The Red Tent - April 19, 2010

Wow! What a great experience. Picture this, a school library transformed into a haven where all of us could come eat, drink and just relax for 2 hours as we discussed The Red Tent in it's totality. In this tent, we discussed the joy, love, laughter and sometimes pain Dinah and her "mothers" experienced when they spent time learning, living and enjoying one another. Although "Red tents" don't exist today, it is comforting to know that women make their own spaces and places to share and bond. Womanhood is an unique glue that bonds all of us together. No matter what walk of life we come from, we connect with one another because we know that we have more in common than we have differences. The Red Tent allowed us once again to solidify this basic core belief.

Recipe for Leek Soup

Ingredients

2 lbs of leeks

1 lb potatoes

1/2 cup butter

1 large spring of fresh thyme

1 1/2 cups milk

salt and pepper

4 tablespoons heavy cream, to serve

STEPS:
1. top & tail the leeks. Rinse thoroughly under cold water
2. cut the potatoes into rough dice, about 1 in., dry on paper towels
3. melt the butter in large saucepan. Add the leeks & sprig thyme, cover & cook about 4-5 mins. add potatoes slices. add just enough cold water to cover the veggies. re-cover cook for about 30 mins (low heat)
4. pour in milk & season with salt & pepper. Cover & simmer for 30 mins (potatoes will break up, leaving a semi-pureed & lumpy soup)
5. Remove the sprig of thyme. Leaves will have fallen into soup. Serve, adding 1 TBSP cream & a garnish of thyme with each portion.

MARCH 26, 2010 5:45 PM

The Piano Teacher - March 22, 2010

I'm so glad we were able to find some conversations out of our book. I think we were all disappointed at first because the book was not what we expected. Once we were able to discuss different points of view we found that there was more to the characters than what we initially thought. We mentioned that the author was probably vague about a lot of things in her story because she did want to evoke discussion about the characters and the circumstances surrounding the events in their lives. One of the most thought provoking questions we discussed was: How do you feel about Angeline and her giving up her friendship with Trudy because she didn't approve of Trudy's behavior? This prompted discussion about our own friendships and what secrets we might be inclined to divulge to others. It made us think about what we might be inclined to discuss with a friend or family member not knowing what the outcome might be.

You are all a wonderful group of ladies who have so much to offer in many ways. We missed you Trace and Miggy and look forward to seeing you at the next book club meeting. I know you all loved the leek soup so I will include a copy of the recipe. I hope you also enjoy the grape sauce to pour over your ice cream and that it will spark your memory of this day.

Thank you for your participation and enthusiasm at this event. It seems that we are just getting better and better at sharing and discussing important topics. Love to all, Maria

SARAH'S KEY February 22, 2010

WOW! What a meeting we had today. A profoundly provocative book, and a riveting discussion. I feel so honored and privileged to be part of a group of women who have such warm and caring hearts and invoke invigorating conversation. It is so exciting.

All the book club members attended this month's pick, "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay. We learned a little about the author by watching a short interview where she shares her inspiration for the book. This was her ninth book, but the first to be written in English. She was moved to write about this horrific time in France's history, where French police under the Nazi rule were ordered to round up Jewish men, women, and children and place them in the Vel d"Hiv (a cycling arena at one time.) It was called "Operation Spring Breeze" The author writes this fictional story around true events of a little girl who locks her younger brother in a cupboard believing she will be back in a couple of hours. It is a story of two families from the past and present and how they were connected and affected by the tragic event of July 16th, 1942. There were many other themes in the book that were discussed with respectful passion.

I appreciate all you lovely ladies and value the time we spend together, getting to know eachother while discussing books. I hope everyone enjoyed and were moved by "Sarah's Key" Thank You so much for your sharing!!!!

Next months book is "The Piano Teacher" by Janice Y.K. Lee

----Mary Velez

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.