Monday, August 8, 2011

September Book Club

Had a great time at book club meeting this month.  Thanks to everyone who came and for those who couldn't make it, you were missed!  The book we'll discuss in September is Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin.  This one sounds very interesting to me and I'm looking forward to reading it.




Our next meeting will be Thursday, September 1st at 6:30pm at Lori's house.  Hope everyone can make it.  There are a couple of items we discussed at the meeting.  If you haven't chosen a book yet, please be thinking about books you'd like to see added to the list.  I'd like to keep a list of 4-5 books so that we always know what's coming up.  Also, for December I thought it would be fun to host a dinner at my house and maybe do a book exchange.  LaVon's sister had a great idea to make it a white elephant book exchange and I think that would be fun.  Send me an email to let me know your thoughts.

Thanks everyone!  Have a great August!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

August Book Club

Thanks for the fun night tonight, ladies!  I had a great time but I missed those of you who couldn't make it.  As promised, here's the cookie recipe I used.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
14 Tbsp unsalted butter (1 3/4 sticks), cut into pieces
3/4 cup dark brown sugar (can use regular brown sugar)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp salt (since I usually use salted butter, I don't add the salt)
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 1/4 cups chocolate chips (use cinnamon or peanut butter chips for a nice variety)
3/4 cup chopped nuts (optional; I'm a purist and don't like nuts in cookies)

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat over to 375. 

Whisk flour and baking soda together in medium bowl and set aside.

In a 10-inch skillet, heat 10 tbsp butter over medium-high heat until melted.  Continue cooking, stirring constantly until butter is dark golden brown and has a nutty aroma, 1-3 minutes.  Remove skillet from heat and transfer browned butter to a large heatproof bowl.  Stir remaining 4 tbsp butter into hot butter until completely melted.

Add both sugars, salt, and vanilla to butter and whisk until fully incorporated.  Add egg and egg yolk and whisk until mixture is smooth, about 30 seconds.  Let mixture stand for 3 minutes, then whisk for 30 seconds.  Repeat process of resting and whisking 2 more times until mixture is thick, smooth, and shiny.  Using rubber spatula or wooden spoon, stir in flour mixture until just combined, about 1 minute.  Stir in chips and nuts (optional).

Divide dough onto cookie sheets, arranging 2 inches apart.  Bake cookies one tray at a time until cookies are golden brown and still puffy, and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft, 10 to 14 minutes.  Transfer to wire rack and cook completely before serving.

Now, on to books (since this is a book club blog).  :D  The book for August is Divergent by Veronica Roth.  I confess, I've read ahead and really enjoyed this book.  Can't wait to discuss it next month.  The meeting will be held at Tawnya's house at 6:30pm on Thursday, August 4th.  Send me an email if you need the address.  As usual, I will send reminders closer to meeting day.



Happy reading!

Saturday, July 2, 2011

July Book Club

Well, once again, I'm so far behind I think I'm first.  :D  The book we've been reading and will discuss next week is Watchers by Dean Koontz.  I've also changed the blog a bit and added the list of books we'll be reading in the next few months.  I think it's good to know in advance, then those who are fast readers can start ahead.

Happy 4th of July to everyone!  I'm so grateful for this country in which we live and the many freedoms and blessings we enjoy.  Have a safe and happy weekend!




We'll see you next week; July 7th, 6:30pm at Christine's house.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

June Book Club

Wow!  I'm really behind in updating the blog this month.  When I tried to do it earlier, the blogger website wasn't available and I'm just now getting back to it.  YIKES!  Hopefully, everyone got my email that the book we'll be discussing in June is Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken.  The meeting will be held this coming week; June 2nd at 6:30pm at my house.  Hope to see you all there. 

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

May Book Club

Hi everyone!

It's that time again.  Just wanted to get a reminder out about the book club meeting for May.  We'll be reading The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis from the Chronicals of Narnia series.  We decided that since we tried a "difficult" C.S. Lewis, we'd try something a little easier to read.  I've never read anything from this series; I've only seen two of the movies.



The next meeting with be held at my house on Thursday, May 5th at 6:30 pm.

Thanks!

Lori

PS:  Please post reviews of the books (if you're interested in doing that).  :D

Saturday, March 12, 2011

April Book Club

Hi Ladies!

Can I just say, I really LOVE book club!  It's so fun to read books and discover new authors that I might not otherwise pick up.

The book this month is The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis.  I've never read him so I'm looking forward to reading this book.  It sounds like an interesting one.  The meeting will be held at 6:30pm on April 7th at Christine's house.

Also, if anyone's interested, please post your reviews of the books we've read.  If you need an invitation to be an author on this blog, let me know . I'll be happy to add you.

See you in a few weeks!

Monday, February 14, 2011

March 2011 Book Club

It's that time again!  The March meeting will be held Thursday, March 3rd at Dawn's house and the book is "Crispin: Cross of Lead".  I'll also be posting a list of books to choose from each month.  If you have something you've been wanting to read and want that book included on the list, please email it to me and I'll make sure your book (or books) is added.  Thanks!  See you on March 3rd.