March 2012

From the book:
“As women have played an increasingly important role in politics, there is no question that they’ve brought a different perspective, focusing attention on a broader set of issues and building alliances with other women. That’s not to say that women in elective office focus only, or even mostly, on so-called women’s issues. But research confirms that both Republican and Democratic women are more likely than their male counterparts to initiate and fight for bills that champion social justice, protect the environment, advocate for families, and promote nonviolent conflict resolution. They also focus on issues like transportation, agriculture, and arms control, just like men. But women, as Geraldine Ferraro once said, “raise issues that others overlook, pass bills that others oppose, invest in projects that others dismiss, and seek to end abuses that others ignore.” Amen.”

February 2012

Juliet by Ann Fortier

Twenty-five-year-old Julie Jacobs is heartbroken over the death of her beloved aunt Rose. But the shock goes even deeper when she learns that the woman who has been like a mother to her has left her entire estate to Julie’s twin sister. The only thing Julie receives is a key—one carried by her mother on the day she herself died—to a safety-deposit box in Siena, Italy.

This key sends Julie on a journey that will change her life forever—

(taken from Amazon.com)

January 2012–Ice Hunter — Joseph Heywood

In January we are reading the first of Joseph Heywood’s The Wood Cops Series
(You just may end up buying the entire series after reading this first thriller!)
Ice Hunter — Joseph Heywood

“Meet Grady Service: a former Marine, renowned tracker, Conservation Officer, and the last person any errant hunter wants to cross. In Ice Hunter, the first of a new series of mysteries set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Service defends his turf with the tenacity of a bear and the wisdom of an ancient. He shuns all creature comforts and consumerism and is most at home stalking the Mosquito Tract, his self-designated wilderness and the land protected by his C.O. father before him. Times are not easy for Service. As this summer season opens, he gets news that his nemesis, the despicable leader of an incestuous clan of poachers, is about to be released from prison. But something even more sinister is afoot in the Mosquito Tract – something that inspires greed far beyond the hunter going over his limit, something that involves giants of industry and politics (including the governor of the State of Michigan) – something that too easily renders human life dispensable. Service must call upon his every reserve to track, stalk, and hunt the “ice” hunter.”
(taken from Amazon.com)

December’s Books

Again this December we have two fun books to choose from….pick one to read or read them both…
THE CHRISTMAS KITTEN–James Herroit
A fun book to read with a child on your lap…you’ll both enjoy the story!
HOLIDAYS ON ICE–David Sedaris
Sure to keep you laughing and your spirits bright as we approach our Holiday Seasons!

Jo’s Casserole

Several have asked for Jo’s recipe for the dish she shared at our book club meeting at Jane Dallas’s home… so here it is!

Jo Gallico (Knox) Yummy Casserole

1 Lb. Browned ground meat (i.e. beef, turkey, or Boca crumbles)
1 jar pimento
1 cup cooked corn
1 jar/can black olives
1 can green chili peppers
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 pkg. grated cheese (2 cups)
1 cup water
Mix all of the above together and put into a casserole dish
Then…top with:
One package of corn bread mix that’s been prepared as the instructed but also mix in 3 tablespoons honey.
Pour this mixture over the entire casserole mixture.
Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or for whatever the cornbread mixture instructs you to do.
EAT, and ENJOY!

November’s Read: ROOM — Emma Donoghue

To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it’s where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it’s not enough…not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son’s bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, Room is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.

October’s Read: Tender at the Bone–Ruth Reichel

Tender at the Bone is Gourmet Magazine Editor Ruth Reichl’s hilarious memoir of growing up and the people who nurtured her love and appreciation of food. The book starts off with many stories of her mother, The Queen of Mold, from whom Ruth would protect house guests for fear of food poisoning.

Her friends seemed surprisingly unaware that they took their lives in their hands each time they ate with us. They chalked their ailments up to the weather, the flu, or one of my mother’s more unusual dishes. “No more sea urchins for me,” I imagined Burt Langner saying to his wife, Ruth, after a dinner at our house, “they just don’t agree with me.” Little did he know that it was not the sea urchins that had made him ill, but that bargain beef my mother had found so irresistible.

The book continues through French boarding school, a trip to North Africa, running a Berkeley restaurant in the 70s, and the launch of her career as a restaurant critic in San Francisco. Each chapter includes a well loved recipe many of which I can’t wait to try. Tender at the Bone is a great read for anyone who appreciates good food.
(This review taken from SimplyRecipes.com)

You asked for it… Lavender Punch

Lavender Punch
from Heather Lovell
• 2 cups water
• 6” stick cinnamon (I usually use two)
• 1 tsp. Whole cloves
• 6 Tbsp. Fresh or 2 Tbsp. Dried lavender flowers and/or leaves
• 1 12 oz. Can frozen limeade concentrate
• 4 Cups purple grape juice
• 1 lime, sliced
• ice cubes or ice ring (you can freeze some of the punch to make the cubes too!)
• 2 liter bottle of ginger ale, chilled (use Canada Dry, not Vernors)
• Ribbon-Tied bouquet of lavender flowers (optional)

All cooking and preparation utensils should be non-aluminum. Use stainless steel, glass or plastic.

In covered 2-qt. Saucepan, heat water, cinnamon sticks and cloves to boiling. Simmer spice mix over low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add lavender flowers/leaves. Cover and let stand 10 minutes to steep.

Strain brew into container and discard particles. Stir in thawed limeade concentrate and add grape juice. Cover and refrigerate.

At serving time, pour into punch bowl or pitcher and add lime slices and ice. Add tied bouquet of lavender if you wish. Fill with chilled ginger ale. Proportion should be about half-and-half.

Makes approximately 1 gallon.

This recipe was given to me by Marcia Willbrandt from the Michigan Herb Society-Muskegon. It was a huge hit at the dedication of a city “pocket garden” designed, built and planted by the Master Gardeners in Muskegon ~~ The Monet Garden of Muskegon completed in June of 2002.

September’s Book: The House At Riverton–Kate Morton

In The House at Riverton, Kate Morton weaves together a modern Gothic mystery told from the perspective of a ninety-nine year old woman in a nursing home who was a servant at Riverton during the 1910s and 1920s. Morton recreates England around World War I well, and draws readers into the emotion of the changing time. The House at Riverton is an enjoyable read.

August’s Read…The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn’t simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life’s ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny’s wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life…as only a dog could tell it.

Yes Ladies, it’s another book with a sad ending about a dog…but a little different twist and worth the read!
Also, a movie is in development for a possible 2012 release date. Check out the movie trailer: http://youtu.be/zZ0CTcU0Fd0