DECEMBER: North of Beautiful

Host: Rachel McClelland

Discussion Questions by: Dawnette Rhoades

NOVEMBER.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

by Jamie Ford

host: Sue Layne

discussion lead by: Jen Hatch

We had a great turnout! We even had 2 people come over from Woodland Springs ward because we're just that cool. ;) Thanks girls for coming - you're welcome anytime!! And I think we had the most ever to have actually read the book. Discussion questions were from here. Just in case those of you who weren't able to make it wanted to have a discussion amongst yourself.

Thank you Sharee, Amanda and Sue for providing some treats! And especially thanks to Sue for hosting!!

Here is the EXECUTIVE ORDER that Amber talked about...

Authorizing the Secretary of War to Prescribe Military Areas

Whereas the successful prosecution of the war requires every possible protection against espionage and against sabotage to national-defense materials, national - defense premises. and national-defense utilities. Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of War, and the Military Commanders whom he may from time to time designate, whenever he or any designated Commander deems such action necessary or desirable, to prescribe military areas in such places and of such extent as he or the appropriate Military Commander may determine, from which any or all persons may be excluded, and with respect to which, the right of any person to enter, remain in, or leave shall be subject to whatever restrictions the Secretary of War or rile appropriate Military Commander may impose in his discretion. The Secretary of War is hereby authorized to provide for residents of any such area who are excluded therefrom, such transportation, food, shelter, and other accommodations as may be necessary, in the judgment of the Secretary of War or the said Military Commander. and until other arrangements are made. to accomplish the purpose of this order. The designation of military areas in any region or locality shall supersede designations of prohibited and restricted areas by the Attorney General under the Proclamations of December 7 and 8, 1941, and shall supersede the responsibility and authority of the Attorney General under the said Proclamations in respect of such prohibited and restricted areas.

I hereby further authorize and direct the Secretary of War and the said Military Commanders to take such other steps as he or the appropriate Military Commander may deem advisable to enforce compliance with the restrictions applicable to each Military area hereinabove , authorized to be designated, including the use of Federal troops and other Federal Agencies, with authority to accept assistance of state and local agencies.

I hereby further authorize and direct all Executive Departments, independent establishments and other Federal Agencies, to assist the Secretary of War or the said Military Commanders in carrying out this Executive Order, including the furnishing of medical aid, hospitalization, food, clothing, transportation, use of land, shelter, and other supplies, equipment, utilities, facilities, and services.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

OCTOBER.

The Book.

Rebecca

by: Daphne du Maurier

The People.

Yeah! I finally remembered to take a picture!!

The Food.
Alyssa's cookies
{I need some help here...who brought food and can you send me the recipes?}

The Movie.

I watched Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca... liked it... made me actually like the characters a little more. Mrs. Danvers is freaky. And Manderly is ginormous!

And some dude put the whole movie on YouTube in 13 sections, here. I also saw on there that Vivien Leigh (Gone with the Wind) auditioned for the part... that would have been way wrong casting.

Host Needed!

We need a host for October... please let me know if you can do it. Thanks!!

SEPTEMBER.

The Book:

Look Again

by: Lisa Scottoline

Host: Jayne Klingler

The Who's: Sharee Poyfair, Amy Williams, Susan Thurman, Jayne Klingler, Alycia Nelson, Dawnette Rhoades, Kellie Price, Michalann Collingwood, Natalie Pray, Alyssa Olsen, Tiffany Sheppard and Jen Hatch

The Food:

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Tiffany Sheppard

Wash a pint of refrigerated strawberries and pat dry with a paper towel.

Melt 1 pound of Wilton melting chocolate in the microwave. Do so in 30 second increments, stirring in between.

Holding the leaves of the strawberry, dip each berry in the melted chocolate. Place on wax paper or aluminum foil to harden.

These do not keep well, so eat them within a few hours.

If you don’t have Melting Chocolate you can use chocolate chips. Add about a teaspoon of Crisco to the chocolate before you melt it. This will take longer to harden, so you want to put the berries in the refrigerator after you dip them.

Fruit Pizza

Natalie Pray

Carrot Cupcakes

Susan Thurman

Bacon Wrapped Pineapple

Susan Thurman

Frosted Banana Bars

Dawnette Rhoades

1/2 cups butter or margarine, softened
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 medium)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
pinch salt

Frosting
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 pkg. (8oz.) cream cheese, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For cake; Cream butter & sugar. Beat in eggs, bananas, and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture and mix well. Pour into a greased 15 in by 10 in by 1 in baking pan. Bake at 350 for 25 min or until bars test done. Cool.

For frosting; cream butter & cream cheese. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beat well. Spread over bars.

I'll Try Better...

Back by demand...

the book group blog. Seriously didn't even know anyone was looking!

Please let me know

if I'm missing someone, something or a recipe for each monthly post.

Also, let me know what else you want on here!

I'll try better to keep up with it!

I've posted all of the books

for the rest of the year on the sidebar and here. And went back to whatever notes I've had from book group, from the beginning and posted the books we read in 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006 when the book group was created. It was headed up by Darla Gaylor because she wanted it. If no know Darla, you get that. ;) We miss you Darla!

It was funny to remember how in the beginning we only read

a book every other month

and had socials/game nights/dinners/topic discussions the other months. Now, we just combine it all and stay out til midnight+.

Also... if you have a facebook accoung - make sure you're a

"follower"...

so we can look really cool. ;) And I thought about putting links on the sidebar to those that come that have a personal blog. What do you think? Just another way you can keep up with everyone.

AUGUST.

And back by demand... the book club blog posts... Let me know what I'm missing and if you'd like to see anything else up on here... and I'll try to keep up with it!

Finding Nouf

by Zoe Ferraris

Host: Tiffany Sheppard

Discussion Questions: Dawnette Rhoades

The Who's: Michelle Olson, Susan Thurman, Amanda Telford, Jenn Whitesides, Alycia Nelson, Emily Tolman, Dawnette Rhoades, Tiffany Sheppard, Taren Morris, Sharee Poyfair, Jayne Klingler, Alyssa Olsen, Amy Williams, Amory Bigler, Sue Layne, Michalann Collingwood, Michelle Dupre, Jen Hatch. {{Just so you know who you're missing out on hanging out with!! Did I miss anyone?!}}

It was an awesome turn-out... and we actually talked about the book for a good hour and a half, I'd say. We had great topics of conversation all night too... which was your favorite? The early birds came at 8pm... the first ones left around 10pm... and the last ones left 1:30ish... pretty typical I'd say!

We ate...

Mint Chocolate Mousse Cups

Tiffany Sheppard

Chocolate Cups

Melt 1 lb. of Wilton melting chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Stir every 30 seconds. Stirring the warm chocolate will help to melt it because your bowl will become hot. Do not overcook the chocolate. Use a spoon to add chocolate to silicon cupcake cups. Smooth over all the surfaces. Don't worry about having the insides perfect because you will not see it. Put cupcake cups in the freezer. When they are hard, turn the silicon cups inside out to remove the chocolate. Set aside. If you end up with extra cups, save them in the freezer for other desserts or fresh fruit with whipped cream.

Chocolate Mousse Ingredients

2 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

6 oz Andes mint chips (half the bag)

½ cup water

2 tablespoons butter (no substitutes)

½ cup water

3 egg yolks

2 tablespoons sugar

1 ¼ cups whipping cream, whipped

In a microwave heat chocolate, 1/2 cup water and butter for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth and the chocolate and butter are melted. Cool for 10 minutes. In a small heavy saucepan, whisk egg yolks, sugar and ½ cup water. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture reaches 160 degrees F, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Whisk the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture. Set saucepan in ice and stir until cooled, about 5-10 minutes. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon into chocolate cups. Add coarsely chopped milk chocolate to the top. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Whipped Cream Topping

Chill metal mixing bowl and electric mixer whisk in the refrigerator until cold. Whisk ½ cup whipping cream and 3 tablespoons of sugar until stiff peaks from. Pipe onto the chilled mouse cups just before serving.

 

Pina Colada

Alycia Nelson

3 cups pineapple juice
3 cups milk
1 teaspoon coconut extract (imitation)
6 tablespoons sugar

Mix in pitcher. Put half in ice cube trays and freeze. When frozen, mix all together in blender.

Banana-Berry Oatmeal Bar

Jen Hatch

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup vegan butter, softened
1/3 cup agave nectar
4 ripe bananas, mashed
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
1/3 cup chopped almonds

Preheat the oven to 425*F. Lightly grease a 13" x 9" baking pan. In a large bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, salt, and baking soda. Set aside. In a separate bowl, beat the butter until light and fluffy. Add the agave nectar, bananas, and vanilla. Gradually add the flour and oats, alternating, into the banana mixture until incorporated. If it is getting too thick, add vanilla soy milk. Fold in the berries and nuts. Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 25 minutes or until golden (my Texas climate took 21 minutes - so watch 'em). Cool and cut into bars. Makes 2 dozen. Recipe from Quantum Wellness by Kelly Freston.

Chips & Salsa (??)
Chocolate Bars of some sort (??)

Please help me out on what else was there.... and send me the recipes so I can add them on here whoever you are!! {hatch123atgmaildotcom}