and saute for a minute or two then add the meat.
4. Season with black pepper and thyme.
5. Cook until browned then drain fat.
6. Add the butter and peas.
7. Sprinkle with flour and stir through.
8. Add tomato paste, wine and Worcestershire sauce.
9. Let this reduce slightly then add the chicken stock. Allow to reduce down until you have a thick meaty gravy. Season to your taste.
10. Remove from heat. Grease an oven proof dish** (9x13 works for me, as does an oval baker) with butter and add the sauce.
11. Spoon or pipe the mashed potatoes over top. Brush with egg and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese if using.
12. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the potato is nice and browned on top. I baked for 30 minutes.
13. Serve as is or with some crusty bread to mop up that yummy sauce!

Submitted by Barb Thomas

CHANGE OF PLAN: April 16 Film Discussion

There has been a change for April's meeting.

The book selected for this month is James Joyce's The Dubliners. However, as a book of short stories, it has tremendous scope and a large number of themes, making it difficult to treat in one short discussion.

As a result, we have decided to discuss only "The Dead," the final and most well-known of the stories in this collection. Those who are inclined may also watch the film.

Schedule:
5:00pm  Watch film and potluck
7:00pm  Discussion

Please RSVP for the dinner and the discussion or just for the discussion.

Hope to see everyone there! 

Meeting Reminder: March 19 Book Discussion

This is a reminder that March's meeting will be Thursday, March 19, 2015.

We will discuss Life After Life, by Kate Atkinson.

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

REMINDER: Remember to bring your own dishes and utensils for the potluck.

Please RSVP for the pot luck dinner and/or discussion.

Hope to see everyone there!

Meeting Reminder: February 19 Book Discussion

This is a reminder that February 's meeting will be Thursday, February 19, 2015.

We will discuss The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro.

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

REMINDER: Remember to bring your own dishes and utensils for the potluck.

Please RSVP for the pot luck dinner and/or discussion.

Hope to see everyone there!

Spring/Summer 2015 List

This is the book slate for Spring/Summer 2015, as decided by the group. We will have further discussion about the film selections for July and August.

February
Meeting: February 19, 2014 
The Remains of the Day, by Kazuo Ishiguro

March 
Meeting: March 19, 2014 
Life After Life, by Kate Atkinson

April 
Meeting: April 16, 2014 
The Dubliners, by James Joyce

May
Meeting: May 14, 2014 

Me Before You, Jojo Moyes

June
Meeting: June 18, 2014 
All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr

July 
Meeting: July 16, 2014 
Film: TBD 

August 
Meeting: August 20, 2014 
Film: TBD  

Terri Casey's Mother

Just to let the group know, Terri Casey's mother passed away peacefully last evening. She was nearly 106 years old. On behalf of the group, I'd like to send our prayers and condolences to Terri and her family.

Meeting Reminder: January 15 Book Discussion

This is a reminder that January's meeting will be Thursday, January 15, 2015.

We will discuss The Girl Who Fell From the Sky, by Heidi W. Durrow.

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

REMINDER: Remember to bring your own dishes and utensils for the potluck.

Please RSVP for the pot luck dinner and/or discussion.

Hope to see everyone there!