Miggy's Salad Dressing

Voraciously Consumed and Enjoyed at
 The Notebook Meeting

3/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 squirts of spicy Golden brown mustard
1 tsp. Italian seasoning(rub between hands before sprinkling on salad)
2 cloves of garlic crushed in garlic press
3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 lime to whole lime- your preference
1/4 tsp. salt (adjust to taste)
2 tbsp. of honey

Mix all ingredients and pour over salad.

The Notebook / Jan. 25, 2010

 

I was delighted to greet all of our book club members to discuss The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. We were only missing Diana! And I finally made it-- thanks to Amaris who held down the fort. Before discussing the book, we had an opportunity to enjoy each other's company as we ate pasta, a mock chicken concoction and an organic green salad. After the dinner, we (along with the cookies, fruit salad, etc.) made our way to the family room to discuss the book :-)!

We selected this book for discussion in January (close to Valentine's Day!!!) because it seemed fitting as it features the lives of two people who loved each other very much. We started the discussion by sharing what impacted us most about the story. Many shared that they were moved by Noah's tenderness and dedication to his wife. Others commented that they enjoyed the inclusion of poetry, descriptions of nature, etc. It was great to hear the different perspectives and to learn from each other!

We spoke about some of the things we liked in the book versus what was included in the movie and vice-versa. Some felt that the plot was better in one than in the other. In the end most really enjoyed the story, though some felt that some aspects of the story seemed unrealistic. We were able to see past the sappiness or unrealistic feel of some parts to appreciate a deeper message.

Thank you for sharing such a special time from your busy schedule with all of us!
Now I want to leave you with a line from the story that I really loved.

"There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough."

— Nicholas Sparks (The Notebook)
 

See you all in February to discuss Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay!

Have a Little Faith / December 15, 2009

Gerald Neary Library

Hosted by Carmen Cruz

Nine of us made time during the busy month of December to meet in the Neary Library to discuss the inspirational, Have a Little Faith, by Mitch Albom.

Have a Little Faith, the title itself caught my attention because I have been going through a life transition with my older daughter graduating high school this year (my younger one, next year), my very ill grandmother (she passed away), etc.  You begin to see and feel the diffferent stages of life, family, your mortality.... so, what holds you together? What keeps you going and gives you hope? I have always had immense faith, but, wow! This book touched me so personally, especially the rabbi, probably because the most important mentors in my life were older people with with great wisdom, my two grandmothers.  Their lives and character inspire me in so many ways.  The stories, values, traditions, faith and unconditional love they gave and taught me, I have tried to pass it on to my two daughters...I hope they do the same with their own children and future generations....

I admire the two men from the story, coming from such different backgrounds but so similar in their hearts...
showing us all a lesson;

In the end, what matters is what you do for others....
with no intention of self-serving,
because that's what enriches your soul.