2nd Annual Swag Exchange!

It's the night for our version of Oprah's Favorite Things...only we are keeping our items between $5-$10. Thank you Margi for offering to host our Christmas extravaganza!

Don't forget to bring your swag bag items!

October Outing...

We had a couple of birthdays this month.  Susan celebrated her "Golden" birthday and Diane...well she's just happy to wake up in the morning. What better time to plan a cultural event.

Although Anne is away travelling the world and Wendy was working the Boardroom...6 of us made it to Everything Wine's 2nd Annual Food & Wine Festival. We got to sample wines from all over the globe paired with local seasonal culinary delights. It was a fun and filling evening!

Thank you Philippa for offering to host our next meeting and choosing our next book "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" by Jamie Ford.

Season 14...

Hard to believe it will be 14 years in January!  Our kids are no longer in diapers although perhaps "we" are heading in that direction.  :)   Yikes!

To get Season 14 under way...which picture do you think best depicts our group???  Please comment to cast your vote.

Number 1:

Number 2:

Number 3:

We Skyped with Michael Christie

Last night our book club Skyped with the author of this month's selection "The Beggar's Garden" Michael Christie.

What a treat!  He was down to earth and welcomed questions from our "very smart" group.  :)   Didn't hurt that he is absolutely adorable!


Thanks Michael for joining us and thanks again to Wendy for arranging!

Meet the Author Night

We will be Skyping with author Michael Christie at our upcoming book club meeting.

Wendy's pick for this month "The Beggar's Garden" was the winner of the City of Vancouver Book Award.

Thank you Wendy for organizing the Skype session!

Absolutely To.Die.For Desserts

Thanks to Wendy for introducing us all to two deeeeelicious taste treats! She was kind enough to share the recipes with us (see below).

Rolo Cookies

 2 ½ cups (590 mL) Flour

¾ cup (180 mL) Cocoa

1 teaspoon (5 mL) Baking soda

1 cup (240 mL) White sugar

1 cup (240 mL) Brown sugar, firmly packed

1 cup (240 mL) Butter, softened

2 teaspoons (10 mL) Vanilla

2 Eggs

70 to 75 Rolo Candies (7-8 packages)

Combine flour, cocoa and baking soda.

In a separate bowl, beat sugar & butter and add vanilla & eggs.

Stir in flour /cocoa mixture. Chill dough for 1 hour.

Shape about 1 ½ teaspoons (7 mL) of dough around a Rolo, making sure it is completely covered. 

Place on ungreased cookie sheet and chill for 1 hour.

Bake 7 to 8 minutes at 375°F (190°C).

Cool on wire rack.

(Makes 75 cookies)

Optional: when cool, drizzle with melted white chocolate and garnish with a nut.

Cream Cheese Stuffed Strawberries

8 oz cream cheese (I used the light, spreadable version)

3 or 4 Tbsp icing sugar

1 tsp vanilla

Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top.

Let "The Week of Lori" Begin

OK...so we're a week late in posting this.  Have you ever googled "spring break" and then clicked on "Images"???  Try it...you'd be amazed at what comes up!  Had a hard time finding a G-rated pic.  :D

Everybody Wants a "Gold Star"

Gretchen Rubin author of "The Happiness Project" referred to her insatiable need for credit, always wanting the "Gold Star", the recognition.  

Nobody in our bookclub has that "insatiable" need for credit or recognition.  More like a little appreciation ...yea that's it...who wouldn't want that every now and then.

I can't remember why (another senior moment) but I believe the "Gold Star" was awarded to Lori this month.   Congrats!

What's Happening this Coming Month...

Diane obviously couldn't handle the stress of her 30 Day Challenge especially after failing on Day 4!  YIKES!

Three cheers to Margi for hosting January's meeting last minute!!! 

I think this earns her "Member of the Month." 

You never know who will be nominating/voting for Bookclub Member of the Month so keep reading.  :)


See you on the 1st and come prepared to share your "Happiness Project".
 

Welcome to 2012!!!

WOW!!!  That went by fast!  Hope everybody had a great holiday season.  Just a reminder that bookclub will be at Diane's this coming Wednesday, January 11th at 7:30pm. 

Diane had a MAJOR brain fart just before the holidays after hearing about Lori's 30 Day Challenge.  For some reason she mentioned it to a friend that they should try to refrain from alcohol for 30 days in the new year.  What was she thinking?!?!?  She is now on Day 2 so will not be serving any alcohol at bookclub next week so it is recommended that you BYOB!  LOL!!!  Just kidding (about the BYOB) and not to worry, there will be non-alcoholic wine for those that REALLY need it.  :) 

BRING IT ON!!!