Showing posts with label book club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book club. Show all posts

The Summer Solstice

What’s the draw of the sunrise? I’m always awed by the brilliant colors breaking through the clouds as the sun rises up from the horizon. But its beauty notwithstanding, the sunrise also signifies the promise of a new day – one full of potential, one just waiting for us to take advantage of it.
Last Saturday, I made sure I saw the sunrise on the longest day of the year – to start the summer off right.
Welcome to #Summer #shirleyruns #sunrise #solstice
Of course, I was running as the sun rose - it’s the best way to start the day. I followed up the running with a yoga session held outdoors at a local park. The weather was perfect under the trees as the huge group practiced Sun Salutations on the Summer Solstice - an amazing experience.

The start of summer also signaled friend Kellie’s last day on the prairie. We held a Saturday Book Club session just for the occasion.
Final Book Club With Kellie

We ended our first day of summer with a summer storm. Yes, it happens a lot here, but I had hoped for better weather with a vision to take our group’s photo at the park that overlooks the prairie. Oh well, we had great light on Lisa’s porch and what matters is we captured this moment with friends.
The Set Up

Lisa’s hubby, Jeff, took the photos, but of course, I had to run over and check them out. Yes, I insisted on a few more and ran back:
I Checked Out the Photos and Decided We Needed More
This is one of those “wow, is that what my hair looks like from the back? And dang, my shirt is wrinkled and I'm hunched over!” photos. If you are wondering what Lisa is doing, she is mocking my arm muscles!

Yup, the next shot was a keeper:
Great Group of Friends

The prairie sky gave Kellie a parting gift – a beautiful post-storm sky. A bittersweet start to summer.
Post Storm Sky

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Recipe Exchange Brunch

Friend and neighbor Jill hosted a Recipe Exchange Brunch for all us Book Club members last Sunday. In other words, it was like a Book Club meeting, except we didn't discuss books (oh, wait, maybe it was like a book club meeting...), and we each brought food and recipes instead. The main purpose of the brunch - to widen our collection of family-friendly recipes.

Jill is the consummate entertainer - she decorated with fresh flowers and colorful place settings. We were handed a crystal flute filled with orange juice and bubbly prosecco upon arriving. Her fruit salad was beautifully presented and we all forgot about the long, cold winter outside.

Brighten Your Day

Tiered

Jewels

I took photos of most of the food - my plan is to gather the recipes and photos and create a cookbook - one that represents our group's friendship over the years. I'll feature one recipe here on the blog each week until I run out. Hopefully, my friends will continue to submit recipes! The collection will start next week.

Until then, I leave you with a photo of the party favors Jill put together - she really knows how to get all the details right.
Party Favors

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Broom Collection

The Lake House where I stayed last weekend was impeccably decorated. My friend's mother in law is the one responsible for creating the relaxed and casual, yet elegant feel of the house. But among the beachy throw pillows, comfy couches and rustic touches I found a curious element present in each of the rooms - a broom.

The Classic

See, their family was in the broom business, and the brooms serve as a reminder of their family's heritage and history. Can you say cool?

Classic Straw

Weaved

Opposite Colors

I didn't realize there could be so many variation on something as simple and basic as a broom.
Yes, I took pictures of them all. I'm weird like that!

Linked to This and That Thursdays.

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Weekend Retreat

I feel so blessed to be writing this from a weekend retreat in Michigan.

A fun, relaxing time with friends.

I am surrounded by beauty and grace.

I am sitting in this chair. The only difference is it's dark outside. And the computer is on my lap. I get to sleep in this room. I'm still pinching myself!
A Place to Call Home

I can hear the waves hitting the beach. Who knew Lake Michigan could be so loud.
First View of the Lake
My first view of the Lake, from last night. We just missed the official sunset, but the remnants were pretty spectacular.

But what makes this weekend special is the company.
Toast to the Weekend

It Gurgles

Preparations

Soaking it all in while I can.
Lake Michigan Morning

Eroded

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Book Club Night - At the Pool

We were spoiled last Friday evening with balmy and light summer breezes out on patio at Lisa's house. The food was delicious and the company even better. I know I say this every month, but I am so blessed to have a great group of friends.

Table Setting

Tasty Bites

Pass the Bread

We didn't take advantage of the pool or the hot tub. I know, shame on us! But we might have another opportunity next month....

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Movie Night - Water For Elephants

On Tuesday night, I met up with nine others from our neighborhood book club for a weekday night out at the movies. If a book we've read makes it to the big screen, we try to see together. This provides us with another reason to get together more than just once a month! And watching movies with this group of ladies is always amusing.

Tonight's movie, Water For Elephants, adapted from Sara Gruen's book. This was the first book I read as a new member of the book club, back in September, 2008. And since I was a new member, I actually read the book (and we discussed it!).


For the most part, the movie adaptation follows the book (although there is one scene where Jacob and Marlena jump off the train together - that wasn't in the book). The circus scenes convey the wonder of the Big Top, the animals and performers. Behind the illusion of the circus, we are reminded of the desperation of people during the great depression and prohibition. But the real star of the movie, Rosie the elephant is a beautiful, regal animal - her character comes through and she steals the show.

If you are considering seeing this movie, I suggest seeing it on the big screen - to see the animals and the grandeur of the circus performances, along with the scenes of the circus train moving along foggy countryside at night. Beautiful.

After the movie, we caught a light dessert / glass of wine at a local wine bar.
Discussions
Originally, I was just going to head home, but a glass of wine sounded nice. That and some bread topped off a nice evening.
Leftovers

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Book Club Night - The Pioneer Woman's Book

Friday was a busy day! In addition to Scott being out of town, Brian's Rube Goldberg competition, Erica's horse riding lesson, visiting Caesar the horse, it was Book Club night!

This month's book - The Pioneer Woman's (Ree Drummond) Black Heels to Tractor Wheels. It is a light, amusing and easy read (and I read a lot of it on-line at The Pioneer Woman's Blog). Some might call it "fluffy", but I think most of us enjoyed it in one fashion or another. Heather may have been its biggest critic, but she didn't read the book!

I'm a big fan of Ree and her blog, from her funny relating of life on a cattle ranch to her easy, tasty recipes and the beautiful photography [the fact she shoots with Nikon gear seals the deal]. After this book, I know my friend, Kellie, is a new fan.

Host Janice is already a fan (she suggested the book) so for tonight's goodies, she prepared recipes from the Pioneer Woman's Cookbook (using Real Butter):
Book Night Fare
Pictured above - Potato skins

Also served - Hot Artichoke Dip, Mango Salsa and to top things off - Sweet Rolls!

Janice totally rocks!
Hostess

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195/365 - Book Club Night

Our monthly book club night, held at Lisa's beautiful home. This month's book - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, a book I read on my iPhone, a first for me. I had downloaded the Barnes and Noble eReader a long time ago, but never actually read anything on it. I enjoyed having the book available at all times and read it while we were on vacation.

10.07.16 - Book Club Selection

I now have the sequel, The Girl Who Played With Fire on my phone, too. I'll read it over the next several weeks.

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167/365 - Red, White and Blue

My friend, Jill, hosted book club tonight and she went with a patriotic theme of Red, White and Blue. With a blue chicken thrown in to coordinate with the cute chicken theme she has in her kitchen.

10.06.18 - Red White and Blue With a Chicken

Tonight's book club agenda - selecting the next six books for our group. Each member brings a book or two (or more) and we all vote. This allows for a diverse selection to pick from. The top six books are determined and we assign the reading schedule.

I brought two selections, The Happiness Project and Women, Food and God. These selections were a departure from my normal fiction suggestions, but I figured mixing things up never hurt anyone.

The group did choose The Happiness Project, which will be read in January. I think the timing is perfect. And when that time comes around, I'll report back what my group of friends thought about the book.

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105/365 - Hosting Book Club

During my first experience hosting Book Club, I prepared Rum Cake [do a search of Rum Cake, and you'll get a bunch of Rum Cake related posts]. Now when I host, I get the inquiry - "You're making Rum Cake, right?".

Just as Heather always serves strawberries and angel food cake, Jill makes Bacon-Bacon dip, I will always make Rum Cake.

10.04.16 - Cutting into the Rum Cake
And Heather makes the initial cut into it while Kellie watches.

We discussed The Road by Cormac McCarthy. Well, Heather, Jill and Shelley gave us the overall outline of the book while Kellie and I gave our opinions [neither of us read the book and after the discussion, I'm not sure I want to - very depressing book].

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70/365 - Book Club / Spa Night

Cooler temperatures and rain was the backdrop for tonight's Spa Night at the local country club. Wait - these are my friends from Book Club. That's because several of our book club members belong to the country club, so the rest of us (including me) can participate as guests.

We all received a 20 minute massage and two other spa services. Most of us signed up for the facial and make up sessions. Everything was very relaxing and fun!

The facial station - Karen and another woman, wearing identical sweat suits, just happen to sign up for the facial station at the same time. They thought it was funny and even asked me to take the picture.
10.03.12 - Twin Facials

Lisa and Heather, after their make up sessions.
Monkey Shirt

After

And Kellie, after getting her hair "done". I think the curls are so classy and gorgeous!
Golden Tresses

I'm pretty pleased how the pictures turned out. The lighting conditions were horrid. Thank goodness for high ISO capability. We all had a great time and I can't wait to go next year!

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49/365 - Lively Book Club Discussions

Kellie hosted our monthly book club meeting tonight and she ordered a red velvet cake, custom decorated in the image of the book's cover:

10.02.19 - Book Club Discussions

My Little Red Book, edited by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff, is a collection of short stories, revolving around the first periods from women around the world, of current and past generations. Many funny, some sad, some happy, stories all women can relate to, especially those with daughters.

And contrary to popular belief, we DO discuss the books during our meetings, and tonight's discussion proved to be most interesting, educational at times and quite "colorful". With the lively discussions, the time passed so quickly - we didn't leave until after midnight.

If you have a young daughter, the book is a must read and a great conversation prompt when your daughter starts to grow up.

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31/365 - Have Some Joy Luck

A follow up picture from Friday's post - the cover of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan.
10.01.31 - Have Some Joy Luck

Even though I've had this book for 20 years, I'm pretty sure it really belongs to my sister, Teresa.

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29/365 - Book Club Night

One Friday a month, we gather to share food and laughter, catching up with those little and big details of our lives, and discuss the month's book selection. Well, maybe our book discussions take back seat to the other discussions, but it gives us a concrete reason to get together [and I've managed to read most of the books].

This month's selection was a book I suggested - The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. The book's stories remind me of my childhood, my relationship with my mother and sisters, and how we are all tied to the culture of our ancestors.

But, much like the discussions during our gatherings, the main purpose of this post isn't to discuss the book, but to focus on my lovely friends who make "Book Club Night".

Heather, here with Janice, who serves as our Leader:
Heather and Janice

Karen, tonight's gracious hostess:
Our Gracious Hostess

Kellie:
Talking Kellie

Lisa and Shelly:
Lisa and Shelly

Heather with Jill:
Discussions

Janice:
Janice, Pensive

I didn't get pictures of Amy or Jennifer - I'll have to get them next month (well, maybe not Jennifer - she's due to have baby number 3 in a couple weeks).

These ladies are the best and so much fun.

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